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LoadTheArchive({"version":"1.0","encoding":"UTF-8","feed":{"xmlns":"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom","xmlns$openSearch":"http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/","xmlns$blogger":"http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008","xmlns$georss":"http://www.georss.org/georss","xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-08-13T05:32:26.432+01:00"},"category":[{"term":"crochet"},{"term":"children"},{"term":"August Break"},{"term":"craft"},{"term":"holidays"},{"term":"flowers"},{"term":"home"},{"term":"sewing"},{"term":"random"},{"term":"books"},{"term":"days out"},{"term":"Finish for the Weekend"},{"term":"cooking"},{"term":"autumn"},{"term":"house"},{"term":"yarn"},{"term":"A Year In Books"},{"term":"Christmas"},{"term":"Easter"},{"term":"baby"},{"term":"cushion"},{"term":"giveaway"},{"term":"Five on Friday"},{"term":"Halloween"},{"term":"award"},{"term":"bag"},{"term":"magazines"},{"term":"tutorial"},{"term":"Armistice Day"},{"term":"Poppies"},{"term":"Remembrance"},{"term":"Weaving"},{"term":"birthday"},{"term":"blocking"},{"term":"colour"},{"term":"liebster"},{"term":"review"},{"term":"shopping"},{"term":"st patricks day"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Emerald Cottage"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":"Crochet and crafts"},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/posts\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default?alt=json-in-script\u0026max-results=500"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"179"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"500"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6236606993665995941"},"published":{"$t":"2018-10-11T15:12:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-10-11T15:12:42.784+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Crochet cacti and pumpkins"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-I6WvQfRrsG0\/W78hd4j0eDI\/AAAAAAAAd0o\/_U8a_Kmcfjk752eKFSOdmwq8Sm4mAYMEQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4942.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-I6WvQfRrsG0\/W78hd4j0eDI\/AAAAAAAAd0o\/_U8a_Kmcfjk752eKFSOdmwq8Sm4mAYMEQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4942.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo its been officially autumn for a couple of weeks now but it seems that noone has told the people in charge of the weather. Yes, the leaves are changing colour and the berries are out, but the temperature is still lovely and warm, and I personally am still in tshirts, cropped trousers and sandals - just lovely.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ql9mgBF8riY\/W78i63UNn2I\/AAAAAAAAd2E\/8ExbsSb046AXirwFHcm6ZkSqgDzPGmEJwCK4BGAYYCw\/s1600\/IMG_4778.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ql9mgBF8riY\/W78i63UNn2I\/AAAAAAAAd2E\/8ExbsSb046AXirwFHcm6ZkSqgDzPGmEJwCK4BGAYYCw\/s320\/IMG_4778.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHere at Emerald Cottage we have had lots of lurgy. Little Tomboy had a sore throat and a day off school. Miss 13 had a hacking cough and a few days off. Mr 15 had it really badly, off school for almost 2 weeks - not good in your GCSE year - and is still coughing loads. Mr EC has been off work (obvs at death's door with man-flu) this week with it and still isn't great. But yes, you guessed right, yours truly has remained uninfected thus far. I did think this morning that my throat felt a bit scratchy but so far its not evolved into anything.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHaving MR EC at home is very unsettling. I find it so hard to crack on with whatever I need to do when other people are milling around the house (how dare they! you'd think it was their house too!!) and consequently the last week or two I've felt very unproductive and a bit twitchy to be honest. My mental health always feels like a very delicate balance so I'm trying to get some crafting done each day to keep me sane. Literally. Having said that, I have had lots of orders coming in, and looking back at my photos, I have done a fair bit.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-eBIJGwkU9Js\/W78hvi7QSkI\/AAAAAAAAd0w\/N-eD5WNh-nk6S-0Bjke-1jI6cdrsbTBnQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4793.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-eBIJGwkU9Js\/W78hvi7QSkI\/AAAAAAAAd0w\/N-eD5WNh-nk6S-0Bjke-1jI6cdrsbTBnQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4793.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI had some further orders for crochet cacti - in fact those orders are still rolling in, I had another person ask for one yesterday. My cacti are made following a pattern from an old issue of Simply Crochet magazine. One of the orders was for 2 cacti and a scrabble art picture. I love working out how the words will interlink.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZfIrNCgxaaM\/W78iFi6Wn2I\/AAAAAAAAd1Y\/I5UecrNA4Lg8TkqK7_QWCYjghDbOjGEvACK4BGAYYCw\/s1600\/IMG_4747.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZfIrNCgxaaM\/W78iFi6Wn2I\/AAAAAAAAd1Y\/I5UecrNA4Lg8TkqK7_QWCYjghDbOjGEvACK4BGAYYCw\/s320\/IMG_4747.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI've also made a couple of baby sloths, this time with a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thetwistedcrocheter.com\/patterns\/crochet-amigurumi-baby-finger-sloth-pattern-free\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Epattern\u003C\/a\u003E from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thetwistedcrocheter.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Twisted Crocheter\u003C\/a\u003E. Isn't he so cute with this little felt heart 💓\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-hCv5wBdF5WQ\/W78ixvgEGHI\/AAAAAAAAd18\/8O6DomVcwVwJYiIgs29CY835C6TSLg95wCK4BGAYYCw\/s1600\/IMG_4755.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-hCv5wBdF5WQ\/W78ixvgEGHI\/AAAAAAAAd18\/8O6DomVcwVwJYiIgs29CY835C6TSLg95wCK4BGAYYCw\/s320\/IMG_4755.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA lady ordered four purses from me, she wants them personalised, which I have yet to do (that's my next job!).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-qXsrlmG3zE8\/W78pG3sZPDI\/AAAAAAAAd4s\/l-1poJ4mzLYBKcTlKEg-__XAocTD4C-2gCK4BGAYYCw\/s1600\/IMG_4906.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-qXsrlmG3zE8\/W78pG3sZPDI\/AAAAAAAAd4s\/l-1poJ4mzLYBKcTlKEg-__XAocTD4C-2gCK4BGAYYCw\/s320\/IMG_4906.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI've made around 12 orders in the last two weeks. Doesn't sound a lot but its just about the right amount for me. I really enjoy packaging them up to send out.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-OHIhd2YF8cg\/W78jQ96OepI\/AAAAAAAAd2Q\/eV8lnBSYWhgYRoGu3xK3dlWiBIKuFLmjwCK4BGAYYCw\/s1600\/IMG_4795.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-OHIhd2YF8cg\/W78jQ96OepI\/AAAAAAAAd2Q\/eV8lnBSYWhgYRoGu3xK3dlWiBIKuFLmjwCK4BGAYYCw\/s320\/IMG_4795.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EEvery order goes out in a brown bag with a handwritten thankyou note, and a little heart sweetie 💗\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI've been joining in with Vlogtober - where you vlog every day for the month of October. I decided to participate in order to focus getting on with crafting, but its been quite hard to do, especially since there have been poorly people hanging round at home and I don't want them to hear me LOL Weekends are hard for the same reason, and then I have my Mum coming for a few days next week so that will be tricky too! Oh well, I'm sure I'll manage. You can find my vlogs \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCKs7D1zHHbMQHaYkExXgnbg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere on my youtube channel\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;if you fancy a listen. The last few are very boring - sorry - due to the pesky ill people - but I'm hoping they might get a bit ore interesting again next week!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI've also been participating on Inktober, over on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/emeraldcottage\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emy instagram\u003C\/a\u003E. The idea is to do drawing every day throughout October. I've LOVED doing this. I am not an expert artist by ANY stretch of the imagination, but I do love drawing, I just normally don't find the time. I still don't find the time really, I know a lot of people are spending upwards of an hour on their daily drawings, I only spend about 5- 10 minutes on each of mine. And it probably shows. But I don't care, I'm enjoying it, its getting me in the habit of drawing every day, and that was my purpose of joining in. Here are a few of my favourite pictures I've done :\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-kXeP6bNGvUQ\/W78lvovHfxI\/AAAAAAAAd2g\/pINfWe9OBtsuTdnBQsppc9xmGQZvoJpGwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4835.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-kXeP6bNGvUQ\/W78lvovHfxI\/AAAAAAAAd2g\/pINfWe9OBtsuTdnBQsppc9xmGQZvoJpGwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4835.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0F4_GGMK2G4\/W78lyjcFvqI\/AAAAAAAAd2k\/A1kZl17MLRoM31W7v7PulTVlkle4-l8twCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4908.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"160\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0F4_GGMK2G4\/W78lyjcFvqI\/AAAAAAAAd2k\/A1kZl17MLRoM31W7v7PulTVlkle4-l8twCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4908.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ngDL3LlIEbA\/W78l14e0HyI\/AAAAAAAAd2o\/_r91tdBbsxQaeim8sxLTJ1sYSnxlfY3KQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4920.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ngDL3LlIEbA\/W78l14e0HyI\/AAAAAAAAd2o\/_r91tdBbsxQaeim8sxLTJ1sYSnxlfY3KQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4920.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI've also started to think abut making some necklaces. In the summer I went on a Dorset Button making workshop - I'll do a blog post about it one of these days - but the idea of\u0026nbsp; plain dorset button can be extended to something slightly more intricate. I made this necklace, and hope to do a few more to sell in my Etsy shop.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7P2S3B9-qSk\/W78mwXFucwI\/AAAAAAAAd28\/QP2qL8eeBDYIpJFqUFWdNShr0rWBWZwiACK4BGAYYCw\/s1600\/IMG_4736.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7P2S3B9-qSk\/W78mwXFucwI\/AAAAAAAAd28\/QP2qL8eeBDYIpJFqUFWdNShr0rWBWZwiACK4BGAYYCw\/s320\/IMG_4736.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you look closely you will see some little beads on the beige area of the pendant, they are hard to notice in the photo but are lovely and twinkly in real life. My Mum and my friend both have birthdays coming up so I think I will make them a necklace each.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESpeaking of my Etsy shop, its still there but its empty! I've had so many orders, mostly from \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/JillEmeraldCottage\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emy facebook page\u003C\/a\u003E, that I haven't had time to make up some stock for the page. Its all good though, stocking the shop gives me plenty to do when the orders go quiet, as I'm sure they will. Oh and I've also signed up for 3 craft fairs before Christmas, so I have lots to do to make stock for those too.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy final thing to tell you is that I've been making loads of these little pumpkins, again for orders.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DLFxiDHFVSU\/W78pZLXDWII\/AAAAAAAAd48\/fZT-BntiS9YS6c7aP2ShfxqhoTYdC2ykQCK4BGAYYCw\/s1600\/IMG_4904.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DLFxiDHFVSU\/W78pZLXDWII\/AAAAAAAAd48\/fZT-BntiS9YS6c7aP2ShfxqhoTYdC2ykQCK4BGAYYCw\/s320\/IMG_4904.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThey can be made with or without faces, but the faces have proved very popular! I really need to make a few for home too :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-4yRecL0ayZQ\/W78oqTj7NyI\/AAAAAAAAd4Y\/KyoGc5LAmdAiFcuCtD7QOQ7JjN3CMqTFwCK4BGAYYCw\/s1600\/IMG_4730.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-4yRecL0ayZQ\/W78oqTj7NyI\/AAAAAAAAd4Y\/KyoGc5LAmdAiFcuCtD7QOQ7JjN3CMqTFwCK4BGAYYCw\/s320\/IMG_4730.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn the midst of all these orders I've obviously had the ill people to look after, school runs to do for the non-ill people, we've been going around looking at sixth-form colleges for Mr 15, which reminds me I MUST NOT FORGET to fill out secondary school application for Little Tomboy (poor 3rd child always forgotten about ....), and getting organised for my Mum's visit next week i.e. making the house vaguely presentable - ok I confess I haven't actually started that yet. That's the job for the weekend - fun! Not! Hopefully even with Mum's visit I will have time to do some crafting, so watch this space for more :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHave a lovely weekend, and a lovely week next week, I probably won't be back here til Mum has been and gone.\u003Cbr \/\u003EBye for now,\u003Cbr \/\u003EJilllxxxxxxxxx\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6236606993665995941\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2018\/10\/hello-dear-friends-and-readers-so-its.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6236606993665995941"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6236606993665995941"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2018\/10\/hello-dear-friends-and-readers-so-its.html","title":"Crochet cacti and pumpkins"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-I6WvQfRrsG0\/W78hd4j0eDI\/AAAAAAAAd0o\/_U8a_Kmcfjk752eKFSOdmwq8Sm4mAYMEQCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/IMG_4942.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-3811363642792496816"},"published":{"$t":"2018-09-29T13:29:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-09-29T13:29:19.412+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Ladies Who Latte"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear readers and friends!\u003Cbr \/\u003EHow are we all doing this week ? I've had a super busy week, both with home stuff and craft stuff. I dug my watercolours out last night and did this little autumnal painting. Its pleasing me greatly as I haven't done much water-colouring for a very long time. I've been watching some youtube videos on arty pursuits in general this week, and its really inspired me. I followed \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-zUs2UcHA9A\u0026amp;t=16s\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis tutorial\u003C\/a\u003E to paint this picture.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-uLVvLNkmyI4\/W69iavxPwqI\/AAAAAAAAdkU\/P38EGDrPfmQoNlTnocg6BqZm58MQBat_gCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4721.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-uLVvLNkmyI4\/W69iavxPwqI\/AAAAAAAAdkU\/P38EGDrPfmQoNlTnocg6BqZm58MQBat_gCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4721.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWater colouring suits me well as you can cover up mistakes very easily by blobbing on some more paint! I also did the simple blend below, I want to start bullet-journalling (well, journalling of some sort anyway) and thought a quotation on this would look lovely in the start of my notebook.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-jbRlq12z3hQ\/W69jmkMsyEI\/AAAAAAAAdmc\/E9GVWjgnffUxjd3_bUJfniWUc4NBpuoOQCK4BGAYYCw\/s1600\/IMG_4720.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-jbRlq12z3hQ\/W69jmkMsyEI\/AAAAAAAAdmc\/E9GVWjgnffUxjd3_bUJfniWUc4NBpuoOQCK4BGAYYCw\/s320\/IMG_4720.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIts fair to say that autumn is well under way, the weather is so changeable - last weekend was torrential rain -which is perfect conditions for staying in an organising your yarn stash ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-AJb92gCmuQk\/W69kwswnp0I\/AAAAAAAAdnI\/-7tVI6TMS_4w5gJQ0sNKSa_RD0KFGUr0gCK4BGAYYCw\/s1600\/IMG_4719.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-AJb92gCmuQk\/W69kwswnp0I\/AAAAAAAAdnI\/-7tVI6TMS_4w5gJQ0sNKSa_RD0KFGUr0gCK4BGAYYCw\/s320\/IMG_4719.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI must not buy any more. Really, I musn't. This isn't even half of it.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-G_nrgpdTme0\/W69lXjo0YPI\/AAAAAAAAdno\/uT_kKdMlKOs_19npBmsPgl806RkEoFplgCK4BGAYYCw\/s1600\/IMG_4632.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-G_nrgpdTme0\/W69lXjo0YPI\/AAAAAAAAdno\/uT_kKdMlKOs_19npBmsPgl806RkEoFplgCK4BGAYYCw\/s320\/IMG_4632.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... and then this weekend the sun is out, the sky is blue, and its beautiful outside. There's a freshness in the air, but its still lovely and sunny. Which makes Little Tomboy's Saturday morning football match so much more enjoyable. Here she is sloping off the pitch at the end of the math, in a sulk because they didn't win. They didn't lose either, but they should've won. Oh well, there's always next week.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-h96447ZviZc\/W69mDz7IIrI\/AAAAAAAAdn0\/x6XaIFwMYD4bTxNpG5vKLJ3Ky_7m308gQCK4BGAYYCw\/s1600\/IMG_4717.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-h96447ZviZc\/W69mDz7IIrI\/AAAAAAAAdn0\/x6XaIFwMYD4bTxNpG5vKLJ3Ky_7m308gQCK4BGAYYCw\/s320\/IMG_4717.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELast week I went to a small business networking event called \"Ladies Who Latte\". There were about 15 of us there, and the idea is we all sit round the table - just a coffee table, it's very relaxed - and you each have a minute to talk about yourself and your business. Then after everyone has done their bit you can mingle around and talk to the other business owners. The variety of businesses represented was amazing - there was a hypnotherapist, a couple of life-coaches, a massage-therapist, a lawyer, a jewellery rep, a yoga teacher and a feng-shui specialist, to name but a few. I took along a basket of my goodies to show, and this got passed around while I was doing my little spiel. My expectations were just to maybe hand out a couple of business cards, I really didn't think I would get much out of it, however I was blown away by the sales and orders that were initiated just from that one meeting. So the feng-shui lady asked me if I could crochet a cactus for her to give her daughter who can't keep plants. Can't as in she always kills them, so |I was told. Funnily enough I had dug out a cactus pattern a couple of weeks ago while thinking of ideas for things to sell in my Etsy shop. Of course I said yes, no problem - more on that later in this post! A lady who is a \"Forever Living\" (aloe products) rep asked me to make a dozen cards for her team, and she bought a card there and then too.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-mLcE_i3mJ4s\/W69pfcE9WGI\/AAAAAAAAdoU\/recGG4Usf0AwpVojndu9TuMVEo3mmFL8ACK4BGAYYCw\/s1600\/IMG_4668.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-mLcE_i3mJ4s\/W69pfcE9WGI\/AAAAAAAAdoU\/recGG4Usf0AwpVojndu9TuMVEo3mmFL8ACK4BGAYYCw\/s320\/IMG_4668.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... and the lawyer lady bought a coin purse and a card. All I invested really was my time - there is a £2.50 charge for the coffee and my friend who I drove there paid for mine. So I think I got a pretty good return on my investment, and it was definitely worth going. And really worth taking some of my products along - I wasn't expecting to actually sell anything there, so that was awesome. Its a once a month meeting, and I will definitely be going to the next one.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETo get back to the cactus though. So I picked out the cactus pattern that I'd found and made a couple to show Mrs Feng-Shui.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-nosANFzm-vE\/W69pYEq-1pI\/AAAAAAAAdoM\/ZTXVO5CF8ekWTbNRDr_q7gGM6NRSGEu0wCK4BGAYYCw\/s1600\/IMG_4638.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-nosANFzm-vE\/W69pYEq-1pI\/AAAAAAAAdoM\/ZTXVO5CF8ekWTbNRDr_q7gGM6NRSGEu0wCK4BGAYYCw\/s320\/IMG_4638.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAren't they cute! Mr and Mrs Cactus! I must admit I a totally in love with these 💚\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-8rJXWmO05Ug\/W69qGXrvEwI\/AAAAAAAAdok\/yY1Q7WpQ8C8Ldgxm_MWP8wjkyns7k_PWACK4BGAYYCw\/s1600\/IMG_4637.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-8rJXWmO05Ug\/W69qGXrvEwI\/AAAAAAAAdok\/yY1Q7WpQ8C8Ldgxm_MWP8wjkyns7k_PWACK4BGAYYCw\/s400\/IMG_4637.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI posted some pictures on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/emeraldcottage\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emy instagram\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/JillEmeraldCottage\/?ref=br_rs\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emy facebook\u003C\/a\u003E, and the response was amazing! Soooo many more requests for crochet cacti, its been a bit bonkers. I had made the ones above out of random bits of stash wool and of course didn't have any more left, so the next lot were made up in a different colour.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-qGzDuOdMwIs\/W69rg-5JFmI\/AAAAAAAAdo8\/MP4fE-gGd-Y_deHfUWMZgRI-sBUMeRIRACK4BGAYYCw\/s1600\/IMG_4649.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-qGzDuOdMwIs\/W69rg-5JFmI\/AAAAAAAAdo8\/MP4fE-gGd-Y_deHfUWMZgRI-sBUMeRIRACK4BGAYYCw\/s320\/IMG_4649.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe lady that wanted them asked for yellow flowers, and she was happy with the darker green, as they are still just so cute.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-b3dlnTTxOws\/W69rLdKlddI\/AAAAAAAAdow\/4kRVd13UgLQUgPp4vQE3fZMavdSR9YnbQCK4BGAYYCw\/s1600\/IMG_4651.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-b3dlnTTxOws\/W69rLdKlddI\/AAAAAAAAdow\/4kRVd13UgLQUgPp4vQE3fZMavdSR9YnbQCK4BGAYYCw\/s320\/IMG_4651.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHowever, I prefer the lighter colour so I had to go and buy more green yarn. Yes, you heard that right. Despite the ridiculous amount of yarn in my stash, I still didn't have the right green. The new one I had to buy in is Stylecraft Special DK in Grass Green. Its very similar to the lighter ones above, I have no photos as yet but suffice it to say its been like a cactus factory in my craft room this week - I'll have more pics next week.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd that, people, has been my week. Oh, one more thing is that I have uploaded a \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=baBwhQgDgHU\u0026amp;t=47s\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Enew vlog\u003C\/a\u003E to Youtube, you can find it \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=baBwhQgDgHU\u0026amp;t=47s\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ERight, I need to go and finish some more cacti now - I'll be posting more pictures on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/emeraldcottage\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emy instagram\u003C\/a\u003E I'm sure, so watch out for those.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHope you all have a lovely weekend,\u003Cbr \/\u003EJillxo"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3811363642792496816\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2018\/09\/ladies-who-latte.html#comment-form","title":"11 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3811363642792496816"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3811363642792496816"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2018\/09\/ladies-who-latte.html","title":"Ladies Who Latte"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-uLVvLNkmyI4\/W69iavxPwqI\/AAAAAAAAdkU\/P38EGDrPfmQoNlTnocg6BqZm58MQBat_gCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/IMG_4721.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"11"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-5699336914568424217"},"published":{"$t":"2018-09-22T10:07:00.004+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-09-22T10:19:48.453+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Wednesday Words"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI have just read \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/christinascolourfullive.blogspot.com\/2018\/09\/my-week-in-lots-of-words-monday-tuesday.html?showComment=1537359972469#c8823003648130500097\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis post\u003C\/a\u003E on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/christinascolourfullive.blogspot.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EChristina's blog\u003C\/a\u003E. I love reading her wordy day posts and have, several times, written such a post of my own, but I've always given up as it doesn't seem to read very well - I always think who would be interested in my waffle anyway ? But I'm feeling inspired today to give it a go so here goes ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7fhgghwGE9w\/W6YBkC6jnMI\/AAAAAAAAdhw\/lP009SWGoAQlIbHnpoI9YHTOQAKNfQj3QCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4635.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"160\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7fhgghwGE9w\/W6YBkC6jnMI\/AAAAAAAAdhw\/lP009SWGoAQlIbHnpoI9YHTOQAKNfQj3QCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4635.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EMy alarm goes off at 6.45am and I VERY begrudgingly get up, I am a night owl, definitely not a morning person, and every morning is a struggle. Having said that, all I do is waken the teenagers, make sure they actually get up, and then I go back to bed and just rest or sometimes doze. I find that just staying out of everybody's way works best for us, they just get on and get themselves breakfast and get ready, then head off to school.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9sp40kqdFe0\/W6X_glpKrEI\/AAAAAAAAdhI\/pVQGUvIj2GIDUfQaIZiHRo9ze0-7aHa9QCLcBGAs\/s1600\/when-youre-forced-to-wake-up-really-early-in-the-19738397.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"501\" data-original-width=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9sp40kqdFe0\/W6X_glpKrEI\/AAAAAAAAdhI\/pVQGUvIj2GIDUfQaIZiHRo9ze0-7aHa9QCLcBGAs\/s320\/when-youre-forced-to-wake-up-really-early-in-the-19738397.png\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHubby drives Mr Teenager to school, Little Miss walks. They all leave about 7.45. Usually at 7.30 I get up again (as it were) and get Little Tomboy out of bed and getting ready. She leaves a bit later and has started walking on her own, she feels very grown up. Its an easy walk with one road to cross at a pedestrian crossing, and of course there are hundreds of other kids and parents all walking the same way. This week however she is away on a school residential for the week so I don't have that deadline to get her out of bed, and I lie on a little longer - how decadent!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-FeXh9lEvurE\/W6YBr28lJAI\/AAAAAAAAdh0\/KBYpFtIQEZAjMdBht_7WJGNSsqZ-FHWFACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4603.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-FeXh9lEvurE\/W6YBr28lJAI\/AAAAAAAAdh0\/KBYpFtIQEZAjMdBht_7WJGNSsqZ-FHWFACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4603.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI finally get up properly at about 8.30am and take the dog for a walk. Its a beautiful fresh morning, the afternoons have been pretty warm this week but the morning has that lovely fresh early morning feel that comes with the onset of autumn. I try to take some photos of Pixie but she is determined to not look at the camera.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-nPixeW8jXP0\/W6YCGDAyqUI\/AAAAAAAAdh8\/yDLyn2Ts44kRP7q7-YQk21Fr_omR4wEbwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4607.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-nPixeW8jXP0\/W6YCGDAyqUI\/AAAAAAAAdh8\/yDLyn2Ts44kRP7q7-YQk21Fr_omR4wEbwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4607.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOnce we get back, and I'm showered and have had a coffee, I get the first wash of the day on. Why is the laundry basket always full and beyond overflowing ??? Are there secret extra people living in my house ? I sit down to do a bit of work on my website. I'm doing a mini revamp, I want to have a front page with a banner that matches my Etsy shop banner, and links to my blog and my shop. I struggle, argue and fight with various website builders for about 2 hours. Why is this so difficult ? I worked in IT for about 16 years for heaven's sake. I give up and decide to tackle my other job of the day which is to work out how I can ship a couple of my shop's items without charging the shipping fee, as they are being purchased by people collecting locally. This time I argue with Etsy and google for another hour. Every google search points me to the Etsy Sell app, which I install on my phone, and try to follow the instructions google gives me. I just can't see how to do it. I'm getting so frustrated and my brain hurts.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHubby phones and rescues me by taking me to lunch. We go to our local Costa, which is in the cinema but is actually more popular than the cinema itself. In fact its so popular that its undergoing the second expansion in the two or so years since it opened.\u0026nbsp; I have a nicoise salad which is yummy, but am very disappointed to see there is no carrot cake. I'm quite addicted to Costa carrot cake, it is AMAZING. I assume they are baked en masse so I'm always impressed by how delicious it is. However the fact that they have none its probably a good thing for my waistline (not that I have one, hmph).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-kBdb2MHz7qM\/W6YDj3i-n-I\/AAAAAAAAdiQ\/T4mEAXyaMxkMgYrBv0xX6AslnrdZC-rAACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_3939.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-kBdb2MHz7qM\/W6YDj3i-n-I\/AAAAAAAAdiQ\/T4mEAXyaMxkMgYrBv0xX6AslnrdZC-rAACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_3939.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI return to my desk and resume the no-shipping search. Finally I learn that the instructions I kept seeing on every google search result, was for functionality that was removed last March. Marvellous. And then the penny drops that all I have to do is amend the listing to have shipping set to zero. I'm so annoyed at wasting so much time on something that turned out to be so easy. I get my orders packaged ready for collection, and then I finish up a unicorn that I'm making for a customer. It's looking very cute and I'm feeling really pleased to get it done, as you all know I am a serial non-finisher so actually completing anything is a Big Thing.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-r26IzujD4X4\/W6YDryBGWXI\/AAAAAAAAdiU\/ZsAtWWqgdXgqxJX6_vlDAZPASQG0Dcp-QCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4619.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-r26IzujD4X4\/W6YDryBGWXI\/AAAAAAAAdiU\/ZsAtWWqgdXgqxJX6_vlDAZPASQG0Dcp-QCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4619.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs usual my afternoon, which is very short, is over all too soon. I have to leave at 2.30pm to pick up Mr Teenager at 3pm. He's been complaining that we don't have enough fruit for days now. We had some strawberries that were fine but past their date, and he refuses to eat them. Similarly for oranges and apples. So, rather huffily, I resign myself to a trip to Sainsbury's on the way home. The traffic is horrendous due to perpetual roadworks, and by the time we get near to Sainsbury's I am very grumpy indeed.\u0026nbsp; I hate food shopping. Even little food shops. Just so tedious. However, the chemist we use is next to Sainsbury's so I pop in to get some medication that they owe us. Mr Teenager is on two lots of medication. One is a bit unusual, and noone else in the area seems to use it, so every time we need it the chemist has to order it in. They order it in packs of 30 tablets but the prescription is only for 28, so there are always a few leftover at the chemist. They usually give us what they have in, and then owe us the rest. Its been so long though since I was supposed to collect them, (we had got double at some point that we've managed to eke them out), that now it is time to request the new repeat prescription for the next lot. This job in particular makes me realise how quickly time passes, I seem to be doing this job every week, or at least that's how it feels. The chemist is fab though, and will text me when the meds are in.\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn Sainsbury's we stock up on the fruit and veg, and, as we have a school meeting to attend tonight, and time is limited, I decide to be lazy and buy ready-meals for tea.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe get home about 3.45pm and I realise we only have an hour until we have to go out again. Mr Teenager is hungry - what's new - and eats his meal straightaway while I put away the rest of the shopping. I feel really twitchy as I hate waiting for it to be time to go out somewhere, so I decide to just sit and mess about on my phone for a bit. Little Miss arrives home and we chat about her day for about a nanosecond before she disappears off to her room.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDespite telling Mr Teenager to be ready at 4.45pm, I am still yelling \"HURRY UP\" up the stairs at 5pm, when hubby arrives home, a bit late (like father, like son), to pick us up. We have to sit in the miserable traffic again on the way back to school. The meeting is with Mr Teenager's tutor to discuss moving forward to Sixth Form, and then a talk by the Head of Year about key dates, exams and so on. I spend the whole meeting in a state of befuddlement at how we have come to be at this stage of our lives. The Assistant Head put it very well: \"you've strapped yourself into the roller-coaster and its only going to get worse\". Yep, that's how I feel. The whole GCSE, ALevel, Uni thing seems far too grown up for me to be dealing with for my children. Is it really nearly 16 years since Mr Teenager was born ? 16 years ? Seems like the blink of an eye.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOn the way home, in the car, we somehow get onto the subject of wives\/partners. Mr Teenager says he wants to be absolutely sure that he only has children with the right person and he'd want to wait a long time to make sure the person is right for him. Hubby says to him \" don't spend too long looking, there comes a time when you just have to settle for what you've got\"!!!. Of course I splutter and laugh, and hubby digs himself further into a hole \"you don't have to wait for the perfect person\" etc etc. All very funny :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe get home and I'm tired from concentrating on the laptop half the day and then trying to be a sensible, responsible parent at the school meeting. I don't really fancy my prawn linguini and decide instead to have a cinnamon and raisin bagel - mmmmmm, so yummy.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe're home at around 6.45pm and get the usual high energy from the dog - it is great to be so loved :)\u0026nbsp; I decide to have a bit of a play with my new badge making machine, making some badges with papers that I have in my stash.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wb_Y5Zx9LcY\/W6YD08LB9dI\/AAAAAAAAdic\/qI145AjIEdMctq5UpIds86OgrMhJ_V6MgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4628.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-wb_Y5Zx9LcY\/W6YD08LB9dI\/AAAAAAAAdic\/qI145AjIEdMctq5UpIds86OgrMhJ_V6MgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4628.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBy about 7.30 Hubby and I watch a bit of telly whilst homework gets done upstairs. I find these days I am really tired by about 9pm, so it's usually an episode or two of whatever we're watching (currently something called SWAT team which is a cop drama thing). Just after 9 I let the dog out and then put her to bed, and then I put myself to bed."},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5699336914568424217\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2018\/09\/wednesday-words.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5699336914568424217"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5699336914568424217"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2018\/09\/wednesday-words.html","title":"Wednesday Words"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7fhgghwGE9w\/W6YBkC6jnMI\/AAAAAAAAdhw\/lP009SWGoAQlIbHnpoI9YHTOQAKNfQj3QCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/IMG_4635.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-520417777446608760"},"published":{"$t":"2018-09-17T12:13:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-09-17T16:11:05.203+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Overdue catchup"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI've missed you all! I cant believe I haven't blogged since January, I really don't know where this year has gone. I've done a few crafty bits and pieces over the year, but I thought I'd just dive straight in with where I am now.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYou may have seen over on my instagram (EmeraldCottage) I've been sharing photos of some of the things I created in the last couple of weeks ......\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E💚 Coin purses\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-VddZ3tlo6Q0\/W5-F4nmsrYI\/AAAAAAAAdYU\/UFsHPfszLIwBWUeJUmImKECHB0ibjZssgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4561.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-VddZ3tlo6Q0\/W5-F4nmsrYI\/AAAAAAAAdYU\/UFsHPfszLIwBWUeJUmImKECHB0ibjZssgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4561.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-NnJd5vGLkhA\/W5-F763gqMI\/AAAAAAAAdYY\/nF8ZTAgQRV0nR1tLCz9uVRk627EnL9xtwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4575.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-NnJd5vGLkhA\/W5-F763gqMI\/AAAAAAAAdYY\/nF8ZTAgQRV0nR1tLCz9uVRk627EnL9xtwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4575.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ujNGUV1Np6o\/W5-GaBceP7I\/AAAAAAAAdZI\/-9F4_14Ht0gpsSLjP1L8-k35mMLCGz2cwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4585.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ujNGUV1Np6o\/W5-GaBceP7I\/AAAAAAAAdZI\/-9F4_14Ht0gpsSLjP1L8-k35mMLCGz2cwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4585.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E💚 Dreamcatcher\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jRUrA4ZkJsg\/W5-GCYZZm1I\/AAAAAAAAdYc\/NJwApxvCMP0G6uuVYemU-nWXXdtlVdR0QCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4588.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jRUrA4ZkJsg\/W5-GCYZZm1I\/AAAAAAAAdYc\/NJwApxvCMP0G6uuVYemU-nWXXdtlVdR0QCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4588.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-93EOBUV5-Ug\/W5-GElr_ODI\/AAAAAAAAdYg\/k4-IEuJloNEtEizstWs69j8Q9w1IxxWzACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4589.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-93EOBUV5-Ug\/W5-GElr_ODI\/AAAAAAAAdYg\/k4-IEuJloNEtEizstWs69j8Q9w1IxxWzACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4589.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E💚 Owl keyrings\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-yPK7q2vrjOo\/W5-GKD3FnUI\/AAAAAAAAdYo\/HY6m0WpgEzQrFNH0c7UvTjR06B8xFRGpACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4580.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"120\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-yPK7q2vrjOo\/W5-GKD3FnUI\/AAAAAAAAdYo\/HY6m0WpgEzQrFNH0c7UvTjR06B8xFRGpACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4580.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-XOhYwaEsO_c\/W5-GNJi7ZyI\/AAAAAAAAdY8\/KNGzWwshXBMt1O_pEPiFniAY9dCFuet-wCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4583.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-XOhYwaEsO_c\/W5-GNJi7ZyI\/AAAAAAAAdY8\/KNGzWwshXBMt1O_pEPiFniAY9dCFuet-wCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4583.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E💚 Strawberry keyring\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-s8zwjHlByhw\/W5-GVNkL65I\/AAAAAAAAdZA\/7pruB9cWkwUK1lFxcXEWqfvHNmTNFLrwwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4587.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"550\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-s8zwjHlByhw\/W5-GVNkL65I\/AAAAAAAAdZA\/7pruB9cWkwUK1lFxcXEWqfvHNmTNFLrwwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4587.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E💚 Halloween badges\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-bzFisqaEC3Y\/W5-GewFjNcI\/AAAAAAAAdZY\/1HpZqvZJXYogbBlmkTqe3Zov1l-1hpipACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_4562.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-bzFisqaEC3Y\/W5-GewFjNcI\/AAAAAAAAdZY\/1HpZqvZJXYogbBlmkTqe3Zov1l-1hpipACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_4562.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe badges are a new venture, I'll do a blog post on badge making at some point for you. I'm still working out how best to get the artwork onto the paper for the badge, and experimenting with different methods. Its good fun though!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENow, I have 2 quite big pieces of news to share with you.\u003Cbr \/\u003EFirstly, I'm setting up an Etsy shop to try and sell some of my makes. I've been thinking of doing this for a while, and have sold via craft fairs and facebook in the past. Each of these has negative sides - personally I find the commitment of a craft fair really hard to manage, weekends are for family time and I don't like disappearing off for a day too often, and selling via facebook is ok but very casual, and I've wanted something a bit more structured and professional-looking. Going down the Etsy line is quite daunting, I obviously want the \"shopfront\" to look good, and the photos of my stock need to be good, plus I need to decide upon things like policies, shipping, returns and so on. Also, with Etsy you pay to list your items, even if they don't sell, so you do have to be quite sure that this is the way to go. I've been putting it off really, it feels a bit scary. But I've decided that this week I'm going to crack on with it, and just get it done.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy other piece of news is that I have started a You-tube channel, and am vlogging there as well as blogging here. My channel is under my own name Jill Davidson and you can find it \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCKs7D1zHHbMQHaYkExXgnbg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E. I have 2 videos uploaded so far (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tqeAxdklIa0\u0026amp;t=1061s\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4C3wttCJwrk\u0026amp;t=248s\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E)\u0026nbsp;with another to be edited and uploaded over the next couple of days, if you want to watch them and give me any feedback (hopefully positive lol), that would be really lovely.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'll leave it here for now , I'm trying to get better and more efficient at blogging and not spending hours and hours refining a massive post - that's what I have a habit of doing and it turns every blog post into a massive deal, which of course in turn means I don't blog as often as I'd like. So hopefully this way I will be a bit more regular on here!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHope you all have a great week,\u003Cbr \/\u003EJill"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/520417777446608760\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2018\/09\/overdue-catchup.html#comment-form","title":"13 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/520417777446608760"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/520417777446608760"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2018\/09\/overdue-catchup.html","title":"Overdue catchup"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-VddZ3tlo6Q0\/W5-F4nmsrYI\/AAAAAAAAdYU\/UFsHPfszLIwBWUeJUmImKECHB0ibjZssgCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/IMG_4561.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"13"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6134312443772261204"},"published":{"$t":"2018-01-01T12:53:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-01-01T12:53:02.060+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Happy New Year 2018"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello and Happy New Year ! I've been AWOL for a couple of months, nothing major, just life.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-nGhQxBOcniU\/WkoqVJauf5I\/AAAAAAAAaQg\/KJvXma-CyokAqr4Byo9Nnz37ay3gBKTQACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_2267.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-nGhQxBOcniU\/WkoqVJauf5I\/AAAAAAAAaQg\/KJvXma-CyokAqr4Byo9Nnz37ay3gBKTQACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_2267.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EChristmas has been and gone, our house is almost back to normal. School restarts for 1 of my Little People on Wednesday. Little Miss is not impressed at starting back before the other two. She had a birthday in December and is now a teenager so she is being upgraded to Miss 13.\u0026nbsp; Anyway back to the back to school thing, I always look forward to a long break over Christmas - lots of chilling out in pyjamas, and eating naughty food (surprised there isn't now a national mince pie shortage I've eaten so many) but its always good to get the children back to school so I can attempt to make the house vaguely presentable, and get back into some kind of routine.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI didn't pick up a hook all holidays! I know! Instead I've been cross stitching and doing some card-making. And taking no photos it would appear. I do have some from earlier in December, I was supposed to be doing a couple of craft fairs and made quite a lot of Christmassy bits and pieces. In the end for various reasons I didn't make it to the craft fairs, but everything will keep til next year.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-8hGyHb1ifCs\/WkoqaZkrLjI\/AAAAAAAAaQo\/riKrZ7s8m4UDXItVO5tVInqD2lHRKsKqACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_2158.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-8hGyHb1ifCs\/WkoqaZkrLjI\/AAAAAAAAaQo\/riKrZ7s8m4UDXItVO5tVInqD2lHRKsKqACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_2158.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1KMx_HN3zwc\/WkoqdjqebHI\/AAAAAAAAaQs\/QCaCjMrOypEQJrfckIqkHcVBM2TyvpoLQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_E2224.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1KMx_HN3zwc\/WkoqdjqebHI\/AAAAAAAAaQs\/QCaCjMrOypEQJrfckIqkHcVBM2TyvpoLQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_E2224.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-jhAVWdLG7Kg\/Wkoqgmk97JI\/AAAAAAAAaQw\/7Cxwqv4GG7gIug0NG8x13LV09nZTI66PACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_E2205.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-jhAVWdLG7Kg\/Wkoqgmk97JI\/AAAAAAAAaQw\/7Cxwqv4GG7gIug0NG8x13LV09nZTI66PACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_E2205.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-pIdjE1wOzek\/Wkoqi0AD3pI\/AAAAAAAAaQ0\/pAy9dNhKl8U58g8Xxt_-zRhPulfHFXAFgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_2125.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-pIdjE1wOzek\/Wkoqi0AD3pI\/AAAAAAAAaQ0\/pAy9dNhKl8U58g8Xxt_-zRhPulfHFXAFgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_2125.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-J2XB-GzMShk\/WkoqlmUpWqI\/AAAAAAAAaQ4\/OxCGxQSveeonVoTF9fIsaGnGn7Cxp9MYgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_2124.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-J2XB-GzMShk\/WkoqlmUpWqI\/AAAAAAAAaQ4\/OxCGxQSveeonVoTF9fIsaGnGn7Cxp9MYgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_2124.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-CjtCxuq1o2A\/Wkoqtz4vp1I\/AAAAAAAAaQ8\/tst8B1qw5fsv1g8yD4kUAhajgtzyNb2ZQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_2126.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-CjtCxuq1o2A\/Wkoqtz4vp1I\/AAAAAAAAaQ8\/tst8B1qw5fsv1g8yD4kUAhajgtzyNb2ZQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_2126.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI also have some exciting news to share with you all - back in September I decided to start a local crochet class to teach and support crocheters, called Emerald Cottage Crochet Club. I run it twice weekly and have a number of regulars, some of whom have only just learned to crochet and are doing amazingly well. I've made some little kits for my hookers to make, here are a couple of our Christmassy ones....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-gq-d_j92R9M\/WkoqX1L17-I\/AAAAAAAAaQk\/uziX62FdqwccmgOVpOyhSV5zFSpN2g_cACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_2676.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-gq-d_j92R9M\/WkoqX1L17-I\/AAAAAAAAaQk\/uziX62FdqwccmgOVpOyhSV5zFSpN2g_cACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_2676.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7wtHbyl3YCA\/Wkorpv4WocI\/AAAAAAAAaRM\/OLFKCCbeHEQqPtI3n5c-u0TQLxKMJfOoQCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_2098.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7wtHbyl3YCA\/Wkorpv4WocI\/AAAAAAAAaRM\/OLFKCCbeHEQqPtI3n5c-u0TQLxKMJfOoQCEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_2098.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd rather excitingly my local yarn shop took some of the snowflake kits to sell on my behalf!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETil next time,\u003Cbr \/\u003EJillxxxxx\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6134312443772261204\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2018\/01\/happy-new-year-2018.html#comment-form","title":"18 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6134312443772261204"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6134312443772261204"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2018\/01\/happy-new-year-2018.html","title":"Happy New Year 2018"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-nGhQxBOcniU\/WkoqVJauf5I\/AAAAAAAAaQg\/KJvXma-CyokAqr4Byo9Nnz37ay3gBKTQACLcBGAs\/s72-c\/IMG_2267.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"18"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-3856319193521557267"},"published":{"$t":"2017-10-21T14:06:00.002+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-10-21T14:07:21.260+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"autumn"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"bag"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"craft"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Finish for the Weekend"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sewing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":""},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers :)\u003Cbr \/\u003EWelcome to this week's \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2017\/09\/finish-for-weekend_15.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFinish for the Weekend\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;:) Please see below for instructions on how to join in.\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'm sorry there was no post last Friday, I had nothing finished and nothing much to blog about either!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-LJl76bvaxk0\/Wes5BxIUY7I\/AAAAAAAAYMI\/husTuRvEUjwtI7S-dioVuSD4zp3H4gdzwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1705.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-LJl76bvaxk0\/Wes5BxIUY7I\/AAAAAAAAYMI\/husTuRvEUjwtI7S-dioVuSD4zp3H4gdzwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1705.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere have been a lot of storm systems about this week. What sort of name is \"Brian\" for a storm ?! (no offence to all the Brians out there) And who names these things anyway ? Over the water, in my homeland of Northern Ireland, it's been particularly stormy: lots of places closed down - schools, banks, parks - however I think they survived relatively unscathed. My Mum had a few of her garden pots blow over and smash, but thankfully no structural problems with her house.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHere in England just now it's a beautiful autumn day, and as I type the wind is still gusting ferociously through our garden, a great day to hang the washing out. I love this photo of near horizontal t-shirts.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-BpIB0uefs3s\/Wes7MDmVcpI\/AAAAAAAAYMU\/69dfgiQgikgy3sGnzUzK5wpvpHgSkUtGwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1708.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-BpIB0uefs3s\/Wes7MDmVcpI\/AAAAAAAAYMU\/69dfgiQgikgy3sGnzUzK5wpvpHgSkUtGwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1708.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo how's your week been ? Mine's been pretty good, nothing majorly exciting or anything, just a lovely balanced week of friends, coffee, chores and of course crochet.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor this week's finish I have a cute granny square bag made in a rather riotous Sirdar Click yarn.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-D523HhZdNKA\/Wes91kJHZaI\/AAAAAAAAYMg\/WDcRT7wIoKYb5hINGAVcARNYH85rhDg_ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1614.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-D523HhZdNKA\/Wes91kJHZaI\/AAAAAAAAYMg\/WDcRT7wIoKYb5hINGAVcARNYH85rhDg_ACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1614.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI started this last year when we were driving up to Scotland to catch the ferry over to Northern Ireland at Easter. I had just had the dreadful news the night before that my Dad had died really quite suddenly, and then we had this 14 hour journey of hell to get through. I cried the whole way in the car, and then, as the traffic was so bad, we then missed the ferry. By the time we actually got on the ferry I was ready for sleep really, but in the absence of anywhere to lie down I did some crochet to keep me busy. All I could think to do was a granny square. I'd no idea what to use it for but I had to do something.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HX1mYob4ggM\/Wes94DKIEkI\/AAAAAAAAYMk\/YvFVLVNO_Hs7SmerTHxIdcTEASK8fZiwACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1612.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HX1mYob4ggM\/Wes94DKIEkI\/AAAAAAAAYMk\/YvFVLVNO_Hs7SmerTHxIdcTEASK8fZiwACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1612.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhilst in NIreland I decided it was going to become a bag, so I crocheted another granny square the same size, and then also crocheted a strap. The strap was just around 7 stitches wide, and enough rows of dc to make it the right length for a cross-body bag.\u003Cbr \/\u003EThese 3 bag-parts have been lying in my work basket for about 18 months now! It was time to finish it off properly.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-724IMqX_fws\/Wes_yVIK53I\/AAAAAAAAYMw\/bTC4bxlxpTQatt3LsF_eypzG8sGubFrQgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1613.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-724IMqX_fws\/Wes_yVIK53I\/AAAAAAAAYMw\/bTC4bxlxpTQatt3LsF_eypzG8sGubFrQgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1613.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI sewed the granny squares together on 3 sides, just normal sewing. I had thought about dc'ing them together but as this wool is quite chunky I thought a dc join would be too bulky. I then sewed on a gorgeous tomato-soup-red big button and crocheted a length of chains to make a button loop.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-EnPAW6rVH0c\/WetBUshqJeI\/AAAAAAAAYM8\/P62bNpONfvQbtWElRnee7xq6OEDKK1VoQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1616.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-EnPAW6rVH0c\/WetBUshqJeI\/AAAAAAAAYM8\/P62bNpONfvQbtWElRnee7xq6OEDKK1VoQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1616.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe final step was to line the bag. I'm not a massive orange fan so it was a good opportunity to use up this spotty orange fabric that had been in my stash for some time.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pM27h8lu_Eg\/WetDNBSLoAI\/AAAAAAAAYNI\/3YtBvBIXQoQa2HCyFL8k5RQudpE8_7GkQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1617.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pM27h8lu_Eg\/WetDNBSLoAI\/AAAAAAAAYNI\/3YtBvBIXQoQa2HCyFL8k5RQudpE8_7GkQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1617.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI used the sewing machine to sew the lining fabric sides together, and to hem the top, and then I hand-sewed the fabric inner to the crocheted outer. And ... ta-dah! A lovely sunny and bright granny square bag ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-faUwWGkZfUo\/WetDyDuOR6I\/AAAAAAAAYNM\/0_IC0EtIbgsOsITAZAC12hdpN8WfD7eNwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1704.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-faUwWGkZfUo\/WetDyDuOR6I\/AAAAAAAAYNM\/0_IC0EtIbgsOsITAZAC12hdpN8WfD7eNwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1704.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt's another one of those projects where I just think to myself - why did I leave this so long ?? - because it only really took another hour or so of work to complete. Anyway, its done now, and I think I'm going to add it to my stockpile for craft fairs.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-LZbPNnUHveM\/WetD_CHiV3I\/AAAAAAAAYNQ\/1ssRilXzmlgevFn_q50ZFL9KusggBe9PwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1703.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-LZbPNnUHveM\/WetD_CHiV3I\/AAAAAAAAYNQ\/1ssRilXzmlgevFn_q50ZFL9KusggBe9PwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1703.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere may not be a FFTW post next week as I am going over to NIreland - just Little Tomboy and me - as its half-term holidays for us. We are leaving the teenagers here with Daddy, and a coupe of friends are joining us for a few days. I'm very much looking forward to going \"home\" and spending a few days just relaxing.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHappy half-term everyone!\u003Cbr \/\u003ETil next time,\u003Cbr \/\u003EJillxxxxx\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;tahoma\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;freesans\u0026quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E**************************************************\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003EWelcome to Finish for the Weekend, a weekly chance to link up and share with the blogging community some of the projects you have completed this week. The only rule is that your post must be about an item you have finished\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003Ethis week\u003C\/strong\u003E, hopefully to help reduce some of those piles of UFO's!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHere's how to join in:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E1. Write a blog post about your finished project.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E2. Link back to Finish for the Weekend by adding this text as a link on your post:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003Ehttp:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Finish%20for%20the%20Weekend\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E3. Publish your post\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E4. Link back from here to your post by clicking \"Add Link\" and adding your post's URL\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E5. Spread the bloggy love by visiting and commenting on the other Finish for the Weekend posts.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003EThe Finish for the Weekend post will open for new links on a Friday at 12noon London time, and it will stay open until Monday at 12noon to allow for overseas bloggers to join in. These times may vary but I will do my best to keep it roughly the same. Looking forward to seeing all your posts !\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C!-- start LinkyTools script --\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/www.linkytools.com\/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=282333\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C!-- end LinkyTools script --\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3856319193521557267\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/10\/hello-dear-friends-and-readers-welcome.html#comment-form","title":"13 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3856319193521557267"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3856319193521557267"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/10\/hello-dear-friends-and-readers-welcome.html","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-LJl76bvaxk0\/Wes5BxIUY7I\/AAAAAAAAYMI\/husTuRvEUjwtI7S-dioVuSD4zp3H4gdzwCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/IMG_1705.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"13"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6962898651915008356"},"published":{"$t":"2017-10-06T17:14:00.003+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-10-06T17:16:50.010+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"craft"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Finish for the Weekend"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"home"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"house"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Finish for the Weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWelcome to Finish for the Weekend, where we share finished projects this week in an effort to clear up those UFO's! Please see below for instructions on how to join in.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI hope you've had a good week. I haven't. I've had a bad tooth abscess which has knocked me for six all week. I've been to the emergency dentist twice, been on two loads of antibiotics, and even ended up at A\u0026amp;E for an IV dose of antibiotics. As I type its still extremely painful, and still got a bit of a lump on my cheek, it was about golf-ball sized, though I think its finally starting to go down a bit. So I've not done much except pop pills and sleep (or try to) all week.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-qLaFs0loO3Y\/WdeiB7TLuQI\/AAAAAAAAYKE\/mbPFI09NxScJZAKGP_Wa1wCrJJcX_vbggCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1543.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-qLaFs0loO3Y\/WdeiB7TLuQI\/AAAAAAAAYKE\/mbPFI09NxScJZAKGP_Wa1wCrJJcX_vbggCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1543.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut I was determined to have a finish to show you today. Its not a very exciting one I'm afraid. I made a cover for our remote-control box. How exciting.\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe bought new sofas a couple of years ago, they are electronic recliners, and as such each side moves independently of the other. This means if anything (e.g. a remote control) falls down the gap between the sofa cushions, then it's lost under a heap of metalwork and is bloomin' awkward to get back. We needed a box hat was large and shallow because one of our remotes is super-sensitive and if you so much as breath on it, it starts up the playstation which then hums annoyingly. So we can't just chuck them all in a box because inevitably something sets it off. I found a shoebox lid to be just the right size.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-BDPYOHYnLkQ\/Wdeildj8deI\/AAAAAAAAYKM\/lCyi2fDwhNgUvd9D4RiyAltqdYRG1ZKRQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1540.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-BDPYOHYnLkQ\/Wdeildj8deI\/AAAAAAAAYKM\/lCyi2fDwhNgUvd9D4RiyAltqdYRG1ZKRQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1540.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd I decided to crochet a cover for it, as you do. So I started off in a nice soft grey to match the sofa. Well that was two years ago. Seriously, I have no staying power at all, its not a very big project and yet I still got distracted enough to put it to one side and work on something else. So we've had this slightly tatty shoe box lid lying around the front room for all that time holding the remotes.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TQ5nTJKgNOw\/WdejtZlzPyI\/AAAAAAAAYKc\/ZCIVJhcJzTIgVmgT9tF7NnZT98tern0jwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1548.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TQ5nTJKgNOw\/WdejtZlzPyI\/AAAAAAAAYKc\/ZCIVJhcJzTIgVmgT9tF7NnZT98tern0jwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1548.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EToday I took one look at the shoebox lid and decided to finish off the cover for it. I wanted a nice inner to the box, so I cut a piece of cardboard (just from a cereal box), glued a piece of felt to one side of it to give it a bit of softness, then covered in this grey and turquoise fabric.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EI was going to get the sewing machine out but actually I decided that simply turning the edges under and hot-gluing them in place would be easier and probably neater.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZabRUpPIyyU\/WdekZrwPe5I\/AAAAAAAAYKk\/-krv55J8s64s4vOJFdudeYqpsKq-avQvQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1549.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZabRUpPIyyU\/WdekZrwPe5I\/AAAAAAAAYKk\/-krv55J8s64s4vOJFdudeYqpsKq-avQvQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1549.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe crochet starts off with a solid granny rectangle. I worked out the starting chain length by using the difference between the length and the width of the shoebox lid. I think. Well, it was 2 years ago. I can't remember what yarn the grey was, Stylecraft Special DK, in silver possibly.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EAnyway, I increased on every round until the rectangle was big enough to fit the base (ish), then stopped increasing to make the sides grow straight up instead of out flat.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-2r7OAAUieOM\/WdemON0TZbI\/AAAAAAAAYKw\/YV002myhV3Malgz4HlRkeusFLqqBbfCFQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1538%2B%25282%2529.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"953\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-2r7OAAUieOM\/WdemON0TZbI\/AAAAAAAAYKw\/YV002myhV3Malgz4HlRkeusFLqqBbfCFQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1538%2B%25282%2529.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAfter a bit I changed to a sort of duck-egg-green-blue, and as I started that bit just last week I can tell you that it is Paintbox DK in Washed Teal. I love these Paintbox yarns, so soft to work with.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-GnPy5TxrMeE\/Wdent6-aV8I\/AAAAAAAAYLA\/zAX5Ai3FKfcC7np_s5oXUn63ntbGC4CTQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1547.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-GnPy5TxrMeE\/Wdent6-aV8I\/AAAAAAAAYLA\/zAX5Ai3FKfcC7np_s5oXUn63ntbGC4CTQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1547.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd then it was a question of keeping going until it was big enough. I made the sides high enough so they could come up over the top and tuck down inside, to hide all the cardboard.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Gt_g1L6gg88\/Wdem4lmkVPI\/AAAAAAAAYK4\/oF1GsD83biobYDVdlQysUOVBFQDZh8A9ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1544.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Gt_g1L6gg88\/Wdem4lmkVPI\/AAAAAAAAYK4\/oF1GsD83biobYDVdlQysUOVBFQDZh8A9ACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1544.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI used hot glue to attach the cover to the box, and put a really good blob of it into each corner to make sure it stayed neat.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-5-oIDjdIKDc\/WdenQurON8I\/AAAAAAAAYK8\/IBbmNsrC87sRrwGjFE1XGAgpET-EC0JogCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1545.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-5-oIDjdIKDc\/WdenQurON8I\/AAAAAAAAYK8\/IBbmNsrC87sRrwGjFE1XGAgpET-EC0JogCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1545.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd that's it. A really simple little make that should not have taken 2 years!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-c4xhDNRz5HY\/Wden_Rx7LWI\/AAAAAAAAYLE\/zoiISpp4qU8M62qBo6kNQvCGIOpSN49gACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1542.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-c4xhDNRz5HY\/Wden_Rx7LWI\/AAAAAAAAYLE\/zoiISpp4qU8M62qBo6kNQvCGIOpSN49gACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1542.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'm super happy with how it turned out, far better than I hoped :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-TxNK9QPskto\/WdeoGI05U3I\/AAAAAAAAYLI\/b8wVvDG87do1UpSZCmYk1P3WeU2330H6wCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1550.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-TxNK9QPskto\/WdeoGI05U3I\/AAAAAAAAYLI\/b8wVvDG87do1UpSZCmYk1P3WeU2330H6wCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1550.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd it would even make a rather nice little crochet-work-basket-cum-tray :) I see more of these in my future :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-u_HrzD22p8o\/WdeocIdcYHI\/AAAAAAAAYLM\/pMwjjR9DsHMHhIysa2-l1FC_yLNvQblCwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1546.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-u_HrzD22p8o\/WdeocIdcYHI\/AAAAAAAAYLM\/pMwjjR9DsHMHhIysa2-l1FC_yLNvQblCwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1546.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETil next time,\u003Cbr \/\u003EJillxxx\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;tahoma\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;freesans\u0026quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E**************************************************\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003EWelcome to Finish for the Weekend, a weekly chance to link up and share with the blogging community some of the projects you have completed this week. The only rule is that your post must be about an item you have finished\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003Ethis week\u003C\/strong\u003E, hopefully to help reduce some of those piles of UFO's!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHere's how to join in:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E1. Write a blog post about your finished project.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E2. Link back to Finish for the Weekend by adding this text as a link on your post:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003Ehttp:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Finish%20for%20the%20Weekend\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E3. Publish your post\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E4. Link back from here to your post by clicking \"Add Link\" and adding your post's URL\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E5. Spread the bloggy love by visiting and commenting on the other Finish for the Weekend posts.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003EThe Finish for the Weekend post will open for new links on a Friday at 12noon London time, and it will stay open until Monday at 12noon to allow for overseas bloggers to join in. These times may vary but I will do my best to keep it roughly the same. Looking forward to seeing all your posts !\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C!-- start LinkyTools script --\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/www.linkytools.com\/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=282052\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C!-- end LinkyTools script --\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6962898651915008356\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/10\/finish-for-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"13 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6962898651915008356"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6962898651915008356"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/10\/finish-for-weekend.html","title":"Finish for the Weekend"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-qLaFs0loO3Y\/WdeiB7TLuQI\/AAAAAAAAYKE\/mbPFI09NxScJZAKGP_Wa1wCrJJcX_vbggCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/IMG_1543.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"13"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-7275197311987668210"},"published":{"$t":"2017-10-04T20:37:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-10-04T20:39:13.579+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"autumn"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"craft"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Maple Roses"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-CxJGW6w1PHs\/WdUqF4bbfmI\/AAAAAAAAYIc\/tTBOn4gnizkzKWQEGWKBM6I0x-2H0MUXwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1514%2B%25282%2529.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1502\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-CxJGW6w1PHs\/WdUqF4bbfmI\/AAAAAAAAYIc\/tTBOn4gnizkzKWQEGWKBM6I0x-2H0MUXwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1514%2B%25282%2529.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI've got a sweet little autumn tutorial for you today. Having seen \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pillarboxblue.com\/beautiful-map-roses\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis post\u003C\/a\u003E on the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pillarboxblue.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPillar Box Blue blog\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;I'd been making to make some paper roses for a while. Meanwhile I'd been out leaf-gathering with Little Tomboy last week and we'd gathered lots of gorgeous red, russet and yellowy maple leaves. Loads of them. More than we knew what to do with really, I mean there's only so many leaf-rubbings you can do.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-MoCBJuexmp0\/WdU0ilxXbMI\/AAAAAAAAYJk\/PivigbomX2cdQ_2ELZXQcDCr3x6_pxZ8gCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1492%2B%25282%2529.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1248\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-MoCBJuexmp0\/WdU0ilxXbMI\/AAAAAAAAYJk\/PivigbomX2cdQ_2ELZXQcDCr3x6_pxZ8gCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1492%2B%25282%2529.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo I wondered could I use the maple leaves to make some roses. I had a bit of a look around on Pinterest and found quite a few tutorials, so I gave it a go. Turns out its very easy and also uses up loads of maple leaves - so much so that on Saturday afternoon I went leaf collecting on \u0026nbsp;my own. Well ok I did have Pixie with me for company ......\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-O-_aq60FUug\/WdUoWVH8EHI\/AAAAAAAAYHk\/0XughnMyHkYsaLSyB0U0eOf2NjCgmpetQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1444.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-O-_aq60FUug\/WdUoWVH8EHI\/AAAAAAAAYHk\/0XughnMyHkYsaLSyB0U0eOf2NjCgmpetQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1444.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EMy roses were a bit of an amalgamation of bits and pieces of the various tutorials, so I thought I'd write up my own tutorial, not so very different from any of the others really, but I'll know where to find it!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0TmLEkAqfX4\/WdU0Gw0W0RI\/AAAAAAAAYJg\/zSMO_U_zCjAzU11STADiMV6W42CzPlSLgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1514%2B%25285%2529.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1104\" data-original-width=\"1361\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-0TmLEkAqfX4\/WdU0Gw0W0RI\/AAAAAAAAYJg\/zSMO_U_zCjAzU11STADiMV6W42CzPlSLgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1514%2B%25285%2529.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E*****************************************************\u003Cbr \/\u003EMaple Rose Tutorial\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYou will need:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMaple leaves (about 6 -7 per rose)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECraft wire\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EScissors\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFlorists wire (optional)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EDirections:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E1. Choose a nice red leaf for the centre of your rose.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-PixzyAK8I2Y\/WdUoaujp-MI\/AAAAAAAAYHs\/6Hkkwn7aCVEbJS11ADbf8_nHwc0LFKNhgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1501.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-PixzyAK8I2Y\/WdUoaujp-MI\/AAAAAAAAYHs\/6Hkkwn7aCVEbJS11ADbf8_nHwc0LFKNhgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1501.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E2. Lay out your leaf upside-down and fold over the tips\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-QgxX0yE6kSs\/WdUoclApHRI\/AAAAAAAAYHw\/6CdKt-2BlFkVfFPf4InsAIVju2eLD7qEACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1502.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-QgxX0yE6kSs\/WdUoclApHRI\/AAAAAAAAYHw\/6CdKt-2BlFkVfFPf4InsAIVju2eLD7qEACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1502.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E3. Start rolling your leaf very tightly at an angle pivoting around where the stalk joins. This forms the centre rose-bud part of your rose.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lMBeurYBlVA\/WdUohmvvrmI\/AAAAAAAAYH0\/sBEJ-WYcYlQJeVRD0ZdIcYbfGGmH8X8qACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1503.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lMBeurYBlVA\/WdUohmvvrmI\/AAAAAAAAYH0\/sBEJ-WYcYlQJeVRD0ZdIcYbfGGmH8X8qACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1503.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EYou want to roll it as tightly as you can. If the leaf tears or crinkles a bit, don't worry.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-oAI_qN8JIgc\/WdUokwwJHgI\/AAAAAAAAYIU\/qH5JpOTDgvA8oeSwv09OfukOhi_5WxX8gCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_1504.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-oAI_qN8JIgc\/WdUokwwJHgI\/AAAAAAAAYIU\/qH5JpOTDgvA8oeSwv09OfukOhi_5WxX8gCEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_1504.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E4. Repeat with another leaf or two until you think your rosebud is big enough.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-YOL48EOeLrc\/WdUoy_lH7PI\/AAAAAAAAYIU\/avJDWQ6ma58ht64YHHrj7rO1yyt8EPp-gCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_1506.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-YOL48EOeLrc\/WdUoy_lH7PI\/AAAAAAAAYIU\/avJDWQ6ma58ht64YHHrj7rO1yyt8EPp-gCEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_1506.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EDon't be afraid to get stuck in with the scissors if you want to neaten things up a bit.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7Uj3SMUY5Qo\/WdUo1MaOx3I\/AAAAAAAAYIU\/3-b3GJnA5fA0QJpKjVmJgZHdOty-6PKQACEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_1507.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7Uj3SMUY5Qo\/WdUo1MaOx3I\/AAAAAAAAYIU\/3-b3GJnA5fA0QJpKjVmJgZHdOty-6PKQACEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_1507.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E5. You now want to start making the outer petals which aren't as tight. So lay out another leaf, but this time don't fold it, just place your bud onto it, and roll it, a little more loosely. At this point it will start to look a bit rubbish but stick with it and it will get better, I promise!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-L5rIBMh-siI\/WdUonBB-5aI\/AAAAAAAAYIU\/4dtTGY5YPt4mgbCkDCZEZDCEWODrNyDOwCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_1505%2B%25282%2529.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1497\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-L5rIBMh-siI\/WdUonBB-5aI\/AAAAAAAAYIU\/4dtTGY5YPt4mgbCkDCZEZDCEWODrNyDOwCEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_1505%2B%25282%2529.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp;6. Repeat with another few leaves. Play about with the placement a little bit, and suddenly it will look really rose-like :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-nWNL6gumzlc\/WdUvRk5voxI\/AAAAAAAAYIw\/HNk9v3pKxpkwb3P7sWpjusU2bDximhWlgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1514%2B%25283%2529.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"978\" data-original-width=\"1049\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-nWNL6gumzlc\/WdUvRk5voxI\/AAAAAAAAYIw\/HNk9v3pKxpkwb3P7sWpjusU2bDximhWlgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1514%2B%25283%2529.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E7. Grab a bit of craft wire - I just used some random stuff I've had for ages, no idea where it came from or what it actually is. Each rose needed about 5 inches. Wrap the wire round the base of the flower, tightly.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-bRXVLYy0C0g\/WdUu9-ezb2I\/AAAAAAAAYIs\/K4gj04zXzjs9YGZFAUBRzNTs8dTOK7QhwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1511.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-bRXVLYy0C0g\/WdUu9-ezb2I\/AAAAAAAAYIs\/K4gj04zXzjs9YGZFAUBRzNTs8dTOK7QhwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1511.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: start;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E8. I wanted to display my roses in a vase so I used a piece of florist's wire as a stem - I used \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.hobbycraft.co.uk\/darice-green-stem-wire-30-pack\/563740-1001?glCountry=GB\u0026amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwjdLOBRCkARIsAFj5-GAx-5A550blHJHcaRFPSx8YpwLVsoMlB3LqezHVfgOMd2cxSQX2GwQaAo22EALw_wcB\" style=\"text-align: center;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis stuff \u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003Efrom Hobbycraft. I simply pushed it up through the base of the rose, it didn't need any glue or anything to hold it in place. At this point I clipped the stalks off too (after I took the photo lol!)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: start;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-xw3AbvO4gGQ\/WdUw6BBafHI\/AAAAAAAAYI8\/U5yz_tgCdMUhaAtWOo46KE03acgf_pxdQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1513%2B%25282%2529.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1287\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-xw3AbvO4gGQ\/WdUw6BBafHI\/AAAAAAAAYI8\/U5yz_tgCdMUhaAtWOo46KE03acgf_pxdQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1513%2B%25282%2529.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: start;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E9. Finally, display your beautiful roses!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-YchWr0bB8l8\/WdUpsryfBqI\/AAAAAAAAYIY\/fVPR-50o_ZssQrWsJgoDkLSiQSw54Us5ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1515%2B%25282%2529.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1346\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-YchWr0bB8l8\/WdUpsryfBqI\/AAAAAAAAYIY\/fVPR-50o_ZssQrWsJgoDkLSiQSw54Us5ACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1515%2B%25282%2529.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThey look great displayed with some other autumn beauties ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hetfYOxLlD0\/WdUyPTRwUNI\/AAAAAAAAYJI\/R6w8SEg1P-Av0reeqqOPPvspBUvPXkEKQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1517.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hetfYOxLlD0\/WdUyPTRwUNI\/AAAAAAAAYJI\/R6w8SEg1P-Av0reeqqOPPvspBUvPXkEKQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1517.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOr with some greenery ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NgBD-YrdsZE\/WdUybYQsvuI\/AAAAAAAAYJM\/pUBALX1TU6EVKcx4fUUyxKJQlr8-YJrCACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1524.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NgBD-YrdsZE\/WdUybYQsvuI\/AAAAAAAAYJM\/pUBALX1TU6EVKcx4fUUyxKJQlr8-YJrCACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1524.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd of course you could use them without the florist-wire-stem in a centrepiece or on a wreath.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-7pEzzNkZrP8\/WdUzITvfqhI\/AAAAAAAAYJU\/bIVSVxT2wNooye_kYkDrWnN-vaaP3FGUgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1515%2B%25283%2529.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"949\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-7pEzzNkZrP8\/WdUzITvfqhI\/AAAAAAAAYJU\/bIVSVxT2wNooye_kYkDrWnN-vaaP3FGUgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1515%2B%25283%2529.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EAnd they look even more beautiful the next day when the leaves start to curl.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-5vS0h5MZcc4\/WdUzghNM3kI\/AAAAAAAAYJY\/2FYCa4TNeok_PjK4KcBcEHQSPF6ciNO3wCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1514%2B%25284%2529.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1092\" data-original-width=\"1396\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-5vS0h5MZcc4\/WdUzghNM3kI\/AAAAAAAAYJY\/2FYCa4TNeok_PjK4KcBcEHQSPF6ciNO3wCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1514%2B%25284%2529.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETil next time,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJillxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7275197311987668210\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/10\/maple-roses.html#comment-form","title":"13 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7275197311987668210"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7275197311987668210"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/10\/maple-roses.html","title":"Maple Roses"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-CxJGW6w1PHs\/WdUqF4bbfmI\/AAAAAAAAYIc\/tTBOn4gnizkzKWQEGWKBM6I0x-2H0MUXwCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/IMG_1514%2B%25282%2529.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"13"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6591988080628144352"},"published":{"$t":"2017-09-29T19:03:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-09-29T19:03:32.893+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Finish for the Weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Finish for the Weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003EWelcome to this week's Finish for the Weekend, if you fancy joining in, see below for instructions :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Xzu3JeMyD8k\/Wc6Hlx2hZeI\/AAAAAAAAYGc\/n3zI-Vim8boL6UzPek5k2z_i-orNvjKSACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1406.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\"  src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Xzu3JeMyD8k\/Wc6Hlx2hZeI\/AAAAAAAAYGc\/n3zI-Vim8boL6UzPek5k2z_i-orNvjKSACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1406.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHope you have had a good week, mine's been the usual mayhem of children, school runs, and after-school activities. However, as I type it is Friday evening, Little Tomboy is out at football practice - MrEC takes her and gets a takeaway on the way home, so I can revel in the knowledge there are no more people to be driven anywhere by me, and no cooking to be done!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI've got the usual few projects on the go, including ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E- my ripple blanket\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-pKLIN3hU_aw\/Wc6FfPyFuVI\/AAAAAAAAYFs\/PXTC4i2BvAE8m_1a8ej-68TaaVQNiJE_QCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1408.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\"  src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-pKLIN3hU_aw\/Wc6FfPyFuVI\/AAAAAAAAYFs\/PXTC4i2BvAE8m_1a8ej-68TaaVQNiJE_QCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1408.JPG\"  width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E- a remote control box cover (yes I know is a bit random) - hoping it will be next week's FFTW.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Wgv8xT3-MK0\/Wc6FkE0jGxI\/AAAAAAAAYF0\/fIhy9ULg2yUg9J3WvJLSw_B4nV3K-b23QCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1411.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\"  src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Wgv8xT3-MK0\/Wc6FkE0jGxI\/AAAAAAAAYF0\/fIhy9ULg2yUg9J3WvJLSw_B4nV3K-b23QCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1411.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E- the now-a-bit-late Pink (purple) Zazzle scarf for my friend's 50th\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-F4aVwHsccAE\/Wc6FhpiVdBI\/AAAAAAAAYFw\/Ui23XSY274IWzvBuLsA7tmP1IdXEVKgEwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1410.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\"  src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-F4aVwHsccAE\/Wc6FhpiVdBI\/AAAAAAAAYFw\/Ui23XSY274IWzvBuLsA7tmP1IdXEVKgEwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1410.JPG\"  width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E(And no I don't deliberately colour code my crochet hooks to my projects! But it pleases me greatly when they match.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E- the now-very-late cross stitch for my cousin's wedding (which was in July - ah well she'll still love it I hope). Needs a bit of a gentle wash too though I think\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-CGoEJ_skB1o\/Wc6FmU_BM-I\/AAAAAAAAYF4\/W0IFMpotaVcC9qLsxi6Koiq17vOtttZuQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1412.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\"  src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-CGoEJ_skB1o\/Wc6FmU_BM-I\/AAAAAAAAYF4\/W0IFMpotaVcC9qLsxi6Koiq17vOtttZuQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1412.JPG\"  width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E- my mystery cross-stitch from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2017\/09\/finish-for-weekend_15.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis post\u003C\/a\u003E - you can now see what the pinky blotches were ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jSOmDGdV-uk\/Wc6Foq5RC7I\/AAAAAAAAYF8\/wneodZhkSVU2nVa5Fv2YHhUgp6gbqCXCQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1413.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\"  src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jSOmDGdV-uk\/Wc6Foq5RC7I\/AAAAAAAAYF8\/wneodZhkSVU2nVa5Fv2YHhUgp6gbqCXCQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1413.JPG\"  width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E- a scarf which I think was called Traveller Scarf or something, I started it ages ago, and now can't remember what size hook I used, so had to guess when I did a bit of it the other night. As you can see from the photo, the greeny section is ruffling, so I guessed too high a hook. I could just leave it but OCD-me has to rip it back and repeat with a smaller hook. Bah.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-amu7Hg88h5w\/Wc6FrdTyoJI\/AAAAAAAAYGA\/10NLwpOUQpokdb64SExgJehAeagOP0HWgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1414.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\"  src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-amu7Hg88h5w\/Wc6FrdTyoJI\/AAAAAAAAYGA\/10NLwpOUQpokdb64SExgJehAeagOP0HWgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1414.JPG\"  width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy finish for this week is another batch of heart keyrings.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Iaw74zC3Xzk\/Wc6HbOCy84I\/AAAAAAAAYGM\/hPX-Qvz4zLcQlHVPX50BYvqjlFhYhJMSwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1402.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1301\"  src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Iaw74zC3Xzk\/Wc6HbOCy84I\/AAAAAAAAYGM\/hPX-Qvz4zLcQlHVPX50BYvqjlFhYhJMSwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1402.JPG\"  width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EIts a bit cheaty really as this was my Finish for the Weekend \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2017\/09\/finish-for-weekend.html\" style=\"text-align: center;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Epost a few weeks back\u003C\/a\u003E,\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;but as I said then, these have been in a basket in my craft room for the best part of 2 years waiting patiently to be finished.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-1-4J5TXmWKM\/Wc6HdGo4iUI\/AAAAAAAAYGQ\/_IhIz7hzW9EgWv_kUR3eXg2S8SAH_PBXACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1403.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1117\" data-original-width=\"1600\"  src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-1-4J5TXmWKM\/Wc6HdGo4iUI\/AAAAAAAAYGQ\/_IhIz7hzW9EgWv_kUR3eXg2S8SAH_PBXACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1403.JPG\"  width=\"550\"\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI have been a Very Good Hooker though and forced myself to get these all completed.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-CVBoXX37GBw\/Wc6He6YYVtI\/AAAAAAAAYGU\/hw-BbT2SDrgEqQJrILcGpAO2EWH6jxQJgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1404.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1098\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-CVBoXX37GBw\/Wc6He6YYVtI\/AAAAAAAAYGU\/hw-BbT2SDrgEqQJrILcGpAO2EWH6jxQJgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1404.JPG\"  width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhether they end up as gifts or craft-fair items remains to be seen. For now I am happy just looking at them all stacked up, so pretty :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7N1d7qJ33TI\/Wc6HhIjYdZI\/AAAAAAAAYGY\/t5pxshEcMVQx7JB8ZV9uSZuTdxbCfBN2ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1405.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7N1d7qJ33TI\/Wc6HhIjYdZI\/AAAAAAAAYGY\/t5pxshEcMVQx7JB8ZV9uSZuTdxbCfBN2ACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1405.JPG\"  width=\"550\"\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHave a lovely weekend everyone,\u003Cbr \/\u003ETil next time,\u003Cbr \/\u003EJillxxxx\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E**************************************************\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\" \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times, \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003EWelcome to Finish for the Weekend, a weekly chance to link up and share with the blogging community some of the projects you have completed this week. The only rule is that your post must be about an item you have finished\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003Ethis week\u003C\/strong\u003E, hopefully to help reduce some of those piles of UFO's!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHere's how to join in:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E1. Write a blog post about your finished project.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times, \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E2. Link back to Finish for the Weekend by adding this text as a link on your post:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times, \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003Ehttp:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Finish%20for%20the%20Weekend\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times, \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E3. Publish your post\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times, \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E4. Link back from here to your post by clicking \"Add Link\" and adding your post's URL\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times, \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003E5. Spread the bloggy love by visiting and commenting on the other Finish for the Weekend posts.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times, \u0026quot;Times New Roman\u0026quot;, serif;\"\u003EThe Finish for the Weekend post will open for new links on a Friday at 12noon London time, and it will stay open until Monday at 12noon to allow for overseas bloggers to join in. These times may vary but I will do my best to keep it roughly the same. Looking forward to seeing all your posts !\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003C!-- start LinkyTools script --\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/www.linkytools.com\/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=281875\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C!-- end LinkyTools script --\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6591988080628144352\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/09\/finish-for-weekend_29.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6591988080628144352"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6591988080628144352"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/09\/finish-for-weekend_29.html","title":"Finish for the Weekend"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Xzu3JeMyD8k\/Wc6Hlx2hZeI\/AAAAAAAAYGc\/n3zI-Vim8boL6UzPek5k2z_i-orNvjKSACLcBGAs\/s72-c\/IMG_1406.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-5152626778826145569"},"published":{"$t":"2017-09-22T20:43:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-09-22T20:43:02.813+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Finish for the Weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Finish for the Weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWelcome to this week's Finish for the Weekend, it would be lovely if some of you wanted to join in, see below for instructions :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-4sp7SkdClog\/WcVeb6uVrVI\/AAAAAAAAYEY\/POCUASsGUU8_sd36SBdh04_dkGU_L8BEACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1345.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-4sp7SkdClog\/WcVeb6uVrVI\/AAAAAAAAYEY\/POCUASsGUU8_sd36SBdh04_dkGU_L8BEACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1345.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003ESorry I'm a bit late this week, its been a busy couple of days. Anyway, here I am now with another Finished Object - hurray! I had a rummage around my abandoned projects drawer, and found half a ball of lovely red, white and blue Lily's Sugar N Cream cotton that I'd won in a giveaway a couple of years ago, and of which the other half had been hooked into a circle - what it was going to be I have no idea!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Azur_ILon-g\/WcVefJtFI9I\/AAAAAAAAYEc\/UPSBxjA8emIv2jp7ZbsvF34E7thNP8o5QCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1342.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Azur_ILon-g\/WcVefJtFI9I\/AAAAAAAAYEc\/UPSBxjA8emIv2jp7ZbsvF34E7thNP8o5QCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1342.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI decided just to add a couple more rounds and use it as a table-mat thingy on my kitchen table, it matches my spotty tablecloth quite well don't you think ?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-CcchD9qF_n4\/WcVehYWzkgI\/AAAAAAAAYEg\/FCKg0oHBSs8NTXAq4AlyRXf9A8f9VZ4HgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1341.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-CcchD9qF_n4\/WcVehYWzkgI\/AAAAAAAAYEg\/FCKg0oHBSs8NTXAq4AlyRXf9A8f9VZ4HgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1341.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt also goes well with my red \"Juice\" jug\/vase which was a £1 bargain from the charity shop, I love how bright red it is, sort of a proper Red red if you know what I mean. (Just hope no-one ever tries to drink juice from it as I only ever use it as a vase - bleurgh)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-tBMyGX3KuOc\/WcVekbLjrCI\/AAAAAAAAYEk\/CMeAlT6La_0hQ836H5hMDO9Tx9VRTl-JgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1346.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-tBMyGX3KuOc\/WcVekbLjrCI\/AAAAAAAAYEk\/CMeAlT6La_0hQ836H5hMDO9Tx9VRTl-JgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1346.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere we go, looking lovely :)\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhat have you finished for the weekend ?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-aQbcpRZlXPI\/WcVeml-keKI\/AAAAAAAAYEo\/SEHJb5SnrW4lBaBqFWJLJQw-0SiWRbntwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1351.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-aQbcpRZlXPI\/WcVeml-keKI\/AAAAAAAAYEo\/SEHJb5SnrW4lBaBqFWJLJQw-0SiWRbntwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1351.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETil next time,\u003Cbr \/\u003EJill xxxxx\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E**************************************************\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003EWelcome to Finish for the Weekend, a weekly chance to link up and share with the blogging community some of the projects you have completed this week. The only rule is that your post must be about an item you have finished\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003Ethis week\u003C\/strong\u003E, hopefully to help reduce some of those piles of UFO's!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHere's how to join in:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E1. Write a blog post about your finished project.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E2. Link back to Finish for the Weekend by adding this text as a link on your post:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003Ehttp:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Finish%20for%20the%20Weekend\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E3. Publish your post\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E4. Link back from here to your post by clicking \"Add Link\" and adding your post's URL\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E5. Spread the bloggy love by visiting and commenting on the other Finish for the Weekend posts.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv data-mce-style=\"margin: 0px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003EThe Finish for the Weekend post will open for new links on a Friday at 12noon London time, and it will stay open until Monday at 12noon to allow for overseas bloggers to join in. These time may vary but I will do my best to keep it roughly the same. Looking forward to seeing all your posts !\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C!-- start LinkyTools script --\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/www.linkytools.com\/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=281733\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C!-- end LinkyTools script --\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5152626778826145569\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/09\/finish-for-weekend_22.html#comment-form","title":"11 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5152626778826145569"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5152626778826145569"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/09\/finish-for-weekend_22.html","title":"Finish for the Weekend"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-4sp7SkdClog\/WcVeb6uVrVI\/AAAAAAAAYEY\/POCUASsGUU8_sd36SBdh04_dkGU_L8BEACLcBGAs\/s72-c\/IMG_1345.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"11"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2801527604244780707"},"published":{"$t":"2017-09-15T11:14:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-09-15T11:14:41.841+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Finish for the Weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Finish for the Weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWelcome to the first proper Finish for the Weekend. (Please see below for How it Works).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2017\/09\/finish-for-weekend.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Elast week's post\u003C\/a\u003E I talked about my series of posts entitled \"Finish for the Weekend\". The idea is over the course of the week, to have finished up with an ongoing project, to post about that finish and link to your post here. Hopefully we will get to see lots of lovely finished objects, and posts to inspire us, and some of those UFO's will finally get completed. You can find the rules at the bottom of this post.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy finish this week is a little cross-stitch motif that I started about a year ago, I know this as I was working on it for my Mum's birthday, which is in November!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-FJ1YxEXxwIQ\/WbujIgBPaYI\/AAAAAAAAXuQ\/eBdMB9HXzv0U8e1WbFjg-upsIWRcnvJcgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1310.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-FJ1YxEXxwIQ\/WbujIgBPaYI\/AAAAAAAAXuQ\/eBdMB9HXzv0U8e1WbFjg-upsIWRcnvJcgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1310.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E  \u003Cbr \/\u003EI liked the symmetry of this design, clearly that's my scientific brain at work. I was going to say scientific and orderly brain, but its not very orderly these days. Anyway I made it up into a simple card to give my Mum this year - better late than never. My Mum is not one for fussiness so I think (hope) she'll like this.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-EYkOdhM8ruc\/WbujovZDGzI\/AAAAAAAAXuY\/060go2iPGS0uAszaMEfU98MMIg2kk5DcgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1309.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-EYkOdhM8ruc\/WbujovZDGzI\/AAAAAAAAXuY\/060go2iPGS0uAszaMEfU98MMIg2kk5DcgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1309.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI also made another couple of cards while the papercraft stuff was still out.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-F6ZvYIK9G3g\/WbujyPAqG3I\/AAAAAAAAXuc\/vITiwi7BPKMp36hM_AkR52ygPAl7TP0TwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1308.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-F6ZvYIK9G3g\/WbujyPAqG3I\/AAAAAAAAXuc\/vITiwi7BPKMp36hM_AkR52ygPAl7TP0TwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1308.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'm not sure about the organza bow on this one, a more opaque ribbon might have worked better. Ah well, as long as you try, you can only learn from your mistakes, am I right?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI think this next one is my favourite so far ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-LNj7izYErXE\/WbukILj3x_I\/AAAAAAAAXug\/v8iPjJTRtSQX9BZlpWWQCPbkOTjpq7kVwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1307.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-LNj7izYErXE\/WbukILj3x_I\/AAAAAAAAXug\/v8iPjJTRtSQX9BZlpWWQCPbkOTjpq7kVwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1307.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI especially like the little button on the tag, this was purely to cover up a rogue black blob from my stamp, but actually it finishes it perfectly.\u003Cbr \/\u003EI like this card so much that I seriously think I will make a few more the same, I definitely have enough of the papers for another 5 or 6. I find the design stage takes the longest so I may as well capitalise on a good (well, good in my eyes) design.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'll leave you today with the start of another cross-stitch. I couldn't look at the purple scarf any longer last night, and I opened a new little cross-stitch kit - naughty Jill. That's why I'm having to do these Finish for the Weekend posts, I keep starting new things. Oh well, its only a small kit, and the hoop then becomes the frame so once the stitching is done, the kit really is complete. Here it is ... can you tell what it is yet ?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-6lPvt7R8uBI\/WbulP2-WahI\/AAAAAAAAXuo\/J12XPcJjkkc8LHio9kzd6qdp7C6KHMTzACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1306.PNG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"750\" data-original-width=\"1334\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-6lPvt7R8uBI\/WbulP2-WahI\/AAAAAAAAXuo\/J12XPcJjkkc8LHio9kzd6qdp7C6KHMTzACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1306.PNG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThats it from me, I hope some of you decide to join in with Finish for the Weekend :)\u003Cbr \/\u003ETil next time,\u003Cbr \/\u003EJill\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E************************************************************************\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C!-- start InLinkz script --\u003E \u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Edocument.write('\u003Cscr' + 'ipt type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/www.inlinkz.com\/cs.php?id=737883\u0026' + new Date().getTime() + '\"\u003E\u003C\\\/script\u003E'); \u003C\/script\u003E \u003C!-- end InLinkz script --\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2801527604244780707\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/09\/finish-for-weekend_15.html#comment-form","title":"13 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2801527604244780707"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2801527604244780707"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/09\/finish-for-weekend_15.html","title":"Finish for the Weekend"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-FJ1YxEXxwIQ\/WbujIgBPaYI\/AAAAAAAAXuQ\/eBdMB9HXzv0U8e1WbFjg-upsIWRcnvJcgCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/IMG_1310.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"13"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-967816328560235652"},"published":{"$t":"2017-09-14T10:32:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-09-14T10:32:25.666+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Ten"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers, thanks for popping by, I hope you're having a good week :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/--MNXj4UpB0U\/Wbo-T0hSw1I\/AAAAAAAAXs8\/gyQGLZ94Qz8L_s_UAtDIuQlcQtFUf4GbACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1286.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/--MNXj4UpB0U\/Wbo-T0hSw1I\/AAAAAAAAXs8\/gyQGLZ94Qz8L_s_UAtDIuQlcQtFUf4GbACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1286.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EMy Little People have been back at school almost a week now, and we are settling back into the familiar, and mostly comfortable, routine that comes with school life. I say mostly comfortable because I will never find getting up at 6.30am to be comfortable, but it is lovely to get the house back to some semblance of normality.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-LVhe_ooyU8k\/Wbo4c_UBGMI\/AAAAAAAAXsg\/phFuM2ycKM8VwvsSMgX7GzE1WcN9GrMcwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1291.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-LVhe_ooyU8k\/Wbo4c_UBGMI\/AAAAAAAAXsg\/phFuM2ycKM8VwvsSMgX7GzE1WcN9GrMcwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1291.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBy the end of our 6 week summer holidays the house usually resembles a slum with no room (nor the garden) escaping the ravages of 3 mess-makers. Honestly, how do they make SUCH a mess EVERYWHERE ???\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnyway, they're back to school now so I can get a bit of order back, and the fridge isn't quite so empty. Of course being back at school bring its own delights and challenges - last night we had to attend a GCSE meeting for Mr14, and a curriculum meeting for Little Tomboy. The meetings were in different schools, at the same time. Great. We decided to not attend Little Tomboy's, but to both go to the GCSE meeting. Which turned out to be somewhat of a waste of time anyway, the message simply being - This is an important time. They need to be in school. Support them with their learning at home. Nothing earth-shattering or particularly useful.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis morning before 7am I had Little Tomboy thrusting at me a pile of forms which needed handing in TODAY, Little Miss dictating to me a shopping list for food tech tomorrow, Mr14 shouting that his lunch money account was empty so could I top it up, and oh can we go to Hobbycraft after school (and after the hairdressers as they are getting haircuts today) to get a birthday present for a friend for tomorrow. Seriously, when will they learn asking me this stuff before my first coffee is never going to elicit a cheerful reply. \u0026nbsp;Luckily Little Miss' kickboxing isn't back til next Thursday and it's just hairdressers and Hobbycraft before dinner. Term-time is fairly manic, and having three at three different schools is bit of a juggling act to say the least.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-hrtBmyF4HA4\/Wbo4f1uiaKI\/AAAAAAAAXsk\/BMYU9mJoeqo9_ajvBiavbeclNYxyNWfJACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1288.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-hrtBmyF4HA4\/Wbo4f1uiaKI\/AAAAAAAAXsk\/BMYU9mJoeqo9_ajvBiavbeclNYxyNWfJACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1288.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith the start of term also comes the onset of autumn. The mornings are getting darker, the sun is dipping a little lower and the air is that little bit cooler. I have very mixed feelings about this. I love the turning of the leaves, and the windfalls, and gorgeous colours that herald autumn, but I don't like the darker mornings, and I really, really don't like the fact that winter is around the corner. I definitely suffer from seasonal blues, and have come to not quite dread winter, but I certainly don't look forward to it. I do try though to relish the opportunity to sit inside all cosied up with my crochet, and, having a few tricks up my sleeve this year for dealing with the winter blues, I'm hoping to stave it off a little at least.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-g7ljttAA1hE\/Wbo4jU6xLTI\/AAAAAAAAXso\/zBB64i6uSSg6YmLwT0N-GN5cyNOJ4haGACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1290.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-g7ljttAA1hE\/Wbo4jU6xLTI\/AAAAAAAAXso\/zBB64i6uSSg6YmLwT0N-GN5cyNOJ4haGACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1290.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-jlI3WyQHpXo\/Wbo4nDSv91I\/AAAAAAAAXss\/tu5ruWY0Guo29erCklMPJMm40lOYiIdUwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1293.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-jlI3WyQHpXo\/Wbo4nDSv91I\/AAAAAAAAXss\/tu5ruWY0Guo29erCklMPJMm40lOYiIdUwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1293.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yItRbvFQ9do\/WbpLj55D4II\/AAAAAAAAXt0\/r5OJ6mC5GSAw4dvwF8Hppm_78beUeqBlgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1294.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yItRbvFQ9do\/WbpLj55D4II\/AAAAAAAAXt0\/r5OJ6mC5GSAw4dvwF8Hppm_78beUeqBlgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1294.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe've also had Little Tomboy's birthday this week, she turned 10. 10!! Double figures! How did that happen ?! Her presents included a stunt scooter, a massive football goal and goalie gloves: she is goalie for her football team and wants to be able to practise more at home with Daddy.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hNPi8RcbPI4\/WbpAmtPNBKI\/AAAAAAAAXtI\/fSMdcc8ilz8RzEjtpAH7UtIHG_tqc2mMgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1260.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1074\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hNPi8RcbPI4\/WbpAmtPNBKI\/AAAAAAAAXtI\/fSMdcc8ilz8RzEjtpAH7UtIHG_tqc2mMgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1260.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EShe had a trampolining party with a load of friends. Best party ever, 2 hours of them jumping while I sat in the cafe and crocheted. We worked out we have now done 36 kids' birthday parties. I'm rather a dab hand I think. We've done trampolining, laser quest, miniature railway, cinema, craft, dancing, football, making-a-bear, and traditional party games. I know they don't much care for the food bit, plus it causes extra stress because inevitably they all end up running round like maniacs threatening to crack a head off the corner of the table. So, often, we don't even bother with food, and for this party they just had time bouncing instead. I know parents hate party bags full of sweets and tat, the children also aren't bothered with the tat, and, I am very sorry parents, but the party is all about the children, so I just do party bags with sweets. No expensive tat. Judge me if you will!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-tWLZY6Ja4XI\/WbpCG4RQ-XI\/AAAAAAAAXtY\/kWM64cvYKGogXY2IdSFSvUCxJkeg4y6vACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1283.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-tWLZY6Ja4XI\/WbpCG4RQ-XI\/AAAAAAAAXtY\/kWM64cvYKGogXY2IdSFSvUCxJkeg4y6vACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1283.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOn her actual birthday we went out for birthday tea and I'd brought along a cake for the waitress to bring out for pudding. What I'd failed to notice was that the candles I had bought (which the waitress kindly put on the cake for me) spelt out \"Birthday Boy\"!! I'd assumed they spelt Happy Birthday. In the shop I'd just seen a pack of blue candles with letters and grabbed them, thinking \"those will be perfect\". I did think we could have spelt out \"Birthday Yob\", which, given her behaviour on occasion, would be quite apt. Little Tomboy did see the funny side though, she would definitely rather have had blue birthday boy candles than pink birthday girl ones.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMeanwhile in crochet-land, my purple zazzle scarf is growing nicely.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-kq-cLlC-UZ4\/WbpCoBhMh2I\/AAAAAAAAXtg\/7iTcpGptm982Rq6zrHyj2eidpV5T7Z_CwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1296.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-kq-cLlC-UZ4\/WbpCoBhMh2I\/AAAAAAAAXtg\/7iTcpGptm982Rq6zrHyj2eidpV5T7Z_CwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1296.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHere is the pattern opened up a bit ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-qukD1ZIuuws\/WbpCvKXSOpI\/AAAAAAAAXtk\/f1wiYQoRwjkYEHWjD_aHqsG1gy1KE_V6ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1253.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-qukD1ZIuuws\/WbpCvKXSOpI\/AAAAAAAAXtk\/f1wiYQoRwjkYEHWjD_aHqsG1gy1KE_V6ACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1253.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIts going to need a fair bit of blocking, which I might have to do in a couple of stages, as I don't think my blocking boards are big enough. I'm hoping to get it all done by Saturday night as the friend whom its for is having a birthday party then. I wouldn't say its likely that I'll hit the target, but its possible. People may need to go without food tonight and tomorrow though.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm planning to come back tomorrow with another \"Finish for the Weekend\" post, so I look forward to seeing you then,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJillxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/967816328560235652\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/09\/ten.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/967816328560235652"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/967816328560235652"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/09\/ten.html","title":"Ten"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/--MNXj4UpB0U\/Wbo-T0hSw1I\/AAAAAAAAXs8\/gyQGLZ94Qz8L_s_UAtDIuQlcQtFUf4GbACLcBGAs\/s72-c\/IMG_1286.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-7329996841145182312"},"published":{"$t":"2017-09-08T19:54:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-09-14T11:10:56.090+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Finish for the Weekend"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Finish for the Weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Good evening and happy Friday to you :)\u003Cbr \/\u003EAre you all like me and have lots of unfinished bits and bobs lurking around ?Who fancies joining in with me on getting some of those UFO's done and dusted ? I'm going to call it \"Finish for the Weekend\".\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI've got sooooo many UFO's, I've decided its time to take matters in hand and start completing some of them. Quite a lot are half-made blankets, honestly I am so fickle when it comes to these things, but I am going to try really hard to be a monogamous hooker from now on. As boring as that is. Yawn. I'd much rather flit about between projects, but then of course I miss out on the glory of a Finished Object. Aaaaargh the dilemma!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-eDq9YABJDjY\/WbLa2FCV5eI\/AAAAAAAAXlo\/Lt1u5i-1niUnCIehVTWQArqNyG2wePg3gCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1242.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-eDq9YABJDjY\/WbLa2FCV5eI\/AAAAAAAAXlo\/Lt1u5i-1niUnCIehVTWQArqNyG2wePg3gCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1242.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut no, I am going to try and be faithful to one crochet-love at a time. Well, actually its going to be 2 or 3: I need to be progressing blankets so I am currently working on a ripple one, which is my sort of do-a-mindless-row-every-so-often project:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-JHhwyA0DfUI\/WbLcHi2PziI\/AAAAAAAAXlw\/lEzXgpZ6yM0ixEuKKh7gp65l4hEqzoQzgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/FGNM3913.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"900\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-JHhwyA0DfUI\/WbLcHi2PziI\/AAAAAAAAXlw\/lEzXgpZ6yM0ixEuKKh7gp65l4hEqzoQzgCLcBGAs\/s320\/FGNM3913.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThen there's my Pink Razzle Scarf (though mine is purple) for my friend's birthday next week. This is my bring-in-the-car-on-the-school-run project, and its also my watching-telly-at-night project. Its a bit complicated, but I've got the pattern in my head now, so I'm able to get through the rows at a reasonable pace without constantly referring to the pattern. Incidentally it's from a copy of the US crochet magazine \"Interweave Crochet\" which my husband's colleague's wife kindly sends over for me periodically :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-mPFGhPFVznc\/WbLcSRccLMI\/AAAAAAAAXl0\/-gudWBAPK10y3epv4NP6CCmVxTyf-5vTgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1252.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-mPFGhPFVznc\/WbLcSRccLMI\/AAAAAAAAXl0\/-gudWBAPK10y3epv4NP6CCmVxTyf-5vTgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1252.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd then finally I'm going to try and have some small (or big I suppose) finishes to show you on a Friday. I have lots of half-finished granny squares, flowers, hearts, and dear only knows what else lying around, waiting to be made into something wonderful. So every Friday I'm going to do a post about a finish I've done this week. Hence \"Finished for the Weekend\".\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt would be super lovely if anyone fancied joining in with me, so I'm not feeling all silly doing this on my own. I thought I could put up a \"Finish for the Weekend\" post on a Friday, with my finish, and then over the weekend other people could out their links on it to show what they've finished over the course of that week. I'd leave the link up til Monday morning so everyone has plenty of time to join in, you don't have to have finished on Friday, you can still be finishing on Sunday night! I'll only set up the link adding thing if people want to join in, so please do let me know.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo without further ado, here is this week's \"Finish for the Weekend\" .... you'll have noticed the photo of the heart key-rings at the top of this post, I started a whole bunch of these about 18 months ago to sell at a craft fair. They didn't get completed before the fair and they have sat in a basket waiting to be assembled for nearly 2 years!!!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-tA1RTekfn6g\/WbLe7wSh1ZI\/AAAAAAAAXl8\/QaI2vqx2F7IdVKy4OkwLIhkv2PRJy4xegCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1240.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-tA1RTekfn6g\/WbLe7wSh1ZI\/AAAAAAAAXl8\/QaI2vqx2F7IdVKy4OkwLIhkv2PRJy4xegCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1240.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere is a definite predominance of blue. I have no idea why. I decided to join each pair of hearts in a contrasting yarn, mainly to balance out the blue-ness of it all. I have a basket full of leftover balls of yarn and it's these leftovers that I use for projects this small. I'd love to show you a sweet picture of my little yarn-filled basket all full of lovely foofy balls of yarn, wound perfectly like the way they always are in pictures, and nestling amongst each other is a pleasing fashion. But I can't because my basket is a mess. Well, okay, here is a photo of the mess. I have dumped some small unused balls I found on the top, so that's hiding a bit of the mess anyway.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rXNugoGVEU8\/WbLfavWKjMI\/AAAAAAAAXmA\/rnsF2H0YGE4DrsY41CTJLKSI-53N74WTgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1250.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rXNugoGVEU8\/WbLfavWKjMI\/AAAAAAAAXmA\/rnsF2H0YGE4DrsY41CTJLKSI-53N74WTgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1250.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnyway, here are some of the colours picked out for each pair of hearts - looking a bit more cheery now ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-1vlJV4QmDwI\/WbLhc1JZj5I\/AAAAAAAAXmM\/tqcyYqZJqpgaSklBwxgEvM9CHljvt9N3wCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1241.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-1vlJV4QmDwI\/WbLhc1JZj5I\/AAAAAAAAXmM\/tqcyYqZJqpgaSklBwxgEvM9CHljvt9N3wCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1241.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI joined a pair of hearts together and did a row of UK double-crochet all the way around, stuffing lightly just before I closed up the last few stitches. Embellished with a little flower and button on the front, and a bead and a charm at the end. I love these little heart charms ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-NHH8yPDDVic\/WbLiD04ZeaI\/AAAAAAAAXmQ\/I63ldJz-fz8UnhEVw7wiQFx278iLFAFMwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1244.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-NHH8yPDDVic\/WbLiD04ZeaI\/AAAAAAAAXmQ\/I63ldJz-fz8UnhEVw7wiQFx278iLFAFMwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1244.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EI hung them on my Easter twiggy tree (yes I know Easter was months ago, don't judge me) and love how they look, little flashes of colour against the pale wall ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-hRCNsoVZp28\/WbLixPozwaI\/AAAAAAAAXmY\/o2WoXYYKqbgG18_Mx0JJccFpFhyyLfJ4gCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1243.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-hRCNsoVZp28\/WbLixPozwaI\/AAAAAAAAXmY\/o2WoXYYKqbgG18_Mx0JJccFpFhyyLfJ4gCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1243.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-YjqX_KpxShc\/WbLkPYzdUaI\/AAAAAAAAXms\/PPxBGMLOSEACmBvtbmyWjLop6R9a8-EHQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/hearts-collage.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"534\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-YjqX_KpxShc\/WbLkPYzdUaI\/AAAAAAAAXms\/PPxBGMLOSEACmBvtbmyWjLop6R9a8-EHQCLcBGAs\/s320\/hearts-collage.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EI think I'll save these to give as gifts as I have no plans to do any more craft fairs at the moment. Although I suppose I might consider doing one nearer Christmas. I do still have another 12 or so to complete so I'll have to get rid of them somehow, even I don't need 15 keyrings l!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003ETil next time,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EJillxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7329996841145182312\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/09\/finish-for-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"16 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7329996841145182312"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7329996841145182312"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/09\/finish-for-weekend.html","title":"Finish for the Weekend"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-eDq9YABJDjY\/WbLa2FCV5eI\/AAAAAAAAXlo\/Lt1u5i-1niUnCIehVTWQArqNyG2wePg3gCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/IMG_1242.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"16"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-5629179900214246752"},"published":{"$t":"2017-09-04T13:02:00.003+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-09-04T13:02:36.026+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A Walk in the Woods"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers !\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI hope you've all had a great weekend. Ours was very chilled, we are enjoying the last weekend before the Little People go back to school. On Saturday it felt like summer was still in full swing, I had about 6 loads of washing fluttering in the heat and gentle breeze, whereas yesterday was a much cooler affair, with not a small amount of rain, it feels like autumn has arrived. I did actually contemplate putting the heating on.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnyway, back to my post. There are some woods near us called The Coombes, only 10 minutes drive away, but we'd never been. Not because we didn't want to, but because we weren't exactly sure where they were. I realise this seems faintly ridiculous. They seemed to be a kind of well-kept secret, which of course makes them all the more enticing. I'd asked friends before how to get there and the reply was always \"oh its really easy, just go along this road a bit and they are there on the right\". Still I could never find them. The other appealing thing about them is there is sometimes a secret cafe there too. I really wanted to be part of this secret gang who had been to the secret cafe, so I asked another friend for Really Detailed Instructions, and hurrah, she came good.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-u4SIgFvjOJg\/Wa0t4kiSAgI\/AAAAAAAAXdo\/yPEbgZO0vBI4gv2yZnAUVRjIzkRF9elDwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1202.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-u4SIgFvjOJg\/Wa0t4kiSAgI\/AAAAAAAAXdo\/yPEbgZO0vBI4gv2yZnAUVRjIzkRF9elDwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1202.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo yesterday morning I announced to my very grumpy family that we were going to find the woods, and go for a walk. Little Tomboy was grumpy because she was stuck on the xbox game she was playing. Little Miss was sulking because it was the morning and she is nearly a teenager, and those two things don't mix. Mr 14 was asking his usual autistic-person-detailed-questions - what will it be like ? how long does it take to get there ? how long will we be there ? what is there to do ? what will WE actually do ? will it be busy ? And Mr EC said flatly he wouldn't go. Undeterred I told them all that they were coming, like it or not. And then it started to rain.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-bmL082mt8SM\/Wa0uBF8vg3I\/AAAAAAAAXds\/ZE6l9A-9fQkrwt30fWHoN2GJqMLiG0cgwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1199.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-bmL082mt8SM\/Wa0uBF8vg3I\/AAAAAAAAXds\/ZE6l9A-9fQkrwt30fWHoN2GJqMLiG0cgwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1199.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnyway, after several arguments about raincoats, ipads and headphones, we finally got everyone ready to go, \u0026nbsp;and loaded up the car. Off we drove, following my friend's directions. We found \"the little track\", but \"the field on the left\", where we were meant to park, was locked, and there were no \"teacups hanging from the trees\". We did see another car, and another family next to the car so we went and asked them if we were in the right place. We were ! We had found the secret woods. Hurray! But the secret cafe was closed. Booooo.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-5XVilxlPgR4\/Wa0uTaFX4cI\/AAAAAAAAXd0\/ykzZohLrgwwajpecpf1cK0zhkLmDqFeFACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1157.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-5XVilxlPgR4\/Wa0uTaFX4cI\/AAAAAAAAXd0\/ykzZohLrgwwajpecpf1cK0zhkLmDqFeFACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1157.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut we were there now, and the dog was at fever pitch by this point, so we decided to stay and go for a walk anyway, despite the now quite persistent rain.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ikJeTagNWGo\/Wa0xNDQktXI\/AAAAAAAAXeA\/7geWvHlT2VgB_-Ic-ogxakjvLVZ52uTNACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1147.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ikJeTagNWGo\/Wa0xNDQktXI\/AAAAAAAAXeA\/7geWvHlT2VgB_-Ic-ogxakjvLVZ52uTNACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1147.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThings started off quite grim, Mr EC was quite grumpy because the secret cafe was closed. I think he'd been secretly looking forward to a cream tea. Little Miss complained Very Loudly about getting wet. Apparently this was my fault: even though I had suggested wearing a raincoat might be a good idea, she had refused to wear one. It was extremely muddy, her nice new trainers were in danger of not looking quite so new. Again my fault even though I had suggested she might like to wear her old ones. I will admit that at this point I was thinking that this waslk was a really bad idea, and I was losing the will to live, but then we noticed a massive area of blackberries.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-sPGLnN7FdEg\/Wa0xbiCo6HI\/AAAAAAAAXeI\/M-TVaQjOj3MW5hwQN4G9-gvaFUzQVOBlACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1159.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-sPGLnN7FdEg\/Wa0xbiCo6HI\/AAAAAAAAXeI\/M-TVaQjOj3MW5hwQN4G9-gvaFUzQVOBlACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1159.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI LOVE picking blackberries so all the grumpiness of the others fell on deaf ears as I pounced on the blackberry bushes. I fished a dog waste bag out of my pocket, and Mr EC said to me \"eurgh are you really going to use a poo bag to collect them ?\". I pointed out that it was currently empty so technically at this point it was just a \"bag\" and yes, I really was going to use it. Well that was it. They all joined in and the grumpiness totally vanished. Suddenly everyone was in full swing, enjoying themselves, chatting and laughing, and helping each other to reach the high ones. (Everyone knows they are the best ones.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-P6M-zDwcuVs\/Wa0x8RTDbEI\/AAAAAAAAXeQ\/nenspN6zsVEwJdn1F1dercXygQw7j-gzwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1144.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-P6M-zDwcuVs\/Wa0x8RTDbEI\/AAAAAAAAXeQ\/nenspN6zsVEwJdn1F1dercXygQw7j-gzwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1144.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAmazing how such a simple activity can transform everyone's moods! We picked blackberries for ages, Little Miss and I saving ours for later, the others eating as they went along. The patch of brambles stretched a really long way so we got loads. I could have spent all day right there, in the rain, but the others started to get twitchy so we finally gave up and carried along on our walk.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy friend had also told me to look out for \"blue arrows painted on logs\" but it wasn't clear what they were directing us to - the secret cafe, a hidden carpark ? pot of gold at the end of the rainbow ? We never did find out as we only ever saw one anyway.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UGeYqa1rWLI\/Wa0yqCSZlVI\/AAAAAAAAXeY\/wOOEat6FQSsrRlIjuWEOszQFboIdDCcXACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1166.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UGeYqa1rWLI\/Wa0yqCSZlVI\/AAAAAAAAXeY\/wOOEat6FQSsrRlIjuWEOszQFboIdDCcXACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1166.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt was a gorgeous walk. As it was in the woods this meant there were no sweeping vistas or amazing views but there was still plenty to catch one's eye.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9Mq97yTx_Uk\/Wa0y5doNHyI\/AAAAAAAAXec\/xnLB43on8LM_1HnWzZ32_BsuqRW9HGndACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1139.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9Mq97yTx_Uk\/Wa0y5doNHyI\/AAAAAAAAXec\/xnLB43on8LM_1HnWzZ32_BsuqRW9HGndACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1139.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe horses had obviously been through recently ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MGKgeZFBf8A\/Wa0zCiAzlKI\/AAAAAAAAXeg\/Ogsf3G5nNDIzXYgBc_LlW5WKIdjU_9bXACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1140.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MGKgeZFBf8A\/Wa0zCiAzlKI\/AAAAAAAAXeg\/Ogsf3G5nNDIzXYgBc_LlW5WKIdjU_9bXACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1140.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd indeed we happened upon some deserted little stables in the midst of everything ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Bz1Bb3G8Lp4\/Wa0zL12g2mI\/AAAAAAAAXek\/1uvAnJ_VwWE1NTPdF60RuVdLAaEJmzGrQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1149.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Bz1Bb3G8Lp4\/Wa0zL12g2mI\/AAAAAAAAXek\/1uvAnJ_VwWE1NTPdF60RuVdLAaEJmzGrQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1149.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EEverywhere we looked there were signs of autumn's arrival: the leaves turning and falling, berries appearing, nuts and seeds littering the floor.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-C_i4CENyg7s\/Wa0zZQQ11mI\/AAAAAAAAXeo\/jNrOfkUHiOYlOVoxegyPaW1b21R1NpOMACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1153.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-C_i4CENyg7s\/Wa0zZQQ11mI\/AAAAAAAAXeo\/jNrOfkUHiOYlOVoxegyPaW1b21R1NpOMACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1153.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-SxcXA3OTnFc\/Wa0zcxz0XXI\/AAAAAAAAXes\/l8_CUuAZW3E_6hCvhN02s0ympJTBfgrMgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1164.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-SxcXA3OTnFc\/Wa0zcxz0XXI\/AAAAAAAAXes\/l8_CUuAZW3E_6hCvhN02s0ympJTBfgrMgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1164.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1m-AB0HhbiY\/Wa0zgKNyCQI\/AAAAAAAAXew\/lFrXxpqFHuENa61665nUjdlo8XJdajEvQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1179.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1m-AB0HhbiY\/Wa0zgKNyCQI\/AAAAAAAAXew\/lFrXxpqFHuENa61665nUjdlo8XJdajEvQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1179.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EBut still the odd summer bloom just clinging on ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-p5eYcxL3fpk\/Wa0z3-PtkPI\/AAAAAAAAXe0\/F69bmTmFKwoQhCJw5YOPZNB2E7NQLentACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1155.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-p5eYcxL3fpk\/Wa0z3-PtkPI\/AAAAAAAAXe0\/F69bmTmFKwoQhCJw5YOPZNB2E7NQLentACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1155.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI love being out with my family like this, just the five of us - six if you include the dog - no technology, just fresh air and nature in all its glory. These times feel so precious, I know the days where we will all go out really are numbered as my older two increasingly spend more time with their friends, so whether it's bucketing or boiling its just lovely to be out together, chatting, pointing things out, laughing, running with the dog. It feels so wholesome and right somehow, just us versus the world.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDespite the rain the walking was so enjoyable. There were mossy banks to scampered over ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-dsrtkiRSbBg\/Wa00BN1-oMI\/AAAAAAAAXe4\/L6jEeW-4ul48ryXsVCEauD5qBot5Pu4vACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1163.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-dsrtkiRSbBg\/Wa00BN1-oMI\/AAAAAAAAXe4\/L6jEeW-4ul48ryXsVCEauD5qBot5Pu4vACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1163.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHidden pathways to explore ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xw5uxeRn4Zk\/Wa00NJtnlaI\/AAAAAAAAXe8\/9vIosChM3jkKqUz47_oxnYrqnOCQEOv0wCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1168.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-xw5uxeRn4Zk\/Wa00NJtnlaI\/AAAAAAAAXe8\/9vIosChM3jkKqUz47_oxnYrqnOCQEOv0wCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1168.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELittle ponds waiting to be discovered ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-qOxYqKnU0p0\/Wa00VqGO1nI\/AAAAAAAAXfA\/6wya4f0e05g4Dkst9IAd-oOBAxWsPQoAwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1141.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-qOxYqKnU0p0\/Wa00VqGO1nI\/AAAAAAAAXfA\/6wya4f0e05g4Dkst9IAd-oOBAxWsPQoAwCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1141.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd wood piles to clamber over ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-zh0iEopvR-Q\/Wa00dXP1u2I\/AAAAAAAAXfE\/NeaOflWOyrYjiA8roURwF992bzJolIIlACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1174.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-zh0iEopvR-Q\/Wa00dXP1u2I\/AAAAAAAAXfE\/NeaOflWOyrYjiA8roURwF992bzJolIIlACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1174.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EVery excitingly in this pile of rocks we found a painted stone ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-P4QaKbcs8Y0\/Wa00tPSEznI\/AAAAAAAAXfI\/TWFD0gvcUggx-yGeuAN_72JvDJ-wUMEswCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1177.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-P4QaKbcs8Y0\/Wa00tPSEznI\/AAAAAAAAXfI\/TWFD0gvcUggx-yGeuAN_72JvDJ-wUMEswCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1177.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn our area over the summer there has been \"a thing\" where you paint a little rock and hide it. You also look for other rocks and keep them when you find them. There is a facebook group where you can leave messages saying what you've found, or, what you've hidden, and roughly where. Sort of a swap-cum-treasure-hunt-cum-geocache. I'd been meaning to find some stones to paint but had never got around to it, so we hadn't really looked for any either. MrEC and Little Miss spotted this one, nestling amongst the logs! Super exciting! I really couldn't believe it! It seems amazing that we could find such a little stone in such a big area! We decided to keep it, that is the point, its not stealing, don't worry. So we now have a nice little souvenir of our walk. And we did gather a whole load more to paint and hide some time.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAt this point we realised we had come full circle back to the car. This was by design, Mr EC has a built in human compass that I simply don't have, I hadn't really noticed that he was leading us in a big circle. Left to my own devices I'd be hopelessly lost.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhen we got home we were all starving, so I got lunch underway. As we had so many blackberries, out cam the ingredients for a crumble ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-0_v-6fHxjWY\/Wa022CQHv9I\/AAAAAAAAXfY\/rvF6hDJyoHkzEC_ezHYaUn7hUQ8dkqW_wCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1180.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-0_v-6fHxjWY\/Wa022CQHv9I\/AAAAAAAAXfY\/rvF6hDJyoHkzEC_ezHYaUn7hUQ8dkqW_wCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1180.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIts a really, really simple recipe:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPut 1\/2 teaspoon baking powder and 100g flour in a bowl and rub in 50g butter (which has been cut up into small pieces) until mixture resembles breadcrumbs.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-CjM7rE0Xq9Q\/Wa03GbHNSQI\/AAAAAAAAXfc\/iz_f5jWqY60sG-Q4FeMT1GKHHpAwDoQ7gCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1182.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-CjM7rE0Xq9Q\/Wa03GbHNSQI\/AAAAAAAAXfc\/iz_f5jWqY60sG-Q4FeMT1GKHHpAwDoQ7gCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1182.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EStir in 3 tablespoons of sugar and 3 tablespoons porridge oats (optional).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWash blackberries, and chop up 3 apples, mix into a casserole dish with a small drizzle of lemon juice, and a large spoonful of sugar. Cover with the crumble topping.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-MdIVe17oY28\/Wa03lqjZaNI\/AAAAAAAAXfk\/ePDLF16_HrUAmMgmosQq1RKaqyS_uwGygCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1183.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-MdIVe17oY28\/Wa03lqjZaNI\/AAAAAAAAXfk\/ePDLF16_HrUAmMgmosQq1RKaqyS_uwGygCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1183.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBake at 200 degC until top is crunchy and middle is cooked.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhile the crumble was cooking we had a really simple lunch of carrot soup - not homemade - and crusty bread - also not homemade.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-NfISfYJ1liU\/Wa02grhMxYI\/AAAAAAAAXfU\/SvdMnesj4VI5WJwEBW7mPCw-y6HHj9ZBACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1184.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-NfISfYJ1liU\/Wa02grhMxYI\/AAAAAAAAXfU\/SvdMnesj4VI5WJwEBW7mPCw-y6HHj9ZBACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1184.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd for pudding we had the crumble ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ewxo0LNwBag\/Wa0359bFFAI\/AAAAAAAAXfo\/FQ9nkPrSjOAAkQ2-0KRBFZ7UXsuExLGqQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1186.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ewxo0LNwBag\/Wa0359bFFAI\/AAAAAAAAXfo\/FQ9nkPrSjOAAkQ2-0KRBFZ7UXsuExLGqQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1186.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E(I forgot to take a photo before we all dived in lol)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... and every last bit was eaten. the word \"divine\" was used. Praise indeed!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-mFV9ZAu4Bo0\/Wa04Hu1iJVI\/AAAAAAAAXfs\/cyL6yBMfGigqeIhK22xG4nExX8jupdwxgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1187.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-mFV9ZAu4Bo0\/Wa04Hu1iJVI\/AAAAAAAAXfs\/cyL6yBMfGigqeIhK22xG4nExX8jupdwxgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1187.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'm so happy we found the woods, and next time we hope to find the secret cafe and then we will really be part of the secret club :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETil next time,\u003Cbr \/\u003EJillxxx"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5629179900214246752\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/09\/a-walk-in-woods.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5629179900214246752"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5629179900214246752"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/09\/a-walk-in-woods.html","title":"A Walk in the Woods"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-u4SIgFvjOJg\/Wa0t4kiSAgI\/AAAAAAAAXdo\/yPEbgZO0vBI4gv2yZnAUVRjIzkRF9elDwCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/IMG_1202.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6258040799205229879"},"published":{"$t":"2017-09-02T17:53:00.004+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-09-02T17:53:47.178+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Card making (1)"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EHello dear friends and readers !\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EAre you a hoarder ? I am. I try to deny it, and I tell Mr EC off for keeping random boxes of god-knows-what - mostly cables it seems (what is it with men and cables ???) but in all honesty I'm as bad. Its just my hoard is prettier and more fluffy. Ball of wool anyone ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EOne of the things I keep is old cards, or to be more precise the fronts of, or pictures from, old cards. I've been doing it for years, and very, very occasionally I even put them to good use by making some handmade cards. Meanwhile the months go by, I forget to buy cards for birthdays and the pile of card making stuff sits untouched and my friends feel unloved.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003ESo I've been meaning to sit down and make a load of cards for ages, and today seemed like a good time to do it as my other job for today was laundry. About 8 loads of it. Where does it all come from ? Are there some children living here that I haven't noticed yet ?? In between putting the machine on, hanging stuff out, bringing stuff in, rearranging the washing line for optimal clothes peg usage, I put together a few really easy cards. I know a lot of card making peeps make lovely fancy cards: my imagination\/design skills are not that great so I like to keep it simple. Plus I can make them faster that way which is great if you're looking for instant-gratification.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-RMcNJ8d0Sig\/WarG_q1yeuI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/aIukew9s-nIOYt2LwIq2-0I8WgGk4Ar_ACEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_1130.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-RMcNJ8d0Sig\/WarG_q1yeuI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/aIukew9s-nIOYt2LwIq2-0I8WgGk4Ar_ACEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_1130.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003ESo I thought I'd show you the cards I made today, to demonstrate how easy it is to make some quite nice cards (or maybe they are hideous, I find it really hard to tell when I've made them lol) with some really basic supplies, and not much skill!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EThe basics that you need are:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E- scissors, pencil and ruler, and of course card blanks. Or just plain card if you are feeling confident enough to be able to fold it exactly in half.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E- decorative card and\/or paper. I got a lot of mine free with magazines, or have leftover stuff from the days of crafting with the children ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-f3V7aSSFFFY\/WarHE4Q5SYI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/kR6K_DMYkq8fXWKdr3Yv_2Rj8ZbV44FjQCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_1118.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-f3V7aSSFFFY\/WarHE4Q5SYI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/kR6K_DMYkq8fXWKdr3Yv_2Rj8ZbV44FjQCEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_1118.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E- card toppers - most of mine come from bits and pieces of old cards. I have a few packs of things that are labelled \"card toppers\" but I've no idea where they came from! Probably given to me by someone clearing out their stash. I seem to be a magnet for that sort of thing (not that I'm complaining).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-nukpE2xcZ6A\/Ware76fdnzI\/AAAAAAAAXc4\/ZEjVwqEV0TcVY-VuJpAjHNGFw0tx_YhIQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1121.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-nukpE2xcZ6A\/Ware76fdnzI\/AAAAAAAAXc4\/ZEjVwqEV0TcVY-VuJpAjHNGFw0tx_YhIQCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1121.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E- this picture below is a really good example of reusing an old card. The original card had 16 cupcakes on it, I was able to chop it in 3 to give me 3 little rows of cupcakes each with a \"happy birthday\" sentiment, (one row of cakes ended up having to be trimmed to close to the edge) and I can use each little row for a new card.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-IX01GT1uPDw\/WarHKaTE_2I\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/oTz7m7IpBBAHBXnM7-B_xbSJbHg2DVvswCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_1120.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-IX01GT1uPDw\/WarHKaTE_2I\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/oTz7m7IpBBAHBXnM7-B_xbSJbHg2DVvswCEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_1120.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E- sentiments - obviously these can be hand-written or stamped, but I found this pack of 100 little sentiments in the poundshop - yes, 100 for £1. Bargain!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-dnn0_gvwhUs\/WarU1VP__3I\/AAAAAAAAXcs\/xK626Qbd7agCONv3QvTJP70heF1FN65QQCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_1131.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-dnn0_gvwhUs\/WarU1VP__3I\/AAAAAAAAXcs\/xK626Qbd7agCONv3QvTJP70heF1FN65QQCEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_1131.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E- bits of ribbon, trim, twine are all useful for little touches\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Avudxhe72FU\/WarHICSoKYI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/k-DSa1DmRwkNGj04yB56t3ojbcicY4_iQCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_1119.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1201\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Avudxhe72FU\/WarHICSoKYI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/k-DSa1DmRwkNGj04yB56t3ojbcicY4_iQCEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_1119.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E- shaped hole punches are handy, and glue obviously. But the one non-essential item that I consider to actually be essential is a guillotine. Mr EC bought ours years ago, before we got married so its a good 17 years old. We've used it loads, for making our wedding invitations, kids party invitations, cutting up laminated things, and now of course card making. You could just use scissors or even a ruler and craft knife, but if you're anything like me, manually chopped up stuff will look like a pre-schooler has made it. So personally I'd recommend splashing out on a guillotine, they can be really cheap -\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Cobee-Portable-Personal-Titanium-Scrapbooking\/dp\/B01EAEZBBY\/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=1504367262\u0026amp;sr=8-3\u0026amp;keywords=guillotine+paper+cutter+a4\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis one on amazon\u003C\/a\u003E is less than £8.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-6KpG-TBl2bU\/WarHCwhNUMI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/dTeajd_kdvYNAd-gTaEdDh8ffxJmkCp9QCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_1117.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-6KpG-TBl2bU\/WarHCwhNUMI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/dTeajd_kdvYNAd-gTaEdDh8ffxJmkCp9QCEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_1117.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E- I also have a Sizzix Big Shot manual die-cutting machine. I mostly use it for hearts, circles, flowers and butterflies, but you really can make lovely cards without it. Mine was a birthday present from Mr EC, and whilst its not essential, it is fun and I love it!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-SzNXrBsEf4Y\/WarUp3mMaII\/AAAAAAAAXcs\/QqOG4YR_EKkKf1V9c2Tv6RaK01SoyCDlgCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_1132.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-SzNXrBsEf4Y\/WarUp3mMaII\/AAAAAAAAXcs\/QqOG4YR_EKkKf1V9c2Tv6RaK01SoyCDlgCEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_1132.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo that's the supplies covered! Here are the cards I made today and a bit of blurb about each of them. Oh and also all the sticking was done with a cheapy gluestick.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-qY-yghhw3mE\/WarHeUxA1YI\/AAAAAAAAXcM\/i_kpQydZknMQKXedNiKF3aholP-eJE6UgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1129.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-qY-yghhw3mE\/WarHeUxA1YI\/AAAAAAAAXcM\/i_kpQydZknMQKXedNiKF3aholP-eJE6UgCLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1129.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EHere I used pink checkered background paper, with 3 die cut hearts. I wanted to fit 6 hearts on but even my smallest heart die they were too big to all fit. 3 on their own looked a bit lost somehow until I added the vertical striped to match. I also thought of putting a smaller heart on top of the ones shown, but it was starting to look a bit fussy, so I left it as it was. Then I added the \"Happy Birthday\" sentiment.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-D7yj6-bW66A\/WarHYXFLt6I\/AAAAAAAAXb8\/4kLcCi0vuGc1We-SruwM60z6OPU6BCqXACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1124.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-D7yj6-bW66A\/WarHYXFLt6I\/AAAAAAAAXb8\/4kLcCi0vuGc1We-SruwM60z6OPU6BCqXACLcBGAs\/s320\/IMG_1124.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EI used this flowery card front from an old birthday card which already had this sentiment on it. So I just guillotined it down to size and stuck it on the card blank. The sentiment is stuck on with foam dots so it has a pleasing 3D effect.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-bNl7qWUpYBI\/WarHWn0HnyI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/HyWNqEoGMa0qGAOKNyrEPjZyEbdO_jEjQCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_1123.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-bNl7qWUpYBI\/WarHWn0HnyI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/HyWNqEoGMa0qGAOKNyrEPjZyEbdO_jEjQCEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_1123.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003ENext is quite a fun girly little card. The shoes etc and the \"Happy Birthday\" sentiment came from an old card. I guillotined it to size, and also guillotined some coordinating background paper. It was quite hard to decide which colour to use for the background, the main picture has so many colours in it, you'd think anything would match, but nearly everything looked horrible! I think\/hope this one works. Though this is a prime example of where I can't decide if it actually just looks a bit rubbish!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-bTDKc_DepJ4\/WarHUw7ermI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/tEebNAWjt2MRBGrrsOphE5Ur5UEE2ICwACEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_1122.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-bTDKc_DepJ4\/WarHUw7ermI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/tEebNAWjt2MRBGrrsOphE5Ur5UEE2ICwACEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_1122.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EOoooh I do really like this one. I have a few papercraft magazine and took inspiration for one of those for this card. Its really very simple but I quite like the layered effect. I started off with the background paper of pale blue with lots of little cards. I decided to pick out the colours of the stars in the decorations. The red trim is some hessian bordering stuff that I found at the poundshop. I used my die-cutter to cut circles and stars to layer over the background and hessian. The paper for the stars is from a pad of paper that claims to be handmade. I'm not sure how true that is, but its that sort of paper that has a lumpy bumpy texture. This would be a \u0026nbsp;nice one for a chap I think, but could easily be copied in a more girly style.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Xyh5mPELPYc\/WarHZynIKrI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/XVeyjM4-lWIR_c_pb8vA3nrTqdqppgTHwCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_1125.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Xyh5mPELPYc\/WarHZynIKrI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/XVeyjM4-lWIR_c_pb8vA3nrTqdqppgTHwCEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_1125.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI started off with the piece of an old card that has the sentiment on it - and it also had some swirls and a lovely 3D butterfly. I managed to find a piece of very lightly patterned paper that matched the pinky-red of the main card, and then I die cut another butterfly, and used a heart stamp for some mini hearts. I think this would have looked just as nice without the second butterfly, and maybe with a few more hearts.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-nr1rUXj0y4Q\/WarHbnBoNKI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/sOTsyH3nteANdJLeKHQnZD628BDhep_2QCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_1126.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-nr1rUXj0y4Q\/WarHbnBoNKI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/sOTsyH3nteANdJLeKHQnZD628BDhep_2QCEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_1126.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAgain I started off with the main image which came from a new home card. We last moved home 15 years ago so that's how long I've kept this one! Bonkers!! Anyway I cut it out free-hand as it had a sort of wonky look to it. Then layered it over some grey and white patterned paper, and also layered on a white die-cut plaque shape, and then a \"Best Wishes\" sentiment. You could easily just cut or guillotine a rectangle instead of the plaque shape.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-E3NRCDQlySw\/WarHc5YCVHI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/c4Op--M8INUYweDJIqya0dXhKzuI2AemgCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_1127.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-E3NRCDQlySw\/WarHc5YCVHI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/c4Op--M8INUYweDJIqya0dXhKzuI2AemgCEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_1127.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003EThis was another magazine-inspired card, and is by far the most fiddly of the cards I've made today. I found some stripey paper which had came with some sheets in checks and spots of matching colours.\u003C\/div\u003EI guillotined down the stripey paper to make the edge pieces, then using guillotine, scissors, and glue, I made some little flags and looped the over the twine. The twine is fixed at the back with sellotape and then I kept the flags in place by gluing down a couple of them. Then stuck a little sentiment on top.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-3KjJ12hC63w\/WarHkeFw55I\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/xOmABblbqfEUgNuCbVlvDwhbiZbzdBOZQCEwYBhgL\/s1600\/IMG_1128.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1600\" data-original-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-3KjJ12hC63w\/WarHkeFw55I\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/xOmABblbqfEUgNuCbVlvDwhbiZbzdBOZQCEwYBhgL\/s320\/IMG_1128.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EAnother really really simple card. I guillotined down some blue card as the background. The balloon decoration again came from a card that I received absolutely years ago. It's balloons painted on a piece of acetate and the original card had an aperture so you saw through the balloon window but I decided just to put some white card behind it. This meant when I layered it over the plain blue card, the background of the balloons stayed white not blue. Does that make sense ??! And of course a little sentiment added at the bottom.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EI've currently not got any plans for tomorrow - no, not even any laundry - so I'm planning to make a load more cards while my stuff is all already set out! I might bore you with some more pictures too. And well done if you read this far!!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003ETil next time,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EJillxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003Eps no idea why my images look so grainy today but I have to go and start dinner now so they will have to do!!! Sorry!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-QJLMQ4Qwu_g\/WarElJTv1BI\/AAAAAAAAXbI\/fm0fvj6w9TwM_868D45aM-y3WciERiQ8ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1121%255B1%255D.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-QJLMQ4Qwu_g\/WarElJTv1BI\/AAAAAAAAXbI\/fm0fvj6w9TwM_868D45aM-y3WciERiQ8ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1121%255B1%255D.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-QJLMQ4Qwu_g\/WarElJTv1BI\/AAAAAAAAXbI\/fm0fvj6w9TwM_868D45aM-y3WciERiQ8ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1121%255B1%255D.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-QJLMQ4Qwu_g\/WarElJTv1BI\/AAAAAAAAXbI\/fm0fvj6w9TwM_868D45aM-y3WciERiQ8ACLcBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_1121%255B1%255D.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6258040799205229879\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/09\/card-making-1.html#comment-form","title":"11 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6258040799205229879"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6258040799205229879"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/09\/card-making-1.html","title":"Card making (1)"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-RMcNJ8d0Sig\/WarG_q1yeuI\/AAAAAAAAXcU\/aIukew9s-nIOYt2LwIq2-0I8WgGk4Ar_ACEwYBhgL\/s72-c\/IMG_1130.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"11"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1250212235869059542"},"published":{"$t":"2017-08-28T18:53:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-08-28T18:56:28.831+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Summer Holidays 2017 - Donaghadee - Part 1"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear readers and friends!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI can't believe there is only one full week of the school holidays left, its gone sooooo fast. We've had a great summer though: I was in Northern Ireland in our holiday house for a month, with Little Miss and Little Tomboy - MrEC and Mr14 joined us for the last 2 weeks.\u003Cbr \/\u003EOur holiday house is in a little town called \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/visitdonaghadee.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDonaghadee\u003C\/a\u003E, which is close to the town of Bangor.\u003Cbr \/\u003E(There is also a Bangor in Wales, so don't be confused, I am talking about Bangor Co. Down). The photo below is Bangor Marina which always looks really pretty but appearances can be deceptive - it is often really really windy.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hDoHba63irQ\/WaRBxS1_p0I\/AAAAAAAAUmg\/ghC2VtH0ut0Vck-PdpI3aSJPXe29H7yIQCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image-665546225.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hDoHba63irQ\/WaRBxS1_p0I\/AAAAAAAAUmg\/ghC2VtH0ut0Vck-PdpI3aSJPXe29H7yIQCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image-665546225.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EClose by the marina is the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.redberrycoffee.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERed Berry Cafe\u003C\/a\u003E, we often go for lunch here, they serve lovely salads, though the kids prefer the waffles with cream, chocolate and marshmallows - can't think why !!!?!!\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn NIreland it's all about the bread: soda bread, potato bread, veda bread, and - best of all - wheaten bread. Wheaten bread with proper butter is aMAZing. Don't confuse it with soda bread. Soda bread, though also amazing, is white, very soft, and tends to be baked in a circle and served in quarters which we call soda \"farls\". Wheaten bread is brown, much rougher, made with wholewheat flour and oats, and with added treacle for the colouring. It is often baked in a loaf tin so it can be easily sliced. Soda bread is gorgeous toasted with butter and jam, wheaten bread can be eaten the same way but is a marvellous accompaniment for soup or smoked salmon, or as the base of an open prawn sandwich. Actually all this talk of wheaten bread is making me crave some - you can't buy it easily in the south of England, so I guess I'll have to make some! Watch this space for another post ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PnyztB4Gj3k\/WaRGvXtfejI\/AAAAAAAAUpU\/PJ_21EWhcjICb5vncBFA3-CGHGV7i6KUACHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image--713177869.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PnyztB4Gj3k\/WaRGvXtfejI\/AAAAAAAAUpU\/PJ_21EWhcjICb5vncBFA3-CGHGV7i6KUACHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image--713177869.jpg\"  width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe were amazingly lucky with the weather, and had loads of lovely days out. As we are \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaltrust.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENational Trust\u003C\/a\u003E members we visited \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaltrust.org.uk\/mount-stewart\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMount Stewart\u003C\/a\u003E a couple of times. Normally we walk around he lake there, but this time we chose to go in the opposite direction towards the Temple of the Winds. You can see the view of it on approach up the hill.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CfWZBsJdxqY\/WaRB5-POx2I\/AAAAAAAAUm0\/SwPB6IyB2jQD7GyqHuBO89g14FLhwVdKgCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image-748962148.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CfWZBsJdxqY\/WaRB5-POx2I\/AAAAAAAAUm0\/SwPB6IyB2jQD7GyqHuBO89g14FLhwVdKgCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image-748962148.jpg\"  width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMount Stewart House dates back to the mid 1700's, and the Temple of the Winds was added later in that century by the then owner, Robert Stewart, 1st Marquess of Londonderry. The Temple of the Winds is so called as the design is based on the \"temples\" in the Meditarranean seen by Robert Stewart on his tour of Europe, and as you can imagine its location at the top of the hill, is quite windy.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PcncuhTcTX8\/WaRNZYxuANI\/AAAAAAAAUq8\/DOLwjkZQ9K4W6PBKzqeqQyNI83rShTKbgCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image-575898993.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PcncuhTcTX8\/WaRNZYxuANI\/AAAAAAAAUq8\/DOLwjkZQ9K4W6PBKzqeqQyNI83rShTKbgCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image-575898993.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere is a gorgeous view though ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wkqHGLkjbRA\/WaRBzCzTUFI\/AAAAAAAAUmk\/XOUy1SN8KXMvLiwjFlWK-CK-wgPnteObACHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image--461002510.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wkqHGLkjbRA\/WaRBzCzTUFI\/AAAAAAAAUmk\/XOUy1SN8KXMvLiwjFlWK-CK-wgPnteObACHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image--461002510.jpg\"  width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EOf course there are also trees to be climbed ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pzpTnVuZWjs\/WaRB4EIOSBI\/AAAAAAAAUmw\/pM-TIZYUiHAuENPOGN6XK1FshKNh6pEJwCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image-1413804830.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pzpTnVuZWjs\/WaRB4EIOSBI\/AAAAAAAAUmw\/pM-TIZYUiHAuENPOGN6XK1FshKNh6pEJwCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image-1413804830.jpg\"  width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vcQOjdqb1zA\/WaRB0lnTqMI\/AAAAAAAAUmo\/tBpQgVmqhPcbCnEkX-ZGAG3pgO3yTkOswCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image-1810750647.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vcQOjdqb1zA\/WaRB0lnTqMI\/AAAAAAAAUmo\/tBpQgVmqhPcbCnEkX-ZGAG3pgO3yTkOswCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image-1810750647.jpg\"  width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E... and no visit is complete without a photo beside the beautiful Canadian geese mural ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-FO_WPC93xaY\/WaRB2UboZHI\/AAAAAAAAUms\/ubR581QhQJooXozq5Vm3brEp8Rpz1KKzACHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image--45185360.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-FO_WPC93xaY\/WaRB2UboZHI\/AAAAAAAAUms\/ubR581QhQJooXozq5Vm3brEp8Rpz1KKzACHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image--45185360.jpg\"  width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EWe also visited \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaltrust.org.uk\/castle-ward\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECastleWard\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;which again is owned by the National Trust, it's a lovely property with a large estate which sweeps down to the shores of Strangford Lough.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CnWtMRhAmUw\/WaRBqkOeS9I\/AAAAAAAAUmQ\/AqtOYHQR-FkSEgPeRGsoS4Yxu_JZ0FaGACHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image--996959277.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CnWtMRhAmUw\/WaRBqkOeS9I\/AAAAAAAAUmQ\/AqtOYHQR-FkSEgPeRGsoS4Yxu_JZ0FaGACHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image--996959277.jpg\"  width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EYou can see Castleward in the middle, near the bottom, on the map below.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HxHzuMFTMdo\/WaRPpmmXqyI\/AAAAAAAAUrc\/d9jBsnJ-Wokw9wErY1eG7O4F76c-AljZQCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image-424503941.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HxHzuMFTMdo\/WaRPpmmXqyI\/AAAAAAAAUrc\/d9jBsnJ-Wokw9wErY1eG7O4F76c-AljZQCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image-424503941.jpg\"  width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThis map is a photo of a painting (not by me I hasten to add!) that we have hanging in our downstairs loo - as you do !!!! You can see just north of Castleward is Audley's Castle. In my family we call is \"Audrey's Castle\" as we have an Auntie Audrey! No, she doesn't own it !! We walked from Castleward along the shore to Audley's Castle, stopping at various bays along the way to skim stones and soak up the sun.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIf any of you are Game of Thrones fans you may be interested to know (or indeed know already) that a lot of Game of Thrones is filmed in Northern Ireland. Most of the rugged sea scenery is the north coast of Antrim for example, and the scenes at Winterfell are filmed at Castleward. Audley's Castle field was also the setting for Robb Stark's camp, and various other scenes. There are lots of Game of Thrones tours and hikes all over the place! It's helped the tourism industry in N.Ireland immensely as people from all over the world make a trip to see the Game of Thrones settings.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EJust further east from Castleward is Strangford, from where there is a ferry that goes across the Narrows to Portaferry. Usually on the way home to Donaghadee (which is just north of Ballywalter - but not on the map) we take this ferry - its a small car ferry which takes about 10 minutes - and its fun to stand on deck with the wind in your hair, watching Strangford receding whilst Portaferry edges closer.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThis is a view from the ferry of another ferry - the spare ? an old one ? - but basically the same as the one we were on. You drive on one end and straight off the other when it lands (is that the right word lol) at the other side.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QkBW7HMAiZ8\/WaRTDBj95JI\/AAAAAAAAUsw\/9xCKa8O2Na03pKmVTLEw2ZrcaWmLcA38QCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image--95458957.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QkBW7HMAiZ8\/WaRTDBj95JI\/AAAAAAAAUsw\/9xCKa8O2Na03pKmVTLEw2ZrcaWmLcA38QCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image--95458957.jpg\"  width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ELittle Tomboy came on deck with me as Little Miss didn't want to, so she stayed in the car with Pixie.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-702GZ9REHjI\/WaRTBbu8eNI\/AAAAAAAAUss\/GkdT22BemCcw_4Eg83yjXq4C9atJHDQrwCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image--1892285621.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-702GZ9REHjI\/WaRTBbu8eNI\/AAAAAAAAUss\/GkdT22BemCcw_4Eg83yjXq4C9atJHDQrwCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image--1892285621.jpg\"  width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd here are views of Portaferry from the ferry ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-i9ISUTHit6Q\/WaRS_o9a3aI\/AAAAAAAAUso\/dbUixfQuncQGKZAJbr6R3z-Ln1Ek9d7QgCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image--300895052.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-i9ISUTHit6Q\/WaRS_o9a3aI\/AAAAAAAAUso\/dbUixfQuncQGKZAJbr6R3z-Ln1Ek9d7QgCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image--300895052.jpg\"  width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIt reminds me a it of Balamory (anyone in the UK with small children will know what I mean!)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-xIvnaCpZ6u4\/WaRTFPOSQ6I\/AAAAAAAAUs0\/WfQI12SXIiUnmDRNCOgHreKUHbhHHolhwCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image-639086932.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-xIvnaCpZ6u4\/WaRTFPOSQ6I\/AAAAAAAAUs0\/WfQI12SXIiUnmDRNCOgHreKUHbhHHolhwCHMYCw\/s640\/blogger-image-639086932.jpg\"  width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI so love going home home to Norn Irn. There is something about the pace of life that means we are just so relaxed from the minute we arrive. Every day tasks aren't as boring, when its sunny it feels like a real treat, and when its not the wind blows away the cobwebs and the rain makes everything so green and lush. Even the food shopping is made more exciting by the presence of the aforementioned wheaten bread and the local shop sells amazing yoghurts. And that's before we even talk about the ice-cream .... and the local cafes .... in Donaghadee, which is pretty small there are about 10 cafes and umpteen restaurants. We are so lucky.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EWhere last summer was filled with sadness after my Dad had passed away, this summer felt a little lighter, though there were always be a Dad-shaped hole in my life and of course even more so when we're in Norn Irn. Nonetheless my heart is so happy when I'm there, aaaaah I feel relaxed just re-living these memories as I type.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI'll be back with Part 2 soon. Hope you've had a lovely Bank Holiday if you're in the UK, and a lovely regular old Monday if you're elsewhere.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETil next time,\u003Cbr \/\u003EJillxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1250212235869059542\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/08\/summer-holidays-2017-donaghadee-part-1.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1250212235869059542"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1250212235869059542"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/08\/summer-holidays-2017-donaghadee-part-1.html","title":"Summer Holidays 2017 - Donaghadee - Part 1"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hDoHba63irQ\/WaRBxS1_p0I\/AAAAAAAAUmg\/ghC2VtH0ut0Vck-PdpI3aSJPXe29H7yIQCHMYCw\/s72-c\/blogger-image-665546225.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-266298398007959996"},"published":{"$t":"2017-06-07T13:55:00.002+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-06-07T13:55:24.588+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Bunnies and Unicorns"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-EZsiCqhHTmk\/WTfpy9dQMsI\/AAAAAAAARSM\/1kUCOg5EpU4HjDp9xtpwwdPEd9jA1lJvgCK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6764.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-EZsiCqhHTmk\/WTfpy9dQMsI\/AAAAAAAARSM\/1kUCOg5EpU4HjDp9xtpwwdPEd9jA1lJvgCK4B\/s320\/IMG_6764.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis is what happens when a small dog gets into your crochet bag. Actually this was after I'd started separating it all.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd of course this little lady is the culprit...... \u0026nbsp;but how can I be angry when she is so cute ...?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-TiIq9s8z5XE\/WTfrQWUovgI\/AAAAAAAARSY\/xRjh3f7kEGMSU82QfX9s1-aUDdw4S1byQCK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6674.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-TiIq9s8z5XE\/WTfrQWUovgI\/AAAAAAAARSY\/xRjh3f7kEGMSU82QfX9s1-aUDdw4S1byQCK4B\/s320\/IMG_6674.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIts been a busy week, we had Mr14's paintball party which was a huge success - due to a booking mix-up they had the whole place to themselves, ordinarily there would be 30ish other people there which would completely change the vibe, but instead it was just Mr14 and 9 friends having a blast.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-vWsfXMMljFU\/WTfuMR8ZBcI\/AAAAAAAARSk\/5e4xvGsCQionGzSlj0xHX-C35rtAbkVUgCK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6699.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-vWsfXMMljFU\/WTfuMR8ZBcI\/AAAAAAAARSk\/5e4xvGsCQionGzSlj0xHX-C35rtAbkVUgCK4B\/s320\/IMG_6699.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI believe they are \"dabbing\" in that photo - I presume those of you with school age children will know what this is. I don't really get it myself. Anyway, we've had many, many issues with friendship groups (or lack thereof) over the years, with Mr14 being on the autistic spectrum, so it was absolutely wonderful to see him enjoying himself with such a lovely group of friends. The school he goes to is so nurturing, their pastoral care is excellent, and currently he's loving it.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAlso this week I was away on my cousin's hen-weekend. We had a spa weekend at a really lovely country hotel called Crewe Hall. Crewe Hall dates back to the 1100's and came into the Crewe Family in 1608. You can \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.qhotels.co.uk\/our-locations\/crewe-hall\/history-of-crewe-hall\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eread more about its history here\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ekTUrtCTt0Q\/WTfvBrfEl0I\/AAAAAAAARSw\/3KlWYSjBrhgyyr1kDM-tR-La3UzoraW1gCK4B\/s1600\/18814375_10155338845516171_3726066725447262796_n.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ekTUrtCTt0Q\/WTfvBrfEl0I\/AAAAAAAARSw\/3KlWYSjBrhgyyr1kDM-tR-La3UzoraW1gCK4B\/s320\/18814375_10155338845516171_3726066725447262796_n.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe spent the weekend, relaxing, having spa treatments, eating cake and drinking bubbly - what more could you want ?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-LjGwFOPOFqY\/WTfwzaGQecI\/AAAAAAAARS8\/Mnex0k83zVgk036wcN79DnTYgZd2qJUaACK4B\/s1600\/collage-2017-06-07.png\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-LjGwFOPOFqY\/WTfwzaGQecI\/AAAAAAAARS8\/Mnex0k83zVgk036wcN79DnTYgZd2qJUaACK4B\/s320\/collage-2017-06-07.png\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWell, you could want crochet too, and I did bring some with me to work on, though I was too busy relaxing to get much done.\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe other thing you could want would be to get home at the end of the weekend without incident. Sadly my car had other ideas and decided to breakdown on a very fast (70mph) road with no hard shoulder. Nightmare. And no we didn't have breakdown cover. So after getting car to trundle at 8mph for a few miles - so stressful - to a service area, I phoned the RAC and joined there and then. Thankfully they came to my rescue fairly quickly, but couldn't revive the car, so I had to be towed to the garage and MrEC picked me up. Poorly car is still in the garage awaiting parts. Not the best end to the weekend, it has to be said.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis week I've been working on a couple of fundraising orders - firstly this bunny, she still needs a wee bow for her head but is otherwise ready to go.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v7fXDXm3v5w\/WTfzX4P3stI\/AAAAAAAARTI\/PrW3oiWD3S0F-txlGMpoX93gMc4npGV0wCK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6765.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v7fXDXm3v5w\/WTfzX4P3stI\/AAAAAAAARTI\/PrW3oiWD3S0F-txlGMpoX93gMc4npGV0wCK4B\/s320\/IMG_6765.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Z3evwJHAA80\/WTfzcBh0IiI\/AAAAAAAARTQ\/eVOzdivgpMEvB58SCe4CyhlACt9hRHrLACK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6767.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Z3evwJHAA80\/WTfzcBh0IiI\/AAAAAAAARTQ\/eVOzdivgpMEvB58SCe4CyhlACt9hRHrLACK4B\/s320\/IMG_6767.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... and this little chap is going off to his new owner who is going to take him with her next week when she travels off to climb Kilimanjaro! Wow!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-eouhYxC_RcU\/WTfzyh09I7I\/AAAAAAAARTY\/7zpLijvr7JgQwz-b7qiGIuKTVKO6leRMQCK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6775.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-eouhYxC_RcU\/WTfzyh09I7I\/AAAAAAAARTY\/7zpLijvr7JgQwz-b7qiGIuKTVKO6leRMQCK4B\/s320\/IMG_6775.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-4ItOAVPis-A\/WTfz2euHYTI\/AAAAAAAARTg\/kzeEs64M6lwlvgHgvcaIOTZbK_drdobgQCK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6774.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-4ItOAVPis-A\/WTfz2euHYTI\/AAAAAAAARTg\/kzeEs64M6lwlvgHgvcaIOTZbK_drdobgQCK4B\/s320\/IMG_6774.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI've also been messing around with beads - just for a break from the bunnies and unicorns.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-sxFhNpCcmLA\/WTf0M17FkhI\/AAAAAAAARTo\/Q1g_6UH5wAw6923LU3dHkLUfGmSLGBC6gCK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6771.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-sxFhNpCcmLA\/WTf0M17FkhI\/AAAAAAAARTo\/Q1g_6UH5wAw6923LU3dHkLUfGmSLGBC6gCK4B\/s320\/IMG_6771.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'm thinking I may make some of these to make at our school summer fair, but just not sure that I will have the time really, as I have sooooo many unicorns still to do. And on that note I am off to finish some unicorn \"hair\" for a large unicorn that I'm nearly done with.\u003Cbr \/\u003EHope you all have a lovely week,\u003Cbr \/\u003ETil next time,\u003Cbr \/\u003EJillxxxx\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/266298398007959996\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/06\/bunnies-and-unicorns.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/266298398007959996"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/266298398007959996"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/06\/bunnies-and-unicorns.html","title":"Bunnies and Unicorns"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-EZsiCqhHTmk\/WTfpy9dQMsI\/AAAAAAAARSM\/1kUCOg5EpU4HjDp9xtpwwdPEd9jA1lJvgCK4B\/s72-c\/IMG_6764.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-5149457619808305698"},"published":{"$t":"2017-05-31T17:46:00.002+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-05-31T17:46:59.960+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"May (and March and April) Days"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello strangers, remember me ???!!!! Lost my blogging mojo for a while there, nothing worrisome going on, just life etc.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-i2gBqbwhXQs\/WS7fzdVKACI\/AAAAAAAARH0\/D_Ub8reepZowZV9UWr8MXuTFp3-vvAWiwCLcB\/s1600\/IMG_6678%255B1%255D.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-i2gBqbwhXQs\/WS7fzdVKACI\/AAAAAAAARH0\/D_Ub8reepZowZV9UWr8MXuTFp3-vvAWiwCLcB\/s320\/IMG_6678%255B1%255D.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe had two weeks over in NIreland for Easter. You may remember that my Dad died at Easter last year, 2016. Very sadly, my uncle, my Dad's twin brother, died a year and 3 days after my Dad, just before Easter 2017, and of the same thing - cancer that had spread to lungs and stomach. We all just couldn't believe that the family had had to go through the same thing all over again. My Dad was the baby brother, well actually when they were born there were triplets, but the 3rd baby didn't survive, so technically my Uncle was the eldest and my Dad was the middle one. We took the children out of school to travel over a couple of days early for my Uncle's funeral, and once we had the funeral done we were able to settle down and enjoy our time over there. All the extended family are going to my cousin's wedding in a few weeks, and we were all saying how it will be lovely to get together as a family for a happy occasion for once. Whilst over there we had some lovely days out which I think deserve their own post so I'll share those another time, but for now here's a pic and maybe you can guess where we went.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-8cp30mXR3r0\/WS7q_q62qQI\/AAAAAAAARJ8\/FQVB3xt7HeoKzKtkiz4omhii6nJSg2P2QCK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6328.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-8cp30mXR3r0\/WS7q_q62qQI\/AAAAAAAARJ8\/FQVB3xt7HeoKzKtkiz4omhii6nJSg2P2QCK4B\/s320\/IMG_6328.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs you may or may not know I am training for the New York Marathon (New York Baby!!!!) in November, and have been doing lots of events as part of my training. I did an obstacle colour run (where they throw paint at you while you leap around on big bouncy castles - such good fun) with my daughter ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-XYuLmk_k7JA\/WS7hd8w5YyI\/AAAAAAAARIA\/_lk8SZL1pRs_LMW_1fDE2tBPsGyPDxXHACLcB\/s1600\/FullSizeRender.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"960\" data-original-width=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-XYuLmk_k7JA\/WS7hd8w5YyI\/AAAAAAAARIA\/_lk8SZL1pRs_LMW_1fDE2tBPsGyPDxXHACLcB\/s320\/FullSizeRender.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI also did a triathlon with a friend ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-76WoSqmUyxM\/WS7jPLfaJjI\/AAAAAAAARIQ\/Fo4bHUyGU2Y6GVsfffN3_fpIlR7TiZd4wCK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6632.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-76WoSqmUyxM\/WS7jPLfaJjI\/AAAAAAAARIQ\/Fo4bHUyGU2Y6GVsfffN3_fpIlR7TiZd4wCK4B\/s320\/IMG_6632.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-RcHZ2Xlkphk\/WS7jbnAdiEI\/AAAAAAAARIY\/BRQKbaQtwU8N8fNfz_p2aVWc0n9tG8PNACK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6626.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-RcHZ2Xlkphk\/WS7jbnAdiEI\/AAAAAAAARIY\/BRQKbaQtwU8N8fNfz_p2aVWc0n9tG8PNACK4B\/s320\/IMG_6626.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs you can see the weather was fantastic for both of those :) Sadly (or fortunately depending on how you look at it), there are no photos of me during the swim section of the triathlon!\u003Cbr \/\u003EI've also been doing parkrun every Saturday morning. For those of you who haven't heard of parkrun, it is a free timed 5k event that runs every Saturday morning at hundreds of parks all across the UK and indeed there are some international parkruns too. Its not a race, just a run, you can sprint, run, jog, plod or walk, and bring your kids, buggies, or dogs. I very firmly fall in the plod category and I don't bring the dog as it would freak her out. Parkrun is very inclusive, runners of all abilities are welcomed, and it's free, as the whole thing is run by volunteers.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-06oAX0sD9zI\/WS7j73E_nWI\/AAAAAAAARIk\/CD77jR3OOR0sTKkv37f9E2UUFYkwndtEACK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6542.PNG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-06oAX0sD9zI\/WS7j73E_nWI\/AAAAAAAARIk\/CD77jR3OOR0sTKkv37f9E2UUFYkwndtEACK4B\/s320\/IMG_6542.PNG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn other news our activities as a family have been somewhat curtailed by the fact that Little Tomboy broke her wrist! She fell off the playground play equipment at school, and although it wasn't REALLY bad, it was bad enough that she had to have an operation under general anaesthetic to straighten it. On my birthday. Hurrah. First time I'vve ever left the house on my birthday at 06:30 - as we had to be there by 7am.\u003Cbr \/\u003EHere she is in hospital recovering from the op - still smiling bless her - no overnight stay required thank goodness.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-PM8UgnoNK7k\/WS7k3ePptxI\/AAAAAAAARIw\/Qrw23ArQg2sCb7tWfzmT7qxF-Hd57TFDwCK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6553.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-PM8UgnoNK7k\/WS7k3ePptxI\/AAAAAAAARIw\/Qrw23ArQg2sCb7tWfzmT7qxF-Hd57TFDwCK4B\/s320\/IMG_6553.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... and at her checkup lat week ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-syrejfQmiOI\/WS7lTgBiDaI\/AAAAAAAARI4\/jTIolx2te3Ag51GyU1upzkXl0xZNFNnLACK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6638.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-syrejfQmiOI\/WS7lTgBiDaI\/AAAAAAAARI4\/jTIolx2te3Ag51GyU1upzkXl0xZNFNnLACK4B\/s320\/IMG_6638.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat's us in the hospital cafe having breakfast before her 08:30 appointment! 08:30! Have you ever tried to get a 9 year old to a hospital appointment in the centre of town before breakfast in rush hour traffic at the same time as getting the other 2 ready and off to school and then realising the patient has got dressed in normal clothes not school uniform even though she is going to school later so you've had an argument with her to get re-dressed. It wasn't terribly fun. Luckily the hospital cafe does a pretty good latte and The Best Pain Au Chcolat In The World, so that eased the pain. I am pleased to report she is doing very well, her arm barely hurts and she'll have the cast for just another couple of weeks. Currently we have covered the millions of signatures (very cool but she was bored of them!) with some rather fetching camo tape bought off amazon. And she's STILL smiling :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-WvYPkDbxinU\/WS7sQPX9zLI\/AAAAAAAARKI\/d2Y7n4OXJO08WelsE6jcIAU5HQL-PS0YwCK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6685.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-WvYPkDbxinU\/WS7sQPX9zLI\/AAAAAAAARKI\/d2Y7n4OXJO08WelsE6jcIAU5HQL-PS0YwCK4B\/s320\/IMG_6685.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETomorrow we have Mr 13's birthday, he will be Mr 14. He's having 9 friends to go paintballing and very disappointingly I'm not allowed to join in. Too embarrassing obviously. He's very into his artwork at the moment, does a lot of computer art, loves media studies, animation and computing, but he also loves drawing and sketching with what I call Proper Pens. And Proper Pencils. At least I hope they're proper because they cost enough! Here's a little sketch that he did the other day in a cafe while we were waiting for lunch. With just the one blue pencil. I just love this and its pinned above my desk.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-CQTS2nLm5kQ\/WS7oo9jIFRI\/AAAAAAAARJg\/_sxzk5rK9NoLJTN91CORmrZu94ywnYhwgCK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6687.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-CQTS2nLm5kQ\/WS7oo9jIFRI\/AAAAAAAARJg\/_sxzk5rK9NoLJTN91CORmrZu94ywnYhwgCK4B\/s320\/IMG_6687.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI popped into Hobbycraft today (can you tell whats coming) to buy him some more Proper Pens for his birthday but I seemed to come out with a load of yarn and fabric. No idea how that happened.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-AX9_w3gqe2g\/WS7oVel5JsI\/AAAAAAAARJY\/UTpgRrCID04Ncs-tZlpwwa3aDccASLz8wCK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6686.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-AX9_w3gqe2g\/WS7oVel5JsI\/AAAAAAAARJY\/UTpgRrCID04Ncs-tZlpwwa3aDccASLz8wCK4B\/s320\/IMG_6686.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe fabric was reduced so of course I HAD to buy it, and I just loved the colours of the yarn, I'm going to use the Lionbrand Lamdscapes Yarn for a shawl\/wrap and the caron cakes for lap sized blankets. And now I really really must stop buying craft materials of any sort. In fact I feel a no-spend challenge with associated blog posts coming along sometime soon ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn crafting news its all been about the unicorns. \u0026nbsp;I'm selling them for charity to fundraise for my marathon for the National Autistic Society (Mr 13-soon-to-be-14 has autism). One lady wanted a large unicorn so here's what I made for her. The credit for the pattern goes to a lady called\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\"\u003EMarina Chuchkalova \u003C\/span\u003Ewhose \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/uk\/listing\/289428367\/a-sweet-unicorn-pdf-crochet-toy-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_2\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Epattern\u003C\/a\u003E I purchased on etsy.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4oyJvSYcDSg\/WS7qiT8dYNI\/AAAAAAAARJs\/Zz-jIQOpf_AKre7sqoFTaYr3wE83thQMwCK4B\/s1600\/IMG_6389.PNG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4oyJvSYcDSg\/WS7qiT8dYNI\/AAAAAAAARJs\/Zz-jIQOpf_AKre7sqoFTaYr3wE83thQMwCK4B\/s320\/IMG_6389.PNG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI've also made loads of little ones but don't seem to have a photo. I'll take one of the next one I make. Other than the unicorns not a lot has been happening on the crochet front. But I'm hoping to rectify that this weekend, I'm going for a spa weekend for my cousin's hen-do, as these things go it's going to be a fairly non-rowdy event so my crochet is coming with me and I intend to sit about, drink prosecco, and do my crochet, all weekend :) Bliss!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETil next time,\u003Cbr \/\u003EJillxxxxxx\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5149457619808305698\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/05\/hello-strangers-remember-me-lost-my.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5149457619808305698"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5149457619808305698"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/05\/hello-strangers-remember-me-lost-my.html","title":"May (and March and April) Days"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-i2gBqbwhXQs\/WS7fzdVKACI\/AAAAAAAARH0\/D_Ub8reepZowZV9UWr8MXuTFp3-vvAWiwCLcB\/s72-c\/IMG_6678%255B1%255D.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-4181232715311246840"},"published":{"$t":"2017-03-03T12:25:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-03-03T12:27:09.046+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Five on Friday"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EHello dear friends and readers,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EIt's that time of the week again so today I am joining in with\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFive on Friday\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;(hosted by my lovely friend Amy of\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELove Made My Home\u003C\/a\u003E). This week has been a fairly quiet one although I seem to have spent ridiculous amounts of time ferrying children about and driving to and from various schools. My 3 Little People all go to different schools. Mr Teenager goes to a secondary school that's 4 miles away, with his autism he wouldn't cope with the bus so I drive him there and back each day. Little Miss is at our local catchment secondary school and walks there with her friends. She loves that independence, and even if it's tipping it down with rain she'd rather walk than have a lift from me. I'm so, like, embarrassing. And Little Tomboy is still at primary school so I walk her there and back. It's a bit of a juggling act and in the afternoon I don't always have time to drop Mr Teenager and my car at home before walking up to get Little Tomboy, so sometimes I pick her up on the way home in the car, but I prefer to walk if I can. Then you add in all the clubs (football, gymnastics, drama, guides, kickboxing, Photoshop-club, badminton) and its a wonder I am ever at home.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EAnyway enough waffle ... here are 5 snippets of my week .....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E1. Little Tomboy's school had some duck eggs that they nurtured, and last week they hatched - great excitement. It wasn't in her year but we popped in to the relevant classroom after school one day to see them ..... Soooo fluffy and cute .....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pCiaJuj_Wd8\/WLlUow8tHCI\/AAAAAAAAP8g\/lGiDLxyXH4s\/s640\/blogger-image-1947860359.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pCiaJuj_Wd8\/WLlUow8tHCI\/AAAAAAAAP8g\/lGiDLxyXH4s\/s640\/blogger-image-1947860359.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E2. On Monday the pre-school attached to our primary school had a fundraising bingo night. Just in the school hall, bring your own snack and drinks - bottle of rosé wine, don't mind if I do - do you like my heart paper-cups - so classy. It was a fun night, I won £5 (so it's not big money!) and a nice little raffle prize of some hand-cream. The raffle prizes are donated by people and are often unwanted gifts or bottles of wine, so it can be hit and miss. I have in the past won a bottle of wine which was so revolting I poured it down the sink. I know. Yes it was that bad. So nice hand-cream was a pleasant surprise :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QinMgRbP-0k\/WLlUgdHRs2I\/AAAAAAAAP8M\/IpQpR-j9CfE\/s640\/blogger-image-126181750.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QinMgRbP-0k\/WLlUgdHRs2I\/AAAAAAAAP8M\/IpQpR-j9CfE\/s640\/blogger-image-126181750.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E3. There has been a bit more in the way of sunshine and blue skies this week, and the daffodils are coming through. This is our local park which we pass on the way to school each day, and at which Little Miss hangs out with her friends. Even though she's at secondary school now you are never to old to play on a swing 😊 There's also a great little local cafe and of course all important sweet shop.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bnLlbHE6x2E\/WLlUlZ7rnII\/AAAAAAAAP8Y\/Hs2hq7A38pc\/s640\/blogger-image--207052221.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bnLlbHE6x2E\/WLlUlZ7rnII\/AAAAAAAAP8Y\/Hs2hq7A38pc\/s640\/blogger-image--207052221.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003E4. Little Miss goes to Guides and they've been working on their Confectionery badge. I think basically this teaches them how and where to get inordinate amounts of sugar into their diet. They need to learn how to make truffles and peppermint cremes, and at their meeting on Tuesday they made little icing cake-toppers. She made this one of a teddy sort of hanging over a moon, so sweet. Literally.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2BJRApGDBgQ\/WLlUthZpe5I\/AAAAAAAAP8s\/G1QAV9MOOP4\/s640\/blogger-image-1400620455.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2BJRApGDBgQ\/WLlUthZpe5I\/AAAAAAAAP8s\/G1QAV9MOOP4\/s640\/blogger-image-1400620455.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EShe also made cupcakes, but we aren't allowed to mention those because she stupidly left her bowl (containing her last cupcake) on the sofa in reach of Pixie. So, yes, it got eaten by the dog, cupcake case and all. Lots of tears. Mr EC (big softy) gave her a little bowl of Minstrels by way of consolation. She ate one then dropped the bowl on the floor so the dog got those too. More tears. We then sort of accidentally reminded her that she had wanted to give up chocolate for Lent, and a minstrel is ... well ... chocolate. Even more tears. Not a fun evening.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003ELuckily the cake-topper did not meet with any calamity and is still intact.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E5. We had a really lovely afternoon last Sunday out at our local \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaltrust.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENational Trust\u003C\/a\u003E Property, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nationaltrust.org.uk\/basildon-park\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBasildon Park\u003C\/a\u003E. If you follow Amy's blog \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELove Made My Home\u003C\/a\u003E you will have heard about Basildon Park, as Amy works there, and I have also blogged about it before here. Mr Teenager is now of an age where he doesn't want to come along, and needs his own space and some peace from his sisters, so we leave him at home playing xbox online with his friends. This is a recent development for us: having to drag a reluctant autistic 12-13 year old everywhere is not fun let me tell you. He tries very hard but, due to the autism, anywhere new causes so much anxiety and upset, it's always a nightmare trying to get him to get ready and causes everyone to get super-stressed and grumpy before we've even left the house. So for us now to be able to leave him at home (and for him to be okay with that) is really a bit of a game-changer.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-sG_eRQmXC3w\/WLlUvUvU5dI\/AAAAAAAAP8w\/GWoGAJ-X7dw\/s640\/blogger-image--1298715981.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-sG_eRQmXC3w\/WLlUvUvU5dI\/AAAAAAAAP8w\/GWoGAJ-X7dw\/s640\/blogger-image--1298715981.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EAnyway, back to Basildon Park.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;So we went out with just the girls.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EThis time we went slightly off-piste and instead of walking round the garden we followed one of the trails - the orange one - through the woodland. Ok, so not strictly off piste then, but a bit of an adventure nonetheless. We covered about 4 miles, we had one tired little doggy at the end. It was extremely muddy - we had a few slippages and near misses but nobody actually fell over.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KALD7vCiGQA\/WLlUsZFOXXI\/AAAAAAAAP8o\/QJhuxZcLx_I\/s640\/blogger-image--1754983969.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KALD7vCiGQA\/WLlUsZFOXXI\/AAAAAAAAP8o\/QJhuxZcLx_I\/s640\/blogger-image--1754983969.jpg\"  width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EYou can just see the front of the house through this gap in the trees ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pbO-xDC6dT4\/WLlUxEd_ihI\/AAAAAAAAP80\/txRSkAaK8eo\/s640\/blogger-image-2040014936.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pbO-xDC6dT4\/WLlUxEd_ihI\/AAAAAAAAP80\/txRSkAaK8eo\/s640\/blogger-image-2040014936.jpg\"  width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EI wish we could have taken credit for this awesome little shelter but it was not us who made it. Isn't it fab ?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GKgd1CTwxVY\/WLlUqkjQgzI\/AAAAAAAAP8k\/ewEJW36tu3U\/s640\/blogger-image--102705088.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GKgd1CTwxVY\/WLlUqkjQgzI\/AAAAAAAAP8k\/ewEJW36tu3U\/s640\/blogger-image--102705088.jpg\"  width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EThe end of the walk brings you out at the side of the house ...\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dRMdLg0f3B8\/WLlUnZcfyQI\/AAAAAAAAP8c\/0r8SqnuPCrs\/s640\/blogger-image--974860573.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dRMdLg0f3B8\/WLlUnZcfyQI\/AAAAAAAAP8c\/0r8SqnuPCrs\/s640\/blogger-image--974860573.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E....and being back at the house means you are at the tea-room. They even have a special extra tea room where dogs are welcome 😊\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8DFmofkja3Q\/WLlUh2eGZnI\/AAAAAAAAP8Q\/uwnjF6GO-Kc\/s640\/blogger-image--769667787.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8DFmofkja3Q\/WLlUh2eGZnI\/AAAAAAAAP8Q\/uwnjF6GO-Kc\/s640\/blogger-image--769667787.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EIn the above photo you can see a press\/cupboard at the far end - here is a closer look. I just adore it, I'd love something like that in my kitchen however Mr EC is very much the minimalist and would definitely resist that decision. So perhaps best not to go there!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-R_fNk5yJ-CE\/WLlUj0bcTkI\/AAAAAAAAP8U\/T_EmrV7UrQA\/s640\/blogger-image-377924577.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-R_fNk5yJ-CE\/WLlUj0bcTkI\/AAAAAAAAP8U\/T_EmrV7UrQA\/s640\/blogger-image-377924577.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EHope everyone has had a great week.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003ETil next time,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EJillxxx\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4181232715311246840\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/03\/five-on-friday.html#comment-form","title":"23 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4181232715311246840"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4181232715311246840"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/03\/five-on-friday.html","title":"Five on Friday"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pCiaJuj_Wd8\/WLlUow8tHCI\/AAAAAAAAP8g\/lGiDLxyXH4s\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1947860359.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"23"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-8687840382737960132"},"published":{"$t":"2017-02-24T17:36:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-02-24T17:44:23.898+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Five on Friday"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers,\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIt's nearly the end of February, can you believe it. We had half-term here just over a week ago, and I went to NIreland for the week. I'll share more on that another time, but for today I am joining in with \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFive on Friday\u003C\/a\u003E (hosted by my lovely friend Amy of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELove Made My Home\u003C\/a\u003E). I am sharing five things on my hook.....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E1. A toy puppy for Little Tomboy .... his face is a bit wonky but that's just giving him more character I think ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pohUswIXh0E\/WLBvI3fbJnI\/AAAAAAAAP7c\/ZFeBY0Jk1So\/s640\/blogger-image-669423614.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pohUswIXh0E\/WLBvI3fbJnI\/AAAAAAAAP7c\/ZFeBY0Jk1So\/s640\/blogger-image-669423614.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E2. A unicorn head. It is going to be a unicorn, I promise, I know it looks like a weirdo frog ghost at the moment....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-l9u2HPIsAOs\/WLBvK409gvI\/AAAAAAAAP7g\/-GM9rBsLpsQ\/s640\/blogger-image--566218217.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-l9u2HPIsAOs\/WLBvK409gvI\/AAAAAAAAP7g\/-GM9rBsLpsQ\/s640\/blogger-image--566218217.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E3. My autumn blanket. Still got around 15 squares to go so it might just get done for next autumn lol\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-FLgdCrCL5VE\/WLBvHUPOJDI\/AAAAAAAAP7Y\/z0Zaf1DQYwM\/s640\/blogger-image--1575449820.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-FLgdCrCL5VE\/WLBvHUPOJDI\/AAAAAAAAP7Y\/z0Zaf1DQYwM\/s640\/blogger-image--1575449820.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E4. This sort of inverse pineapple scarf ...... a from magazine pattern that caught my eye .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nPmSbT1NkTA\/WLBvFt1npGI\/AAAAAAAAP7U\/CZTGUnPh-MY\/s640\/blogger-image-634734872.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nPmSbT1NkTA\/WLBvFt1npGI\/AAAAAAAAP7U\/CZTGUnPh-MY\/s640\/blogger-image-634734872.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E5. And the start of my \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.scheepjes.com\/en\/cals\/scheepjes-cals\/scheepjes-cal-2017\/information\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EScheepjes Hygge Cal\u003C\/a\u003E .... (yes, another Cal)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-NcnnRRiz50E\/WLBvMQ8BUOI\/AAAAAAAAP7k\/gUIJp-cfVwA\/s640\/blogger-image-1703889588.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-NcnnRRiz50E\/WLBvMQ8BUOI\/AAAAAAAAP7k\/gUIJp-cfVwA\/s640\/blogger-image-1703889588.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EJust a really quick one from me today folks, hope you all have a great weekend :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETil next time,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJill xxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8687840382737960132\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/02\/five-on-friday_24.html#comment-form","title":"19 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8687840382737960132"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8687840382737960132"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/02\/five-on-friday_24.html","title":"Five on Friday"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pohUswIXh0E\/WLBvI3fbJnI\/AAAAAAAAP7c\/ZFeBY0Jk1So\/s72-c\/blogger-image-669423614.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"19"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-5076302196311747485"},"published":{"$t":"2017-02-08T20:32:00.002+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-02-08T20:32:55.602+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Hearts and flowers"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJust a quick post from me today, I took a small diversion from my various works-in-progress to make a little gift for a friend. It's her birthday and I know she has just redecorated her dining-room with a purple theme, so I wanted to give her something purpley for her birthday, and I wanted part of it to be handmade.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-RkXabbIJW40\/WJt8_J6bHYI\/AAAAAAAAPBQ\/dF31nonFHnw\/s640\/blogger-image-1365618809.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-RkXabbIJW40\/WJt8_J6bHYI\/AAAAAAAAPBQ\/dF31nonFHnw\/s640\/blogger-image-1365618809.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EShe is a huuuuge candle fan. Every time I go round to her house it smells divine, and she always says it's because she burns candles. Personally I do not trust myself with candles, having twice had near misses where I one time badly burned a wall when a candle fell against it, and another time the mat that a little candle-in-a-tin went on fire as the tin got too hot. Yikes. No nice smell is worth a house fire. Thankfully my friend is clearly much more candle-safe than me. I'd have loved to actually make her a candle, but just haven't had enough time - I got a load of candle-making bits for my birthday last year but haven't used them yet, I need to practice before I start making gifts for people. Maybe next year ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wpo8uN7ky6c\/WJt87y6-JzI\/AAAAAAAAPBI\/GCaDdvAF3mU\/s640\/blogger-image-1566508947.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wpo8uN7ky6c\/WJt87y6-JzI\/AAAAAAAAPBI\/GCaDdvAF3mU\/s640\/blogger-image-1566508947.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI decided to stick to something a bit safer, and crocheted her a hanging heart. I'd seen \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/attic24.typepad.com\/weblog\/2013\/01\/rose-heart-hanger.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis post\u003C\/a\u003E of Lucy from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/attic24.typepad.com\/weblog\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAttic24\u003C\/a\u003E's, which in turn references \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/made_by_beag\/3236914556\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis post\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;by BeaG on Flickr. You make two hearts then double-crochet them together and then stuff. Pretty straightforward. I also added a really simple little flower with a wooden button.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rR-sYRj-Hr4\/WJt9CctGclI\/AAAAAAAAPBY\/f5s0fE92cJo\/s640\/blogger-image-1398260289.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rR-sYRj-Hr4\/WJt9CctGclI\/AAAAAAAAPBY\/f5s0fE92cJo\/s640\/blogger-image-1398260289.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESuch a simple little pattern that produces a really sweet little hanging heart. Hopefully my friend will love it, and maybe even in part because its hand-made.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_C_BJMM2YoU\/WJt89sJrxQI\/AAAAAAAAPBM\/fiWi81PsY2U\/s640\/blogger-image--1347226068.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_C_BJMM2YoU\/WJt89sJrxQI\/AAAAAAAAPBM\/fiWi81PsY2U\/s640\/blogger-image--1347226068.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI also decided to make her a card, I'm not very good at thinking of card designs, so I occasionally buy card-making magazines for inspiration. I found an old magazine with a kit comprising patterned card and some fun little sentiment greeting thingies, and sort of used one of their designs with a few small changes.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rTxPkVFn_V0\/WJt86Q2GA0I\/AAAAAAAAPBE\/j86yMF6aamQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1088961734.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rTxPkVFn_V0\/WJt86Q2GA0I\/AAAAAAAAPBE\/j86yMF6aamQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1088961734.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI used a white card blank from my card stash, bits and pieces from the magazine kit, and some sparkly gems for a bit of bling.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-g_6IjbLjsWU\/WJt9Avj70wI\/AAAAAAAAPBU\/E76wquzPppQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1557020029.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-g_6IjbLjsWU\/WJt9Avj70wI\/AAAAAAAAPBU\/E76wquzPppQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1557020029.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm giving her her present tomorrow morning so I hope she loves it :) I'll report back soon to let you know.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XdBBWyl7VQo\/WJt84su2wBI\/AAAAAAAAPBA\/Ox_8sBqx2ec\/s640\/blogger-image--2006740201.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XdBBWyl7VQo\/WJt84su2wBI\/AAAAAAAAPBA\/Ox_8sBqx2ec\/s640\/blogger-image--2006740201.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETil next time - be safe with those candles people!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJillxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5076302196311747485\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/02\/hearts-and-flowers.html#comment-form","title":"13 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5076302196311747485"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5076302196311747485"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/02\/hearts-and-flowers.html","title":"Hearts and flowers"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-RkXabbIJW40\/WJt8_J6bHYI\/AAAAAAAAPBQ\/dF31nonFHnw\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1365618809.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"13"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-8763364320742309927"},"published":{"$t":"2017-02-03T21:34:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-02-03T21:34:00.285+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Five on Friday"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EHello dear friends and readers, gosh is it really the end of another week ? It must be time for another \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/2017\/02\/five-on-friday-linkup-number-9.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFive on Friday\u003C\/a\u003E, hosted again by Amy over at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELove Made My Home\u003C\/a\u003E. This week I have a bit of a random selection, just stuff from my week (and a bit from the week before), nothing earth-shattering, but I hope you enjoy my photos and blurb anyway ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E1. Can you believe it's February already ? I normally hate January, definitely have that post-Christmas Blues type thing, but this year hasn't been as bad. I've no idea why, but I'm glad it's February, and I'm glad to be waking up feeling good. Having daffodils around always helps too, they just seem so fresh and new and bright, and full of hope and promise.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-5IAdhHyWfBQ\/WJTkGTg4rhI\/AAAAAAAAO_w\/gdMJbtspeJs\/s640\/blogger-image--950937632.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-5IAdhHyWfBQ\/WJTkGTg4rhI\/AAAAAAAAO_w\/gdMJbtspeJs\/s640\/blogger-image--950937632.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E2. The weekend before last I entered an OCR - Obstacle Course Race - called \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.muscleacre.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMuscle Acre\u003C\/a\u003E. And yes it definitely lived up to its name. Basically an OCR is a run but with lots of obstacles and lots and lots of mud and water. Here's an un-muddy photo of me before the race ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-IbORJxEyr5k\/WJTkLJL4VTI\/AAAAAAAAO_8\/0ZdDbWd7aBA\/s640\/blogger-image-1984250092.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-IbORJxEyr5k\/WJTkLJL4VTI\/AAAAAAAAO_8\/0ZdDbWd7aBA\/s640\/blogger-image-1984250092.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003Et was the first OCR I'd done, and wowsers it was SUCH good fun! Completely exhausting, but tremendous fun.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EOn the day of the race it was 0 degC, and the first obstacle was to climb in and out of a skip filled with cold water. So pretty much within the first 5 minutes we were soaking wet. The good thing about that is it makes you keep going as you'd get far too cold far too quick if you didn't. A bit further on we had to wade through muddy water that was waist deep with massive slabs of ice floating about on it. Can you see my lips turning blue - hypothermia is a risk - but I was sure just to keep moving.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-REgXjGeqLW8\/WJTj_3lyYaI\/AAAAAAAAO_g\/ZpaoqGl0-YU\/s640\/blogger-image--1528015795.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-REgXjGeqLW8\/WJTj_3lyYaI\/AAAAAAAAO_g\/ZpaoqGl0-YU\/s640\/blogger-image--1528015795.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E(Don't worry about it saying Clare Sheppard below that photo, thats my friend who facebook'ed it!)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EOne comedy moment was when we had to crawl under a skip, I crawled in one end fine, but when I tried to crawl out the other end I couldn't make it through due to my boobs being too big LOL I had to reverse and go out the way I came in. There were lots of crawling type obstacles, a lot where you had to commando crawl, hence the boobs got very muddy ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-mwmz6vPTC1w\/WJTkM3NWx3I\/AAAAAAAAPAA\/1SG2GOMbR4I\/s640\/blogger-image-1989945783.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-mwmz6vPTC1w\/WJTkM3NWx3I\/AAAAAAAAPAA\/1SG2GOMbR4I\/s640\/blogger-image-1989945783.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThere were also a lot of climbing obstacles but with lots of mud around it was really hard to grip with my hands so I did a lot of hauling myself up and letting myself down by throwing my whole arm over the top. I didn't realise until after I'd had a shower just how many bruises I had ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DRiaRWhPa8o\/WJTj8nJqAbI\/AAAAAAAAO_Y\/SpBoko0j8J8\/s640\/blogger-image--1344828614.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DRiaRWhPa8o\/WJTj8nJqAbI\/AAAAAAAAO_Y\/SpBoko0j8J8\/s640\/blogger-image--1344828614.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KskCifjI4P8\/WJTkH8j7ZNI\/AAAAAAAAO_0\/F_735MCuxAs\/s640\/blogger-image-142308463.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KskCifjI4P8\/WJTkH8j7ZNI\/AAAAAAAAO_0\/F_735MCuxAs\/s640\/blogger-image-142308463.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd then of course there's the medal and beanie that all finishers get. I've got a few running medals but have to say I really felt I'd earned this one!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-sBLN_5VMJUQ\/WJTkBusfyVI\/AAAAAAAAO_k\/b_pJ7WV415k\/s640\/blogger-image--1301262673.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-sBLN_5VMJUQ\/WJTkBusfyVI\/AAAAAAAAO_k\/b_pJ7WV415k\/s640\/blogger-image--1301262673.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E3. Back to more sedentary pastimes - after reading \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/2017\/01\/a-knitty-issue-my-first-socks-my-first.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis post of Amy's\u003C\/a\u003E I decided to give sock-knitting a bash. Like Amy I'm following the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/winwickmum.blogspot.co.uk\/p\/sockalong.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esock-a-long\u003C\/a\u003E by Christine who is also known as\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/winwickmum.blogspot.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWinwickMum\u003C\/a\u003E, but so far I've only got as far as doing a tension square. It's the first time I've ever knitted with 4-ply and I am loving it, I love how soft and light the resulting fabric is, and I can't wait to get going on an actual sock.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-iPsM4PniL3U\/WJTkOR3i7KI\/AAAAAAAAPAE\/rkXlQ4927G8\/s640\/blogger-image-1998183817.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-iPsM4PniL3U\/WJTkOR3i7KI\/AAAAAAAAPAE\/rkXlQ4927G8\/s640\/blogger-image-1998183817.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd of course I had to jump the gun and buy some more sock yarn - which came with a free pattern sheet too. Can you see the sparkly bits in the pink one - glittery socks! How fabulous!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--1fv4QPs6-w\/WJTkDUrv2sI\/AAAAAAAAO_o\/earRst7eQaE\/s640\/blogger-image-504394350.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--1fv4QPs6-w\/WJTkDUrv2sI\/AAAAAAAAO_o\/earRst7eQaE\/s640\/blogger-image-504394350.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E4. Another thing I want to share with you is some of Little Man's drawings. He's actually 13 now so not so little, so I think I need to start calling him Mr13 (nicking Meredith of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/mereknits-mereknits.blogspot.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMereknits\u003C\/a\u003E idea). Anyway despite not choosing Art as an option for GCSE, Mr13 is pretty artistic. We think he gets this from my Dad who was a pretty great artist (he was an architect), I'll share some of his pictures some time too. Anyway here are Mr13's drawings, they are in the Manga style which is a form of Japanese animation. Aren't they gorgeous ? I just adore the eyes.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-v7HD8DvVB0Q\/WJTj-WrQgVI\/AAAAAAAAO_c\/ZVZ_M8kCjxQ\/s640\/blogger-image--47684580.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-v7HD8DvVB0Q\/WJTj-WrQgVI\/AAAAAAAAO_c\/ZVZ_M8kCjxQ\/s640\/blogger-image--47684580.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nsOl_P_5zgo\/WJTkJU58pJI\/AAAAAAAAO_4\/dnL6cAOPMQ4\/s640\/blogger-image--1380103688.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nsOl_P_5zgo\/WJTkJU58pJI\/AAAAAAAAO_4\/dnL6cAOPMQ4\/s640\/blogger-image--1380103688.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-B3VuQeD0Okk\/WJTkE_De_1I\/AAAAAAAAO_s\/z2sz7Fvb8Dw\/s640\/blogger-image-1466806219.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-B3VuQeD0Okk\/WJTkE_De_1I\/AAAAAAAAO_s\/z2sz7Fvb8Dw\/s640\/blogger-image-1466806219.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E5. I got a Fitbit for Christmas and am trying to hit 10,000 steps each day. And what better way than to go out on a dog-walk in the rain with Pixie and Little Tomboy. That's them this afternoon, a lovely end to the week.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XUYNvjCbEf8\/WJTj7IrZsaI\/AAAAAAAAO_U\/BpG4qLiZQeQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1817811439.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XUYNvjCbEf8\/WJTj7IrZsaI\/AAAAAAAAO_U\/BpG4qLiZQeQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1817811439.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EThey are best friends these two, always playing, running, and snuggling on the sofa. Sooo sweet.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tLzJrHMf0rw\/WJT0FlNz4LI\/AAAAAAAAPAY\/OUPrbM4fIgw\/s640\/blogger-image--1641546660.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tLzJrHMf0rw\/WJT0FlNz4LI\/AAAAAAAAPAY\/OUPrbM4fIgw\/s640\/blogger-image--1641546660.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThat's it from me for today, hope you all have a lovely weekend,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EJillxo\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8763364320742309927\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/02\/five-on-friday.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8763364320742309927"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8763364320742309927"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/02\/five-on-friday.html","title":"Five on Friday"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-5IAdhHyWfBQ\/WJTkGTg4rhI\/AAAAAAAAO_w\/gdMJbtspeJs\/s72-c\/blogger-image--950937632.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-281797728591604946"},"published":{"$t":"2017-01-31T22:13:00.002+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-02-01T18:03:26.630+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Tea cosy hat"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear readers and friends :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI promised you a post of a finish before the end of January - so here it is :) Are you impressed ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIt was bitterly cold here for the last couple of weeks - it's warmed up a bit now, but last week .... ooo it was so so cold .... brrrrrr ..... I\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003Eneeded a hat and of course that is reason enough to crochet one.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hJV4czJgIRU\/WJD7sIZ70-I\/AAAAAAAAO-U\/7pWY5bTBXEI\/s640\/blogger-image--18645819.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hJV4czJgIRU\/WJD7sIZ70-I\/AAAAAAAAO-U\/7pWY5bTBXEI\/s640\/blogger-image--18645819.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe pattern I used is the Firebrand Slouch hat from my favourite crochet book \"Crochet One-skein Wonders\" by Judith Durant. I\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003Emade mine a bit shorter so it wasn't slouchy ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WTA7abTlsAM\/WJD7uCSnpMI\/AAAAAAAAO-Y\/p9v5IgHGT9k\/s640\/blogger-image-2053190349.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WTA7abTlsAM\/WJD7uCSnpMI\/AAAAAAAAO-Y\/p9v5IgHGT9k\/s640\/blogger-image-2053190349.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and I wear it with the brim turned up as I think it suits me better.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aPJP8aXaGL0\/WJD78PkBlvI\/AAAAAAAAO-w\/HFlIgORGSQg\/s640\/blogger-image--1023868251.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aPJP8aXaGL0\/WJD78PkBlvI\/AAAAAAAAO-w\/HFlIgORGSQg\/s640\/blogger-image--1023868251.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI seem to have one of those faces that doesn't really suit hats - too roundy? too chubby? hair too short ? glasses ? I don't know. I just know I'm not massively comfortable in a hat, but I think this one is OK. Don't be fooled by the half decent photos, I was very careful not to show off the double-chins.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-BlluX6Ncl_g\/WJD75yOCZbI\/AAAAAAAAO-s\/J-fWANvfPZA\/s640\/blogger-image-1935865364.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-BlluX6Ncl_g\/WJD75yOCZbI\/AAAAAAAAO-s\/J-fWANvfPZA\/s640\/blogger-image-1935865364.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIf I make another - which I may very well do, in a different colour - I'll make the brim deeper so that there's more to turn up. I suspect it looks rather like a tea cosy, hence the post title.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe yarn is King Cole Big Value Chunky, I originally bought it to make a mermaid blanket, but really didn't like how it was working up. For a hat, however, it's perfect - really cosy and warm, and worked up easily in one evening.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESpeaking of yarn, I had some \"help\" with that. Hmmmmm. Naughty doggy ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vjZUxHwm7kg\/WJD7wJSHyVI\/AAAAAAAAO-c\/rTwXqZ15iWw\/s640\/blogger-image--1478209371.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vjZUxHwm7kg\/WJD7wJSHyVI\/AAAAAAAAO-c\/rTwXqZ15iWw\/s640\/blogger-image--1478209371.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... but how could I be cross ..... soooo cute ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YsP1xEV9wdQ\/WJD7yH18tXI\/AAAAAAAAO-g\/8sPnVNAsjYg\/s640\/blogger-image--685563655.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YsP1xEV9wdQ\/WJD7yH18tXI\/AAAAAAAAO-g\/8sPnVNAsjYg\/s640\/blogger-image--685563655.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnyway, back to the tea-cosy, er I mean hat. Here's the top view (and yes those are maltesers - my favourite) .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ItHQwJ017eI\/WJD70k40RII\/AAAAAAAAO-k\/N3gCrhm2XL4\/s640\/blogger-image-809775552.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ItHQwJ017eI\/WJD70k40RII\/AAAAAAAAO-k\/N3gCrhm2XL4\/s640\/blogger-image-809775552.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... And a sort of side view in all its tea-cosy gloriousness :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ztYxINoSOeM\/WJD73g6hM9I\/AAAAAAAAO-o\/F0sfUmA1jIw\/s640\/blogger-image-382985977.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ztYxINoSOeM\/WJD73g6hM9I\/AAAAAAAAO-o\/F0sfUmA1jIw\/s640\/blogger-image-382985977.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI used most of a 100g ball of wool, and have another ball left, so I think I'll make some wristies to match :) Almost a pity that the weather's warmed up !\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ETil next time,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EJillxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/281797728591604946\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/01\/tea-cosy-hat.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/281797728591604946"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/281797728591604946"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/01\/tea-cosy-hat.html","title":"Tea cosy hat"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hJV4czJgIRU\/WJD7sIZ70-I\/AAAAAAAAO-U\/7pWY5bTBXEI\/s72-c\/blogger-image--18645819.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-4007220624189826432"},"published":{"$t":"2017-01-27T19:15:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-01-27T19:15:01.143+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Five on Friday"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers 😊\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm joining in with \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFive on Friday\u003C\/a\u003E, hosted by my very lovely (I know this as I have had real actual coffee with her a few times) friend Amy from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELove Made My Home\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI think this falls within the rules but it feels slightly cheaty as it's not really five things, more really just five photos of the same thing. But it is a Very Exciting Thing (well to me, anyway). As I don't have enough yarn in my life (ahem) or enough projects in the go (ahem again) I've decided, slightly belatedly, to join in the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/attic24.typepad.com\/weblog\/2017\/01\/moorland-blanket-cal-part-1.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMoorland Blanket CAL\u003C\/a\u003E with Lucy of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.attic24.typepad.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAttic24\u003C\/a\u003E - hurray!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7glE_pKV8ms\/WIt7CZlPwuI\/AAAAAAAAO8k\/YUcuDgK4RHY\/s640\/blogger-image-1239542282.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7glE_pKV8ms\/WIt7CZlPwuI\/AAAAAAAAO8k\/YUcuDgK4RHY\/s640\/blogger-image-1239542282.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHonestly I've been longing to make this blanket since \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/attic24.typepad.com\/weblog\/2016\/11\/introducing-the-moorland-blanket-cal.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELucy first introduced it on her blog\u003C\/a\u003E back in November or so. Now, bear with me while I seem to go off on a tangent - until my late 20's (I stopped around the time I met my husband) I holidayed in the Highlands of Scotland with my family (as in my parents and my brother). My parents were very big on golf (Mum still is) so my brother and I sort of grew up on golf courses, and the place we went to - \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.visitdornoch.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDornoch\u003C\/a\u003E - has a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.royaldornoch.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Echampionship golf course\u003C\/a\u003E, and also the most amazing beach. A really stunning natural beach, there were no places to rent deckchairs, no lifeguards, no public toilets, just beautiful, rugged, unspoilt beach, edged by the sand dunes with the golf course just the other side. At the time I was very jealous of all my friends jetting off to Majorca or Spain, and coming back with amazing suntans, whereas I came back with sand in my shoes, a bit of sunburn if I was lucky, and a stick of rock. Looking back though I think our holidays in Dornoch were pretty idyllic - from when I was aged 4 we went to the same hotel at the same time each year, along with several other families from Scotland, England, and even the U.S. Going to Dornoch was the only way we knew each other and we met up for the exact same two weeks every year. There were at least 20 of us kids, and the adults all played golf - some of the kids did too. The adults would take it in turns to take a day off from the golf to look after the kids, we played in the gardens (swing ball, cricket, hide and seek) or if it was raining we'd get taken to the swimming pool in the next town. There would be at least 8 children crammed in each car, there were no car seat regulations in those days. We'd play in the hotel lounge if it was wet (card games, jigsaws, colouring, messing about with walkie talkies and whoopee cushions LOL), and get coke and crisps from the bar, and if it was dry (note - not necessarily warm) we'd go to the beach for some fun but chilly swimming, kite-flying, making sand castles, exploring rock pools. When we were teenagers we had barbeques on the beach, the girls discussed boys, the boys probably discussed girls, some of us dated each other and there were even 2 weddings eventually. The town of Dornoch is very small so we could walk from the hotel to the golf club or the beach, and we had endless freedom, just appearing back at the hotel (or the golf club) at mealtimes. Really wonderful times. At the end of the two weeks I would cry the whole way home as I knew I wouldn't see everyone again for a whole year. The whole thing was just magical, it was pure luck that we found the hotel, and that everyone else went there at the same time, as young kids we all felt like brothers and sisters. I really wish my children could have had the same experiences, but as I said it was like a little bit of magic, and you couldn't replicate it if you tried.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EAaaaanyway, back to the CAL. The reason I mentioned holidaying in Scotland is because so many of my memories feature us on the beach, and in my mind's eye I can see the golden sand, the blue skies, the yellowy-green of the sand dunes, and the purple heather edging the lush green of the golf course.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EThe moorland palette really is the same as the Highlands palette, so for me the blanket will really be a Highlands blanket, and it will always remind me of Dornoch.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--lcaA86Z5i4\/WIt7GRVE50I\/AAAAAAAAO8s\/QfcJ15Q9YlU\/s640\/blogger-image--591659272.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--lcaA86Z5i4\/WIt7GRVE50I\/AAAAAAAAO8s\/QfcJ15Q9YlU\/s640\/blogger-image--591659272.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003ESo, back to the moorland pack. Lucy was introducing it and tempting us with lots of photos before Christmas, so it would have been a perfect Christmas present for the hubby to get me. This wasn't going to happen though as I had already asked for some other wool (more on that another time). Plus I knew hubby would then want to bring it in the car to NIreland for me to open on Christmas Day, and the car would be already very, very full with 5 suitcases (3 contained just presents!), 2 adults, 3 not very little Little People, various backpacks, one dog, and one dog's crate. And no, we don't have a roof-box or a trailer, just a Mum (me) who is exceedingly good at packing a car boot (I get that from my Dad who showed a similar skill set every year when packing for Dornoch). Plus if I got it for Christmas I 'd have to wait til the official start date of Jan 6th before getting going on it - how frustrating would that be! And finally then there's the fact, pure and simple: I. Don't. Need. Any. More. Wool.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EI very strictly told myself I didn't need it, had enough wool, and enough WIPs, and to just forget about it.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EExcept I couldn't.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EKept thinking of those gorgeous colours all together .... and of course kept seeing updates on Lucy's blog ..... and there was the draw of a new project .... in the end, how could I resist?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YVtJ2p15MPc\/WIt7ERO2z7I\/AAAAAAAAO8o\/4p7FAO4pBbQ\/s640\/blogger-image--818018934.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YVtJ2p15MPc\/WIt7ERO2z7I\/AAAAAAAAO8o\/4p7FAO4pBbQ\/s640\/blogger-image--818018934.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI went ahead and ordered the pack quite late one evening this week, and without my glasses on. I often feel if I order stuff with no specs on then it isn't really real and doesn't really count as a purchase. Bonkers, I know. Then I realised it was due to arrive on Saturday when hubby would be here. Aaargh! There's no way I could justify yet another wool purchase to him. But it was done, nothing I could do about it ..... However the doorbell rang at lunchtime today and there was my lovely postman holding a big squashy bag with a Wool Warehouse sticker - hurray hurRAY HURRAY!!! So not only did it arrive early, but hubby won't even have to know about it (one ball of wool is the same as the next to him, and he STILL calls my crochet my knitting - bless him).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThis pack really is gorgeous, and there is something so delicious about an array of perfectly formed balls of wool, isn't there ? I just want to lie down on a bed made of balls of wool. A wool ball pi, no there's a thought :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESo Lucy lists all the colours in the moorland pack \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/attic24.typepad.com\/weblog\/2017\/01\/moorland-blanket-cal-part-1.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E, the yarn is all Stylecraft Special DK, and the pack includes some colours I haven't used before, so that is my excuse for ordering Yet More Wool :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-B7pl4YA6Tbg\/WIuGEl8l_oI\/AAAAAAAAO9A\/k92rSgCNZ_Q\/s640\/blogger-image--655128163.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-B7pl4YA6Tbg\/WIuGEl8l_oI\/AAAAAAAAO9A\/k92rSgCNZ_Q\/s640\/blogger-image--655128163.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm storing it in my slightly too small but highly appropriate wavy bag. This was a present from my Mum years ago and also has beachy memories - when my Little People were a lot littler this bag was always our NIrish beach bag - usually to be found stuffed with towels, sun hats, sun cream (optimistic), hoodies, jackets (the beach in NIreland is not known for its heat...), biscuits, water bottles, bits of shell and stone, and bucket loads of sand (why is there always So Much Sand). The handle came off the bag a couple of years ago rendering it useless for the beach (sob) but it is perfect for storing a crochet project.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI'm going to be a Very Good Hooker and, as Lucy suggests, make a tension square with some random bits of Stylecraft Special DK from my stash. I don't want to make a tension square that is just useless, so I'm going to make it big enough to be a cushion cover for Little Miss, for her bedroom, using the colours below. In fact I think Lucy has made a cushion cover with this pattern, that's probably where I got the idea.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zU2s06mbXS4\/WIuX96dMJJI\/AAAAAAAAO9c\/SHC18QfUMuQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1845148397.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zU2s06mbXS4\/WIuX96dMJJI\/AAAAAAAAO9c\/SHC18QfUMuQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1845148397.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd of course I'll be updating you as I make progress on this CAL. Can't wait to get started and lose myself in that glorious Highland palette 😊\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ETil next time,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EJillxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4007220624189826432\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/01\/five-on-friday.html#comment-form","title":"14 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4007220624189826432"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4007220624189826432"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/01\/five-on-friday.html","title":"Five on Friday"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7glE_pKV8ms\/WIt7CZlPwuI\/AAAAAAAAO8k\/YUcuDgK4RHY\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1239542282.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"14"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-556088374971985521"},"published":{"$t":"2017-01-18T17:45:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-01-18T17:45:18.593+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"January"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Happy New Year dear friends and readers!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIs it really half way through January already ? Christmas seems like a long time ago now, though this is my first post since then. Actually my first post since November, not sure what happened there, just everyday life I suppose.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThere's not a lot to report here, Christmas was lovely, quite a quiet one, and we spent it in our holiday house in Donaghadee.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1-QnTqJi74M\/WH9KXXPdFuI\/AAAAAAAAO6c\/k8bdCe8y_O4\/s640\/blogger-image--1554020662.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1-QnTqJi74M\/WH9KXXPdFuI\/AAAAAAAAO6c\/k8bdCe8y_O4\/s640\/blogger-image--1554020662.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EEven though it was a bit damp and grey\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EI love that place so much, the scenery is just as stunning in the winter as it is in summer. I feel so relaxed whilst I'm there and I think a fair part of that is that it's so removed from school related stuff - uniforms, PE kits, letters, money, lunches, taxi service to clubs, and of course the dreaded homework. Father Christmas was good to us all, including Pixie who got her own Christmas jumper ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qzzbDxcH7WE\/WH9KY-ak8cI\/AAAAAAAAO6g\/IaxhWCS4_zw\/s640\/blogger-image--1790274424.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qzzbDxcH7WE\/WH9KY-ak8cI\/AAAAAAAAO6g\/IaxhWCS4_zw\/s640\/blogger-image--1790274424.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EA particular highlight for me was participating in Cancer Focus NI's charity \"Dare to Dip\" - a New Year's Day swim in the Irish Sea. Brrrrrrr!!!!! Bracing!!!!!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EBefore .... Cold and very windy ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yzDkKmHciKY\/WH9KWItaGaI\/AAAAAAAAO6Y\/w5SGermpryg\/s640\/blogger-image--2137091383.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yzDkKmHciKY\/WH9KWItaGaI\/AAAAAAAAO6Y\/w5SGermpryg\/s640\/blogger-image--2137091383.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EDuring ... I'm in the middle, just behind and to the right of the man in the Santa hat, wading back out and yes I did dive fully in ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-op58n9ywYwg\/WH9KafkAKTI\/AAAAAAAAO6k\/K58BGrYDECA\/s640\/blogger-image-892266537.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-op58n9ywYwg\/WH9KafkAKTI\/AAAAAAAAO6k\/K58BGrYDECA\/s640\/blogger-image-892266537.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EAfter .... even colder, couldn't actually feel my feet at all!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8InH1douSRY\/WH9Kbh1PavI\/AAAAAAAAO6o\/QtMXhOoSkds\/s640\/blogger-image--101825715.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8InH1douSRY\/WH9Kbh1PavI\/AAAAAAAAO6o\/QtMXhOoSkds\/s640\/blogger-image--101825715.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EGreat fun though, and a fabulous way to kick off the New Year. And a week later this arrived in the post .... unexpected and a lovely surprise....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-w35TnWw8aus\/WH-kT-MtmwI\/AAAAAAAAO7g\/aV6ioG8Uwbo\/s640\/blogger-image-1097081953.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-w35TnWw8aus\/WH-kT-MtmwI\/AAAAAAAAO7g\/aV6ioG8Uwbo\/s640\/blogger-image-1097081953.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EBack on the home-front in Reading It's\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;been oh so cold this week. Well, cold for us anyway, with the temperature hovering around freezing. I am training for the London Marathon again this year having had to pull out last year, and should be running, but I'm being a very bad runner and wimping out of it these cold mornings. Ah well there's always tomorrow ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Qv9hlaurkWo\/WH9KUvOtfpI\/AAAAAAAAO6U\/bk0RHedd7Oo\/s640\/blogger-image--1962368959.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Qv9hlaurkWo\/WH9KUvOtfpI\/AAAAAAAAO6U\/bk0RHedd7Oo\/s640\/blogger-image--1962368959.jpg\"  width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EI did manage a lovely 5 mile walk with a friend last week when it was a bit milder, we walked round a local country park, lots of geese and swans were in residence.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bN0o9rTZFlw\/WH-CK6rFfiI\/AAAAAAAAO7A\/sO_1pStXPXU\/s640\/blogger-image-1370060072.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bN0o9rTZFlw\/WH-CK6rFfiI\/AAAAAAAAO7A\/sO_1pStXPXU\/s640\/blogger-image-1370060072.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-SNBh1gfMx10\/WH-CMcizYVI\/AAAAAAAAO7E\/OsgIsdciLMs\/s640\/blogger-image--2147152593.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-SNBh1gfMx10\/WH-CMcizYVI\/AAAAAAAAO7E\/OsgIsdciLMs\/s640\/blogger-image--2147152593.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EWe went for a cuppa afterwards and since Pixie was with us we sat outside ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Exxo2Xw4iHs\/WH-COGlQYCI\/AAAAAAAAO7I\/LBYt1YzABsw\/s640\/blogger-image-1659058549.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Exxo2Xw4iHs\/WH-COGlQYCI\/AAAAAAAAO7I\/LBYt1YzABsw\/s640\/blogger-image-1659058549.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E.... and were joined by this wee fellow who clearly thought he was in with a chance of some crumbs ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HnIWR3pu78I\/WH-CIN9vsSI\/AAAAAAAAO68\/l6Cl65ILjYM\/s640\/blogger-image-76502866.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HnIWR3pu78I\/WH-CIN9vsSI\/AAAAAAAAO68\/l6Cl65ILjYM\/s640\/blogger-image-76502866.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EOn the craft front I've got, as usual, a million things on the go at once .... cross stitch, tapestry, crochet .... Shall I go on ?!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pXTkhiH-Dpo\/WH-kVRspfmI\/AAAAAAAAO7k\/eH6YBCMk47I\/s640\/blogger-image--2110186133.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pXTkhiH-Dpo\/WH-kVRspfmI\/AAAAAAAAO7k\/eH6YBCMk47I\/s640\/blogger-image--2110186133.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EI bought this tapestry kit years ago, actually it may even have been a gift, isn't that terrible, I can't really remember. I took a notion the other night to start on it as I was in need of something that would work up quickly. I haven't done a tapestry thingy since I was about 9, and I'd forgotten how easy it is - no screwing up my eyes for this one (see below!). It's going a bit twisty because I don't have a frame to stretch it over, but I'm sure it'll be fine. I am not getting a frame. I do not need one. I must not buy one. Remind I said that if I ever suggest it please.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EOn the subject of screwing up one's eyes, hubby won't let me have more lights on in the evening and I'm fed up being unable to see to sew or crochet properly by the light of one pathetic table lamp. So I dug out my running head torch .... I may look like a loon but at least I can see what I'm doing.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-lf5TPKE9e4g\/WH-oO5S31zI\/AAAAAAAAO7w\/J17IybSAkSw\/s640\/blogger-image--1408428769.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-lf5TPKE9e4g\/WH-oO5S31zI\/AAAAAAAAO7w\/J17IybSAkSw\/s640\/blogger-image--1408428769.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EThe cross-stitch that I'm working in is even older than the tapestry. My Mum gave me it for Christmas in 1999, the pictures are celebrating various events etc from the last 1000 years from the Battle of Hastings in 1066 to the Space Shuttle in 1981. So I've had this kit for 17 years - oh dear! And look how much I've done - hardly anything! So I've decided to just plod on with it a little a week and eventually it will get done, hopefully before the next millennium.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-d26EinR-bgY\/WH-oQIWot2I\/AAAAAAAAO70\/1haw5yZoH10\/s640\/blogger-image-396884900.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-d26EinR-bgY\/WH-oQIWot2I\/AAAAAAAAO70\/1haw5yZoH10\/s640\/blogger-image-396884900.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EAnd the final work in progress that I wanted to show you is my autumn blanket. I started this in October 2014 so we are now on the other side of 3 autumns and it's still not finished! I'd forgotten how much I love the colours though, so I'm really enjoying working on this. I'm probably about halfway there on it, so still a ways to go but again I'll just keep chipping away at it and who knows, one of these days I might actually finish something....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QORMush5Vyw\/WH-oRr4m1aI\/AAAAAAAAO74\/Ilaivr63dKE\/s640\/blogger-image--1985345833.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QORMush5Vyw\/WH-oRr4m1aI\/AAAAAAAAO74\/Ilaivr63dKE\/s640\/blogger-image--1985345833.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003ERight, I'm off now to start something else - I promise to have it finished before my next post, and I promise that will be before the end of January. Fingers crossed anyway 😃\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003ETil next time,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EJill xxxx\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/556088374971985521\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/01\/january.html#comment-form","title":"15 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/556088374971985521"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/556088374971985521"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2017\/01\/january.html","title":"January"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1-QnTqJi74M\/WH9KXXPdFuI\/AAAAAAAAO6c\/k8bdCe8y_O4\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1554020662.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"15"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1056487224975875125"},"published":{"$t":"2016-11-23T19:57:00.003+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-11-24T11:45:00.961+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Happy Week"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends, I hope you're having a lovely week - I most definitely am and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003Ehave lots of lovely things to share with you :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EYesterday my doorbell rang in the middle of the day - this is a rare occurrence as the only person ever to arrive unexpectedly is the postman and he always leaves parcels in the porch and never really rings the bell. Anyway I opened the door and was greeted by a lady holding a delivery of a gorgeous bouquet of flowers! Wow! And look, see, aren't they gorgeous .... such happy pretty colours :)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-n31cCMzIm48\/WDXoEIVVOqI\/AAAAAAAAO3s\/ebtXSZk8hW4\/s640\/blogger-image-123701556.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-n31cCMzIm48\/WDXoEIVVOqI\/AAAAAAAAO3s\/ebtXSZk8hW4\/s640\/blogger-image-123701556.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... beautifully presented in a little spotty hessian bag. Flowers in a spotty. hessian. bag. Does it get any better than that ???!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tsZg-0MtW-w\/WDXoBVkttVI\/AAAAAAAAO3k\/TGBLydSwqx0\/s640\/blogger-image-1048123094.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tsZg-0MtW-w\/WDXoBVkttVI\/AAAAAAAAO3k\/TGBLydSwqx0\/s640\/blogger-image-1048123094.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESo I bet you're wondering who they were from ? No, not Mr EC, and sadly not Bradley Cooper either (though - swoon - ), but from my lovely very sweet goddaughter\/cousin. I'd seen her on Saturday (more on that in a bit) and mentioned I'd had a bad couple of days last week (autistic child related), so she sent me these to cheer me up :) Soooo thoughtful of her. We are very close, my cousin and I, though she is a good 16 years younger than me. Her Mum (my Auntie) is my godmother, so my Auntie chose me to be my cousin's godmother. I then chose my cousin to be godmother to Little Miss (are you keeping up), and if\/when Lovely Cousin\/Goddaughter has a baby she has said Little Miss will be godmother. In fact Lovely Cousin\/Goddaughter is getting married next year and Little Miss is to be bridesmaid. When my Auntie got married, I was bridesmaid, then when I got married my Lovely Cousin\/Goddaughter was bridesmaid, and now Little Miss is being my Lovely Cousin\/Goddaughter's bridesmaid. Did you get all that ? I'll be asking quesions later ..... LOL\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESo the reason I had seen her on Saturday - I drove up to Abingdon (near Oxford and about an hour from where I live) to visit her and to go for afternoon tea and shopping :) We went to this really quaint little tearoom in Abingdon called Rosie's. It was really tiny, only about 6 tables and yet one of the tabes had a family round it with their little baby and associated buggy - how they got in and out still escapes me - and in the middle of proceedings the waitress came out with a little cake with one candle on it, and the whole place sang Happy Burthday To You to the baby - it was his first birthday ! Soooo cute! It felt like a very special moment to share in such an initmate little cafe.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-0Z8xtSMM9p0\/WDXn-t1TVLI\/AAAAAAAAO3c\/AZOrc65sD0g\/s640\/blogger-image--220107426.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-0Z8xtSMM9p0\/WDXn-t1TVLI\/AAAAAAAAO3c\/AZOrc65sD0g\/s640\/blogger-image--220107426.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnyway, back to the afternoon tea. Lovely thick granary bread with smoked salmon and cream cheese. Still warm scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Coffee and walnut cake with walnuts all through the cake and not just on top. A large pot of English Breakfast Tea. Ooooo it was soooooo yummy. Really really good. I wish you all could have tasted just how good it all was, especially the cake - yum. We followed up with a wander round the shops, and I managed a few bits and pieces for the Little Peeps for Christmas, and also for the dog :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI also treated myself to a few magazines. You all know I have \u003Cstrike\u003Ean out-of-control\u003C\/strike\u003E\u0026nbsp;a very small magazine addiction, and Christmas time brings out the worst in it. A couple of craft magazines, and good old Country Living. Leafing through the glossy pages you can't help but feel festive :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2_UiGheqDvc\/WDXoJco_dFI\/AAAAAAAAO38\/Kb2xR_0U2gY\/s640\/blogger-image-1009145605.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2_UiGheqDvc\/WDXoJco_dFI\/AAAAAAAAO38\/Kb2xR_0U2gY\/s640\/blogger-image-1009145605.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI love all their sort of vignettes - I mean who wouldn't want their front door to look like this ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HRincbpbEhQ\/WDXoFeEz_8I\/AAAAAAAAO3w\/rEMGPJ4mGKM\/s640\/blogger-image--1236269858.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HRincbpbEhQ\/WDXoFeEz_8I\/AAAAAAAAO3w\/rEMGPJ4mGKM\/s640\/blogger-image--1236269858.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... instead mine has a half dead (okay mostly dead) pot plant, some stinky trainers, a load of dead leaves and cobwebs, and a recycling bin. I'd much rather have a log-store and a little wooden table of cuteness! Ah well, I can dream... (well actually I could get off my backside and spruce it up a bit ... another job for the to-do-list).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI've been sighing at all natural look crafts and decorations, I am not a minimalist and I do love a bit of sticks and paper and stuff .... might need to give the twig star a go ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_x1ki86FqqU\/WDXoGg-t1OI\/AAAAAAAAO30\/MKbgHV-5tqY\/s640\/blogger-image-1877106807.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_x1ki86FqqU\/WDXoGg-t1OI\/AAAAAAAAO30\/MKbgHV-5tqY\/s640\/blogger-image-1877106807.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... and I am DEFINITELY trying out this recipe. You know when you eat an orange and you chuck the peel away and it feels like a waste, well now you can use them to make sweetie things - candied peel I guess - eco friendly and tasty - everyone's a winner. To be honest it seems a bit of a faff but I reckon just the smell alone will make it worth while ..... lots of boiling of orange peel and sugar ... heavenly....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DTzGPmWE9Jo\/WDXoC_kOS2I\/AAAAAAAAO3o\/L1J95AKTq9Y\/s640\/blogger-image-709318277.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DTzGPmWE9Jo\/WDXoC_kOS2I\/AAAAAAAAO3o\/L1J95AKTq9Y\/s640\/blogger-image-709318277.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECountry Living also comes with a \"Christmas Calendar - Your Day-by-Day Guide to the Festive Season\". Some \"tasks\" are really lovely but not in a million years could anyone, not even the likes of Kirsty Allsop, manage everything. Things like \"Homemade Crackers\" and \"Dress Your Windows\" probably won't happen here , but at least I will manage to \"Decorate the Tree\". Oh look, I've just noticed that I've picked another photo with a log-store. Hmmm ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-D_NjbYgcdoU\/WDXoIF3tkXI\/AAAAAAAAO34\/WIrLtky9UWE\/s640\/blogger-image--1337473372.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-D_NjbYgcdoU\/WDXoIF3tkXI\/AAAAAAAAO34\/WIrLtky9UWE\/s640\/blogger-image--1337473372.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe other thing I picked up was a pot of hyacinth bulbs, just at the sprouting stage. They were in a basket thingy but I repotted them into a little spotty red bowl, to match the vase they are sitting next to. And if you look closely you can see my reflection in the vase LOL\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-eCIiWwjoc6o\/WDXoAN5yKUI\/AAAAAAAAO3g\/TYrX-JmYsJw\/s640\/blogger-image--2105829839.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-eCIiWwjoc6o\/WDXoAN5yKUI\/AAAAAAAAO3g\/TYrX-JmYsJw\/s640\/blogger-image--2105829839.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd my final little bit of happy this week comes in the form of some Christmas colouring. I think everyone should by law do some colouring every day. Its so therapeutic to sit down, clear the mind and just be still and quiet with a colouring pencil or two. Bliss.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-L-KfFbSvacw\/WDXzq0Xk4uI\/AAAAAAAAO4U\/qMDf3B9kYUU\/s640\/blogger-image-1944677569.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-L-KfFbSvacw\/WDXzq0Xk4uI\/AAAAAAAAO4U\/qMDf3B9kYUU\/s640\/blogger-image-1944677569.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThats all from me for now, I hope you are all having happy weeks too.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETil next time,\u003Cbr \/\u003EJill\u003Cbr \/\u003Exxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1056487224975875125\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/11\/happy-week.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1056487224975875125"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1056487224975875125"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/11\/happy-week.html","title":"Happy Week"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-n31cCMzIm48\/WDXoEIVVOqI\/AAAAAAAAO3s\/ebtXSZk8hW4\/s72-c\/blogger-image-123701556.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1669674317839334414"},"published":{"$t":"2016-11-18T12:44:00.004+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-11-18T12:44:34.326+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Five on Friday"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers 😊 Big hello to my new readers - and thank you all for visiting.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EToday I am joining in with Amy of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/\"\u003E Love Made My Home \u003C\/a\u003E with \u003Ca href=\"htps:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\"\u003E Five on Friday\u003C\/a\u003E - thankyou Amy for hosting.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI've been meaning to do Five on Friday every week but I always seem to forget and only remember on Sunday evening. I know I could schedule a post but that would be far too organised.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESomehow I managed to remember today though, so here are five yarny things making me happy this week...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E💛 mostly monochrome ripples on a blanket for my Mum for her birthday. I'll show you more of it once it's finished - which will be before Friday as I'm flying over to NIreland then, it's her first birthday without my Dad, so it feels like an important one to be there for her.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-83sbkSyOwKw\/WC71OnieoKI\/AAAAAAAAO2k\/qy0_6udweDg\/s640\/blogger-image--451093780.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-83sbkSyOwKw\/WC71OnieoKI\/AAAAAAAAO2k\/qy0_6udweDg\/s640\/blogger-image--451093780.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E💙 massive delivery of scrummy yummy yarn, I have 3 mermaid blankets to make for customers, I'm going to be one busy hooker before Christmas!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ObR2CY21lLM\/WC7zG06HSkI\/AAAAAAAAO2I\/nBWYcucoBsM\/s640\/blogger-image-1729607614.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ObR2CY21lLM\/WC7zG06HSkI\/AAAAAAAAO2I\/nBWYcucoBsM\/s640\/blogger-image-1729607614.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E💚 I found this yarn in a clearance sale a few weeks ago, with around 75% off. Clearly I had to buy it. Would have been rude not to. I've started a scarf with it but I'm not sure if I'm loving it that much, so it may get frogged and used for a more open work shawl type thing. I do love the colours though, very autumnal.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2k5IlmdUL8Y\/WC7zK_U6qaI\/AAAAAAAAO2U\/mJZ9g5bR9SI\/s640\/blogger-image--939927711.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2k5IlmdUL8Y\/WC7zK_U6qaI\/AAAAAAAAO2U\/mJZ9g5bR9SI\/s640\/blogger-image--939927711.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E💜 I've been making a hat and bootees for a friend's new baby. Can you believe I've never made bootees before? New born baby sized are blooming fiddly. Not sure I'll make more again in a hurry. The hat's not quite finished, in case you're wondering why it's looking like more of a skullcap at the moment.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uBnHJMV6DPc\/WC7zIVAzM8I\/AAAAAAAAO2M\/iRLg5DAPmLM\/s640\/blogger-image--339219389.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uBnHJMV6DPc\/WC7zIVAzM8I\/AAAAAAAAO2M\/iRLg5DAPmLM\/s640\/blogger-image--339219389.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe patterns are from this book ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Xzh5IxCDLtc\/WC7zJjvwTFI\/AAAAAAAAO2Q\/ne46n83kmmg\/s640\/blogger-image-65182801.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Xzh5IxCDLtc\/WC7zJjvwTFI\/AAAAAAAAO2Q\/ne46n83kmmg\/s640\/blogger-image-65182801.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E❤️ I made this scarf from Simply Crochet issue 50, I'll share more pictures another time. I made it simply because I had a massive 500g ball of aran yarn in the exact colour of the picture in the magazine. The pattern recommends doing the pom poms first in case you run out of wool, but I am not one to heed advice, oh no, I much prefer to rush headlong into things. And then ... you guessed it .... I ran out of wool for the pompoms. So my scarf is pompomless. But I love it anyway ❤️\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-00fk3zZR7kY\/WC71QCeSb5I\/AAAAAAAAO2o\/u8ZaK2lFzRQ\/s640\/blogger-image--839966478.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-00fk3zZR7kY\/WC71QCeSb5I\/AAAAAAAAO2o\/u8ZaK2lFzRQ\/s640\/blogger-image--839966478.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-S4Gnrv1QLn8\/WC71RTOeWcI\/AAAAAAAAO2s\/cTOyfokGLTQ\/s640\/blogger-image--293714840.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-S4Gnrv1QLn8\/WC71RTOeWcI\/AAAAAAAAO2s\/cTOyfokGLTQ\/s640\/blogger-image--293714840.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHope you all have lovely weekends.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETil next time,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJillxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1669674317839334414\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/11\/five-on-friday.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1669674317839334414"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1669674317839334414"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/11\/five-on-friday.html","title":"Five on Friday"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-83sbkSyOwKw\/WC71OnieoKI\/AAAAAAAAO2k\/qy0_6udweDg\/s72-c\/blogger-image--451093780.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-630612296019679330"},"published":{"$t":"2016-10-18T12:28:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-10-18T17:37:52.729+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Kya's Mermaid Tail"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EHello dear friends and readers 😀\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EThere's a new craze if you're a young girl, or if you're an old one too really - and that is mermaid tail blankets. I've seen pictures of them all over the place from pinterest to ravelry, and on many many shopping sites, they seem to pop up everywhere. \u0026nbsp;I'd toyed with the idea of making one for Little Miss but never quite got round to it. You know how it is, life is busy and these things just stay somewhere near the end of the ever-lasting never-ending to-do list. I then was asked by a friend to make one for her 11 year old daughter for her birthday, and the colour scheme requested was \"very girly, pink and purple\".\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ZdrU2dKTAEc\/WAYHPjCKVpI\/AAAAAAAAOqc\/wiazcDCCXgQ\/s640\/blogger-image--2021425851.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ZdrU2dKTAEc\/WAYHPjCKVpI\/AAAAAAAAOqc\/wiazcDCCXgQ\/s640\/blogger-image--2021425851.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EWhen friends ask me to make things, I always confidently go \"Yeah! Of course! Absolutely! I can make that! No worries!\" .... and then I go off and have a mild panic-attack \"Oh my gosh I've no idea what I'm doing or how to do it or where to start, er better look at some pics online\" and end up scrabbling around the internet to find a pattern or something. And this time the Internet came up trumps with\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/yarnutopia.com\/2015\/04\/29\/how-to-crochet-video-tutorial-mermaid-tail-afghan-pattern-3-sizes-small-child-medium-teen-large-adult\/\"\u003Ethis great freebie pattern\u003C\/a\u003E from \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/yarnutopia.com\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Eyarnutopia\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CbrPX9a8smU\/WAYHU1b3mqI\/AAAAAAAAOqs\/7bYv1pKBqAY\/s640\/blogger-image-1657998136.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CbrPX9a8smU\/WAYHU1b3mqI\/AAAAAAAAOqs\/7bYv1pKBqAY\/s640\/blogger-image-1657998136.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe pattern called for chunky wool, and I think I mentioned in a previous post that I rushed out to buy some, and got started straight away. The only problem was I really wasn't liking how the chunky yarn was working out to this pattern, the blanket was really stiff and un-drapey. I do tend to crochet quite tightly so maybe I should have tried a bigger hook. As it was I was using a 6mm hook, and I find if I go bigger I just get more cramp in my hands. So I decided to ditch the chunky and start over in double-knit. So yes I had to rip out the 20 or so rows I'd done - sob! There is nothing more un-gratifying than ripping out work. Especially work where you've changed colour every row so you don't even get a nice decent sized ball of yarn, instead you get multiple annoying little ones.....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8ywogQu5ZLo\/WAYHWbXBSkI\/AAAAAAAAOqw\/1wco03xBY00\/s640\/blogger-image--16723888.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8ywogQu5ZLo\/WAYHWbXBSkI\/AAAAAAAAOqw\/1wco03xBY00\/s640\/blogger-image--16723888.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnyway back to the blanket, and the double-knit with a 5mm hook came out really well. I used a purple, a pink, and a purpley-pink (original, huh?!). They're were all from my stash (hurrah!!!) and were various brands. One King Cole, one a strange Sue Ryder label from their charity shops (though the yarn they sell is new) and the pink one was labelless so who knows what brand that was. The pattern is a really simple shell pattern with a 2-row repeat, and I changed colour at the end of every row. I love how this gives it the effect of scales.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-5MvEA4vyI0k\/WAYXlQrMCoI\/AAAAAAAAOrM\/amgBezk8O60\/s640\/blogger-image--396819105.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-5MvEA4vyI0k\/WAYXlQrMCoI\/AAAAAAAAOrM\/amgBezk8O60\/s640\/blogger-image--396819105.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EThe blanket is worked from the top down, in rows back and forth, and as you get to the bottom you join the sides together and begin to work in the round. Then do a few clever decreases thereby sort of gathering the end together, and this creates a little closed in section that you can tuck your feet into, so it's lovely and snuggly. The fin part is made completely separately, and sewn onto the main body at the end. As the pattern had called for chunky and instead I had used DK, I had to increase the number of starting chains, and work more rows, so I was winging it a bit, but it seemed to work out fine. What I then didn't think about was that of course then the fin would also need scaling up. To do this I just worked a border all around it for a few rows.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-b5oT46NDT3Y\/WAYHSYteBUI\/AAAAAAAAOqk\/H5GeLLQVssQ\/s640\/blogger-image-834729545.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-b5oT46NDT3Y\/WAYHSYteBUI\/AAAAAAAAOqk\/H5GeLLQVssQ\/s640\/blogger-image-834729545.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe last thing to do, other than sew in the ends - yawn - was to add a border around the open part of the blanket. You could opt to sew the back all the way up making a really long thin tail, a bit like a sleeping bag, but I think it's more flexible if you only have the small part at the end joined up, it's easier to get in and out of for a start, although I will grant you that the dressing-up possibilities may be slightly hampered. So, to get back to the border, I added a row of half-trebles all the way around.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vuaewTD9tek\/WAYHXqTI8EI\/AAAAAAAAOq0\/u3qKffInmTo\/s640\/blogger-image--1171204077.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vuaewTD9tek\/WAYHXqTI8EI\/AAAAAAAAOq0\/u3qKffInmTo\/s640\/blogger-image--1171204077.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd here it is all laid out. I wish you could have a go in it, it's super cuddly, perfect for a bit of TV-watching, or lazing on the sofa reading a book. Not that I ever get the chance to do that these days...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-a7bJq3hLpBE\/WAYHaBCYyVI\/AAAAAAAAOq8\/nazPWE4KyJQ\/s640\/blogger-image--54565864.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-a7bJq3hLpBE\/WAYHaBCYyVI\/AAAAAAAAOq8\/nazPWE4KyJQ\/s640\/blogger-image--54565864.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI adore how it turned out. As a pressie for an 11 year old I love everything about it, I'm really pleased with the colour combination I chose - and believe me I faffed about for ages with goodness how many shades of purple and pink - choosing colours is something I always find tricky - but I think these work well together. And I love how soft and drapey it is, just lovely to cuddle into with your teddy.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-d-QcXWHY0hU\/WAYHTov74-I\/AAAAAAAAOqo\/31Xso2KbUD4\/s640\/blogger-image--1048259704.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-d-QcXWHY0hU\/WAYHTov74-I\/AAAAAAAAOqo\/31Xso2KbUD4\/s640\/blogger-image--1048259704.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI have it on good authority that the birthday girl loves it too😀 Soon I'm going to make one for Little Miss, it's her birthday in about 6 weeks, and one for my friend for Christmas, yes she is grown-up but grown-ups lounge on the sofa too, don't they.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ETil next time,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EJillxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/630612296019679330\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/10\/kya-mermaid-tail.html#comment-form","title":"11 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/630612296019679330"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/630612296019679330"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/10\/kya-mermaid-tail.html","title":"Kya\u0026#39;s Mermaid Tail"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ZdrU2dKTAEc\/WAYHPjCKVpI\/AAAAAAAAOqc\/wiazcDCCXgQ\/s72-c\/blogger-image--2021425851.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"11"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-4469442288322664743"},"published":{"$t":"2016-09-25T19:01:00.003+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-09-25T19:01:49.993+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Jack's Baby Blanket"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"One of my favourite things about a new baby (aside from the fact that it was someone else who had to go through the whole pregnancy and birth thing, and the new born cuddles and the basic miracle of life) is the opportunity to crochet a blanket! Yay! This time the blanket is for my friend's new baby, Jack. My friend is a very close friend, she was one of my bridesmaids, and her husband (then fiancé) was one of our Best Men (we had two!).\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3kJrattce0I\/V-Pu9XGc3JI\/AAAAAAAANUs\/jlgobACPjhk\/s640\/blogger-image-1437910184.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3kJrattce0I\/V-Pu9XGc3JI\/AAAAAAAANUs\/jlgobACPjhk\/s640\/blogger-image-1437910184.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI've seen a lot of star blankets around, and I reckoned one of my million magazines must have a pattern for one, so I spent some time leafing through them (SUCH a chore lol) and found one in this magazine .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-__8QhZDzOSM\/V-PvBIUNneI\/AAAAAAAANU4\/BEv7V5L7nlY\/s640\/blogger-image-35871818.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-__8QhZDzOSM\/V-PvBIUNneI\/AAAAAAAANU4\/BEv7V5L7nlY\/s640\/blogger-image-35871818.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIt's really more of a book - perhaps a bookazine ? - but made by the same people who make Inside Crochet. They had this pattern for a 12 pointed star blanket, called the Celeste Nursery Blanket.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-R9JFJKFlVd0\/V-Pu-ok0M_I\/AAAAAAAANUw\/kYlsbMkjGjo\/s640\/blogger-image--72827810.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-R9JFJKFlVd0\/V-Pu-ok0M_I\/AAAAAAAANUw\/kYlsbMkjGjo\/s640\/blogger-image--72827810.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIt was a fun make and easy make, the pattern is basically a ripple pattern but done in the round and increasing every row.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4Dv1kFqtESE\/V-P_YUzWrSI\/AAAAAAAANVo\/jTtqYs1Tj8M\/s640\/blogger-image--127800648.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4Dv1kFqtESE\/V-P_YUzWrSI\/AAAAAAAANVo\/jTtqYs1Tj8M\/s640\/blogger-image--127800648.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe original pattern had a large pompom on every point but I don't really agree with pompoms on baby things, so I decided to add a crochet trim that looks like mini pompoms. The pattern for the trim \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/onceuponapinkmoon.blogspot.co.uk\/2013\/09\/pom-pom-edge.html\"\u003E this one from Once Upon a Pink Moon\u003C\/a\u003EOnce Upon A Pink Moon.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--pZyC6xUmtc\/V-Pu__VE_qI\/AAAAAAAANU0\/tprgGqU1OKg\/s640\/blogger-image--461380423.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--pZyC6xUmtc\/V-Pu__VE_qI\/AAAAAAAANU0\/tprgGqU1OKg\/s640\/blogger-image--461380423.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAs you can see each mini-pompom is really just a popcorn\/bobble style stitch, much safer for a baby.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qqKz7JIkNt0\/V-PvF_nbfOI\/AAAAAAAANVI\/wTDNyUn9UgE\/s640\/blogger-image--984780980.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qqKz7JIkNt0\/V-PvF_nbfOI\/AAAAAAAANVI\/wTDNyUn9UgE\/s640\/blogger-image--984780980.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe yarn was from my stash and was a mixture of random DK from different manufacturers, and I've chucked the labels away already so I can't tell you what they are, sorry.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vUYfqMRyNqI\/V-PvCa9VTOI\/AAAAAAAANU8\/Y2A_3mccb9Q\/s640\/blogger-image-1047180002.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vUYfqMRyNqI\/V-PvCa9VTOI\/AAAAAAAANU8\/Y2A_3mccb9Q\/s640\/blogger-image-1047180002.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI took some pictures outside today as the light inside is so poor.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4QRTD82lNGg\/V-PvDb_wHbI\/AAAAAAAANVA\/0M_mTLtCqO8\/s640\/blogger-image--1622012199.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4QRTD82lNGg\/V-PvDb_wHbI\/AAAAAAAANVA\/0M_mTLtCqO8\/s640\/blogger-image--1622012199.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EBut we had to come back in for a shot of the full thing, and that was an exercise in speed and efficiency as Pixie the puppy was desperately trying to keep the blanket for herself!\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-arwnUtM5nXo\/V-P-UtOudsI\/AAAAAAAANVg\/av0W-70gZLA\/s640\/blogger-image-546731045.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-arwnUtM5nXo\/V-P-UtOudsI\/AAAAAAAANVg\/av0W-70gZLA\/s640\/blogger-image-546731045.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI'm looking forward to delivering the blanket to Jack and his Mummy this week, hope he likes it 😀\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ETil next time,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EJillxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4469442288322664743\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/09\/jack-baby-blanket.html#comment-form","title":"19 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4469442288322664743"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4469442288322664743"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/09\/jack-baby-blanket.html","title":"Jack\u0026#39;s Baby Blanket"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3kJrattce0I\/V-Pu9XGc3JI\/AAAAAAAANUs\/jlgobACPjhk\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1437910184.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"19"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2934137019249427056"},"published":{"$t":"2016-09-23T17:18:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-09-24T02:02:12.472+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Five on Friday"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Five on Friday"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers 😀\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnother Friday has rolled around and boy am I glad. A busy and very stressful week for me as you'll see when you read on. Today I am joining in with \u003Ca href=\"htps:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\"\u003E Five on Friday\u003C\/a\u003E, hosted by Amy over at \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/\"\u003E Love Made My Home \u003C\/a\u003E. Here are 5 snippets of my week....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E1. Major drama on Monday morning - I was out walking Pixie .... here she is on our walk ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aYFlo2c5T-I\/V-VV6FSgnQI\/AAAAAAAANV8\/oc6xbWec7lA\/s640\/blogger-image-239562288.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aYFlo2c5T-I\/V-VV6FSgnQI\/AAAAAAAANV8\/oc6xbWec7lA\/s640\/blogger-image-239562288.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E... and about 5 minutes later she bolted off, terrified by a (very nice, normal) lady, and managed to yank the lead out of my hand. She was then missing for the next 24 hours. It was horrendous. I couldn't find her at all, and after about an hour of searching I was in a real panic. I reported her missing to the vet, the dog warden, the pet shop, and posted on every facebook group you can imagine. My lovely friend made some posters and fliers with this picture of her, also taken that same morning .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uG3SVTqwYG0\/V-VV77_-sAI\/AAAAAAAANWA\/1yY1lyBymbA\/s640\/blogger-image--134609959.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uG3SVTqwYG0\/V-VV77_-sAI\/AAAAAAAANWA\/1yY1lyBymbA\/s640\/blogger-image--134609959.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe help and support from the local community was amazing. I myself was looking in hedges and bushes until 10pm, in the day random people were letting me in their gardens and helping me look, loads of local dog walkers (most of whom I didn't know) came down to help, lots of friends, with their kids and husbands helped, and a dear friend brought me cups of tea. I searched and searched all around the local area for about 10 hours - my pedometer told me I'd walked 19km. Reluctantly I gave up at 10pm, it had been pouring for about 5 hours, I was drenched and couldn't see anything anyway. We left out a crate with blankets and water in case she tried to find her way back. As I was leaving another stranger approached me and said he was looking for her as he'd just seen one of the hundred or so leaflets I'd delivered. But I was so exhausted I had to go home. Of course our own children were dreadfully upset and none of us got much sleep.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHubby got up about 5.30am and went to check the crate, but no sign of her. By 9am we'd got the children to school, hubby has gone off to work, and I'd just printed out a load more leaflets, and was getting ready to go up to where we lost her, with a disposable BBQ to cook some burgers (donated by another friend as I am veggie!) to see if the smell would lure her out, we were convinced she was hiding somewhere, terrified. I knew I'd look like a complete nutcase having a barbeque in the rain at 9am on a random pathway, but was going to give it a go anyway. Before I left the house my phone rang. It was a local dog walker - saying \"I've got your dog\" !!!!! \u0026nbsp;OH MY DAYS!! I have never been more relieved in my whole life. I raced out of the door to go and find them - and a few minutes later there she was !! We had a lovely, cuddly, licky reunion. Me and Pixie that is, not me and the man. Though I did give him a hug). And I'm trying to find out where he lives so I can buy him a bottle of whiskey or something.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EShe had been caught, tangled with her lead, deep in some bushes in a nearby field. The man's dog had found her and barked so madly that the man had gone to see what was wrong, and saw Pixie all caught up in the bushes. We think she had been out all night and had got herself so tangled she couldn't move. The man freed her and she soon perked up. She is absolutely fine now after her ordeal, although it might take me a bit longer. So stressful! Here she is having a snooze later that day....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-TB0YCYpzHKc\/V-Vbw83Z-4I\/AAAAAAAANWk\/8K90w653iLs\/s640\/blogger-image-1219557201.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-TB0YCYpzHKc\/V-Vbw83Z-4I\/AAAAAAAANWk\/8K90w653iLs\/s640\/blogger-image-1219557201.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESo all's well that ends well!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E2. We've managed a few more walks this week and I've had the lead superglued to my hand. Everything is looking very autumnal - after all it was the equinox yesterday.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_Ta98ZewguY\/V-VbzqQOedI\/AAAAAAAANWs\/qHDtarP2RHw\/s640\/blogger-image-1723233735.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_Ta98ZewguY\/V-VbzqQOedI\/AAAAAAAANWs\/qHDtarP2RHw\/s640\/blogger-image-1723233735.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELots of lovely berries around....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rHwEglXtWSg\/V-Vb1PepNpI\/AAAAAAAANWw\/UDwa-T83LxU\/s640\/blogger-image-1008142390.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rHwEglXtWSg\/V-Vb1PepNpI\/AAAAAAAANWw\/UDwa-T83LxU\/s640\/blogger-image-1008142390.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI love the colours in autumn, especially early autumn when the light is good.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vob0fi3MJhY\/V-Vbt0MaxXI\/AAAAAAAANWc\/EzR_rLjfVWA\/s640\/blogger-image-801292078.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vob0fi3MJhY\/V-Vbt0MaxXI\/AAAAAAAANWc\/EzR_rLjfVWA\/s640\/blogger-image-801292078.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E3. More nature shots. This was the sky on our walk this morning, such a glorious blue sky, the sunshine is so good for the soul .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-B-zPFY5-aws\/V-VbpSKmSpI\/AAAAAAAANWQ\/ymrXFbXdo00\/s640\/blogger-image--1075855901.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-B-zPFY5-aws\/V-VbpSKmSpI\/AAAAAAAANWQ\/ymrXFbXdo00\/s640\/blogger-image--1075855901.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;4. I've decided I really need to make more things from magazine patterns. As you all know I'm a magazine addict, and I do always have a tinge of guilt when I buy one. (Not enough of a twinge to not buy them though). So I spotted this little butterfly kit lying around, and found the magazine it came with - Simply Crochet issue 46.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jRDVWX5c2so\/V-VbqyLJd7I\/AAAAAAAANWU\/xdfFBnM0-qs\/s640\/blogger-image-638931804.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jRDVWX5c2so\/V-VbqyLJd7I\/AAAAAAAANWU\/xdfFBnM0-qs\/s640\/blogger-image-638931804.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAbout an hour later and I had 2 little butterflies, one fridge magnet, and one brooch ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--kGo7zQlnt8\/V-VbseVOBJI\/AAAAAAAANWY\/885XE4xv93o\/s640\/blogger-image-1704724470.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--kGo7zQlnt8\/V-VbseVOBJI\/AAAAAAAANWY\/885XE4xv93o\/s640\/blogger-image-1704724470.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAren't they cute ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-b7yPEAKOeAo\/V-Vbvf9IeDI\/AAAAAAAANWg\/7r8iyyas1YA\/s640\/blogger-image--830121557.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-b7yPEAKOeAo\/V-Vbvf9IeDI\/AAAAAAAANWg\/7r8iyyas1YA\/s640\/blogger-image--830121557.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm thinking that making these would be a great way to use up yarn odds and ends. Little Miss has already requested some to decorate her bags. Oh and here is one of me wearing the brooch though the light and focus is terrible, sorry!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-E9zQXwU0Zm4\/V-VbyUYv-AI\/AAAAAAAANWo\/F4fXx0GhiXk\/s640\/blogger-image-1181097236.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-E9zQXwU0Zm4\/V-VbyUYv-AI\/AAAAAAAANWo\/F4fXx0GhiXk\/s640\/blogger-image-1181097236.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E5. Finally here is a little sneak peek of Jack's baby blanket which I will be sharing in my next post.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-5ne4w7lPDYY\/V-Vb2ihAfaI\/AAAAAAAANW0\/3mQ5VelwEiY\/s640\/blogger-image--1532928603.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-5ne4w7lPDYY\/V-Vb2ihAfaI\/AAAAAAAANW0\/3mQ5VelwEiY\/s640\/blogger-image--1532928603.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThat's it for now, hope you all have a fab weekend,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETil next time,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJillxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center; width: 100%;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid lightgrey; display: inline-block; margin: 5px; padding: 5px;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\" rel=\"_nofollow\"\u003E           \u003Cimg src=\"http:\/\/i1065.photobucket.com\/albums\/u397\/lovemademyhome\/collage\/E28CDEDE-6D17-4CC4-A8D4-AA7B4E87E05D%201_zpsyhkjea7j.jpg\" style=\"border: 1px solid gray; height: 250px; width: 250px;\" \/\u003E           \u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"allign: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid lightgrey; display: inline-block; margin: 5px; padding: 5px;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\" rel=\"_nofollow\"\u003ELove Made My Home\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid lightgrey; display: inline-block; margin: 5px; padding: 5px;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\" rel=\"_nofollow\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2934137019249427056\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/09\/five-on-friday_23.html#comment-form","title":"18 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2934137019249427056"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2934137019249427056"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/09\/five-on-friday_23.html","title":"Five on Friday"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aYFlo2c5T-I\/V-VV6FSgnQI\/AAAAAAAANV8\/oc6xbWec7lA\/s72-c\/blogger-image-239562288.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"18"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1781862976374329671"},"published":{"$t":"2016-09-16T11:49:00.003+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-09-16T12:31:07.574+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Five on Friday"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello lovely friends and readers !\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EToday I am linking up with the very lovely Amy of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\"\u003E Love Made My Home\u003C\/a\u003E for \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\"\u003EFive on Friday \u003C\/a\u003E. I haven't done a Five on Friday for a reeeeeaaallllly long time, but I'm hoping to write more regularly on my blog - got my blogging mojo back - hurray! So I'll be joining in every Friday :) Thankyou as always Amy for hosting 💚\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThis week has been a scorcher, really hot and humid which of course is great if you are chilling by the pool with a gin and tonic but not nearly as much fun if you have to do school runs, supervise homework, carry endless baskets of laundry up and down stairs, and do the weekly grocery shopping. Which in my life is more like 3 or 4 times a week. But the weather broke yesterday with the most amazing storm. I got caught in the monsoon-like downpour whilst running between the shops and my car, there was a the most deafening boom of thunder at exactly the same time as a big flash of lightning, I thought for a moment I would get struck. Seriously. My daughter, who was waiting in the car, said she reckoned it was just in the field next to us. It continued most of the night but as it was still very hot, I had a fan on in the bedroom which must have dulled the noise of the storm, as I slept right through it. Luckily the children did too, and it appears that the puppy is not afraid of thunder or lightning. She's afraid of everything else though. Including anyone taller than a 10 year old (except hubby and I thankfully), all forms of vehicle, actually going in the car, plant pots (yes I know) and cats. We met a cat for the first time this week. Poor Pixie didn't know why on earth it was. The cat was in full-on stalker mode, fur all puffed up, tail straight up in the air, fixing its steely eyed stare on us. We walked away, well I walked, Pixie pulled frantically on her lead, but the flipping cat kept stalking us, about 10 paces behind. We lost it eventually, but seeing as it actually was bigger than Pixie I suppose to us it would feel like being stalked by a bear or something.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnyway on with Five on Friday. Some random photos of my week.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E💜 I started a new bullet journal.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIf you haven't heard of Bullet Journalling , go check it out on Pinterest or Instagram. Lots of lovely pics of clever designs, writing styles and fancy doodles. Mine is very plain by comparison, it's basically a glorified to-do list, but a great excuse to break out the stickers and colouring pens. And yes that is the base of a glass of wine you can see.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pjXgKQ7PK-I\/V9vGQSgkZ2I\/AAAAAAAANTw\/b9bRHndqTe0\/s640\/blogger-image-4568201.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pjXgKQ7PK-I\/V9vGQSgkZ2I\/AAAAAAAANTw\/b9bRHndqTe0\/s640\/blogger-image-4568201.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E💙 Pixie hiding under her blanket.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EShe loves to sleep with her face tucked into something, quite often it's my armpit as she is a really cuddly dog and will lie in your arms endlessly. Very therapeutic but not so helpful for getting anything, including crochet, done.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HB6xPABV-nE\/V9vGPsK-T1I\/AAAAAAAANTs\/YP3oC_3s4no\/s640\/blogger-image--1021267445.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HB6xPABV-nE\/V9vGPsK-T1I\/AAAAAAAANTs\/YP3oC_3s4no\/s640\/blogger-image--1021267445.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E💚 I found this in Little Miss' bedroom.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI was tidying up the hazardous waste zone that she calls a bedroom the other day. How can a girl who is so girly, so fussy about her appearance, and about the clothes she's wearing, bear to have such a pigsty of a room? But I better not get started on that. It's a whole new blog post of despair. When I ventured in last week I found this message on her chalkboard. Love it, she is spot on. (The wool in the background is mine, it was a nicer backdrop than scrunched up paper, crisp packets, dirty clothes and filthy PE kit which would have been the backdrop in her room. Humph. Maybe she's making the most of life by not wasting time tidying her room ?)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GpfbchD8C0k\/V9vGOthqepI\/AAAAAAAANTo\/hRlPmFUc8-8\/s640\/blogger-image-1851325618.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GpfbchD8C0k\/V9vGOthqepI\/AAAAAAAANTo\/hRlPmFUc8-8\/s640\/blogger-image-1851325618.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E💛 I'm working on a new commission - a mermaid tail blanket for a friend's daughter.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm really, really enjoying this pattern, it's a very simple shell stitch, perfect for working on in the car, at the orthodontist's, in the garden or in front of the telly. So far it's just a big rectangle, but I'll be tapering soon as I reach the bottom, before joining the back up a bit and adding the fin thingy. I'm using \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/yarnutopia.com\/2015\/04\/29\/how-to-crochet-video-tutorial-mermaid-tail-afghan-pattern-3-sizes-small-child-medium-teen-large-adult\/\"\u003Ethis pattern from YARNutopia\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWhilst the pattern itself is easy, the project has not been that straightforward. I decided doing it in chunky yarn would be best so it would work up quickly. I probably had 20 or so rows done and at about row 5 I had lost half a shell. Blocking may have sorted that out but the perfectionist in me couldn't sell it with that obvious a mistake, plus I really wasn't liking the drape. Or lack thereof. I was using a 6mm hook but it was still very stiff, maybe a 7mm hook would have been better as I'm a tight crocheter. Anyway I made the decision to start again in DK weight yarn. That was such a good decision, the drape is gorgeous now - it is working up quite slowly, but I'm much happier with it. For the DK I was able to use yarn from my stash, which is good as I had gone and bought the chunky specially. I now have 6 100g balls of purple\/pink chunky, if you have any ideas for what to make with them, I'm all ears!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-IqtoeAT3pqg\/V9vGRfKM7aI\/AAAAAAAANT0\/jL4xfcM12r0\/s640\/blogger-image-1088903875.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-IqtoeAT3pqg\/V9vGRfKM7aI\/AAAAAAAANT0\/jL4xfcM12r0\/s640\/blogger-image-1088903875.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E❤️ Little Tomboy was 9 on Monday. 9!! I can't believe that. Where does the time go ? She got a BMX bike and a skateboard for her birthday. We live on the edge of a massive field (fab for dog walking) and at the opposite corner is a bmx track (great for tomboys). She had a go on the track on her new bike, and did quite well. She did fall off at one point and hurt her knee but she's a tough cookie that one, gets up with a \"nothing to see here\" look about her, straight back on the bike. I love how all my children are so different. She is such a tomboy but so cuddly and loving. Won't give you a kiss but will shout LOVE YOU as she runs past the kitchen, and does permit me to kiss the top of her head before school. Never stops talking, and is always either joyously happy - \"it's the BEST day EVER Mummy!\" or excessively angry, \"This is the WORST. DAY. EVER.\", there are no undercurrents with this one, what you see is what you get. I especially love that she knows her own mind and chooses what she wants to do and wear and does not follow the crowd. So proud of her.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nnUgfLNE0bs\/V9vGSYuHSgI\/AAAAAAAANT4\/8FVVy1QQMFM\/s640\/blogger-image--1039914392.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nnUgfLNE0bs\/V9vGSYuHSgI\/AAAAAAAANT4\/8FVVy1QQMFM\/s640\/blogger-image--1039914392.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETil next time peeps,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJillxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E  \u003Cdiv style=\"width:100%;text-align:center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"margin:5px;padding:5px;border-radius: 5px;border:1px solid lightgrey;display:inline-block;\"\u003E\u003Ca  rel=_nofollow href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\"\u003E           \u003Cimg style=\"border: 1px solid gray;width:250px;height:250px;\" src=\"http:\/\/i1065.photobucket.com\/albums\/u397\/lovemademyhome\/collage\/E28CDEDE-6D17-4CC4-A8D4-AA7B4E87E05D%201_zpsyhkjea7j.jpg\"\u003E           \u003Cp style=\"allign: center;\"\u003ELove Made My Home\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1781862976374329671\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/09\/five-on-friday.html#comment-form","title":"24 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1781862976374329671"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1781862976374329671"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/09\/five-on-friday.html","title":"Five on Friday"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pjXgKQ7PK-I\/V9vGQSgkZ2I\/AAAAAAAANTw\/b9bRHndqTe0\/s72-c\/blogger-image-4568201.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"24"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2342572546873946430"},"published":{"$t":"2016-08-26T18:09:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-09-16T11:47:57.513+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Bundle of fun"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe've been on our summer holidays from school for 5 weeks now, and gosh it's flown by. For the first 4, yes 4, weeks we were in our holiday house in Northern Ireland, which I'll get onto on another post, but for now I have to tell you about the latest reason for absence of posts here at emerald cottage. And this little lady is that reason .....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Kb7BGbiOPq0\/V8B3pJL-IRI\/AAAAAAAANSE\/aBoDWKYzcoY\/s640\/blogger-image--1386490713.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Kb7BGbiOPq0\/V8B3pJL-IRI\/AAAAAAAANSE\/aBoDWKYzcoY\/s640\/blogger-image--1386490713.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECuuuuuuute or what ?!?!?!! We've called her Pixie and she has turned my life completely upside down! She is a dachshund or sausage dog, we got her at 8 weeks and she's now 13 weeks. The Maths whizzes amongst you will have worked out that we got her 5 weeks ago at the start of the school holidays - actually we picked her up on a Tuesday, school broke up on Thursday and we drove the 15 hour journey to Northern Ireland on the Friday. Not the best timing, but hey-ho, that's how it goes in our lives !\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-19bo-LtjaKc\/V8B3jg96ueI\/AAAAAAAANRw\/mmVEovvQsIo\/s640\/blogger-image-1841133045.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-19bo-LtjaKc\/V8B3jg96ueI\/AAAAAAAANRw\/mmVEovvQsIo\/s640\/blogger-image-1841133045.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESo our holidays in Norn Irn were a bit limited this time as we didn't want to leave her on her own for too long, but we couldn't take her out until she'd been fully vaccinated.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-mljyCiRWZjY\/V8B3nIaof3I\/AAAAAAAANR8\/2oYccnDwn2A\/s640\/blogger-image-424422339.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-mljyCiRWZjY\/V8B3nIaof3I\/AAAAAAAANR8\/2oYccnDwn2A\/s640\/blogger-image-424422339.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnyway, she is gorgeous. Sooo lovable and adoring and adorable and cute and snuggly and just perfect. The Little Peeps all love her and it's so gorgeous to see her gazing at them adoringly when they are tickling her. She's formed a really strong bond with all of them, and with me and Mr EC too, she is already firmly part of the family.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-44iO68lUMZ4\/V8B3l-4UB6I\/AAAAAAAANR4\/AUnNCwZRDQQ\/s640\/blogger-image-914233191.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-44iO68lUMZ4\/V8B3l-4UB6I\/AAAAAAAANR4\/AUnNCwZRDQQ\/s640\/blogger-image-914233191.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd actually I've been surprised at how the children have all stepped up to look after her, play with her and even clear up what we are calling \"Pixie-dust\" ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThere is of course total chaos - the afore-mentioned Pixie-dust, and chewing, biting, eating of shoes and anything else she can reach, eating the kitchen roll as you try to clean up the pixie dust, escaping the garden, digging up the carpet, shredding the sofa with her claws, not to mention shredding our hands and arms as she \"plays\", and the piece de resistance - eating her own poo! That's a thing for dogs apparently, who knew ???!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KUqW-X8Vrww\/V8B3kmT4c_I\/AAAAAAAANR0\/xLcAjhK5Z0g\/s640\/blogger-image--1969527117.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KUqW-X8Vrww\/V8B3kmT4c_I\/AAAAAAAANR0\/xLcAjhK5Z0g\/s640\/blogger-image--1969527117.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EShe has already decided she is a big wool fan .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-F8wqmhEqCAw\/V8B3qD5qGhI\/AAAAAAAANSI\/bCqsxjv3YBo\/s640\/blogger-image--653807352.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-F8wqmhEqCAw\/V8B3qD5qGhI\/AAAAAAAANSI\/bCqsxjv3YBo\/s640\/blogger-image--653807352.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... so crochet is somewhat limited at the moment.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI did manage a bit on the beach (notice Pixie sleeping in the background) .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7qnKnXRfhys\/V8B3oPzmzxI\/AAAAAAAANSA\/TmuOuatC0AY\/s640\/blogger-image-725033088.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7qnKnXRfhys\/V8B3oPzmzxI\/AAAAAAAANSA\/TmuOuatC0AY\/s640\/blogger-image-725033088.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... and I crocheted up a little bag for Little Miss to use for her phone ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-65AWnOrl468\/V8B3rAX5-EI\/AAAAAAAANSM\/znH6bhxjaFM\/s640\/blogger-image-875428570.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-65AWnOrl468\/V8B3rAX5-EI\/AAAAAAAANSM\/znH6bhxjaFM\/s640\/blogger-image-875428570.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E(I forgot to take any pics of the finished article, sorry, but here we are plaiting the strap ...!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ChUOqOL5Gr4\/V8B3sKplOOI\/AAAAAAAANSQ\/hIIYPaDlDrA\/s640\/blogger-image--1600692373.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ChUOqOL5Gr4\/V8B3sKplOOI\/AAAAAAAANSQ\/hIIYPaDlDrA\/s640\/blogger-image--1600692373.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;.... and I also made some progress on my Lazy Hookers CAL blanket ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kZg-M774Oo8\/V8B3tFRa6qI\/AAAAAAAANSU\/Moh-LKgn9y0\/s640\/blogger-image-616145115.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kZg-M774Oo8\/V8B3tFRa6qI\/AAAAAAAANSU\/Moh-LKgn9y0\/s640\/blogger-image-616145115.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIve been trying really hard to get this finished cos I'm so fed up of having so many WIPs kicking about. I've only got 2 more large squares to go and then I can get on with joining. Which reminds me I must go and get some blocking of the squares done in preparing for that.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETil next time!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJillxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2342572546873946430\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/08\/bundle-of-fun.html#comment-form","title":"19 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2342572546873946430"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2342572546873946430"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/08\/bundle-of-fun.html","title":"Bundle of fun"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Kb7BGbiOPq0\/V8B3pJL-IRI\/AAAAAAAANSE\/aBoDWKYzcoY\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1386490713.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"19"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-3488100321725834827"},"published":{"$t":"2016-07-06T20:38:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-07-06T21:19:37.663+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Almost There and New Books"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"We are Almost There. It feels like the end of term, and the end of the school year, and, for Little Miss, the end of primary school, is tantalizingly close now. We've still got a Summer Fayre, an Awards Evening, a School Play, a Leavers Picnic, a Leavers Disco, and a Leavers-Actually-Leaving-Thing to get through before we can breathe a collective sigh of relief at having survived another school year.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-t50M_f9Fsr0\/V31eFxNd0sI\/AAAAAAAAMrc\/K7S7GoC0GSA\/s640\/blogger-image-776766437.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-t50M_f9Fsr0\/V31eFxNd0sI\/AAAAAAAAMrc\/K7S7GoC0GSA\/s640\/blogger-image-776766437.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMeanwhile we are also Almost There with the house decorating. The painter was here for over 4 weeks - groan - but finally - hurrah - finished today. We didn't have anything structural or particularly messy done - thank goodness - how do people live through kitchens being ripped out and extentions built, knocking through etc ?? We only had cosmetic stuff done and it was stressful enough for me. As nothing major was done and we are only Almost There I'm afraid my photos aren't very exciting yet.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-5372F2h3OP0\/V31eBfA-IGI\/AAAAAAAAMrI\/LNnWz0SpX3Y\/s640\/blogger-image--576962382.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-5372F2h3OP0\/V31eBfA-IGI\/AAAAAAAAMrI\/LNnWz0SpX3Y\/s640\/blogger-image--576962382.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIn all 9 rooms were painted - kitchen, front room, downstairs loo, playroom, our bedroom, our en-suite, main bathroom, Little Tomboy's bedroom and the under-the-stairs-cupboard-come-cloakroom. Does that count as a room ? Well, I have to say that once emptied and cleaned out and re-painted it looked amazing, I wanted to shove a mattress in there and lock myself in with a lamp and a book. And maybe a cup of tea. Each of the rooms was painted ceiling to floor, skirting boards, doors, door frames, and radiators. Lots of little jobs got done - new loo seat fitted, shelves put up, and - rather expensively - we now have lovely new chrome door handles - our old ones were very tarnished brass, very fiddly and fancy with twiddly little ends on which and I was forever catching my arm as I rushed past. They drew blood lots of times, I have little to scars to show for it - yikes.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-q3PCxaUfC0U\/V31eK1SkzGI\/AAAAAAAAMr0\/Agsq8i2c87M\/s640\/blogger-image-903077375.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-q3PCxaUfC0U\/V31eK1SkzGI\/AAAAAAAAMr0\/Agsq8i2c87M\/s640\/blogger-image-903077375.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe even had our front door painted and some nice new numbers affixed. The reason we are only \"Almost There\" and not actually \"There There\" is that we still have loads of general cleaning to do, furniture to be put back, and Stuff to find homes for. Stuff. So much Stuff. Where does it all come from ??? I'm sure we don't need it all. Hoping to have a bit of a purge over the weekend.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMeanwhile, rather unusually, I have broken out the knitting needles - I've seen so many people doing the Hitchhiker Scarf - most recently Meredith (www.mereknits-mereknits.blogspot.com- and I really fancied doing one myself. For the first time I purchased a pattern on ravelry, rather than using only free ones. And I must say it was worth it, I'm really enjoying it.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ltAMFTB3WKs\/V31eE5ek2hI\/AAAAAAAAMrY\/14EaitQ5zP0\/s640\/blogger-image--675473932.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ltAMFTB3WKs\/V31eE5ek2hI\/AAAAAAAAMrY\/14EaitQ5zP0\/s640\/blogger-image--675473932.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm a slow knitter, and I can't be doing with the counting etc that knitting seems to entail more than crochet, but I have to say that this is a great pattern, really simple and easy to follow, but produces a piece that is interesting in its structure.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VUvtYmbvvIE\/V31eJ6zMFjI\/AAAAAAAAMrw\/x7DKAwjqnfs\/s640\/blogger-image-566124202.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VUvtYmbvvIE\/V31eJ6zMFjI\/AAAAAAAAMrw\/x7DKAwjqnfs\/s640\/blogger-image-566124202.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm doing it in this Sirdar yarn, I bought it ages ago because I just liked it - well, why not ?! The effect it produces is really quite intriguing, and I love the colours.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Va2ChOYgdKo\/V31eGvZhJ_I\/AAAAAAAAMrg\/mdfgdP2rt6A\/s640\/blogger-image-879968148.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Va2ChOYgdKo\/V31eGvZhJ_I\/AAAAAAAAMrg\/mdfgdP2rt6A\/s640\/blogger-image-879968148.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy crocheted star blanket is growing nicely too ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dzsAcUUV7Mo\/V31eCabeljI\/AAAAAAAAMrM\/1C3VFq-J-2w\/s640\/blogger-image--1731494162.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dzsAcUUV7Mo\/V31eCabeljI\/AAAAAAAAMrM\/1C3VFq-J-2w\/s640\/blogger-image--1731494162.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI really need to crack on with it, I'd like to give it my friend before we go on our summer hols.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOn a whim (I was looking for something else which I can't even recall now) I made a couple of eBay purchases this week - crochet books - yet another crochet-related addiction. I do like a good crochet book - as much for flicking through, as for making things from. Each of these were about £3, bargain-tastic.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UDafa9wGBAQ\/V31eDZxuxII\/AAAAAAAAMrQ\/0IiNf4vVWhs\/s640\/blogger-image-887277331.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UDafa9wGBAQ\/V31eDZxuxII\/AAAAAAAAMrQ\/0IiNf4vVWhs\/s640\/blogger-image-887277331.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\"crochet love\" has the tag-line \"27 Sweet and Simple Zakka-Inspired Projects\". Ever heard of \"Zakka\" ? No, neither had I. According to the blurb inside \"Zakka is a Japanese term for a design sensibility that is cute yet sophisticated, playful yet profound, contemporary yet nostalgic\". Glad we cleared that up !!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-6Q8IKM-XZC8\/V31eJBb4NvI\/AAAAAAAAMrs\/Vy7iyIcPM9A\/s640\/blogger-image--922021009.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-6Q8IKM-XZC8\/V31eJBb4NvI\/AAAAAAAAMrs\/Vy7iyIcPM9A\/s640\/blogger-image--922021009.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI don't know about profound but the designs certainly are cute and playful, here are some pictures from the book ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-s7ZRSRag7Bc\/V31eEAR1OlI\/AAAAAAAAMrU\/78GbfGmS-5E\/s640\/blogger-image-673564006.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-s7ZRSRag7Bc\/V31eEAR1OlI\/AAAAAAAAMrU\/78GbfGmS-5E\/s640\/blogger-image-673564006.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2n_onXG9CNU\/V31eHe8yubI\/AAAAAAAAMrk\/t625CalaOWA\/s640\/blogger-image--35901150.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2n_onXG9CNU\/V31eHe8yubI\/AAAAAAAAMrk\/t625CalaOWA\/s640\/blogger-image--35901150.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_oUCm6mQebw\/V31eIamAsKI\/AAAAAAAAMro\/s8283TPyqYE\/s640\/blogger-image-1860033007.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_oUCm6mQebw\/V31eIamAsKI\/AAAAAAAAMro\/s8283TPyqYE\/s640\/blogger-image-1860033007.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Dk7ZFSkv0o4\/V31eLnlXjTI\/AAAAAAAAMr4\/svxKRD82AVY\/s640\/blogger-image--1106536558.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Dk7ZFSkv0o4\/V31eLnlXjTI\/AAAAAAAAMr4\/svxKRD82AVY\/s640\/blogger-image--1106536558.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\"i love crochet\" has some great really simple projects, some with a nice little twist .... like this little beaded pencil-case,I'm love the envelope-style closure, and the beads make it so pretty ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2ixM7yvYoPI\/V31h5IzlyuI\/AAAAAAAAMsE\/ECske0OEWTs\/s640\/blogger-image-2001276184.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2ixM7yvYoPI\/V31h5IzlyuI\/AAAAAAAAMsE\/ECske0OEWTs\/s640\/blogger-image-2001276184.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E... And there's a section on edgings and how to use them .... for example on this denim skirt ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aWAw12CknxI\/V31h6DY2oFI\/AAAAAAAAMsI\/1U8nFNjdqmM\/s640\/blogger-image-1250362479.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aWAw12CknxI\/V31h6DY2oFI\/AAAAAAAAMsI\/1U8nFNjdqmM\/s640\/blogger-image-1250362479.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThere are also some really fun pages .... very silly :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dSkSlIoLB_A\/V31h7JqN95I\/AAAAAAAAMsM\/zCrgb68_QD8\/s640\/blogger-image--1182321202.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dSkSlIoLB_A\/V31h7JqN95I\/AAAAAAAAMsM\/zCrgb68_QD8\/s640\/blogger-image--1182321202.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOoooh yes and I nearly forgot, I bought this one - full-price from Amazon - on the recommendation of a friend, and oh boy it is a beauty.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UKNsIeIaY20\/V31l2JK37FI\/AAAAAAAAMso\/13dSm2cUQk4\/s640\/blogger-image--37044565.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UKNsIeIaY20\/V31l2JK37FI\/AAAAAAAAMso\/13dSm2cUQk4\/s640\/blogger-image--37044565.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI reeeeeeally want to make everything in it Right Now. just look at these gorgeous gorgeous projects ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8NKj4ytm8gQ\/V31l3N-mdoI\/AAAAAAAAMss\/rU0NBMSODQ4\/s640\/blogger-image--1852873035.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8NKj4ytm8gQ\/V31l3N-mdoI\/AAAAAAAAMss\/rU0NBMSODQ4\/s640\/blogger-image--1852873035.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wqbyYqZxssU\/V31l1KP-Q_I\/AAAAAAAAMsk\/ALP-xVTInt8\/s640\/blogger-image--1596783196.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wqbyYqZxssU\/V31l1KP-Q_I\/AAAAAAAAMsk\/ALP-xVTInt8\/s640\/blogger-image--1596783196.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Ez9M2VuJueY\/V31l0cYS3wI\/AAAAAAAAMsg\/NXWOxVzu7Yw\/s640\/blogger-image--673961000.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Ez9M2VuJueY\/V31l0cYS3wI\/AAAAAAAAMsg\/NXWOxVzu7Yw\/s640\/blogger-image--673961000.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uBM08qbLSV4\/V31l3_fEECI\/AAAAAAAAMsw\/LIDbeLj4ygE\/s640\/blogger-image--569750445.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uBM08qbLSV4\/V31l3_fEECI\/AAAAAAAAMsw\/LIDbeLj4ygE\/s640\/blogger-image--569750445.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Durjevx1Zhg\/V31lzV5x8PI\/AAAAAAAAMsc\/tqaDUCeAar0\/s640\/blogger-image-1405103433.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Durjevx1Zhg\/V31lzV5x8PI\/AAAAAAAAMsc\/tqaDUCeAar0\/s640\/blogger-image-1405103433.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJust totally swoonsome and gorgeous. Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. Did I mention they are all gorgeous ? Another book that's a joy to just sit and flick through with a nice cup of tea. Which is exactly what I'm going to do now :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETil next time,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJillxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3488100321725834827\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/07\/almost-there-and-new-books.html#comment-form","title":"24 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3488100321725834827"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3488100321725834827"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/07\/almost-there-and-new-books.html","title":"Almost There and New Books"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-t50M_f9Fsr0\/V31eFxNd0sI\/AAAAAAAAMrc\/K7S7GoC0GSA\/s72-c\/blogger-image-776766437.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"24"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2735230620400250019"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-26T18:15:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-26T18:23:25.196+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Blue and Green Granny Cushion"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EHello dear friends and readers - thankyou for popping by, and a big hello to my new readers and followers, I'm so glad you could join us :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EMy weekend has mostly been spent moving furniture around to accommodate the decorator who is painting most of the inside of our house. It was just too big a project for me to take on, as basically the whole thing needs doing - from some skimming on the ceilings, and covering some bare plasterwork on the walls, right down to painting radiators and repairing skirting boards. It has not escaped my notice that the paint we're using is called \"Endurance\". Very appropriate I feel.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Hrct04PoI7s\/V3ANlOzYPOI\/AAAAAAAAMjM\/Gx86xwpd8G4\/s640\/blogger-image-1288964082.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Hrct04PoI7s\/V3ANlOzYPOI\/AAAAAAAAMjM\/Gx86xwpd8G4\/s640\/blogger-image-1288964082.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIf you remember a short while ago I made a blanket for my Dad. He only had it a week before he passed away, but it's very special to me, and so my Mum let me have it back. I love the colours in it, plus it is a good match for my front room which is greens and blues, so I decided to make a granny square cushion cover to match the blanket.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Aqy3AZdvI3M\/V3ANh9PqhxI\/AAAAAAAAMis\/F_tuY1OFRtk\/s640\/blogger-image-1581919197.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Aqy3AZdvI3M\/V3ANh9PqhxI\/AAAAAAAAMis\/F_tuY1OFRtk\/s640\/blogger-image-1581919197.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIt's a very simple design using a traditional granny square with 4 rounds. Each side of the cushion is 5 squares by 5; I made 25 squares for the front and 25 for the back. I also made an extra 5 as a sort of envelope type flap enclosure. All the squares were joined using the join-as-you-go method, mainly to avoid dealing with all those pesky ends.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-plgQrZVtRRE\/V3ANjrQONoI\/AAAAAAAAMi8\/JQRsE9CUBtM\/s640\/blogger-image--692805893.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-plgQrZVtRRE\/V3ANjrQONoI\/AAAAAAAAMi8\/JQRsE9CUBtM\/s640\/blogger-image--692805893.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ETo fasten it closed I sewed on 5 buttons, one for each square of the flap - no button-hole needed, the button just slots through one of the gaps in each granny square. I messed about with loads of different combinations of buttons but in the end decided that the best solution was a button for each square to match the colour of the square - plus that way I didn't have to find 5 buttons that matched each other.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--cYauFaXE7k\/V3ANkfHefvI\/AAAAAAAAMjE\/0zf0WvH_c58\/s640\/blogger-image--885658670.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--cYauFaXE7k\/V3ANkfHefvI\/AAAAAAAAMjE\/0zf0WvH_c58\/s640\/blogger-image--885658670.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThere was talk of a lining at one point, however, seeing as I couldn't make up my mind whether to go with a green lining or a blue one, or even grey come to that, I just left it with no lining at all. What a rebel. The white you can see through the granny squares is just the cushion pad, and I think it looks great as it is :) The yarn is all Stylecraft Special DK (who doesn't love a bit of Stylecraft) in the following colours:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; Aster - \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EPistachio - \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EKelly Green -\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003ESage -\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003ELobelia -\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003ESilver\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-n8t-rZArjbY\/V3ANl4YBUvI\/AAAAAAAAMjU\/70ktLcljgUA\/s640\/blogger-image--1255592874.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-n8t-rZArjbY\/V3ANl4YBUvI\/AAAAAAAAMjU\/70ktLcljgUA\/s640\/blogger-image--1255592874.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESadly I rarely get to see my cushion - it's normally stuffed behind me on my seat on the sofa. Well, I couldn't let anyone else squash it, now could I.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EMy current project is a baby blanket for a friend who's just had her second little baby, a boy, no name yet that I know of, but so exciting, I can't wait to go for a cuddle (with the baby, not my friend). It's a really easy pattern, a bit like a circular ripple, if that makes sense. Here it is so far ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DCmrHFY5O8k\/V3ANij0TILI\/AAAAAAAAMi0\/LqQBpQTf_RE\/s640\/blogger-image-1011077386.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DCmrHFY5O8k\/V3ANij0TILI\/AAAAAAAAMi0\/LqQBpQTf_RE\/s640\/blogger-image-1011077386.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI am slightly worried that because its round my friend won't get that it's a blanket, and she'll think it's a mandala. Except she's not a crocheter, so she won't know to call it a mandala, she'll just think it's some weird giant doily. Oh well, I'm enjoying making it, so hey-ho. More details to follow when I've finished it.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EHope you've had a lovely weekend,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EJillxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Eps: I am not very political and I sit on the fence most of the time, but even I am shocked, dismayed and deeply saddened by the result of the UK's referendum last week. In case you've been living in a cave for the the last couple of days - the UK voted whether or not the vote to remain in the EU, and the result was a very narrow majority wishing to leave the EU. To me this is narrow-minded, short-sighted, and irresponsible. How anyone can think we are better off cutting ourselves off and trying to succeed in isolation, is beyond me. I believe we and our children belong in an inclusive society that embraces diversity. There's nothing else to say really 😞\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2735230620400250019\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/06\/blue-and-green-granny-cushion.html#comment-form","title":"19 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2735230620400250019"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2735230620400250019"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/06\/blue-and-green-granny-cushion.html","title":"Blue and Green Granny Cushion"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Hrct04PoI7s\/V3ANlOzYPOI\/AAAAAAAAMjM\/Gx86xwpd8G4\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1288964082.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"19"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-8712067452037860650"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-17T20:16:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-17T21:18:36.742+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Back Again"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003EI have literally no clue where the last 2 months went. I've missed you all, missed catching up on everyone's posts and projects, but at the same time I had just totally lost interest in everything. I haven't picked up a hook in weeks. I suppose dealing with the loss of my Dad this is to be expected, and I've tried to just sort of go with the flow and not put too much expectation on myself.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESince my last post I've been over to Norn Irn twice, once to help my Mum after she had an operation on her leg (she's fine, nothing to worry about), and then we all as a family went over for a week at half-term. It's still hard going over there and for my Dad to not be around, but we did manage some fun days out with the children, and with their cousins 😀😀 the weather was AmAzInG - blue skies, sunshine, not a drop of rain all week. Perfect.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHere's a few, ok a LOT, of photos from our trip ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ixYvxAnVezo\/V2RRsXqK5AI\/AAAAAAAAL-k\/tue7oLWaohk\/s640\/blogger-image-934255773.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ixYvxAnVezo\/V2RRsXqK5AI\/AAAAAAAAL-k\/tue7oLWaohk\/s640\/blogger-image-934255773.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-A05qg9awmt0\/V2RR19t2AMI\/AAAAAAAAL_4\/zDNL0h4IlPA\/s640\/blogger-image--1299995257.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-A05qg9awmt0\/V2RR19t2AMI\/AAAAAAAAL_4\/zDNL0h4IlPA\/s640\/blogger-image--1299995257.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-By7Po9bvMiE\/V2RRjt1oROI\/AAAAAAAAL9Y\/qoqZJDntWzU\/s640\/blogger-image-674291905.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-By7Po9bvMiE\/V2RRjt1oROI\/AAAAAAAAL9Y\/qoqZJDntWzU\/s640\/blogger-image-674291905.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-TRSRst1xDMM\/V2RRitDUzzI\/AAAAAAAAL9Q\/jugBWxeOSXc\/s640\/blogger-image-2095670782.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-TRSRst1xDMM\/V2RRitDUzzI\/AAAAAAAAL9Q\/jugBWxeOSXc\/s640\/blogger-image-2095670782.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UiNhog29atw\/V2RRhxBT7xI\/AAAAAAAAL9I\/3mJBhcxI3PQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1146652929.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UiNhog29atw\/V2RRhxBT7xI\/AAAAAAAAL9I\/3mJBhcxI3PQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1146652929.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OIqCaUfp2ZU\/V2RRrDwFPGI\/AAAAAAAAL-c\/nsk8YSZZquI\/s640\/blogger-image-683546785.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OIqCaUfp2ZU\/V2RRrDwFPGI\/AAAAAAAAL-c\/nsk8YSZZquI\/s640\/blogger-image-683546785.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QLaK4yXzgxY\/V2RRqSEoS6I\/AAAAAAAAL-U\/LNXRKW1mHps\/s640\/blogger-image--1370909269.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QLaK4yXzgxY\/V2RRqSEoS6I\/AAAAAAAAL-U\/LNXRKW1mHps\/s640\/blogger-image--1370909269.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aZXZBaLBUCw\/V2RRmDDUYBI\/AAAAAAAAL9s\/LE8qsgWXIJI\/s640\/blogger-image--240293670.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aZXZBaLBUCw\/V2RRmDDUYBI\/AAAAAAAAL9s\/LE8qsgWXIJI\/s640\/blogger-image--240293670.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-l0LhUkiuJX0\/V2RRzyFRxpI\/AAAAAAAAL_o\/syySJM0uU9g\/s640\/blogger-image-1990077817.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-l0LhUkiuJX0\/V2RRzyFRxpI\/AAAAAAAAL_o\/syySJM0uU9g\/s640\/blogger-image-1990077817.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-06bPtw4atPE\/V2RRnrHK_aI\/AAAAAAAAL94\/9ZFh2VIf-kQ\/s640\/blogger-image--733693718.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-06bPtw4atPE\/V2RRnrHK_aI\/AAAAAAAAL94\/9ZFh2VIf-kQ\/s640\/blogger-image--733693718.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Ixwmq100LPQ\/V2RRohZgvRI\/AAAAAAAAL-E\/rcQou9iPxKk\/s640\/blogger-image-55027599.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Ixwmq100LPQ\/V2RRohZgvRI\/AAAAAAAAL-E\/rcQou9iPxKk\/s640\/blogger-image-55027599.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hLt2OYS9o0I\/V2RRmyR_bqI\/AAAAAAAAL90\/_hPO4gYl3zc\/s640\/blogger-image--510167858.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hLt2OYS9o0I\/V2RRmyR_bqI\/AAAAAAAAL90\/_hPO4gYl3zc\/s640\/blogger-image--510167858.jpg\"  width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-TVolHnkDei4\/V2RR01fjwPI\/AAAAAAAAL_w\/0X6IoD2ctuY\/s640\/blogger-image--2139318584.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-TVolHnkDei4\/V2RR01fjwPI\/AAAAAAAAL_w\/0X6IoD2ctuY\/s640\/blogger-image--2139318584.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-JUnNzKMrhq4\/V2RRuwbAYDI\/AAAAAAAAL-8\/1yX3AqdipNA\/s640\/blogger-image--476081376.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-JUnNzKMrhq4\/V2RRuwbAYDI\/AAAAAAAAL-8\/1yX3AqdipNA\/s640\/blogger-image--476081376.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-SNf7gX9Tang\/V2RRxZ407lI\/AAAAAAAAL_U\/m-WQHD8B1vQ\/s640\/blogger-image--2119840238.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-SNf7gX9Tang\/V2RRxZ407lI\/AAAAAAAAL_U\/m-WQHD8B1vQ\/s640\/blogger-image--2119840238.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Na8sGGZvqqY\/V2RRzGfV3GI\/AAAAAAAAL_k\/8XyNJ9upTg0\/s640\/blogger-image--183028404.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Na8sGGZvqqY\/V2RRzGfV3GI\/AAAAAAAAL_k\/8XyNJ9upTg0\/s640\/blogger-image--183028404.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dj5XZ4d_Le8\/V2RRlAXC9YI\/AAAAAAAAL9k\/IHKVDXyiaYc\/s640\/blogger-image--1505263479.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dj5XZ4d_Le8\/V2RRlAXC9YI\/AAAAAAAAL9k\/IHKVDXyiaYc\/s640\/blogger-image--1505263479.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Tsx0OGnzUbw\/V2RRpW1S3WI\/AAAAAAAAL-I\/AvOplQcANYw\/s640\/blogger-image-2089115074.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Tsx0OGnzUbw\/V2RRpW1S3WI\/AAAAAAAAL-I\/AvOplQcANYw\/s640\/blogger-image-2089115074.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UJaJ8wKO94Y\/V2RRkXyIxOI\/AAAAAAAAL9g\/0HBG_-A0cKI\/s640\/blogger-image-1331424348.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UJaJ8wKO94Y\/V2RRkXyIxOI\/AAAAAAAAL9g\/0HBG_-A0cKI\/s640\/blogger-image-1331424348.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wmAzcifc1ME\/V2RRyGmzJTI\/AAAAAAAAL_c\/b6o3ziHNcFQ\/s640\/blogger-image-932383664.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wmAzcifc1ME\/V2RRyGmzJTI\/AAAAAAAAL_c\/b6o3ziHNcFQ\/s640\/blogger-image-932383664.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-L9Os1qCcw1E\/V2RRtF9a6HI\/AAAAAAAAL-s\/NZ5uQ7NED8c\/s640\/blogger-image-2129293240.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-L9Os1qCcw1E\/V2RRtF9a6HI\/AAAAAAAAL-s\/NZ5uQ7NED8c\/s640\/blogger-image-2129293240.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8KCPbSevYhw\/V2RRuGHGLzI\/AAAAAAAAL-0\/UzVamlwmaiM\/s640\/blogger-image--989274993.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8KCPbSevYhw\/V2RRuGHGLzI\/AAAAAAAAL-0\/UzVamlwmaiM\/s640\/blogger-image--989274993.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zLm08DdBA8k\/V2RRwkXOa4I\/AAAAAAAAL_M\/RAjffy2uqNE\/s640\/blogger-image--823258122.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zLm08DdBA8k\/V2RRwkXOa4I\/AAAAAAAAL_M\/RAjffy2uqNE\/s640\/blogger-image--823258122.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-V7T-zE_pnRY\/V2RRv0hL8yI\/AAAAAAAAL_E\/u4LwZhgVyeg\/s640\/blogger-image--215884380.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-V7T-zE_pnRY\/V2RRv0hL8yI\/AAAAAAAAL_E\/u4LwZhgVyeg\/s640\/blogger-image--215884380.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe've been back a couple of weeks and the house is in total disarray as we are having it decorated at the minute. I've really missed my crochet and have decided to pick up the hook again this weekend - just got to pick a project :) \u0026nbsp;I'll be back soon with hopefully with details of whatever I choose to work on, and definitely with some exciting yarn photos 😊\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETil then .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJill xxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8712067452037860650\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/06\/back-again-with-yarn-happiness.html#comment-form","title":"24 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8712067452037860650"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8712067452037860650"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/06\/back-again-with-yarn-happiness.html","title":"Back Again"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ixYvxAnVezo\/V2RRsXqK5AI\/AAAAAAAAL-k\/tue7oLWaohk\/s72-c\/blogger-image-934255773.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"24"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-9157632968770864598"},"published":{"$t":"2016-04-25T15:06:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-04-25T15:21:23.369+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Fleur and Fred"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uXp9g1Z5GpA\/Vx4kZBOV1wI\/AAAAAAAAK3Q\/lDlEqmzKb6Q\/s640\/blogger-image-2138434617.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uXp9g1Z5GpA\/Vx4kZBOV1wI\/AAAAAAAAK3Q\/lDlEqmzKb6Q\/s640\/blogger-image-2138434617.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELast week felt like one of those weeks that drags on and on and on. I've no idea why really, just one of those weeks. To cheer myself up a bit Little Miss and I sat down to some sewing on Saturday - more on that in a bit.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OC9UgeOhx40\/Vx4kQGfktxI\/AAAAAAAAK2c\/8470cQ6QNwQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1908884189.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OC9UgeOhx40\/Vx4kQGfktxI\/AAAAAAAAK2c\/8470cQ6QNwQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1908884189.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EYesterday was the London Marathon, which as you know I'd planned to run. However with my Dad's passing I just felt it would be too emotional and distressing so I've deferred to next year. Thanks for everyone's encouragement, and I hope to make you proud next year. I need to thank loads of you for the squares you've sent for my Autism Blanket, I have over 100 squares which is lovely, now I need to get joining them together.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EOn the subject of squares ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-USJaveDv7Sc\/Vx4kWzTRisI\/AAAAAAAAK3E\/sTJ6gqAxe2o\/s640\/blogger-image-1138540205.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-USJaveDv7Sc\/Vx4kWzTRisI\/AAAAAAAAK3E\/sTJ6gqAxe2o\/s640\/blogger-image-1138540205.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E.... I have a nice little pile waiting to be turned into a cushion cover ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QuZ-cxnwaDo\/Vx4kYcr-YyI\/AAAAAAAAK3M\/pRq1lgv1tHk\/s640\/blogger-image-1925433028.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QuZ-cxnwaDo\/Vx4kYcr-YyI\/AAAAAAAAK3M\/pRq1lgv1tHk\/s640\/blogger-image-1925433028.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E.... I did actually start joining them yesterday with a slip-stich join but my tension was obviously way off as they just wouldn't sit right. I knew there was a reason to join-as-you-go. So tonight I'll be ripping out the last half or so of each round and doing what I should have done in the first place.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UV3-Nk0Q7kM\/Vx4kbVUVegI\/AAAAAAAAK3Y\/OcqZAQcr-iM\/s640\/blogger-image--563638297.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UV3-Nk0Q7kM\/Vx4kbVUVegI\/AAAAAAAAK3Y\/OcqZAQcr-iM\/s640\/blogger-image--563638297.jpg\"width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EDoes anyone else get this .... when I decide to rip something back I find the ripping out is ok but the decision to get there is harder. So by the time I get to the ripping out its all fine as the decision has been made .... but the look of dismay and pity that hubby gives me is hilarious - he sits there with this look of utter horror and his hand over his mouth and says things like \"I can't bear it for you ....\" ... such a drama queen lol\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EI've also got some bunting in progress ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bNLsEvlOQSk\/Vx4kS-CTy6I\/AAAAAAAAK2s\/yUmnciXEYVI\/s640\/blogger-image--705224365.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bNLsEvlOQSk\/Vx4kS-CTy6I\/AAAAAAAAK2s\/yUmnciXEYVI\/s640\/blogger-image--705224365.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E.... to use up some aran wool gifted to me by a friend.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E.... and a bag that I started on the ferry on the way over to NIreland at Easter. I'd just heard about my Dad's death and I was a wreck, but I had to do something to pass the time on the boat so I just crocheted this yarn ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-FSnyDifRFno\/Vx4mTItrvYI\/AAAAAAAAK3w\/LxfCVSzxfVY\/s640\/blogger-image-657971880.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-FSnyDifRFno\/Vx4mTItrvYI\/AAAAAAAAK3w\/LxfCVSzxfVY\/s640\/blogger-image-657971880.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E.... into this granny square ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hKMxukMOEoM\/Vx4mR5ZBHSI\/AAAAAAAAK3o\/ug7l_U0cjo8\/s640\/blogger-image--285980695.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hKMxukMOEoM\/Vx4mR5ZBHSI\/AAAAAAAAK3o\/ug7l_U0cjo8\/s640\/blogger-image--285980695.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E.... which I'll turn into a bag at some point. It's this Sirdar Click yarn ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OiOarpTTI4k\/Vx4mSssNexI\/AAAAAAAAK3s\/F7V1bruI6pQ\/s640\/blogger-image--798819193.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OiOarpTTI4k\/Vx4mSssNexI\/AAAAAAAAK3s\/F7V1bruI6pQ\/s640\/blogger-image--798819193.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EI can't decide if it's gorgeous or if it just looks like someone's thrown up. I'm hoping a funky orange lining and maybe a flower will help.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EI mentioned ages ago about a couple of blankets I was making. These have rather taken a back seat, but all the squares for the green and yellow one are now done ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8S7NexASkVY\/Vx4kWAcZPaI\/AAAAAAAAK3A\/rIgYQ15_Zl0\/s640\/blogger-image--1745818723.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8S7NexASkVY\/Vx4kWAcZPaI\/AAAAAAAAK3A\/rIgYQ15_Zl0\/s640\/blogger-image--1745818723.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E.... they are big squares, a good eight inched square each. The photo above is rubbish, the colour of the green is much closer to this one ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-5VR-EA-BKdY\/Vx4kPXraTHI\/AAAAAAAAK2Y\/mNgUscYTRGM\/s640\/blogger-image-1545863997.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-5VR-EA-BKdY\/Vx4kPXraTHI\/AAAAAAAAK2Y\/mNgUscYTRGM\/s640\/blogger-image-1545863997.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E.... and I've started the pink ones ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tzCU-XoP7Rs\/Vx4kQv5VoQI\/AAAAAAAAK2g\/UwZOtOanmz4\/s640\/blogger-image--1744454453.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tzCU-XoP7Rs\/Vx4kQv5VoQI\/AAAAAAAAK2g\/UwZOtOanmz4\/s640\/blogger-image--1744454453.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E.... actually I had quite a few more done but then realised I'd done them with a bigger hook so yes it was more ripping back .... I thought hubby was going to cry .... !!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EAnyway back to the sewing that Little Miss and I did on Saturday. Ages ago I had bought this book ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-fuYQp7b4tSw\/Vx4kVSA84GI\/AAAAAAAAK28\/TicIUd-eIKU\/s640\/blogger-image--79029510.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-fuYQp7b4tSw\/Vx4kVSA84GI\/AAAAAAAAK28\/TicIUd-eIKU\/s640\/blogger-image--79029510.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E.... and I'd bought some groovy socks so we decided to make some sock toys. Little Miss made some tsum-tsums (no, I hadn't a clue either) - they are pronounced zoom-zooms and are these weird little blobs that have no arms or legs, just a head-body. I was going to take a photo but she's taken them to school I think.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EI decided to use a flowery sock and make this little lady...... meet Fleur the rabbit ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vB8DkNBpmyo\/Vx4kOjQPbiI\/AAAAAAAAK2U\/w2iA37XYRo8\/s640\/blogger-image--1913043261.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vB8DkNBpmyo\/Vx4kOjQPbiI\/AAAAAAAAK2U\/w2iA37XYRo8\/s640\/blogger-image--1913043261.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EShe has floppy ears and a flower in her ear ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PA7n9NYdv5o\/Vx4kcK00vaI\/AAAAAAAAK3c\/6jypSSvwwl4\/s640\/blogger-image-635777558.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PA7n9NYdv5o\/Vx4kcK00vaI\/AAAAAAAAK3c\/6jypSSvwwl4\/s640\/blogger-image-635777558.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E.... and a cute little tail ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_s8EKNohl4s\/Vx4kTUia7nI\/AAAAAAAAK2w\/Rp1s1bV6tok\/s640\/blogger-image-66334977.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_s8EKNohl4s\/Vx4kTUia7nI\/AAAAAAAAK2w\/Rp1s1bV6tok\/s640\/blogger-image-66334977.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E....but she was very lonely on her own ...\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bpmZLaLmask\/Vx4kXpDjV-I\/AAAAAAAAK3I\/Xqn2zWfJYT8\/s640\/blogger-image-1781980144.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bpmZLaLmask\/Vx4kXpDjV-I\/AAAAAAAAK3I\/Xqn2zWfJYT8\/s640\/blogger-image-1781980144.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E.... so I used a stripey pair of socks to make her a friend .... Fred the zebra ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2bV_D6fLdpM\/Vx4kUBIY5_I\/AAAAAAAAK20\/qnT5geHkzOM\/s640\/blogger-image-1658994546.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2bV_D6fLdpM\/Vx4kUBIY5_I\/AAAAAAAAK20\/qnT5geHkzOM\/s640\/blogger-image-1658994546.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EFred has some very smart buttons and a bow-tie ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-iVoQDVMEYxs\/Vx4kaX9ugQI\/AAAAAAAAK3U\/6wbVua3KwLk\/s640\/blogger-image-1759413016.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-iVoQDVMEYxs\/Vx4kaX9ugQI\/AAAAAAAAK3U\/6wbVua3KwLk\/s640\/blogger-image-1759413016.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E.... and a fluffy blue mane ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-TNLR6u_C6dA\/Vx4kRVMIkrI\/AAAAAAAAK2k\/m2yG7yzrdt8\/s640\/blogger-image-264079212.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-TNLR6u_C6dA\/Vx4kRVMIkrI\/AAAAAAAAK2k\/m2yG7yzrdt8\/s640\/blogger-image-264079212.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EDon't they look sweet together ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-C37dQFNsFQs\/Vx4kSONGBeI\/AAAAAAAAK2o\/RTD-5a9AfHA\/s640\/blogger-image-391436943.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-C37dQFNsFQs\/Vx4kSONGBeI\/AAAAAAAAK2o\/RTD-5a9AfHA\/s640\/blogger-image-391436943.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2_wbn_-86n4\/Vx4kU4X9dwI\/AAAAAAAAK24\/UJkam6v2skk\/s640\/blogger-image-1196642107.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2_wbn_-86n4\/Vx4kU4X9dwI\/AAAAAAAAK24\/UJkam6v2skk\/s640\/blogger-image-1196642107.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003ETil next time folks,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EJill\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EXxxx\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/9157632968770864598\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/fleur-and-fred.html#comment-form","title":"20 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/9157632968770864598"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/9157632968770864598"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/fleur-and-fred.html","title":"Fleur and Fred"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uXp9g1Z5GpA\/Vx4kZBOV1wI\/AAAAAAAAK3Q\/lDlEqmzKb6Q\/s72-c\/blogger-image-2138434617.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"20"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1951695721119164181"},"published":{"$t":"2016-04-13T20:17:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-04-13T21:11:53.480+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Dad's Blanket"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello lovely readers and friends :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm \"jetting\" off to Norn Irn again tomorrow. Friday would have been my Mum and Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary, their Golden Wedding Anniversary. My brother (who lives over there) and I are taking Mum out for lunch, not sure where we'll go after as Mum is waiting for a leg operation and can't walk that far otherwise a nice National Trust stroll might have been in order. \u0026nbsp;I'm fortunate that it's only just over an hour away by plane, and hubby has been fantastic in looking after the school runs and things during all the trips I've made over there.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XK6BarberbU\/Vw6bTwHS-XI\/AAAAAAAAK1A\/UkifaZw_Fgs\/s640\/blogger-image--941935001.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XK6BarberbU\/Vw6bTwHS-XI\/AAAAAAAAK1A\/UkifaZw_Fgs\/s640\/blogger-image--941935001.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnyway I thought I'd do a brief post tonight to waffle on a bit about the blanket that I made for my Dad before he passed away.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-sNIOoM89ymU\/Vw6bX2-sVkI\/AAAAAAAAK1Q\/MiKbV7H4_yU\/s640\/blogger-image-1162359715.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-sNIOoM89ymU\/Vw6bX2-sVkI\/AAAAAAAAK1Q\/MiKbV7H4_yU\/s640\/blogger-image-1162359715.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI wanted to make a blanket that was sort of a bit bigger than lap-sized, I wanted it to be portable so that Dad could take it to his chemo sessions. It's probably about 1m x 1.5m in size, and is made with Stylecraft Special DK. It's my favourite yarn without a doubt, soft and snuggly whilst being practical and budget-friendly.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-cwOYAgFSnHg\/Vw6bTC-EhSI\/AAAAAAAAK08\/nCbFTooO268\/s640\/blogger-image-157446481.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-cwOYAgFSnHg\/Vw6bTC-EhSI\/AAAAAAAAK08\/nCbFTooO268\/s640\/blogger-image-157446481.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELittle Tomboy and I went to my local woolshop (www.stitcherydo.co.uk) to choose colours, and inspired by a friend's blanket we chose the following:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;White * Pistachio\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;* Kelly green * Sage * Aster * Lobelia *\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EGraphite * Silver\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GaqQuw5wwpI\/Vw6bQzvOlHI\/AAAAAAAAK00\/0NGo3MuurY8\/s640\/blogger-image-1995981344.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GaqQuw5wwpI\/Vw6bQzvOlHI\/AAAAAAAAK00\/0NGo3MuurY8\/s640\/blogger-image-1995981344.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI used my favourite pattern too, it's the \"Wave\" stitch shown below ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1dazpapB7G4\/Vw6gGwVznXI\/AAAAAAAAK1k\/qrv484ewvQQ\/s640\/blogger-image--851114526.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1dazpapB7G4\/Vw6gGwVznXI\/AAAAAAAAK1k\/qrv484ewvQQ\/s640\/blogger-image--851114526.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... from the \"Mollie Makes Crochet\" book (\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Mollie-Makes-Techniques-Exclusive-Projects\/dp\/1908449209) ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-W28bslazBRs\/Vw6gHytBI7I\/AAAAAAAAK1o\/hx_gXgzAUfA\/s640\/blogger-image-28800558.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-W28bslazBRs\/Vw6gHytBI7I\/AAAAAAAAK1o\/hx_gXgzAUfA\/s640\/blogger-image-28800558.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI think it's the same as, or certainly very similar to Lucy Attic24's Neat Ripple pattern that is widely used - and Lucy has a great tutorial on her blog here (http:\/\/attic24.typepad.com\/weblog\/neat-ripple-pattern.html).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WqbITDBdgZ0\/Vw6bU0555sI\/AAAAAAAAK1E\/47_0hB4C36k\/s640\/blogger-image-508949240.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WqbITDBdgZ0\/Vw6bU0555sI\/AAAAAAAAK1E\/47_0hB4C36k\/s640\/blogger-image-508949240.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI crocheted two rows of each colour, working back and forth, turning at the end of each row. It's a very soothing pattern, and a brilliant one for watching telly to! That is to say, it needs a fairly low amount of concentration - which is probably why I like it so much. I used this pattern before when I made a blanket for baby Sofia. I've just gone to find where I posted about Sofia's blanket and realised I never did a post on it! One for next week then !! And as I think I mentioned before I'm next going to make one for my Mum. She loved this one that I made for Dad, but understands how special it is to me.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-RJ9ak-N8964\/Vw6bSFmujGI\/AAAAAAAAK04\/OxbMzWvfnSo\/s640\/blogger-image--832675215.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-RJ9ak-N8964\/Vw6bSFmujGI\/AAAAAAAAK04\/OxbMzWvfnSo\/s640\/blogger-image--832675215.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFor the border I worked one round of half-trebles of each of graphite, silver and lobelia ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8c5duNYzEGw\/Vw6gFg8xibI\/AAAAAAAAK1g\/7ynNWuixyAs\/s640\/blogger-image-1634759687.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8c5duNYzEGw\/Vw6gFg8xibI\/AAAAAAAAK1g\/7ynNWuixyAs\/s640\/blogger-image-1634759687.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI probably should have incorporated increases and decreases into the borders along the wavy ends but I forgot and then couldn't face redoing it !!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-reOvS4NyU28\/Vw6bYubUBdI\/AAAAAAAAK1U\/9g0RorkgzQk\/s640\/blogger-image--1250589415.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-reOvS4NyU28\/Vw6bYubUBdI\/AAAAAAAAK1U\/9g0RorkgzQk\/s640\/blogger-image--1250589415.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd it certainly doesn't affect the snuggle-factor :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-m0P1afXNwB0\/Vw6bW7PwYWI\/AAAAAAAAK1M\/cKJwwqQJ5kU\/s640\/blogger-image--1605144748.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-m0P1afXNwB0\/Vw6bW7PwYWI\/AAAAAAAAK1M\/cKJwwqQJ5kU\/s640\/blogger-image--1605144748.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd to finish, who can resist a \"Swiss-roll\" blanket photo ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-iXecDvqPjLI\/Vw6bV3XTV4I\/AAAAAAAAK1I\/Q8RY5dROxpY\/s640\/blogger-image-601492616.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-iXecDvqPjLI\/Vw6bV3XTV4I\/AAAAAAAAK1I\/Q8RY5dROxpY\/s640\/blogger-image-601492616.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELove and hugs to you all,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJill\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1951695721119164181\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/dad-blanket.html#comment-form","title":"24 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1951695721119164181"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1951695721119164181"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/dad-blanket.html","title":"Dad\u0026#39;s Blanket"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XK6BarberbU\/Vw6bTwHS-XI\/AAAAAAAAK1A\/UkifaZw_Fgs\/s72-c\/blogger-image--941935001.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"24"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-9221273078104978548"},"published":{"$t":"2016-04-11T13:18:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-04-11T14:33:36.599+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A bit of a holiday"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7l_xPc0guMA\/VwumQ1ZyukI\/AAAAAAAAK0c\/e6NRkoTH3mc\/s640\/blogger-image--185312701.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7l_xPc0guMA\/VwumQ1ZyukI\/AAAAAAAAK0c\/e6NRkoTH3mc\/s640\/blogger-image--185312701.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHello dear friends and readers,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThankyou so much for all your kind and thoughtful replies on my last post. It really does help to know that people are keeping me in their thoughts and prayers.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Ex5HlMzPxoE\/VwumP13T2XI\/AAAAAAAAK0Y\/yd9uVnRW4jg\/s640\/blogger-image-2058394217.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Ex5HlMzPxoE\/VwumP13T2XI\/AAAAAAAAK0Y\/yd9uVnRW4jg\/s640\/blogger-image-2058394217.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EWe had planned 2 weeks in N Ireland over Easter and we were all ready to go when we got the news that my Dad had passed away. As we were all packed we travelled over as planned but what should have been a holiday obviously really wasn't that at all. Mostly I was with my Mum and my brother arranging the funeral and so forth, while hubby entertained the kids - i.e. they watched DVDs and played on their iPads. We did manage a few days out though, and I thought I'd share some photos with you....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2_NQrLhSV5Q\/VwuWANEEvQI\/AAAAAAAAKzI\/Xemx6mu16ek\/s640\/blogger-image-1027652076.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2_NQrLhSV5Q\/VwuWANEEvQI\/AAAAAAAAKzI\/Xemx6mu16ek\/s640\/blogger-image-1027652076.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFirst though I have some rather exciting news. Can't remember if I mentioned this before but after years of dithering we took the massive (and expensive!) step of buying a holiday home in N.Ireland. It's in a really small town quite close to my Mum's house, and our plan was always to go over loads in the holidays and see a bit more of my Mum and Dad. I'm really sad that my Dad never got to see us in the house, but at least now we have it so I can go over to be with Mum a bit more. Its a new-build, we had no intention of buying a new-build - but we saw it (well, we saw the show house anyway!) and fell in love with the location. The houses are on the edge of the small town Donaghadee which is on the coast. It's approached by a country road and takes about 7 minutes drive from my Mum's. There is a wonderful garden centre with fabulous cafe and gift-shop near our house, and in the town itself there are not 1 but 2 ice-cream shops! What more could you want!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-B4X_UxuuN1M\/VwuiRiSYEcI\/AAAAAAAAKzc\/vpgs9BOy2Hc\/s640\/blogger-image--544586078.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-B4X_UxuuN1M\/VwuiRiSYEcI\/AAAAAAAAKzc\/vpgs9BOy2Hc\/s640\/blogger-image--544586078.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EDonaghadee is home to Ireland's oldest pub Grace Neill's (www.graceneills.com) which dates back to the 1600's, and there is a fab family restaurant called Pier36 which we've been to many times in the past with my folks. We didn't manage it this time but there'll be plenty more visits I'm sure 😀 Pier36 is the cream coloured building 2 along from the bright yellow one below. The bright yellow one is a new one opened by the same owners as Pier36 - but they don't allow children in! At all! I don't think we'll be frequenting there much!!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-atHeMGpNBMc\/VwuiW1wtwzI\/AAAAAAAAKz0\/VuIly7Ld5Cs\/s640\/blogger-image-444439557.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-atHeMGpNBMc\/VwuiW1wtwzI\/AAAAAAAAKz0\/VuIly7Ld5Cs\/s640\/blogger-image-444439557.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe houses along the sea-front are all postcard pretty. Honestly you feel like you're in an episode of a children's TV programme (remember Balamory any CBeebies Mums out there ?!)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wKNA3JiJkVk\/VwuiVHTztgI\/AAAAAAAAKzs\/eRlBZ1owaxo\/s640\/blogger-image-332660574.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wKNA3JiJkVk\/VwuiVHTztgI\/AAAAAAAAKzs\/eRlBZ1owaxo\/s640\/blogger-image-332660574.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EOn the right hand side of this photo below you can see the bunting which was hung all along the se front and boy was it whipping in the wind!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-g74n-BrJd2o\/VwuiX9ayTOI\/AAAAAAAAKz4\/jeO8vKA_oFc\/s640\/blogger-image--567549516.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-g74n-BrJd2o\/VwuiX9ayTOI\/AAAAAAAAKz4\/jeO8vKA_oFc\/s640\/blogger-image--567549516.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EThere's a lovely promenade, and on a clear day you can see all the way over the Irish Sea to Scotland, as Donaghadee is the most easterly point in N.Ireland.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-u1qsGNTAnXQ\/VwuiTUozWqI\/AAAAAAAAKzk\/n9uV2vmirhI\/s640\/blogger-image--478529571.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-u1qsGNTAnXQ\/VwuiTUozWqI\/AAAAAAAAKzk\/n9uV2vmirhI\/s640\/blogger-image--478529571.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EDonaghadee is also famed for it's lighthouse, we didn't walk right out to it but I did manage to get a couple of pics.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-z0JcKNd5t6E\/VwuiQ0LxI7I\/AAAAAAAAKzY\/iOZQ67v5U8Y\/s640\/blogger-image--1946535741.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-z0JcKNd5t6E\/VwuiQ0LxI7I\/AAAAAAAAKzY\/iOZQ67v5U8Y\/s640\/blogger-image--1946535741.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI especially like this photo below showing the harbour and the opening to the Irish Sea.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HEapoNIHJlY\/VwuiYhlOQGI\/AAAAAAAAKz8\/FmvdNYw4QVc\/s640\/blogger-image--1483089233.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HEapoNIHJlY\/VwuiYhlOQGI\/AAAAAAAAKz8\/FmvdNYw4QVc\/s640\/blogger-image--1483089233.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and this one looking back across to the promenade, so pretty ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wpgdWg5KdRs\/VwuiUSFlpWI\/AAAAAAAAKzo\/7RxgCk1s0-M\/s640\/blogger-image--1933787217.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wpgdWg5KdRs\/VwuiUSFlpWI\/AAAAAAAAKzo\/7RxgCk1s0-M\/s640\/blogger-image--1933787217.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThere is even a castle! I've visited Donagahadee many many many times as a child but I never knew there was a castle til this time! One to investigate on another visit 😃\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KOyCKMGqsjw\/VwuiVxhLCMI\/AAAAAAAAKzw\/1UTcRbQIzhc\/s640\/blogger-image--722510030.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KOyCKMGqsjw\/VwuiVxhLCMI\/AAAAAAAAKzw\/1UTcRbQIzhc\/s640\/blogger-image--722510030.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAs our house is new, everything in it is new too! The hubby does not go in for vintage or antique or rustic even, so I'm afraid everything is from a certain Swedish furniture chain! I've managed to sneak in a few cushions and pretty things though, and next visit hubby can't come due to work, so it will just be me and the Little Peeps, I have my eye on a couple of charity shops and he'll be none the wiser ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIn the meantime though here are a few wee pics of the \"nice\" things ......\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E....lovely muted colours in this cushion cover ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CTEbHj8xCB8\/VwuV_Q25ieI\/AAAAAAAAKzE\/0-2dZbR_KLo\/s640\/blogger-image--2013704164.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CTEbHj8xCB8\/VwuV_Q25ieI\/AAAAAAAAKzE\/0-2dZbR_KLo\/s640\/blogger-image--2013704164.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... delicious apple scented candle, next to swedish (fake - so it won't die lol) house pant, I rather liked the little bamboo-ish pot ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-cH16jVIhucI\/VwuV58hWORI\/AAAAAAAAKys\/ZJcwxu7p30Q\/s640\/blogger-image--1101566179.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-cH16jVIhucI\/VwuV58hWORI\/AAAAAAAAKys\/ZJcwxu7p30Q\/s640\/blogger-image--1101566179.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... we got some lovely new home cards from family, but my favourite is this one that my hubby bought for me ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Rh6j2zgLlb0\/VwuV9h1ov0I\/AAAAAAAAKy8\/7uU3eeKih70\/s640\/blogger-image--456790283.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Rh6j2zgLlb0\/VwuV9h1ov0I\/AAAAAAAAKy8\/7uU3eeKih70\/s640\/blogger-image--456790283.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... my brother and sister-in-law gave us this lovely print of the Donaghadee lighthouse ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-smauCtxov-I\/VwuV6hVL12I\/AAAAAAAAKyw\/QRGpMuVQFkA\/s640\/blogger-image--163580174.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-smauCtxov-I\/VwuV6hVL12I\/AAAAAAAAKyw\/QRGpMuVQFkA\/s640\/blogger-image--163580174.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and another lovely candle ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-t8OqHC35zY0\/VwuV5CLubCI\/AAAAAAAAKyo\/HcXDalid2FA\/s640\/blogger-image--1098942580.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-t8OqHC35zY0\/VwuV5CLubCI\/AAAAAAAAKyo\/HcXDalid2FA\/s640\/blogger-image--1098942580.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... in the kitchen everything is quite plain. It do you like my Orla Kiely-esque tea caddy ? I just loved the colours ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-phyoJwWNEGs\/VwuV-fhJxNI\/AAAAAAAAKzA\/UlOjw4X39lk\/s640\/blogger-image-1367328728.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-phyoJwWNEGs\/VwuV-fhJxNI\/AAAAAAAAKzA\/UlOjw4X39lk\/s640\/blogger-image-1367328728.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and some lovely pussy-willow that was in a little bouquet that some friends gave me. I'm hoping it will dry nicely and just be perfect forever .... doesn't it look gorgeous laying in the sunlight ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-LYOcqc7Tbvg\/Vwuj_Ad8OWI\/AAAAAAAAK0I\/8cZrf92tZ9g\/s640\/blogger-image--978166204.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-LYOcqc7Tbvg\/Vwuj_Ad8OWI\/AAAAAAAAK0I\/8cZrf92tZ9g\/s640\/blogger-image--978166204.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EMy cousin also gave me this enjoy the little things\" china heart, so sweet ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-en5AUdWvKrE\/VwumPNnFHQI\/AAAAAAAAK0U\/iiKY0UyXFMY\/s640\/blogger-image-1943918222.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-en5AUdWvKrE\/VwumPNnFHQI\/AAAAAAAAK0U\/iiKY0UyXFMY\/s640\/blogger-image-1943918222.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EAnd of course I have to have a crochet project on the go in our holiday house - I bought, and had delivered straight to Donaghadee, Lucy from Attic24's Coastal Ripple pack. I'm doing the ripple blanket exactly to her pattern, after all who wants to be having angst about stripe sequence on holiday when someone has already done the hard work for you!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qkAo2FkIfzI\/VwuV8s-DoVI\/AAAAAAAAKy4\/xxCMDW2MyKo\/s640\/blogger-image-217204812.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qkAo2FkIfzI\/VwuV8s-DoVI\/AAAAAAAAKy4\/xxCMDW2MyKo\/s640\/blogger-image-217204812.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI didn't have a lot of crocheting time but managed a few stripes 😊\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIt's time to go and fetch the Little Peeps from school, so I shall say goodbye for now, wishing you love and hugs,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJillxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/9221273078104978548\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/a-bit-of-holiday.html#comment-form","title":"23 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/9221273078104978548"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/9221273078104978548"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/a-bit-of-holiday.html","title":"A bit of a holiday"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7l_xPc0guMA\/VwumQ1ZyukI\/AAAAAAAAK0c\/e6NRkoTH3mc\/s72-c\/blogger-image--185312701.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"23"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-3251787464091500820"},"published":{"$t":"2016-04-05T17:38:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-04-05T18:05:02.384+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Sadness"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XDwlu8XqNlE\/VwPvc2trP5I\/AAAAAAAAKxw\/D6o2aPFLI0E\/s640\/blogger-image-545683262.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XDwlu8XqNlE\/VwPvc2trP5I\/AAAAAAAAKxw\/D6o2aPFLI0E\/s640\/blogger-image-545683262.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI've been absent for a while. In early February my Dad was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, and we were told if he had chemotherapy that he had 18 months to live. He had his first chemo session on Wednesday 16th March, but 3 days later was very ill and was taken into hospital. It was hoped he'd only be in hospital for a few days and be home within the week. Sadly this was not to be - he went downhill very quickly and passed away peacefully on March 24th. We had his funeral yesterday.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy Dad was an amazing man, he suffered a lot with a neurological condition for 30 years which had caused him immense pain every day. Later he was in hospital for 6 months with lung problems, and in the last 2 year he had had prostate cancer which left his with a catheter permanently, and then he had skin cancer. In all that time I never ever heard him complain. Not once. He never let any of this get in the way of leading a full life, and indeed until November he was golfing three times a week. He always had a joke and a smile, and was simply adored by everyone who knew him.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-fYTGo2PFOVQ\/VwPvetE6_tI\/AAAAAAAAKx0\/N5G-deBI8Yk\/s640\/blogger-image--510134317.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-fYTGo2PFOVQ\/VwPvetE6_tI\/AAAAAAAAKx0\/N5G-deBI8Yk\/s640\/blogger-image--510134317.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFortunately I had been able to fly over to NIreland to see my folks on 3 separate times in Feb and March, as I had a bad feeling about the cancer. I made my Dad a chemo blanket and am so glad I was able to give it to him while he was still here.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm absolutely devastated. There are no words to express the feelings of loss and grief. I can't believe he isn't here any more. It doesn't seem possible that he's gone.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EDad - you were, and remain, my hero, you were a wonderful person and I will miss you more than words can ever say xxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3251787464091500820\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/sadness.html#comment-form","title":"41 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3251787464091500820"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3251787464091500820"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/04\/sadness.html","title":"Sadness"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XDwlu8XqNlE\/VwPvc2trP5I\/AAAAAAAAKxw\/D6o2aPFLI0E\/s72-c\/blogger-image-545683262.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"41"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1255569641903629071"},"published":{"$t":"2016-02-06T18:54:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-02-06T19:31:11.360+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Autism Project"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Many of you will know two things about me:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E1. My son has autism\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E2. I am running the London Marathon (OMG) in April to raise money for the National Autistic Society (www.autism.org.uk)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI've had to think up lots of fundraising ideas, and my latest one is one of my favourites as it involves crochet. My plan is to get people (including you lot hopefully) to sponsor me actual money and also to crochet some squares for me. Yes, I'm getting people to pay me AND crochet for me - hopefully they will see it as paying to be part of a fun and worthy project :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-eg6fnCkfyy8\/VrZJnmJ_nUI\/AAAAAAAAKrM\/6cCU1rQ81r4\/s640\/blogger-image--814116107.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-eg6fnCkfyy8\/VrZJnmJ_nUI\/AAAAAAAAKrM\/6cCU1rQ81r4\/s640\/blogger-image--814116107.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'll somehow gather up all the squares and join them together into some kind of banner (like that above) which I'm then planning to donate to our local autism school in April. It ties in well with the timing of World Autism Awareness Week (http:\/\/www.autism.org.uk\/get-involved\/world-autism-awareness-week.aspx) too.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI posted about this in a couple of Facebook groups this morning, and already there are people making squares for me - how fantastic! These are some of the photos they've posted so far ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hXQP34vMpnA\/VrZB9EoFkQI\/AAAAAAAAKow\/XngG7_SsEjw\/s640\/blogger-image-1230558226.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hXQP34vMpnA\/VrZB9EoFkQI\/AAAAAAAAKow\/XngG7_SsEjw\/s640\/blogger-image-1230558226.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Lelgk8tPZB0\/VrZJoS8S0RI\/AAAAAAAAKrQ\/sCyHPqCbtNk\/s640\/blogger-image--181719942.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Lelgk8tPZB0\/VrZJoS8S0RI\/AAAAAAAAKrQ\/sCyHPqCbtNk\/s640\/blogger-image--181719942.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-JVal5e_pZHI\/VrZB-vAbHSI\/AAAAAAAAKo4\/n8P8oqxnhro\/s640\/blogger-image--881355348.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-JVal5e_pZHI\/VrZB-vAbHSI\/AAAAAAAAKo4\/n8P8oqxnhro\/s640\/blogger-image--881355348.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3pM4O4F0wA8\/VrZB_4YxZ_I\/AAAAAAAAKpA\/uyaJWoXbHJw\/s640\/blogger-image--1488306510.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3pM4O4F0wA8\/VrZB_4YxZ_I\/AAAAAAAAKpA\/uyaJWoXbHJw\/s640\/blogger-image--1488306510.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd here are a few I rustled up this morning .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-l0YNJqjGx3E\/VrZB9-XFDII\/AAAAAAAAKo0\/NeT3ngzpIkE\/s640\/blogger-image-1443557919.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-l0YNJqjGx3E\/VrZB9-XFDII\/AAAAAAAAKo0\/NeT3ngzpIkE\/s640\/blogger-image-1443557919.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI am reeeeeeeaaaaaaally hoping to turn this into an international project, and it would be totally awesome if some of you, my lovely readers, whether at home here in the UK, or overseas, could crochet me some squares and also sponsor me. I am more than happy to bear the cost of postage, we would need to work that bit out, but it really would be fabulous to have a project that is truly global.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIf you're interested (and I really really really hope you are!) here are the details:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- squares need to be roughly 3 inches by 3 inches (7.5 cm x 7.5 cm)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- you can use any pattern, solid granny, standard granny, rows, anything.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- each square needs to be one colour of green, yellow, red or blue. Any shade. But please feel free to make several squares of each colour if the fancy takes you!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- ideally I'd need the squares by March 17th (St Patrick's Day, easy to remember!)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- I'll email anyone who is interested my postal address\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- I'm happy to reimburse for postage\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- and the important bit - you can sponsor me at www.virginmoneygiving.com\/jilldavidson\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI don't really like asking people for money but the National Autistic Society is an amazing charity providing support, information, advice and training for families, like mine, who are affected by autism. Since our son's diagnosis we have turned to them for help,so many times, and the training course we attended, provided by the NAS was literally life-changing.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIf you're not sure how this project will work please feel free to ask questions, and I really hope some of you will participate :)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESo - are you in???!!!?? Hope so!!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMany heartfelt thanks for reading :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJillxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1255569641903629071\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/02\/the-autism-project.html#comment-form","title":"29 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1255569641903629071"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1255569641903629071"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/02\/the-autism-project.html","title":"The Autism Project"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-eg6fnCkfyy8\/VrZJnmJ_nUI\/AAAAAAAAKrM\/6cCU1rQ81r4\/s72-c\/blogger-image--814116107.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"29"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-193684265412103566"},"published":{"$t":"2016-02-01T19:33:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-02-01T19:56:29.477+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Sunlit Sunday : 2016, Week 2"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Just a few things that made me smile this weekend .....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥ beautiful carnations on my coffee table\u0026nbsp;♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_nnc6V33W_4\/Vq-2lj3tH6I\/AAAAAAAAKlA\/7TbxDc9MuEo\/s640\/blogger-image-1797114942.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_nnc6V33W_4\/Vq-2lj3tH6I\/AAAAAAAAKlA\/7TbxDc9MuEo\/s640\/blogger-image-1797114942.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥ big green squares finished - 18 of them - starting yellow now\u0026nbsp;♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit=550-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uNV3gHpQqv4\/Vq-2qGTOgVI\/AAAAAAAAKlc\/Av8kuM041nw\/s640\/blogger-image--222320840.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uNV3gHpQqv4\/Vq-2qGTOgVI\/AAAAAAAAKlc\/Av8kuM041nw\/s640\/blogger-image--222320840.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥ new magazines, and yes one of them is knitting! Shocker!\u0026nbsp;♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DXA0eL7HVZE\/Vq-2kd61sdI\/AAAAAAAAKk4\/viv4Pq27mV8\/s640\/blogger-image-243650054.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DXA0eL7HVZE\/Vq-2kd61sdI\/AAAAAAAAKk4\/viv4Pq27mV8\/s640\/blogger-image-243650054.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥ needle minders arrived in the post\u0026nbsp;♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aBu1Cot709A\/Vq-2rD4LQlI\/AAAAAAAAKlo\/4Zui9hBgVOg\/s640\/blogger-image--605139473.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aBu1Cot709A\/Vq-2rD4LQlI\/AAAAAAAAKlo\/4Zui9hBgVOg\/s640\/blogger-image--605139473.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥ aaaaaalmost finished January motif of magical creatures stitch-a-long\u0026nbsp;♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KfRupccr-44\/Vq-2rw67ntI\/AAAAAAAAKlw\/0XvEEyS8PgA\/s640\/blogger-image-1472441218.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KfRupccr-44\/Vq-2rw67ntI\/AAAAAAAAKlw\/0XvEEyS8PgA\/s640\/blogger-image-1472441218.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥ my spring vase cosies are back out\u0026nbsp;♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-5aOblF4rlFY\/Vq-2nqs-uRI\/AAAAAAAAKlQ\/57bonJiVh0E\/s640\/blogger-image--1178115647.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-5aOblF4rlFY\/Vq-2nqs-uRI\/AAAAAAAAKlQ\/57bonJiVh0E\/s640\/blogger-image--1178115647.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥ next cross-stitch pattern - for hubby for Valentine's Day\u0026nbsp;♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-MXtvtj-DiOw\/Vq-2olO3xyI\/AAAAAAAAKlY\/shXgmmxl-pw\/s640\/blogger-image--1966924093.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-MXtvtj-DiOw\/Vq-2olO3xyI\/AAAAAAAAKlY\/shXgmmxl-pw\/s640\/blogger-image--1966924093.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥ book (which I didn't get) from my Christmas list, on offer at the Works\u0026nbsp;♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4FQAxXGTmj4\/Vq-2mjrk7VI\/AAAAAAAAKlI\/hV43UozI3q0\/s640\/blogger-image--667897835.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4FQAxXGTmj4\/Vq-2mjrk7VI\/AAAAAAAAKlI\/hV43UozI3q0\/s640\/blogger-image--667897835.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EHope you found some sunny moments in your Sunday\u0026nbsp;♥♥♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EJillxx\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/193684265412103566\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/02\/sunlit-sunday-2016-week-2.html#comment-form","title":"16 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/193684265412103566"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/193684265412103566"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/02\/sunlit-sunday-2016-week-2.html","title":"Sunlit Sunday : 2016, Week 2"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_nnc6V33W_4\/Vq-2lj3tH6I\/AAAAAAAAKlA\/7TbxDc9MuEo\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1797114942.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"16"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-7475488078771070204"},"published":{"$t":"2016-01-26T19:02:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-01-26T20:14:26.023+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Embroidery Grime Guard"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear readers! Yes you are reading the right blog, yes I am writing my 4th post in as many days, what's going on?!! I have no idea!!!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnyway, in between crochet stuff I like to cross-stitch, and I'm working on several cross-stitch projects at once (no surprises there eh ?!), but my largest one is a year long calendar stitch-a-long. I'm on a Facebook page of other people doing the same one and noticed loads of them have these cool covers to cover the edges of their work, where you hold it, to stop it getting all grubby - they are called grime guards. So of course I had no choice but to make one for myself.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI had this fabric in my stash which seemed perfect for the task ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-TxkjWq4mwP8\/VqfFVmxGJBI\/AAAAAAAAKiE\/mhmlA2-M2jY\/s640\/blogger-image--10081173.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-TxkjWq4mwP8\/VqfFVmxGJBI\/AAAAAAAAKiE\/mhmlA2-M2jY\/s640\/blogger-image--10081173.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETo hold my cross-stitch when it's a large piece of material, I use q-snaps instead of a hoop. Makes your hand cramp up less than a large hoop, although slightly more fiddly to move around your work. But I do like it for the larger pieces.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hcSBw-SabCU\/VqfFRRvSPYI\/AAAAAAAAKhc\/MeK4g70hd88\/s640\/blogger-image-2084963207.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hcSBw-SabCU\/VqfFRRvSPYI\/AAAAAAAAKhc\/MeK4g70hd88\/s640\/blogger-image-2084963207.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI measured around my frame : it was 32\", so my grime guard would need to be that long, and I wanted it to come about 2\" over the front and another 2\" over the back. So without seam allowances I needed a long strip of fabric 32\"x4\".\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy fabric piece wasn't long enough so I needed to make it out of two strips each about 16\" long. Each strip had a 0.5\" seam allowance on either short end, and a 1\" seam allowance along either long edge, meaning my strips were 17\" x 6\".\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-B6rR21HuRcQ\/VqfFWjyt1LI\/AAAAAAAAKiQ\/3ta3OGhThH4\/s640\/blogger-image--1314625647.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-B6rR21HuRcQ\/VqfFWjyt1LI\/AAAAAAAAKiQ\/3ta3OGhThH4\/s640\/blogger-image--1314625647.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI placed the strips wrong sides together and sewed along each short end with a 0.5\" seam allowance, then pressed the seams open.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rY04xLhXsqo\/VqfFU6BmxEI\/AAAAAAAAKiA\/h7Ts2cYO3fc\/s640\/blogger-image--1345819530.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rY04xLhXsqo\/VqfFU6BmxEI\/AAAAAAAAKiA\/h7Ts2cYO3fc\/s640\/blogger-image--1345819530.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESo now I had a continuous loop of material, which I tried over the circumference of my frame for size.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-AMGNcWwTeS4\/VqfFPm7OUVI\/AAAAAAAAKhQ\/OSm-bHHolug\/s640\/blogger-image-1520435751.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-AMGNcWwTeS4\/VqfFPm7OUVI\/AAAAAAAAKhQ\/OSm-bHHolug\/s640\/blogger-image-1520435751.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIt needs to be a bit loose, if it's too neat a fit it's too hard to get on and off.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI then turned one long edge in by 0.5\", and in again by another 0.5\", pinned it in place, and sewed all the way round, leaving a gap of around an inch - this will be used to get the elastic in.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HQXJ2pW84KQ\/VqfFSqOHxJI\/AAAAAAAAKho\/6mrx-O8HXtY\/s640\/blogger-image--337114312.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HQXJ2pW84KQ\/VqfFSqOHxJI\/AAAAAAAAKho\/6mrx-O8HXtY\/s640\/blogger-image--337114312.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI repeated the hemming in the same way along the other long edge. Now I had a nice neatly hemmed loop ready to thread in the elastic. Ok maybe not the neatest hem ever but it's all going to be scrunched in with elastic anyway so it's not a problem.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-FkJ3vn-MewE\/VqfN07xXq5I\/AAAAAAAAKis\/B-ZVAsjnX2w\/s640\/blogger-image-1925125849.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-FkJ3vn-MewE\/VqfN07xXq5I\/AAAAAAAAKis\/B-ZVAsjnX2w\/s640\/blogger-image-1925125849.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI used a little safety pin to feed the elastic through, pulled it in quite a way, then secured the end with a knot. I did this on both sides. I checked it for fit and adjusted it a bit to make it tighter, and then sewed the hems closed where the elastic had gone in.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-JMz5gGAQLA0\/VqfPoE_xUBI\/AAAAAAAAKi8\/ak3KU1Qi4r8\/s640\/blogger-image--948345907.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-JMz5gGAQLA0\/VqfPoE_xUBI\/AAAAAAAAKi8\/ak3KU1Qi4r8\/s640\/blogger-image--948345907.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EHurray, my cross-stitch will be grimy no more :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-SF9CKHpSMd0\/VqfNyuhTrrI\/AAAAAAAAKig\/Bpp_XS-HRbk\/s640\/blogger-image--186820813.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-SF9CKHpSMd0\/VqfNyuhTrrI\/AAAAAAAAKig\/Bpp_XS-HRbk\/s640\/blogger-image--186820813.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EJillxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7475488078771070204\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/01\/embroidery-grime-guard.html#comment-form","title":"22 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7475488078771070204"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7475488078771070204"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/01\/embroidery-grime-guard.html","title":"Embroidery Grime Guard"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-TxkjWq4mwP8\/VqfFVmxGJBI\/AAAAAAAAKiE\/mhmlA2-M2jY\/s72-c\/blogger-image--10081173.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"22"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1602213020315171346"},"published":{"$t":"2016-01-24T22:59:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-01-26T20:15:01.595+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Happy Homemaker Monday"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003EI've been a SAHM (stay at home Mum) for a good number of years, but as a former \"career girl\" I still struggle with the fact that I'm \"just\" a housewife. Now, I must point out that I don't go round judging other Mums who stay at home, or thinking they deserve less credit or respect than women who work, it's just a role that I personally find tricky to settle into. I think it stems from the fact that I HATE HOUSEWORK. But doesn't everyone ??? It's Just. So. Repetitive. Plus the fact that at every meal time there is at least one person refusing to eat (never me, but not always a child either if you know what I'm saying ....), and I may not be the best chef but I don't think I'm that terrible. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe lovely Carrie from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/northwoodsscrapbook.blogspot.co.uk\/\"\u003ENorthwoods Scrapbook\u003C\/a\u003E does a \"Happy Homemaker Monday\" post every Monday (obviously) so I thought perhaps if I join in and embrace the homemaker-ism I will finally start to face facts that a Homemaker (capital H) is what I actually am! (and yes I do know I'm very lucky that we can afford for me to not have to go out to work). So off we go then ..... \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-s4-d5wS6b14\/VqVXT6RgbtI\/AAAAAAAAJQ0\/sGz2EVlVUz0\/s640\/blogger-image-1498440725.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-s4-d5wS6b14\/VqVXT6RgbtI\/AAAAAAAAJQ0\/sGz2EVlVUz0\/s640\/blogger-image-1498440725.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cu\u003ETHE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESurprisingly mild, it's been a very mild winter, daffodils all over the place already! \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pCTBDhwkx-o\/VqZgBs2HH8I\/AAAAAAAAJsg\/5rgQ0qVHUUY\/s640\/blogger-image--1511330192.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pCTBDhwkx-o\/VqZgBs2HH8I\/AAAAAAAAJsg\/5rgQ0qVHUUY\/s640\/blogger-image--1511330192.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cu\u003EON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ENormally I have porridge but I've got a horrible cold at the moment and was in need of naughty comfort food so I had chocolate mini weetabix, which is the hubby's favourite, they are dangerous if you ask me, so full of sugar, and you can't possibly stop at one bowl.... \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI really must tidy the garden up, it looks even worse than usual in winter because: \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Ea) I never got round to power washing the patio last summer and \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Eb) the grass has grown more than usual due to the mildness so its a bit unkempt. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ENeither of which excuses the completely dead plants at my front door - this is how it's meant to look .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-9baiHOecMi8\/VqZjqLoomRI\/AAAAAAAAJss\/KKFt_DJnCWE\/s640\/blogger-image--734112764.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-9baiHOecMi8\/VqZjqLoomRI\/AAAAAAAAJss\/KKFt_DJnCWE\/s640\/blogger-image--734112764.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... minus the pumpkin, of course. I'm not showing you a photo of what it's like now as you will run away and never visit me again. \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cu\u003ERIGHT NOW I AM:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFeeling really rubbish with a stupid head cold that I really don't have time to be having :( \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOne word - laundry!! \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cu style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EON TODAY'S TO DO LIST:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAs you know I'm running the London Marathon in April (OMG) to raise funds for the National Autistic Society, and am fundraising like crazy. I've been blown away by the generosity of people and when I asked for donations for a raffle (do other countries have raffles where you win prizes ?) I received lots of gifts from normal mums like me, nothing fancy, no TVs or anything, just lots of nice ladies' gifts. So today's job was to collect a few more donations from some very kind people. Here's a small selection of what I've been given to date .... \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-eQYYjRNO-Vs\/VqaNWawiKAI\/AAAAAAAAJzk\/bNywpFuPg1c\/s640\/blogger-image-1299090211.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-eQYYjRNO-Vs\/VqaNWawiKAI\/AAAAAAAAJzk\/bNywpFuPg1c\/s640\/blogger-image-1299090211.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E.... This is probably around a quarter of what I have, a very kind friend gave me all her old jewellery stock from when she was a Virgin Vie Jewellery rep, and another lady gave me 4 bottles of champagne! I can't thank them all enough :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv align=\"center\" style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv align=\"center\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003ECURRENTLY READING:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EI've just bought 2 second-hand crochet books, I love crochet books - even if I don't make anything from them I love flicking through them for inspiration.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EGvguQv0Lq8\/VqZ_sUK9ydI\/AAAAAAAAJzI\/rQjAdQYvimU\/s640\/blogger-image--1530735386.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EGvguQv0Lq8\/VqZ_sUK9ydI\/AAAAAAAAJzI\/rQjAdQYvimU\/s640\/blogger-image--1530735386.jpg\" width=550\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003EON THE MENU THIS WEEK:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EI'm gearing up for a Five on Friday post of slow cooker meals, so that's the inspiration for this week's dinners :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EMonday - Quorn paprika - here it is cooking ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-djN2oIrT_0k\/VqZ_rd-jOqI\/AAAAAAAAJzA\/IVoV9kDhuJc\/s640\/blogger-image-784907922.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-djN2oIrT_0k\/VqZ_rd-jOqI\/AAAAAAAAJzA\/IVoV9kDhuJc\/s640\/blogger-image-784907922.jpg\" width =550\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EYum! It's just Quorn pieces, onion, sweet corn, peas, carrots, peppers, veg stock, tin of tomatoes and a load of paprika. We have it with noodles and I stir in yoghurt at the end.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); clear: both; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.701961); font-family: \u0026quot;uictfonttextstylebody\u0026quot;;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); clear: both; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.701961); font-family: \u0026quot;uictfonttextstylebody\u0026quot;;\"\u003ETuesday - sausage caserole - been a bit lazy and bought a sachet for the sauce, but if it gets them all to eat it .... Served with new potatoes and carrots\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); clear: both; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.701961); font-family: \u0026quot;uictfonttextstylebody\u0026quot;;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.701961); font-family: \u0026quot;uictfonttextstylebody\u0026quot;;\"\u003EWednesday - 3 bean chilli - actually it's one type of bean (cannellini) and chickpeas but that doesn't make for a snappy title lol.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EServed with rice, I use Uncle Bens express sachets of rice. Maybe not as good or cheap as just cooking rice but better than reaching for the takeaway menu.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); clear: both; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.701961); font-family: \u0026quot;uictfonttextstylebody\u0026quot;;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); clear: both; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.701961); font-family: \u0026quot;uictfonttextstylebody\u0026quot;;\"\u003EThursday - prawn curry - a Jamie Oliver recipe but I add the prawns in at the end, don't fancy the thought of prawns festering in the slow cooker all day :-\/ Again served with rice.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); clear: both; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.701961); font-family: \u0026quot;uictfonttextstylebody\u0026quot;;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); clear: both; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.701961); font-family: \u0026quot;uictfonttextstylebody\u0026quot;;\"\u003EFriday - enchiladas - recently I found a great slow cooker recipe for this, it's fast becoming a family favourite. Served with guacamole and wholewheat tortillas.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); clear: both; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.701961); font-family: \u0026quot;uictfonttextstylebody\u0026quot;;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); clear: both; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.701961); font-family: \u0026quot;uictfonttextstylebody\u0026quot;;\"\u003EI love my slow cooker, I am far more inclined to prep dinner at 10 in the morning when there are no whingers around, than after school when everyone is tired and grumpy. If anyone has any healthy veggie slow cooker meals (fish allowed) - send them my way please! And come back on Friday to see if I made all the week's meals in the slow cooker as planned!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWHAT I AM CREATING AT THE MOMENT:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003ECouple of things. I'm working on a bed blanket for a customer order, it's green and yellow squares in a checkered pattern with farm animal type things appliquéd on every other square. I'm pretty sure I've shown you the squares before ..... can't wait to finish the green ones, they've gone on forever ...\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7revxKyRWoU\/VqaIk4hCeHI\/AAAAAAAAJzY\/A_T_cM6bRFs\/s640\/blogger-image--1967953115.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7revxKyRWoU\/VqaIk4hCeHI\/AAAAAAAAJzY\/A_T_cM6bRFs\/s640\/blogger-image--1967953115.jpg\" width=550\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EThe squares are pretty dull, but I'm looking forward to doing the animals, they will be fun!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EI'm also working out some little designs for some dinky little teabag tags .... more on that another day!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003ENEW RECIPE I WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003EWell technically the sausage caserole is a new recipe as I haven't used a sachet before, and I've just realised I didn't check if it was veggie, remind me tomorrow someone ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: start; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-align: center; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: start;\"\u003E\u003Cu style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003ETIP OF THE WEEK:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EKeep a pad and paper in the car .... I had to put a five pound note through someone's letterbox today and I forgot to bring an envelope with me, I had to go and buy a card, just for the envelope, as I didn't have time to go home, and I didn't want to put the fiver through the door on its own in case the dog ate it or something!! I'm sure I could have fashioned an envelope if I'd had some paper ..... maybe I should include an origami book too ??? But look how jolly a card I bought - sending it off to my Dad tomorrow (in another envelope of course lol)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-mAOIhP4AK10\/VqaNXIN4xvI\/AAAAAAAAJzs\/s867TL1uzSg\/s640\/blogger-image-245613161.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-mAOIhP4AK10\/VqaNXIN4xvI\/AAAAAAAAJzs\/s867TL1uzSg\/s640\/blogger-image-245613161.jpg\" width=550\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELinking in with Sandra from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/familycorner.blogspot.co.uk\/\"\u003EDiary of a Stay at Home Mom\u003C\/a\u003E for \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/familycorner.blogspot.co.uk\/2016\/01\/happy-homemaker-monday-01252016.html\"\u003EHappy Homemaker Monday\u003C\/a\u003E :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETil next time, \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJillxxx \u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1602213020315171346\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/01\/happy-homemaker-monday.html#comment-form","title":"15 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1602213020315171346"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1602213020315171346"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/01\/happy-homemaker-monday.html","title":"Happy Homemaker Monday"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-s4-d5wS6b14\/VqVXT6RgbtI\/AAAAAAAAJQ0\/sGz2EVlVUz0\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1498440725.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"15"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-8653196883391225511"},"published":{"$t":"2016-01-24T20:57:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-01-24T22:51:43.278+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Sunlit Sunday : 2016, Week 2"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003EI've been doing a lot of catching up on everyone's blogs this weekend, apologies to those I haven't visited yet, I'll get there I promise :) Anyway whilst visiting Amy at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/\"\u003ELove Made My Home\u003C\/a\u003E I noticed her \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/2016\/01\/sunlit-sunday_24.html\"\u003ESunlit Sunday\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;post last week, linking up with (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/mylittlehomeandgarden.blogspot.co.uk\/2016\/01\/sunlit-sunday-week-2.html\"\u003EKaren of My Little Home and Garden\u003C\/a\u003E). Karen is hosting a link up thingy - no idea what the proper term is, sorry! - the idea being you look for the sunny moments, literal or figurative, in the week. After a rough couple of weeks (Dad ill, more on that another time), I reckon I could do with a reminder to sit up and notice the good moments in life. So this is my first Sunlit Sunday. I missed week 1 so this is week 2. But hey, who's counting.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIn anticipation of writing a Sunlit Sunday post I dragged the family out for a walk, and where better than Basildon Park (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.nationaltrust.org.uk\/basildon-park\"\u003EBasildon Park\u003C\/a\u003E which is where Amy works :) And no I am not stalking her!!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI've \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2015\/04\/easter-and-giveaway-winners.html\"\u003Eposted about Basildon Park before\u003C\/a\u003E, we love it there, it's a National Trust property and is open all year round. There wasn't any actual proper sunny sun but it was very mild, and there was lots of running around to be had. Seeing as it's been so mild generally this winter there were lots of flowers in bloom, (maybe some are in bloom normally at this time of year, I am not a great gardener!), but still they looked lovely. And then of course we had lunch in the cafe including scones and tea :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ERather than waffle on I'll just show you some (ok a lot of) photos - enjoy :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XA2-BPsBDW4\/VqVF6-uOyLI\/AAAAAAAAJN0\/uydKqjUMNfg\/s640\/blogger-image-1986205886.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XA2-BPsBDW4\/VqVF6-uOyLI\/AAAAAAAAJN0\/uydKqjUMNfg\/s640\/blogger-image-1986205886.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PYuC-CODgx4\/VqVF5QIPRGI\/AAAAAAAAJNg\/rchu29eNBLM\/s640\/blogger-image--1778898247.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PYuC-CODgx4\/VqVF5QIPRGI\/AAAAAAAAJNg\/rchu29eNBLM\/s640\/blogger-image--1778898247.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-T98zekoz_AY\/VqVGCfy68CI\/AAAAAAAAJPE\/fBKjBDJHpTM\/s640\/blogger-image--1466426589.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-T98zekoz_AY\/VqVGCfy68CI\/AAAAAAAAJPE\/fBKjBDJHpTM\/s640\/blogger-image--1466426589.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3OyH30dAXqA\/VqVF_WyYNuI\/AAAAAAAAJOk\/32auQiL3mp8\/s640\/blogger-image-49357479.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3OyH30dAXqA\/VqVF_WyYNuI\/AAAAAAAAJOk\/32auQiL3mp8\/s640\/blogger-image-49357479.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VaHPcmySla0\/VqVF2kAlNHI\/AAAAAAAAJNM\/iMPYONeD3P8\/s640\/blogger-image--273060729.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VaHPcmySla0\/VqVF2kAlNHI\/AAAAAAAAJNM\/iMPYONeD3P8\/s640\/blogger-image--273060729.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-mjWh14Cd214\/VqVGLxUYZkI\/AAAAAAAAJQg\/KjoI3h3_aX0\/s640\/blogger-image-947980205.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-mjWh14Cd214\/VqVGLxUYZkI\/AAAAAAAAJQg\/KjoI3h3_aX0\/s640\/blogger-image-947980205.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-FdpSL1Y7gag\/VqVGIb6pd5I\/AAAAAAAAJQE\/dZ9B6aeOIgE\/s640\/blogger-image--1891376426.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-FdpSL1Y7gag\/VqVGIb6pd5I\/AAAAAAAAJQE\/dZ9B6aeOIgE\/s640\/blogger-image--1891376426.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aq-srclgdIs\/VqVGGTvc_jI\/AAAAAAAAJPs\/PwEnI0KiDVE\/s640\/blogger-image--1272580868.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aq-srclgdIs\/VqVGGTvc_jI\/AAAAAAAAJPs\/PwEnI0KiDVE\/s640\/blogger-image--1272580868.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rezJBhCnstU\/VqVF89LzgeI\/AAAAAAAAJOM\/yENg5qClWmU\/s640\/blogger-image-475202684.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rezJBhCnstU\/VqVF89LzgeI\/AAAAAAAAJOM\/yENg5qClWmU\/s640\/blogger-image-475202684.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-RWMLr1U2hlA\/VqVGJSVhZ_I\/AAAAAAAAJQI\/GZ-qh5n6yvM\/s640\/blogger-image-1640569296.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-RWMLr1U2hlA\/VqVGJSVhZ_I\/AAAAAAAAJQI\/GZ-qh5n6yvM\/s640\/blogger-image-1640569296.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Fdd3z2zfW1k\/VqVGAkEv2NI\/AAAAAAAAJO0\/QOkMqkA4f-o\/s640\/blogger-image--2094230688.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Fdd3z2zfW1k\/VqVGAkEv2NI\/AAAAAAAAJO0\/QOkMqkA4f-o\/s640\/blogger-image--2094230688.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-v-yEAqHE554\/VqVF6BPKqGI\/AAAAAAAAJNs\/_SyCjM1Z9zc\/s640\/blogger-image-979753646.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-v-yEAqHE554\/VqVF6BPKqGI\/AAAAAAAAJNs\/_SyCjM1Z9zc\/s640\/blogger-image-979753646.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Zf7uH0sneHs\/VqVF_-MXs9I\/AAAAAAAAJOo\/lUXigugK9hY\/s640\/blogger-image-487063257.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Zf7uH0sneHs\/VqVF_-MXs9I\/AAAAAAAAJOo\/lUXigugK9hY\/s640\/blogger-image-487063257.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aBrS1G66WBE\/VqVGHxu1z-I\/AAAAAAAAJP8\/dnRg4ncU_IY\/s640\/blogger-image-1047870626.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aBrS1G66WBE\/VqVGHxu1z-I\/AAAAAAAAJP8\/dnRg4ncU_IY\/s640\/blogger-image-1047870626.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pM_UGnedPB4\/VqVGCy_HNSI\/AAAAAAAAJPM\/DtcuwSJKRoA\/s640\/blogger-image-175252503.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pM_UGnedPB4\/VqVGCy_HNSI\/AAAAAAAAJPM\/DtcuwSJKRoA\/s640\/blogger-image-175252503.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rCG9r9LDdlE\/VqVF7oc3rVI\/AAAAAAAAJN4\/naIAfuhp63I\/s640\/blogger-image-1166784218.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rCG9r9LDdlE\/VqVF7oc3rVI\/AAAAAAAAJN4\/naIAfuhp63I\/s640\/blogger-image-1166784218.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YROMkdpcjKs\/VqVGEqSXx4I\/AAAAAAAAJPc\/yDokiu9dJ_Q\/s640\/blogger-image--76243716.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YROMkdpcjKs\/VqVGEqSXx4I\/AAAAAAAAJPc\/yDokiu9dJ_Q\/s640\/blogger-image--76243716.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-IVxwh6wj_OY\/VqVF4svy3rI\/AAAAAAAAJNc\/reCnrsi3PTY\/s640\/blogger-image-1368416887.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-IVxwh6wj_OY\/VqVF4svy3rI\/AAAAAAAAJNc\/reCnrsi3PTY\/s640\/blogger-image-1368416887.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-i3uvSWtF3hg\/VqVF-ddFfEI\/AAAAAAAAJOY\/dwMUDrkpM6A\/s640\/blogger-image-1659676942.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-i3uvSWtF3hg\/VqVF-ddFfEI\/AAAAAAAAJOY\/dwMUDrkpM6A\/s640\/blogger-image-1659676942.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rFHB_KKP_Rs\/VqVF3z-x9SI\/AAAAAAAAJNU\/oAzAqZSr6lk\/s640\/blogger-image--1093852246.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rFHB_KKP_Rs\/VqVF3z-x9SI\/AAAAAAAAJNU\/oAzAqZSr6lk\/s640\/blogger-image--1093852246.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kzAYw75n-lA\/VqVGFc_mqMI\/AAAAAAAAJPg\/3ukIwicKJP4\/s640\/blogger-image-990846926.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kzAYw75n-lA\/VqVGFc_mqMI\/AAAAAAAAJPg\/3ukIwicKJP4\/s640\/blogger-image-990846926.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WZMxmezn5O0\/VqVF8Cw0YwI\/AAAAAAAAJOE\/aiU-lhfFTcM\/s640\/blogger-image-1600763979.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WZMxmezn5O0\/VqVF8Cw0YwI\/AAAAAAAAJOE\/aiU-lhfFTcM\/s640\/blogger-image-1600763979.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1UGm_C7Bzdc\/VqVGHNCvtpI\/AAAAAAAAJPw\/U_TQsx_i7RE\/s640\/blogger-image--596631604.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1UGm_C7Bzdc\/VqVGHNCvtpI\/AAAAAAAAJPw\/U_TQsx_i7RE\/s640\/blogger-image--596631604.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-eCsk6S9vnfc\/VqVGBVh04rI\/AAAAAAAAJO8\/-jH30iAMSDs\/s640\/blogger-image-1045135300.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-eCsk6S9vnfc\/VqVGBVh04rI\/AAAAAAAAJO8\/-jH30iAMSDs\/s640\/blogger-image-1045135300.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YKUwVj0v1iE\/VqVF9-LG8lI\/AAAAAAAAJOU\/stf3zjuyenU\/s640\/blogger-image--1084056770.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YKUwVj0v1iE\/VqVF9-LG8lI\/AAAAAAAAJOU\/stf3zjuyenU\/s640\/blogger-image--1084056770.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yE_eiVTZhys\/VqVGD68I1QI\/AAAAAAAAJPU\/N53-q-vXpAE\/s640\/blogger-image--289030798.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yE_eiVTZhys\/VqVGD68I1QI\/AAAAAAAAJPU\/N53-q-vXpAE\/s640\/blogger-image--289030798.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3azsChrii6Q\/VqVF19Gct6I\/AAAAAAAAJNE\/U1pfqYWBw9w\/s640\/blogger-image--525254454.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3azsChrii6Q\/VqVF19Gct6I\/AAAAAAAAJNE\/U1pfqYWBw9w\/s640\/blogger-image--525254454.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tKIKWWWddsc\/VqVGKbEe13I\/AAAAAAAAJQU\/NUMhhv4oenw\/s640\/blogger-image-452818808.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tKIKWWWddsc\/VqVGKbEe13I\/AAAAAAAAJQU\/NUMhhv4oenw\/s640\/blogger-image-452818808.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zMxD3tLfzRg\/VqVGLP4tPVI\/AAAAAAAAJQc\/iQ_OguLRlZk\/s640\/blogger-image-900042148.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zMxD3tLfzRg\/VqVGLP4tPVI\/AAAAAAAAJQc\/iQ_OguLRlZk\/s640\/blogger-image-900042148.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI hope you enjoyed my first Sunlit Sunday :) Thankyou Amy for the inspiration and to Karen for organizing it! You can check out who else is joining in at \u003Ca href=\"www.mylittlehomeandgarden.blogspot.co.uk\/2016\/01\/sunlit-sunday-week-2.html\"\u003EKaren's Sunlit Sunday\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETil next time, have fun looking for your sunny moments :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJillxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8653196883391225511\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/01\/sunlit-sunday-2016-week-2.html#comment-form","title":"16 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8653196883391225511"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8653196883391225511"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/01\/sunlit-sunday-2016-week-2.html","title":"Sunlit Sunday : 2016, Week 2"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XA2-BPsBDW4\/VqVF6-uOyLI\/AAAAAAAAJN0\/uydKqjUMNfg\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1986205886.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"16"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6270803458097689182"},"published":{"$t":"2016-01-23T17:37:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-01-23T18:48:23.199+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Crochet mobile phone cover"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QdRT1-HU4yc\/VqO6RETUz6I\/AAAAAAAAJAs\/gy0kGG99uus\/s640\/blogger-image-1752782842.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QdRT1-HU4yc\/VqO6RETUz6I\/AAAAAAAAJAs\/gy0kGG99uus\/s640\/blogger-image-1752782842.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAm I the only person who regularly feels the need to confess to the many many WIP's in my life ? I really am a serial non-finisher, it's just ridiculous, but I just want to make everything all the time and that is not condusive to completing things. One of these days I'll do another post of my current WIPs but I'll keep it mercifully short today. Let's just say I have about 5 scarves, a hat, a few bags, and at least 5 blankets, plus half a dozen cross-stitch kits, all in various baskets and bags stashed around the house. God forbid that they are ever all seen in one big pile together ...... Oh the shame ......\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-gWugO6MkHRg\/VqO6QaEsmcI\/AAAAAAAAJAo\/OKgUt4Y13mc\/s640\/blogger-image-2032068288.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-gWugO6MkHRg\/VqO6QaEsmcI\/AAAAAAAAJAo\/OKgUt4Y13mc\/s640\/blogger-image-2032068288.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnyway, the perfect antidote to an excess of WIPs is a nice short and easy little project. As I'm doing another craft fayre soon I thought I'd do some mobile phone covers from some lovely cotton yarn that I have in some scrummy colours. I got this Drops \u0026lt;3 You Cotton from a lady who had some leftovers from another project, and I honestly can't remember if I paid for it or if she donated it (my craft fayre makes are for my fundraising for the National Autistic Society for my London Marathon attempt). I'll be honest, this yarn is a bit of a pain to work with, super splitty, and of course cotton has much less \"give\" than my preferred acrylic, but it gives a gorgeously crisp stitch definition.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EIt's a really easy make and I've added the pattern below.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EBasically you start with a chain just slightly longer than the width of your phone ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vshUdPy4Buc\/VqO6L0TE8JI\/AAAAAAAAJAA\/z0Or0oeRtUs\/s640\/blogger-image-2007950900.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vshUdPy4Buc\/VqO6L0TE8JI\/AAAAAAAAJAA\/z0Or0oeRtUs\/s640\/blogger-image-2007950900.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EThen you work in dc (US sc) along the chain, continuing round the end to work along the other side of the starting chains, and then keep going, essentially in a spiral, changing colour as required, until your mobile phone case is as long as your phone.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QdRT1-HU4yc\/VqO6RETUz6I\/AAAAAAAAJAs\/gy0kGG99uus\/s640\/blogger-image-1752782842.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QdRT1-HU4yc\/VqO6RETUz6I\/AAAAAAAAJAs\/gy0kGG99uus\/s640\/blogger-image-1752782842.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EEmbellish with flowers etc as desired ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-brHe-_th3cc\/VqO6PVb-FrI\/AAAAAAAAJAc\/c8LvZW9p6S4\/s640\/blogger-image--1523742491.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-brHe-_th3cc\/VqO6PVb-FrI\/AAAAAAAAJAc\/c8LvZW9p6S4\/s640\/blogger-image--1523742491.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003ESew on a button and chain a button loop ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HHMT9ZSUgLM\/VqPI-ORTfNI\/AAAAAAAAJBQ\/2pghhAOIpJY\/s640\/blogger-image-1726727160.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HHMT9ZSUgLM\/VqPI-ORTfNI\/AAAAAAAAJBQ\/2pghhAOIpJY\/s640\/blogger-image-1726727160.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EAnd ta-da! A mobile phone cover :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-mGEgxKvBXJg\/VqO6Ootub9I\/AAAAAAAAJAY\/5TP4QZXNnY8\/s640\/blogger-image--1381960277.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-mGEgxKvBXJg\/VqO6Ootub9I\/AAAAAAAAJAY\/5TP4QZXNnY8\/s640\/blogger-image--1381960277.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EOf course you can adapt this pattern to make a cover for anything - phone, tablet, notebook, even a small laptop.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1NjvqRlwvjg\/VqO6M7rhRrI\/AAAAAAAAJAI\/MdABat0DH6s\/s640\/blogger-image--1984905753.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1NjvqRlwvjg\/VqO6M7rhRrI\/AAAAAAAAJAI\/MdABat0DH6s\/s640\/blogger-image--1984905753.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EHave fun!!!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jdYerXVCoSY\/VqO6R0MxufI\/AAAAAAAAJA0\/ezU8bEehScQ\/s640\/blogger-image--409806523.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jdYerXVCoSY\/VqO6R0MxufI\/AAAAAAAAJA0\/ezU8bEehScQ\/s640\/blogger-image--409806523.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ETil next time,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EJillxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EMobile phone cover pattern\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EDK cotton yarn\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E4.5mm crochet hook\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003Ebeads and buttons if wished :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EPattern in UK terms (UK dc is US sc, UK tr is US dc)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003Ech \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; - chain\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003Esl-st \u0026nbsp;- slip-stitch\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003Edc \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;- double crochet\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003Etr \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;- treble\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E1. Chain as many chains as it takes to be just wider than your phone.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Mine was ch13.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E2. dc in second ch from hook. Dc in every stitch to end of row\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E3. When you reach the end of the row continue to dc in the other side of the chain you just did a dc in.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E4. Keep going doing a dc in every stitch, effectively working up the sides in a slow spiral.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E5. A few rows from the top, finish off when you are at one of the sides, and join on a new colour yarn.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; I do this as follows:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;insert my hook into next stitch\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;yarn over and pull old colour through, leaving two loops of old colour on hook\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;then loop NEW colour over hook and pull this loop of NEW colour through both loops on hook\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;you may need to pull the two loose ends (one old, one new) gently taut to tidy things up\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E6. Now you have one loop of new colour on hook continue to dc in every stitch, still working in that slow spiral round so that the sides continue to grow.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E7. When your cover is the desired length, stop dc'ing about few stitches before you reach one of the sides (doesn't matter which) then sl-st into the next 2 stitches.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E8. Fasten off\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E9. Sew button onto front of mobile phone cover.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E10. Join onto a stitch in the top of the cover's back, in the middle, and make enough chains to form a loop that will fasten round the button. Mine was about 10 chains.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003EIf you wish to add a flower, the pattern is as follows:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E1. Make a magic ring (or ch5 and sl-st to the start of the chains to form a loop).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E2. *ch3, 2 tr into centre of ring\/loop, ch3, sl-st into centre of loop\/ring*, repeat from * to * 4 times making 5 petals in total.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E3. Fasten off.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E4. Attach decorative bead to centre of flower.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6270803458097689182\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/01\/crochet-mobile-phone-cover.html#comment-form","title":"27 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6270803458097689182"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6270803458097689182"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/01\/crochet-mobile-phone-cover.html","title":"Crochet mobile phone cover"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QdRT1-HU4yc\/VqO6RETUz6I\/AAAAAAAAJAs\/gy0kGG99uus\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1752782842.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"27"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2150726045354976145"},"published":{"$t":"2016-01-18T19:33:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-01-18T21:06:35.547+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Monday monday"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Is it \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003Ereally Monday again already ?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-354SV-U5sg0\/Vp1Dg9UXwTI\/AAAAAAAAGLA\/e39TAOzFTKM\/s640\/blogger-image-118353653.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-354SV-U5sg0\/Vp1Dg9UXwTI\/AAAAAAAAGLA\/e39TAOzFTKM\/s640\/blogger-image-118353653.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe last week has whizzed by. I flew over to Northern Ireland on Wednesday last week, until Sunday, as my Dad's not 100%, and I've just heard today that my Mum's taken him into hospital and they're keeping him overnight. Keeping my fingers crossed that he's ok.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI must admit it was quite nice to have some child-free time, on the way over this was what I did at the airport at lunchtime ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dispW7KpLFs\/Vp1DlIxnYEI\/AAAAAAAAGME\/2EVWta5LDcA\/s640\/blogger-image--1640564817.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dispW7KpLFs\/Vp1DlIxnYEI\/AAAAAAAAGME\/2EVWta5LDcA\/s640\/blogger-image--1640564817.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EYes! Lunchtime! Bit early for wine o'clock but jolly nice :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI took my green blankety crochet with me, and my pile of green squares is growing, albeit veeeeery slooooowly ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XR1-8DBzVWg\/Vp1DgBXQt7I\/AAAAAAAAGK4\/GNx7Wz30rec\/s640\/blogger-image--339801780.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XR1-8DBzVWg\/Vp1DgBXQt7I\/AAAAAAAAGK4\/GNx7Wz30rec\/s640\/blogger-image--339801780.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ETo be fair they are quite big squares but I do need to get a move on if I'm going to get this one finished, as the customer has ordered a second one as well. That will keep me busy for a while.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESo of course now is an excellent time to be starting yet another blanket project. Not. But this is one I couldn't resist. On the blog The Crochet Crowd (\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003Ehttp:\/\/thecrochetcrowd.com) I found the idea of a temperature blanket\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;helvetica neue light\u0026quot; , , \u0026quot;helvetica\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;arial\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E(http:\/\/thecrochetcrowd.com\/crochet-temperature-afghans\/).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Iy3nCUIxh9Q\/Vp1DfKMhk_I\/AAAAAAAAGKw\/2ubrYpDhKh0\/s640\/blogger-image-1183336028.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Iy3nCUIxh9Q\/Vp1DfKMhk_I\/AAAAAAAAGKw\/2ubrYpDhKh0\/s640\/blogger-image-1183336028.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe idea is you crochet a row, or square, or whatever, each day to reflect the temperature that day. I've divided the typical temperature range in my part of the world into 8 mini-ranges, and assigned each mini-range a colour .... our temperatures don't fall much below zero and rarely go over 30 deg C, so my mini-ranges (in deg C) are as follows ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026lt; 0 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; .... deep blue\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; 0.0 - \u0026nbsp;5.9 \u0026nbsp;.... turquoise blue\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; 6.0 - \u0026nbsp;9.9 \u0026nbsp;.... aqua greeny blue\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E10.0 - 14.9 .... apple green\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E15.0 - 19.9 .... meadow green\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E20.0 - 24.9 .... golden yellow\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E25.0 - 29.9 .... pomegranate\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026gt; 30.0 .... deep pink\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and are from left to right in the photo below ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3HfcwjhqYj8\/Vp1S12PTIqI\/AAAAAAAAHoo\/ORHETcJ-Y1E\/s640\/blogger-image-1586079606.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3HfcwjhqYj8\/Vp1S12PTIqI\/AAAAAAAAHoo\/ORHETcJ-Y1E\/s640\/blogger-image-1586079606.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EYou can see in the middle of my next photo that I've done a couple of rows, I could start from today but being the OCD control freak that I am, I am backdating to the 1st of January so that at the end of December I will have a lovely blanket reflecting the temperatures for the whole year.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-9Fg0sockq2w\/Vp1S2zJfuHI\/AAAAAAAAHo0\/wcFF2E65k1I\/s640\/blogger-image--1096901888.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-9Fg0sockq2w\/Vp1S2zJfuHI\/AAAAAAAAHo0\/wcFF2E65k1I\/s640\/blogger-image--1096901888.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EOther yarny news is that I acquired (ie offered to rehome at a small cost to myself) this little lot of baby wool. With the exception of the glittery one, which is so scratchy I wouldn't want it next to my skin never mind a little baby's, they are all beautifully soft. I'm fairly sure I'm going to do a baby blanket with it.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-IsFOriy33Qg\/Vp1DeRN6LsI\/AAAAAAAAGKo\/4o9NFPr0ISI\/s640\/blogger-image-844077851.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-IsFOriy33Qg\/Vp1DeRN6LsI\/AAAAAAAAGKo\/4o9NFPr0ISI\/s640\/blogger-image-844077851.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd finally for today I had a lovely surprise earlier today. While I was picking the Little Peeps from school the lady who does fundraising for our pre-school approached me. She told me that their Easter Fayre is coming up and that every year they \"give\" a table to a charity, ie the charity can sell stuff for their own fundraising and doesn't have to pay a fee for the table. Anyway at the meeting they were voting for which charity to give the stall to, and they voted for me, for my National Autistic Society fundraising pot! So I'll be doing a stall at the pre-school Easter Fayre :) Better get cracking on stuff to sell then I guess!!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2150726045354976145\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/01\/monday-monday.html#comment-form","title":"15 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2150726045354976145"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2150726045354976145"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/01\/monday-monday.html","title":"Monday monday"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-354SV-U5sg0\/Vp1Dg9UXwTI\/AAAAAAAAGLA\/e39TAOzFTKM\/s72-c\/blogger-image-118353653.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"15"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2533798998782602936"},"published":{"$t":"2016-01-11T20:18:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-01-11T20:20:14.042+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Happy New Year 2015-2016"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello and Happy New Year everybody! I've been a lazy blogger again and not been here for - argh - over a month! Promise to try harder. No, really this time I will try :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7D0xL71GmSA\/VpP5O5kmy3I\/AAAAAAAAFKw\/axX-C-pddhI\/s640\/blogger-image--1632424869.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7D0xL71GmSA\/VpP5O5kmy3I\/AAAAAAAAFKw\/axX-C-pddhI\/s640\/blogger-image--1632424869.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo, a bit of chat about Christmas ..... did you have a happy and calm one ? We did. We barely left the house, stayed in pyjamas all day long and had extremely flexible meal-times :) I am like a big kid at Christmas, I really love it, and I love getting presents. Does that make me a bad person ? I hope not! I do enjoy giving presents as well, and quite a few this year were handmade by Yours Truly, including the chunky cowl shown above, I made it for a friend though here is a picture of me modelling it, as it's hard to see really what it's like until it's on (if you see what I mean) ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-9jj8RiKtLCc\/VpP5OK8ir3I\/AAAAAAAAFKo\/LPUUApVzlT4\/s640\/blogger-image--121237896.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-9jj8RiKtLCc\/VpP5OK8ir3I\/AAAAAAAAFKo\/LPUUApVzlT4\/s640\/blogger-image--121237896.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy friend had to get me to message her a picture because once the buttons were undone she couldn't work out how it was meant to sit!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI was very lucky this year, my husband bought me the Attic24 Harmony pack .... 17 balls of scrummy squishy yarniness ..... I loved Lucy's foray into pastels, and very early on in her Harmony Journey (http:\/\/attic24.typepad.com\/weblog\/harmony-blanket.html) \u0026nbsp;I felt pulled by the colour palette she'd chosen. Ooooh just look ......\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-npP9Xt7L63Q\/VpQEvg5vbRI\/AAAAAAAAFMM\/_cyK2fDqY2w\/s640\/blogger-image-2061933882.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-npP9Xt7L63Q\/VpQEvg5vbRI\/AAAAAAAAFMM\/_cyK2fDqY2w\/s640\/blogger-image-2061933882.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... see what I mean! Squishy! Yarny! Scrummy!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy husband also earned MAJOR brownie points this year - unbeknownst to me he took the Little Peeps to Hobbycraft one afternoon and they went a bit mad choosing things for me. As well as a paint by numbers kit, a knitting kit and a set of paints and an easel I didn't even know I wanted, they bought me a pile of colouring books ..... (I also got one from a friend plus the family gave me another 4(!) which are all scattered round the house by now) .....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pKOaquhAF1g\/VpP5P_VE7rI\/AAAAAAAAFK0\/HTn3KxhCIJw\/s640\/blogger-image-37385623.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pKOaquhAF1g\/VpP5P_VE7rI\/AAAAAAAAFK0\/HTn3KxhCIJw\/s640\/blogger-image-37385623.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... this latch-hook kit that I've nearly finished and which I will turn into a cushion for Little Miss at some point ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bh1mZ9PZ4BQ\/VpP5MiU5zOI\/AAAAAAAAFKY\/-hZuY3v7P7c\/s640\/blogger-image-307103510.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bh1mZ9PZ4BQ\/VpP5MiU5zOI\/AAAAAAAAFKY\/-hZuY3v7P7c\/s640\/blogger-image-307103510.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... a nice little pile of crochet books ....\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-cq1p8qrymMo\/VpP8coMAU9I\/AAAAAAAAFLc\/bxg-uA5NmmY\/s640\/blogger-image--669866232.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-cq1p8qrymMo\/VpP8coMAU9I\/AAAAAAAAFLc\/bxg-uA5NmmY\/s640\/blogger-image--669866232.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... ok I confess I may have bought two of those for a project I'm currently working on - \u0026nbsp;see next post for details!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E... and they (mostly Little Tomboy this time) also picked out this excellent pile of crafty randomness ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-cqhuVWEH-Ko\/VpP5NUonidI\/AAAAAAAAFKc\/0zj80jmvMjc\/s640\/blogger-image--1839988936.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-cqhuVWEH-Ko\/VpP5NUonidI\/AAAAAAAAFKc\/0zj80jmvMjc\/s640\/blogger-image--1839988936.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... each item was individually wrapped - aren't kids the best ?? They know me so well. A pile of beads and buttons and wool chosen and lovingly wrapped by my Little Peeps makes me a very happy Mummy :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnother great present I got was this lovely wall hanging that a friend gave me .... isn't it perfect for me :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-xOmLcZWe794\/VpP8aWmBy6I\/AAAAAAAAFLE\/jkJGPwrykPk\/s640\/blogger-image--393412247.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-xOmLcZWe794\/VpP8aWmBy6I\/AAAAAAAAFLE\/jkJGPwrykPk\/s640\/blogger-image--393412247.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EThis year I also participated in a Secret Santa Christmas Swap run by a lady \"down under\" called Chooky of the blog Chookyblue. The rules were : it's secret (duh) - you know who to buy for, but not who's buying for you, and the swap is two presents - one decorative item to be opened before Christmas, and one \"main\" parcel to be opened on Christmas Day. My parcel went off by airmail to its recipient Suz, of the blog \"Bears Mum\", in Australia. Most of the swappers are stitchy folk but there was no specific rule for the type of gift other than homemade, so I included quite a few crochet items, some machine-sewn bits, plus a couple of little British novelty things, seeing as my parcel was to be delivered half way round the world. And unbelievably annoyingly I don't think I took a photo before I sent it! Argh! As far as I can remember the novelty things included a new cross-stitch kit of a London bus and a little tin in the shape of Big Ben :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESuz has since emailed to say she loved it all, and when time allows she'll blog about it.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ENear to Christmas a parcel arrived for me from a lovely lady called Diane of\u0026nbsp;http:\/\/www.thesloanpatch.blogspot.com.au\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI was so excited to open Diane's present to me that I forgot to take a pic of it in its wrapping. But inside were two beautiful gifts - the first is a gorgeous tablemat in lovely Christmas colours\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ry9GY49q2dE\/VpP8dcQDlcI\/AAAAAAAAFLk\/l2H0t4Wv5pY\/s640\/blogger-image-254235807.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ry9GY49q2dE\/VpP8dcQDlcI\/AAAAAAAAFLk\/l2H0t4Wv5pY\/s640\/blogger-image-254235807.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... it's far too pretty to use only at Christmas though, so at the moment it's on my coffee table with \u0026nbsp;flowers on it :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XWefpnj8yBM\/VpP8e08CDKI\/AAAAAAAAFLw\/TVzvtnpkrq0\/s640\/blogger-image--1228639708.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XWefpnj8yBM\/VpP8e08CDKI\/AAAAAAAAFLw\/TVzvtnpkrq0\/s640\/blogger-image--1228639708.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDiane's second gift to me totally blew me away and made me think my gifts for Suz were a bit rubbish! Sorry Suz! Diane made me this absolutely exquisite needlework book, it's beautiful inside with lots of pockets ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jMLjhat_g1M\/VpP8eb0K8GI\/AAAAAAAAFLs\/QaKce6pVA4Y\/s640\/blogger-image-1894655197.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jMLjhat_g1M\/VpP8eb0K8GI\/AAAAAAAAFLs\/QaKce6pVA4Y\/s640\/blogger-image-1894655197.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E... Diane thoughtfully included some embroidery threads, embroidery needles (fab as I always seem to be losing these), a seam ripper (always handy!) and some little stork scissors (which I've always wanted but never bought!). And as if that wasn't enough for me to rave about .... look at the front ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nXAW1KfiJhw\/VpP8bA8qIwI\/AAAAAAAAFLM\/wU5KPW4MaIQ\/s640\/blogger-image-533376386.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nXAW1KfiJhw\/VpP8bA8qIwI\/AAAAAAAAFLM\/wU5KPW4MaIQ\/s640\/blogger-image-533376386.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... isn't it so gorgeous ? I really really love how Diane has embroidered on my name , it's utterly beautiful. Diane, thankyou so much, I shall treasure it for a very long time :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'll be posting again soon with some waffle about my current projects, as usual I have far too many on the go with no chance of getting anything actually finished any time soon !!! Here's a wee sneak peek though ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... blanket for a customer for her son ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8FvKs6OqwAU\/VpP8foA03gI\/AAAAAAAAFL8\/Q_vZrjxyTI4\/s640\/blogger-image--2097790849.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8FvKs6OqwAU\/VpP8foA03gI\/AAAAAAAAFL8\/Q_vZrjxyTI4\/s640\/blogger-image--2097790849.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... some stitching to add to a cushion for another customer ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-AU9F_LVQ0D4\/VpP8cJB7A0I\/AAAAAAAAFLQ\/kSjIAccBuNU\/s640\/blogger-image--2037616115.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-AU9F_LVQ0D4\/VpP8cJB7A0I\/AAAAAAAAFLQ\/kSjIAccBuNU\/s640\/blogger-image--2037616115.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... very start of a year-long SAL (stitch-along) .... Exciting! It's going to be so lovely!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HXmmbQqw1Og\/VpQI_WqfKEI\/AAAAAAAAFMY\/qXQsnr8qmmM\/s640\/blogger-image-1278603068.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HXmmbQqw1Og\/VpQI_WqfKEI\/AAAAAAAAFMY\/qXQsnr8qmmM\/s640\/blogger-image-1278603068.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThat's it for now folks! Byeeeeee!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELove Jill\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2533798998782602936\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/01\/happy-new-year-2015-2016.html#comment-form","title":"15 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2533798998782602936"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2533798998782602936"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2016\/01\/happy-new-year-2015-2016.html","title":"Happy New Year 2015-2016"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7D0xL71GmSA\/VpP5O5kmy3I\/AAAAAAAAFKw\/axX-C-pddhI\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1632424869.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"15"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-9200302054460165494"},"published":{"$t":"2015-12-08T18:16:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-12-08T18:22:16.267+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Christmas Fayre"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends and readers!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-sQjH_NZlgsk\/VmceTsuDHXI\/AAAAAAAAFII\/GSDGN137BBE\/s640\/blogger-image-147927915.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-sQjH_NZlgsk\/VmceTsuDHXI\/AAAAAAAAFII\/GSDGN137BBE\/s640\/blogger-image-147927915.jpg\" width =550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EArgh another long absence, sorry sorry sorry. Hope everyone is doing ok and staying nice and calm during the silly season. I've not been calm at all (nothing new there then ....), I've been madly making things for our school's Christmas Fayre, and also had some custom orders which took all of last week Not to mention having an 11 year old's birthday and, of course, party, but also dealing with our naughty \"Elf on the Shelf\", seen here photo-bombing a photo while Little Miss opens her birthday pressies.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe school Fayre went very well, I am donating my proceeds to my London Marathon fundraising pot for the National Autistic Society, so I was really pleased :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHere are a few photos of the things I made to sell at the Fayre - not all crocheted, in fact most aren't, mainly cos I can't crochet fast enough!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EChristmas wreaths - these ones are the size to hang on your front door ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-lA9FcMsni9Q\/VmcebiTmt2I\/AAAAAAAAFJg\/a-AKbYVibOk\/s640\/blogger-image--1282515342.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-lA9FcMsni9Q\/VmcebiTmt2I\/AAAAAAAAFJg\/a-AKbYVibOk\/s640\/blogger-image--1282515342.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... and these mini crocheted ones are to hang on your tree ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-SGnwSdCbeds\/VmceVuUgATI\/AAAAAAAAFIY\/OgzUpaKftcs\/s640\/blogger-image--1168933947.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-SGnwSdCbeds\/VmceVuUgATI\/AAAAAAAAFIY\/OgzUpaKftcs\/s640\/blogger-image--1168933947.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... loads of owl keyrings - these were very popular ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-LrQ4sCyUKPE\/VmceaZry7bI\/AAAAAAAAFJQ\/UDv8K7w6GjI\/s640\/blogger-image-1456042752.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-LrQ4sCyUKPE\/VmceaZry7bI\/AAAAAAAAFJQ\/UDv8K7w6GjI\/s640\/blogger-image-1456042752.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... festive pencil cases ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PjaN8b62UdI\/Vmcea4tRxeI\/AAAAAAAAFJc\/qv3pgyqKt-U\/s640\/blogger-image-182845180.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PjaN8b62UdI\/Vmcea4tRxeI\/AAAAAAAAFJc\/qv3pgyqKt-U\/s640\/blogger-image-182845180.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... and tissue holders ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-lb8EOkG-sZo\/VmceREAwD2I\/AAAAAAAAFHs\/9qUSu0L6LAs\/s640\/blogger-image-624626951.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-lb8EOkG-sZo\/VmceREAwD2I\/AAAAAAAAFHs\/9qUSu0L6LAs\/s640\/blogger-image-624626951.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... and the best-selling item - felt pencil toppers ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ZIeY6-bz8Rs\/VmceYILZz5I\/AAAAAAAAFI8\/b04S28anwZ8\/s640\/blogger-image--246681763.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ZIeY6-bz8Rs\/VmceYILZz5I\/AAAAAAAAFI8\/b04S28anwZ8\/s640\/blogger-image--246681763.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe custom orders have included a couple of felt Christmas trees for littlies to decorate, with felt decoration included ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EypvmQiFS74\/VmcecdYRv5I\/AAAAAAAAFJs\/u5IwlJ7DNco\/s640\/blogger-image--1645897599.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EypvmQiFS74\/VmcecdYRv5I\/AAAAAAAAFJs\/u5IwlJ7DNco\/s640\/blogger-image--1645897599.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI personalized the little felt presents for one customer ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jtXnMfvV8HE\/VmceRw-v9dI\/AAAAAAAAFHw\/-SK7YZNcvHY\/s640\/blogger-image-436884466.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jtXnMfvV8HE\/VmceRw-v9dI\/AAAAAAAAFHw\/-SK7YZNcvHY\/s640\/blogger-image-436884466.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and decorated some baubles with musical notes for another customer who wanted to use hers in her toddler music classes ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-MNz5bnf-jwc\/VmceW4QATgI\/AAAAAAAAFIo\/l9EU1OMSAgk\/s640\/blogger-image-134891403.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-MNz5bnf-jwc\/VmceW4QATgI\/AAAAAAAAFIo\/l9EU1OMSAgk\/s640\/blogger-image-134891403.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... I also made a retro style half-apron\/pinny for another lady, loved making this, it was so different both in colours and style to other things I've done. It's for her Mum hence the embroidery on the pocket ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uijaKHMX_GI\/VmceXaXrdJI\/AAAAAAAAFIw\/caIwcVdsNHU\/s640\/blogger-image--1319799249.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uijaKHMX_GI\/VmceXaXrdJI\/AAAAAAAAFIw\/caIwcVdsNHU\/s640\/blogger-image--1319799249.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-iWYr7j2TAcA\/VmceddPO6JI\/AAAAAAAAFJw\/j4oG0lzvR6I\/s640\/blogger-image--1179438612.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-iWYr7j2TAcA\/VmceddPO6JI\/AAAAAAAAFJw\/j4oG0lzvR6I\/s640\/blogger-image--1179438612.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThese 3 orders were all from complete strangers who contacted me via Facebook, wow that is a whole load of different pressure, to make for actual customers and not just friends! I'm really pleased with how they all turned out, especially the apron, I reckon my ruffles are pretty damn good, what do you think ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rfXnOnqD5-s\/VmceS8DDgwI\/AAAAAAAAFIE\/M69KaOClug8\/s640\/blogger-image-1863044902.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rfXnOnqD5-s\/VmceS8DDgwI\/AAAAAAAAFIE\/M69KaOClug8\/s640\/blogger-image-1863044902.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI still have a few orders to complete this week, so it's still busy busy busy!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EOn another exciting note I ordered some business cards - oooo fancy - what do you think ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tPABFeHhOo4\/VmceWT3orGI\/AAAAAAAAFIg\/uWTodQMQe-o\/s640\/blogger-image--1354176504.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tPABFeHhOo4\/VmceWT3orGI\/AAAAAAAAFIg\/uWTodQMQe-o\/s640\/blogger-image--1354176504.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI love them :) Happy happy happy!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd my final piece of news, which I've saved until last cos if you'd seen these photos first you'd have got no further ..... we've just got our very first pet ... meet Snowflake the hamster ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dEvtqeRGEgw\/VmceY9WxgOI\/AAAAAAAAFJA\/07H1veW5X7Y\/s640\/blogger-image-27408054.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dEvtqeRGEgw\/VmceY9WxgOI\/AAAAAAAAFJA\/07H1veW5X7Y\/s640\/blogger-image-27408054.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Bp5sfseMSn4\/VmceSTZItsI\/AAAAAAAAFH4\/A-pAUMosadI\/s640\/blogger-image--2032757969.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Bp5sfseMSn4\/VmceSTZItsI\/AAAAAAAAFH4\/A-pAUMosadI\/s640\/blogger-image--2032757969.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-6LuAhtmskd0\/VmceVAwnBTI\/AAAAAAAAFIU\/G2AyA3SFVzE\/s640\/blogger-image--1539765104.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-6LuAhtmskd0\/VmceVAwnBTI\/AAAAAAAAFIU\/G2AyA3SFVzE\/s640\/blogger-image--1539765104.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-FzUPcAj-gp4\/VmceZkEBkII\/AAAAAAAAFJM\/PrwYUwbkY_c\/s640\/blogger-image-1640668971.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-FzUPcAj-gp4\/VmceZkEBkII\/AAAAAAAAFJM\/PrwYUwbkY_c\/s640\/blogger-image-1640668971.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIsn't he the cutest thing ever ?? He's an albino, though we didn't realise that til we got him home and saw he has red eyes, plus, he's massive, a right big fluff ball. Gorgeous though. And I can't believe how besotted I am with him! He's already had one adventure, he escaped one night but luckily the children spotted him in the morning! Well, I say \"escape\", really it was more of \"walk through the cage door that some idiot left open\". The idiot being me! Oops! If it had been one one of the kids I'd have gone bonkers!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThink that's it for today folks, off to do some long over-due bloggy catchup :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJillxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/9200302054460165494\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/12\/christmas-fayre.html#comment-form","title":"14 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/9200302054460165494"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/9200302054460165494"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/12\/christmas-fayre.html","title":"Christmas Fayre"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-sQjH_NZlgsk\/VmceTsuDHXI\/AAAAAAAAFII\/GSDGN137BBE\/s72-c\/blogger-image-147927915.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"14"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-8905294126347545266"},"published":{"$t":"2015-11-08T20:17:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-12-08T18:24:47.115+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Running"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear friends, and a big happy welcome to my new readers - I've been meaning to thank you for dropping by for ages!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJust a quick update from me this evening, I've been crafting madly but don't seem to have too much to show for it. I'm making stuff to sell at a couple of craft fairs in a few weeks - lots of these owl keyrings ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-caIA-bjY2pc\/Vj-tzCROEJI\/AAAAAAAAFG0\/vrKl7HL6TJY\/s640\/blogger-image--1820608578.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-caIA-bjY2pc\/Vj-tzCROEJI\/AAAAAAAAFG0\/vrKl7HL6TJY\/s640\/blogger-image--1820608578.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... a load more Christmas stockings from upcycled sweaters ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WuKtTTv5QKQ\/Vj-txlwxJtI\/AAAAAAAAFGg\/1Sq6tt-Vz2I\/s640\/blogger-image-78822061.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WuKtTTv5QKQ\/Vj-txlwxJtI\/AAAAAAAAFGg\/1Sq6tt-Vz2I\/s640\/blogger-image-78822061.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... with my own label lovingly sewn in ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-91N3K3-u4kY\/Vj-tzp-bgpI\/AAAAAAAAFG8\/Njj_5efInMA\/s640\/blogger-image--506214684.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-91N3K3-u4kY\/Vj-tzp-bgpI\/AAAAAAAAFG8\/Njj_5efInMA\/s640\/blogger-image--506214684.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and a really sweet doorstop for my friend's birthday ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-n6GKGKhMu-Y\/Vj-tyHAjNRI\/AAAAAAAAFGk\/yq8lrRSkAEU\/s640\/blogger-image--199061137.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-n6GKGKhMu-Y\/Vj-tyHAjNRI\/AAAAAAAAFGk\/yq8lrRSkAEU\/s640\/blogger-image--199061137.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... this was made from upcycled jeans, I do love a bit of re-using :) I'm planning to make a few more of these to sell. I'm filling them with Asda smart price rice - 40p for 500g - great value! I can't decide whether to make a load of different designs or just the cupcake in different colours. That might be a bit quicker so maybe that then.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kylbrZzd2Es\/Vj-tyruuv8I\/AAAAAAAAFGs\/zXPYeWYGnTs\/s640\/blogger-image-2520800.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kylbrZzd2Es\/Vj-tyruuv8I\/AAAAAAAAFGs\/zXPYeWYGnTs\/s640\/blogger-image-2520800.jpg\"width =550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy other big news ...... is ....... I got a charity place in the London Marathon!! OMG!!!! I mentioned aaaaaages ago that I'd applied for a place, and only found out last week that I was one of the lucky (I think ?!) ones. I'm running it to raise money for the National Autistic Society, in recognition of my amazing son's challenging year at school last year, and of course his ongoing battles with everyday life, bless him.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAll the money from my craft bits being sold is going to the NAS (over £100 so far) and I have a few other fundraising ideas going round in my brain too. Oh and I must set up one of those just-giving page thingies.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESo anyway when I'm not crafting I'm training. Or recovering from training lol. And then I have to sort out other fundraising. And of course cook, clean, be a Mum's taxi, and so on and so on. And tomorrow I'm helping at school (argh why did I offer to do that, I have to fit in a long run tomorrow - luckily a long run is currently only an hour for me). But its all good fun and its great to have something very specific to focus on.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ERight then off I go, got about 30 heart keyrings to assemble!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EJillxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8905294126347545266\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/11\/running.html#comment-form","title":"21 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8905294126347545266"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8905294126347545266"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/11\/running.html","title":"Running"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-caIA-bjY2pc\/Vj-tzCROEJI\/AAAAAAAAFG0\/vrKl7HL6TJY\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1820608578.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"21"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-4638051989191116119"},"published":{"$t":"2015-10-20T17:47:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-12-08T18:34:07.438+00:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Facebook"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Oh my goodness it's been 4 weeks since my last post!! Where has that gone?! It's properly autumn now here, all beautiful colourful falling leaves and crisp first thing in the morning. Only this week to go then it's half-term, the year's flying by .....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1JfU5gVHTeI\/Via68ufrVaI\/AAAAAAAAFEo\/Rydgjc0q6fg\/s640\/blogger-image-399119799.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1JfU5gVHTeI\/Via68ufrVaI\/AAAAAAAAFEo\/Rydgjc0q6fg\/s640\/blogger-image-399119799.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy big news since my last post is that I've launched my Facebook page .... www.facebook.com\/jillemeraldcottage :D Launching it makes it sound like it was a massive event, well it wasn't. Although I did have to make sure I had a few things lined up to share on there. I'm hoping to use it as a platform for selling a few bits, my aim really is just to fund my yarn habit. I've made a couple of sales already ....\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3uYLvBG8OMc\/Via9yStAW7I\/AAAAAAAAFFY\/R6f6uRCKm8Y\/s640\/blogger-image-1588023082.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3uYLvBG8OMc\/Via9yStAW7I\/AAAAAAAAFFY\/R6f6uRCKm8Y\/s640\/blogger-image-1588023082.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI hope I can keep the momentum up, and that it wasn't just beginners luck.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIf you fancied visiting my page and giving it a Like or a Share that would be lovely thanks, so far it's my real-life friends who have Like'd and bought things, and obviously that's quite a limited market place. Some Likes further afield would be really great :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe upside of a blogging break is that I do now have lots of things to show you here.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELast time I posted I was making Sewing Kit Jars. I sold two of these ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CyYfQqtn70s\/ViZwIXS45xI\/AAAAAAAAFD4\/Wj8RkkhRgaE\/s640\/blogger-image--2004056291.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CyYfQqtn70s\/ViZwIXS45xI\/AAAAAAAAFD4\/Wj8RkkhRgaE\/s640\/blogger-image--2004056291.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E... and having had a little production line ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tA2pRyRcOXI\/ViZwHl9VRhI\/AAAAAAAAFDw\/F9Jquob9dE4\/s640\/blogger-image--22463160.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tA2pRyRcOXI\/ViZwHl9VRhI\/AAAAAAAAFDw\/F9Jquob9dE4\/s640\/blogger-image--22463160.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... I have another few ready to sell ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Mozxm2E_fBg\/Via69KU-nhI\/AAAAAAAAFEs\/dv2uk-BT-6k\/s640\/blogger-image--590671657.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Mozxm2E_fBg\/Via69KU-nhI\/AAAAAAAAFEs\/dv2uk-BT-6k\/s640\/blogger-image--590671657.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI've made another memory cushion, for the same friend as the last memory cushion (http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2015\/09\/everyday-cowls-and-more.html). My friend has a Dalmatian, and her late Mother had done a beautiful Dalmatian cross-stitch. The cross-stitch was very grubby and had rust marks and black pen marks, plus one side was stitched with about 4mm between the stitching and the edge of the fabric, making it really hard to secure. But I managed to sponge out the marks, and turn the skinny edge under just enough to make it usable.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GoPnQeODarc\/ViZwJSA1wqI\/AAAAAAAAFEI\/bCNRxaWuSjk\/s640\/blogger-image-2113128528.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GoPnQeODarc\/ViZwJSA1wqI\/AAAAAAAAFEI\/bCNRxaWuSjk\/s640\/blogger-image-2113128528.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI've had the dark blue fabric in my stash for about 14 years. I bought it as a tablecloth years ago but it never fitted my table. I used part of it 12 years ago to make a drawstring bag for my son when he was at nursery, and the remainder has gone through a couple of house moves with me, like a faithful friend.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe airplane fabric was bought for another project but there was just enough left to make this cushion cover.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-0V5zL9wVHF0\/ViZwJ_hBBRI\/AAAAAAAAFEQ\/hi1B_AqNUgk\/s640\/blogger-image--6089593.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-0V5zL9wVHF0\/ViZwJ_hBBRI\/AAAAAAAAFEQ\/hi1B_AqNUgk\/s640\/blogger-image--6089593.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI braved the button-hole foot thingy on my sewing machine for the second time in 20 years :) And I did 5 buttons in the end.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-TGIpBrSPK5c\/ViZwIzjfvgI\/AAAAAAAAFEA\/9f9Um2bh5pU\/s640\/blogger-image--288524201.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-TGIpBrSPK5c\/ViZwIzjfvgI\/AAAAAAAAFEA\/9f9Um2bh5pU\/s640\/blogger-image--288524201.jpg\" width=550\"\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EHere's the final result ... quite a good job if I may say so :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YUPQ0OzjRiM\/ViZwGy5ESBI\/AAAAAAAAFDs\/cnBhlXf_0pM\/s640\/blogger-image--1060777978.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YUPQ0OzjRiM\/ViZwGy5ESBI\/AAAAAAAAFDs\/cnBhlXf_0pM\/s640\/blogger-image--1060777978.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOn the crochet front I've made a couple of little children's granny square bags, which my friend in Scotland ordered. I love making these, they are a really good one-evening project and simple enough to do in front of the telly :) The remit was - one girl likes pink, the other likes purple, and they both like turquoise as that is their Mum's favourite colour. I think I've met the brief ....?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QMOVke0FEUs\/Via9wKG3XiI\/AAAAAAAAFE8\/-hzhzzGiTn0\/s640\/blogger-image--1311278608.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QMOVke0FEUs\/Via9wKG3XiI\/AAAAAAAAFE8\/-hzhzzGiTn0\/s640\/blogger-image--1311278608.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThey're both lined and have a button fastening, just like the ones I blogged about here\u0026nbsp;http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/12\/children-granny-square-bags.html\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-sdeEtWEzVnA\/Via904DjJ3I\/AAAAAAAAFF4\/6SQuxnawehQ\/s640\/blogger-image-510330112.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-sdeEtWEzVnA\/Via904DjJ3I\/AAAAAAAAFF4\/6SQuxnawehQ\/s640\/blogger-image-510330112.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI've also been making key rings. Owls and hearts. Lots of pieces made but not quite assembled.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-j6x3vlxrLvc\/Via9ztKxOvI\/AAAAAAAAFFs\/RZ5oB3fMTkw\/s640\/blogger-image-887169772.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-j6x3vlxrLvc\/Via9ztKxOvI\/AAAAAAAAFFs\/RZ5oB3fMTkw\/s640\/blogger-image-887169772.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm doing a stall at our school craft fair at the end of November so I need a lot of small ticket items. I'm thinking mug cosies, Christmas stockings and decorations, fabric-covered note pads, pencil cases, doorstops, etc. Today I made my first Christmas stocking. I found this jumper in the charity shop ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4ohul0j6fF0\/Via9zLg241I\/AAAAAAAAFFg\/HrnSs_qqdOw\/s640\/blogger-image--550032517.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4ohul0j6fF0\/Via9zLg241I\/AAAAAAAAFFg\/HrnSs_qqdOw\/s640\/blogger-image--550032517.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIt's so soft, and the stripes just screamed Christmas stocking at me :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-mN97T4gQIYM\/Via9wv8K99I\/AAAAAAAAFFA\/R4FeLaDppwA\/s640\/blogger-image--1850658182.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-mN97T4gQIYM\/Via9wv8K99I\/AAAAAAAAFFA\/R4FeLaDppwA\/s640\/blogger-image--1850658182.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EIt took a while to get the pattern exactly as I wanted it, as each stocking is made from 13 pieces, but now that I've made one (and it looks quite good if I do say so myself :) it should be easier to run up a few more.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-iWznrhR4e4I\/Via90WEf1cI\/AAAAAAAAFFw\/z_Lv4YK7lkQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1302400248.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-iWznrhR4e4I\/Via90WEf1cI\/AAAAAAAAFFw\/z_Lv4YK7lkQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1302400248.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe stripey bit is a knit fabric, the red bits are plain old cotton. I've always been scared of sewing with knit or jersey fabrics but it worked like a dream.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Fif_vWCYu1c\/Via9xdKE61I\/AAAAAAAAFFI\/waFvXu8Mf_0\/s640\/blogger-image-419055913.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Fif_vWCYu1c\/Via9xdKE61I\/AAAAAAAAFFI\/waFvXu8Mf_0\/s640\/blogger-image-419055913.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EugIMj0Vu4E\/Via91h4N3TI\/AAAAAAAAFGA\/XArcs7Cfv_w\/s640\/blogger-image-1919501770.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EugIMj0Vu4E\/Via91h4N3TI\/AAAAAAAAFGA\/XArcs7Cfv_w\/s640\/blogger-image-1919501770.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ENow my dilemma is how much to charge ? I asked a couple of school Mums and floated the idea of £10 and they looked at me as though I'd said a thousand. I don't want to under-value the amount of effort I put in, but equally there's no point in even making the effort if noone wants to buy the thing. Little Tomboy helpfully suggested that a price of £2 might be better. Aaaah bless her. But no.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI have so many ideas, I find it really hard to focus on one thing at a time, but I'm hoping that the deadline of the fair will focus me. My friend makes cards and we are sharing a stall, I think our things will complement each other nicely.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOh one other thing I wanted to show you .... I was doing a bit of clearing out old stuff and look what I found - the ceramic nameplate from my bedroom door from when I was little. Can't believe I still have that, isn't it fab :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-z6oEAa_2IQc\/Via9x69CQxI\/AAAAAAAAFFQ\/q-eUY1OnUb8\/s640\/blogger-image--791036441.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-z6oEAa_2IQc\/Via9x69CQxI\/AAAAAAAAFFQ\/q-eUY1OnUb8\/s640\/blogger-image--791036441.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4638051989191116119\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/10\/facebook.html#comment-form","title":"21 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4638051989191116119"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4638051989191116119"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/10\/facebook.html","title":"Facebook"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1JfU5gVHTeI\/Via68ufrVaI\/AAAAAAAAFEo\/Rydgjc0q6fg\/s72-c\/blogger-image-399119799.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"21"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6597109213966267985"},"published":{"$t":"2015-09-23T17:53:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-09-23T20:41:12.975+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Quiet in the cottage"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Good evening from a very quiet Emerald Cottage dear readers and friends :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI've been cosying up inside this week, summer and holidays seem a distant memory now that Autumn has officially started, and temperatures have dropped accordingly.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UQ-k5Rtmn98\/VgLlkoGXOXI\/AAAAAAAAFAs\/HsbB3NUeXzI\/s640\/blogger-image-1545626947.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UQ-k5Rtmn98\/VgLlkoGXOXI\/AAAAAAAAFAs\/HsbB3NUeXzI\/s640\/blogger-image-1545626947.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy nest is feeling very empty - I have one child off on a residential school trip for the week, and one husband off to the US on business. The remaining Little People keep asking \"When is Daddy back from holidays ?\". Hmmm. I know there are presentations to be given and customers to schmooze but there also usually are in-flight movies to be watched, beer to be drunk and food cooked for you. That's a holiday in my book :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QZtEtJ1c3vw\/VgLlnKufuXI\/AAAAAAAAFBA\/Q668xCrWtxA\/s640\/blogger-image--693400177.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-QZtEtJ1c3vw\/VgLlnKufuXI\/AAAAAAAAFBA\/Q668xCrWtxA\/s640\/blogger-image--693400177.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EBack here in Blighty I've nearly finished Sofia's baby blanket .... if you remember this is a gift for my neighbour's totally gorgeous little baby girl, Sofia. The rippling rippled along at quite a speed. I'm already planning another for a friend's baby, but really I need to finish Sofia's blanket first. It needs pesky ends dealing with - yes I know I could have done them as I went along but I do like a picture at the end with all those tails! Maybe it's just me ....? - and I need to decide on the border. I'm thinking a 3 row border of dc or perhaps htr, just not sure of colours. What do you think ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3o-O8mUPdwc\/VgLlll3R9CI\/AAAAAAAAFAw\/mP0x_6Uk_EA\/s640\/blogger-image--789483785.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3o-O8mUPdwc\/VgLlll3R9CI\/AAAAAAAAFAw\/mP0x_6Uk_EA\/s640\/blogger-image--789483785.jpg\" Width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESince I cannot possibly just have one project on the go at once I started a granny-square cushion yesterday. These two colours - pomegranatey-red and silvery-green are two of my favourite colours, and I think they work quite well together. The third round will be a darker green, I was going to use cream arran for the final round but I'm not 100% happy with it so as usual I'm dithering about the last leg as it were.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WFZAvt5ydRY\/VgLlmQCC3AI\/AAAAAAAAFA4\/1Ydw99uEepM\/s640\/blogger-image-940992199.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WFZAvt5ydRY\/VgLlmQCC3AI\/AAAAAAAAFA4\/1Ydw99uEepM\/s640\/blogger-image-940992199.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd, since 2 crochet projects on the go is nowhere near enough, I also have this pathetic little morsel to show for myself ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-IBDp5nWU8NM\/VgLpBno2RXI\/AAAAAAAAFB0\/kHnPS0oMGB8\/s640\/blogger-image--1529918260.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-IBDp5nWU8NM\/VgLpBno2RXI\/AAAAAAAAFB0\/kHnPS0oMGB8\/s640\/blogger-image--1529918260.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... but I'm hoping it will turn out veeeeeery sweet, I'm going for the \"aaaaaaaaw!\" factor. You will have to keep visiting to see what it turns into.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI can't remember if I mentioned before that I'm making up some little \"Sewing-kit-in-a-jar\" thingies to sell. My prototype worked quite well, the fabric is b-o-r-i-n-g but I didn't want to waste the good stuff!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KKpDslaWNTY\/VgLo_4qkkeI\/AAAAAAAAFBk\/YpXWI4CPoN0\/s640\/blogger-image--2014734775.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KKpDslaWNTY\/VgLo_4qkkeI\/AAAAAAAAFBk\/YpXWI4CPoN0\/s640\/blogger-image--2014734775.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm loving these, I would love to be given one, they are just so cute :) I think I may have seen them floating around on Pinterest, but if I owe someone specific some credit for the idea please do tell me :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-fW8_o9XQYQ8\/VgLo9NVMGoI\/AAAAAAAAFBQ\/CuH6CRYGFwI\/s640\/blogger-image--1767050359.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-fW8_o9XQYQ8\/VgLo9NVMGoI\/AAAAAAAAFBQ\/CuH6CRYGFwI\/s640\/blogger-image--1767050359.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI've spent most of today in and out of my craft room chopping up fabric and cardboard for pin-cushion tops for the jars. Lots of fun! Here are a few of the fabrics I'm using. Which is your favourite ? I'm torn between the cream and red flowers in the middle, or the green and white polka dot. Or then again the lime green leaf print is pretty too. I just like them all :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-gHeDrVFqjwE\/VgLo_LpwXnI\/AAAAAAAAFBc\/E5yGr2V8YfA\/s640\/blogger-image-41545187.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-gHeDrVFqjwE\/VgLo_LpwXnI\/AAAAAAAAFBc\/E5yGr2V8YfA\/s640\/blogger-image-41545187.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EEach little jar will contain a pin-cushion-too, pins and needles, coordinating threads and trim, needle-threader, thimble, tape-measure and a selection of buttons. Oh and scissors. I bought some really cute little scissors but they were so rubbish it wasn't even funny. The handles bent and they wouldn't even cut anything. Useless. So the replacements that I've gone with are bigger, but they fold-up, and they do actually cut stuff! Amazing!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-k7b77KbpC68\/VgLpAsIMcFI\/AAAAAAAAFBs\/91yh5_4s25A\/s640\/blogger-image--1588831075.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-k7b77KbpC68\/VgLpAsIMcFI\/AAAAAAAAFBs\/91yh5_4s25A\/s640\/blogger-image--1588831075.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm making some wee needle-cases to match the pin-cushion-top fabric. It's like being back at school, I'm sure I made my Mum one of these at some stage. Probably with gingham since that's all we ever seemed to use at school.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jyugRCkSAzc\/VgLo-Cw9L7I\/AAAAAAAAFBU\/274cDYikq9c\/s640\/blogger-image-2110937607.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jyugRCkSAzc\/VgLo-Cw9L7I\/AAAAAAAAFBU\/274cDYikq9c\/s640\/blogger-image-2110937607.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EDon't you love the little wooden bobbins - sooooo cute :). Currently they are sporting some funky stripey twine. I tried hand-winding thread onto the wooden bobbins - what a mess. I might see if I can use my sewing-machine bobbin-winder to do it instead, the wooden bobbins are way nicer than the mini spools I've used, they are on black plastic reels and, whilst practical, are not that pretty.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI have another project in mind for these little bobbins too, can't wait to share it with you, you'll have to come back after the weekend for that I think, I've promised the girls that they can help, and there may be paint involved, so it could get messy ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETil next time,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJillxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6597109213966267985\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/09\/quiet-in-cottage.html#comment-form","title":"23 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6597109213966267985"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6597109213966267985"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/09\/quiet-in-cottage.html","title":"Quiet in the cottage"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UQ-k5Rtmn98\/VgLlkoGXOXI\/AAAAAAAAFAs\/HsbB3NUeXzI\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1545626947.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"23"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-7784248174519449162"},"published":{"$t":"2015-09-14T20:26:00.004+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-09-14T20:32:08.655+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Marble Chunky Cushion"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Rainy greetings dear friends and readers :) Well, it's raining at the moment, and it was raining first thing this morning, but in between it was warm and sunny and then a bit windy. Typical British weather I guess! My flowers from last week are still going strong, gotta love chrysanthemums :) But this gerbera was very wilty looking, so I popped it in one of my little starbucks bottles .... (http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2015\/03\/spring-vase-cosies.html)\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Wr97BFPwygY\/VfcQz-1xdTI\/AAAAAAAAE-0\/gWzthGGzMZs\/s640\/blogger-image-866700210.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Wr97BFPwygY\/VfcQz-1xdTI\/AAAAAAAAE-0\/gWzthGGzMZs\/s640\/blogger-image-866700210.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E... doesn't it look sweet :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIts been a busy week here, getting everyone back into the swing of the school routine, and we had Little Tomboy's birthday over the weekend, so of course lots of partying, celebrating, and eating cake! No cake pictures though, I don't make their cakes, they prefer to choose from the supermarket. Don't feel bad for me, I am well over it!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ECraft-wise my week was quiet. Happily though, I managed to finish a WIP - hurray! Always good when a project that's been sitting around for ages finally gets completed. However it was a crochet project with my old nemesis James C Brett Marble Chunky. I've blogged about this yarn before, I love it to look at, it comes in a giant ball of super squishiness, but I most certainly DO NOT love crocheting with it. I find it too fuzzy and splitty. It's probably just me though as I know loads of other crocheters who seem to enjoy using it.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WWCOiqq7B_I\/VfcW58Gd1aI\/AAAAAAAAE_8\/G--FHNiYNM0\/s640\/blogger-image-362848973.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WWCOiqq7B_I\/VfcW58Gd1aI\/AAAAAAAAE_8\/G--FHNiYNM0\/s640\/blogger-image-362848973.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIts a fabulous yarn in terms of colour-changing and self-striping, love those blues and yellowy-greens. I decided to make a very simple cushion cover with it, in a nice dense double-crochet v-stitch. This cushion was my crochet-whilst-waiting-in-the-car-on-the-school-run project, a really easy pattern, as it was barely a pattern at all. I always find with these variegated yarns that there's no point to much of a pattern as it can often get a bit lost in the noise of the colour changes.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-FoCE-udfFR8\/VfcW40y7PEI\/AAAAAAAAE_0\/RyTSZQwYgUs\/s640\/blogger-image-1869246521.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-FoCE-udfFR8\/VfcW40y7PEI\/AAAAAAAAE_0\/RyTSZQwYgUs\/s640\/blogger-image-1869246521.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EWe recently updated our decor in the front room and have curtains and a rug that have bluey-green tones, so this cushion works really well in there. (The throw cushions that came with our grey sofa are purple and brown, rather strange default cushions to give if you ask me!)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-c6G_mCZ9rUs\/VfcW2WIyN-I\/AAAAAAAAE_c\/eKkKGMSkk1M\/s640\/blogger-image--588031982.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-c6G_mCZ9rUs\/VfcW2WIyN-I\/AAAAAAAAE_c\/eKkKGMSkk1M\/s640\/blogger-image--588031982.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIt's a very simple envelope style cushion cover, and I joined the sides with a double-crochet seam. After the joining here's how much yarn was left ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vHgcfYuMWdo\/VfcW6ghx2OI\/AAAAAAAAFAE\/nSujbee3RSc\/s640\/blogger-image--893405567.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vHgcfYuMWdo\/VfcW6ghx2OI\/AAAAAAAAFAE\/nSujbee3RSc\/s640\/blogger-image--893405567.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003EPretty good usage of a skein I'd say!\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EFor the envelope fastening I used a couple of wooden buttons, I seem to remember that they came free with an issue of Simply Crochet a couple of years ago.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2UZoDmMs2-c\/VfcW7dDY_JI\/AAAAAAAAFAI\/rA02_AacObA\/s640\/blogger-image--1825480686.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2UZoDmMs2-c\/VfcW7dDY_JI\/AAAAAAAAFAI\/rA02_AacObA\/s640\/blogger-image--1825480686.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe \"button-holes\" are just a loop of 5 chains at the appropriate point along the final row.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ExSRqCcsRdI\/VfcW4Uqpk4I\/AAAAAAAAE_s\/tlhRS0flrWc\/s640\/blogger-image--29392761.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ExSRqCcsRdI\/VfcW4Uqpk4I\/AAAAAAAAE_s\/tlhRS0flrWc\/s640\/blogger-image--29392761.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI love how the cushion looks against our sofas.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jaD2FXsPAxM\/VfcWQ84Ma-I\/AAAAAAAAE_E\/6L5WSvPEerM\/s640\/blogger-image--1191539154.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jaD2FXsPAxM\/VfcWQ84Ma-I\/AAAAAAAAE_E\/6L5WSvPEerM\/s640\/blogger-image--1191539154.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy assistant was on hand to carry out a cuddle test. \u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-0TJZXoi6cf8\/VfcW1o1OQuI\/AAAAAAAAE_U\/PtRNTdOa3ys\/s640\/blogger-image-958241645.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-0TJZXoi6cf8\/VfcW1o1OQuI\/AAAAAAAAE_U\/PtRNTdOa3ys\/s640\/blogger-image-958241645.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EShe gave it a really good squidge ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ydcAzdDoyB4\/VfcW3AD3wMI\/AAAAAAAAE_k\/CUwq5X1Cj6Y\/s640\/blogger-image--349703352.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ydcAzdDoyB4\/VfcW3AD3wMI\/AAAAAAAAE_k\/CUwq5X1Cj6Y\/s640\/blogger-image--349703352.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E.... and I'm pretty sure it passed the snuggle-cuddle test :)\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ETil next time,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EJillxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7784248174519449162\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/09\/marble-chunky-cushion.html#comment-form","title":"28 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7784248174519449162"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7784248174519449162"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/09\/marble-chunky-cushion.html","title":"Marble Chunky Cushion"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Wr97BFPwygY\/VfcQz-1xdTI\/AAAAAAAAE-0\/gWzthGGzMZs\/s72-c\/blogger-image-866700210.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"28"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2665013239550832731"},"published":{"$t":"2015-09-07T19:39:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-09-07T20:42:46.882+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Bloggy chums"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Happy Monday dear friends and readers!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd how happy and cheerful are these beautiful bright flowers - just a supermarket bunch - purchased mainly because I loved the colours but also as there is a decorative (if slightly out of focus) strawberry in there. Well, why not I suppose, ekeing out the last remnants of summer :)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--vnJxpvROl8\/Ve3Zyu63DOI\/AAAAAAAAE9Y\/IXC7EIUd6bQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1967279781.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--vnJxpvROl8\/Ve3Zyu63DOI\/AAAAAAAAE9Y\/IXC7EIUd6bQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1967279781.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EToday I am counting myself very lucky as one of my \"readers\" now most definitely falls into the \"friends\" category, not that she wasn't a friend before, but today we managed to meet up In Real Life :) The gorgeous Amy from lovemademyhome (http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk) and I spent a very very lovely couple of hours this morning drinking coffee and chatting about craft pursuits and life in general. Oh the joy of talking to a fellow crafty soul who \u003Cu style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Eunderstands\u003C\/u\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E the \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ci style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Eneed\u003C\/i\u003E to buy yarn on a frequent basis. Amy, you are a woman after my own heart, and I hope we have lots of coffee yet to drink together :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Bnbq8gUg7eY\/Ve3Z1bpXiSI\/AAAAAAAAE9g\/_1t8hkocgfE\/s640\/blogger-image--1266163127.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Bnbq8gUg7eY\/Ve3Z1bpXiSI\/AAAAAAAAE9g\/_1t8hkocgfE\/s640\/blogger-image--1266163127.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe both wore crochet brooches so we'd recognise each other and because, well, that's how we crocheters like to rock. Amazingly I didn't possess a crochet brooch (I know!! Shocker!!) so I whipped up a little flower last night, its a combo of the Twirl Center Rose from Suzann Thompson's \"Crochet Garden\" (divine book, highly recommend) and the leaf from the originally titled \"Brooch\" pattern in Nicki Trench's \"Cute and Easy Crochet With Flowers (again divine, again highly recommend).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-fzqLN4DzHCA\/Ve3hOCXa4GI\/AAAAAAAAE9w\/BA6VbUr7Rhs\/s640\/blogger-image--2110813560.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-fzqLN4DzHCA\/Ve3hOCXa4GI\/AAAAAAAAE9w\/BA6VbUr7Rhs\/s640\/blogger-image--2110813560.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EYes I know there are probably similar patterns all over Ravelry, Pinterest and the rest of the internet, but I have to justify having the books somehow! I do like crocheting flowers, never mind cute and easy, I like the fact they are quick and easy.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe backdrop (that's stretching a bit really, it's just what was next to me on the sofa) to the book photo above is my current manic crochet project. As you probably know I'm a last-minute kinda gal, I work best to a deadline. (Actually I work best after a deadline.)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qD5IvFng1ls\/Ve3lfJLVv-I\/AAAAAAAAE-M\/B71EWdmWPLQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1568162638.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qD5IvFng1ls\/Ve3lfJLVv-I\/AAAAAAAAE-M\/B71EWdmWPLQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1568162638.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EAnyway, my current manic project is a blanket for my neighbour's baby. I've known since about May that the baby was due in August and that it was a girl, but of course the blanket isn't quite finished and the baby is now 10 days old. She is scrumptious by the way, I went round to meet her on the weekend, and she is mostly laying on Mum's tummy still feeding 24\/7 so I don't suppose there's any urgency for the blanket.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-D0xmRjOxp5E\/Ve3lZfXOgOI\/AAAAAAAAE98\/_hGyR1Ndme0\/s640\/blogger-image-1663103027.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-D0xmRjOxp5E\/Ve3lZfXOgOI\/AAAAAAAAE98\/_hGyR1Ndme0\/s640\/blogger-image-1663103027.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy colour choices were inspired by this image:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Ofy6_VJjbLo\/Ve3lcDCyc7I\/AAAAAAAAE-E\/XL2IuzPeLo0\/s640\/blogger-image-2017319358.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Ofy6_VJjbLo\/Ve3lcDCyc7I\/AAAAAAAAE-E\/XL2IuzPeLo0\/s640\/blogger-image-2017319358.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003EIt's the title bar from a blog and irritatingly I can't remember which blog, but whichever blog it is - thankyou thankyou - I love the colour combo and I unashamedly totally copied it, and I hope you don't mind!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAs you can see it's a ripple, my first ripple, and I'm loving it :) I'm using the \"Wave Stitch Chair Runner\" wave\/ripple pattern from the Mollie Makes Crochet book (whoop - getting lots of value out of the crochet books at the minute).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bdg0pRPUu74\/Ve3odtPhRkI\/AAAAAAAAE-c\/isArYkZzcEg\/s640\/blogger-image--1733073627.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bdg0pRPUu74\/Ve3odtPhRkI\/AAAAAAAAE-c\/isArYkZzcEg\/s640\/blogger-image--1733073627.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWhy have I not rippled before (or waved come to that)?? It's super easy and gives such a lovely textured effect. I see a huge big massive ripple blanket in my not too distant future for ourselves at home :) Can't wait to choose colours for that!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EBye for now,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJillxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2665013239550832731\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/09\/bloggy-chums.html#comment-form","title":"23 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2665013239550832731"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2665013239550832731"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/09\/bloggy-chums.html","title":"Bloggy chums"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--vnJxpvROl8\/Ve3Zyu63DOI\/AAAAAAAAE9Y\/IXC7EIUd6bQ\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1967279781.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"23"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-8225653728918589512"},"published":{"$t":"2015-09-04T17:27:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-09-04T18:10:03.640+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Everyday Cowls and more"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello dear readers and friends :) I hope you are all having a lovely Friday, its my favourite day of the week, made even more fabulous by the fact that the schools went back this week so I've had some much needed peace and quiet!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-saoYeYBaV2A\/VenPMkYFSLI\/AAAAAAAAE44\/xypi17JDzqs\/s640\/blogger-image--2019980186.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-saoYeYBaV2A\/VenPMkYFSLI\/AAAAAAAAE44\/xypi17JDzqs\/s640\/blogger-image--2019980186.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI've squeezed in loads of crafting over the last couple of weeks. Remember I started those pink and grey cowls during my our holiday to Norn Irn (read about it here\u0026nbsp;http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2015\/07\/rain-rain-go-away.html) ..... well, I've finished them both. And worn them both already as its turned so much cooler here this week. Honestly I totally LOVE these cowls. I love them so much I will even post a picture of me wearing one .... sorry I am terrible at selfies and the cowl just looks all bunched up but its all you're getting for now \u0026nbsp;....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pO-6FNOko_I\/VenMLS5w0-I\/AAAAAAAAE4M\/1vL1F-X7Q_8\/s640\/blogger-image-721619851.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pO-6FNOko_I\/VenMLS5w0-I\/AAAAAAAAE4M\/1vL1F-X7Q_8\/s640\/blogger-image-721619851.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe pattern, from Crochet Gifts issue 5, was easy-peasy - excellent TV watching or play-park-children-supervision or waiting-before-school crochet. The cowls are lovely and squidgy and just the right length to wear doubled around like a chunky scarf. I was a total cheapskate and used poundshop acrylic DK for them both, each one used four 50g balls and at 3-for-2 they cost £3 a cowl. Now I know its not all about price and aside from that really they are easily my favourite scarves I've made to date. I will definitely be making more of them, at that price you can't go wrong can you :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-U1AnqjDC3SE\/VenMXZZ48KI\/AAAAAAAAE4s\/P-Y0k-XA1Es\/s640\/blogger-image-1240150256.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-U1AnqjDC3SE\/VenMXZZ48KI\/AAAAAAAAE4s\/P-Y0k-XA1Es\/s640\/blogger-image-1240150256.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ECross-stitch has put in an appearance too. I've not done any for ages, but took a wee notion last week so made a couple of mini samplers for cards (one's not finished yet) and I've started a large flower-fairy pictures. No photos of that but so far it looks like a splodge of random creams and greys. I'll show you more once it looks a bit less unimpressive :) If past experience is anything to go by, I'll be finishing it sometime around 2027.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3cUskozIk88\/VenMRVLy3xI\/AAAAAAAAE4c\/pyUWeaCxXZA\/s640\/blogger-image-1959870301.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3cUskozIk88\/VenMRVLy3xI\/AAAAAAAAE4c\/pyUWeaCxXZA\/s640\/blogger-image-1959870301.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOne other project finally made its way off the to-do pile (huge) to the done pile (tiny). My friend's Mum, the lady who passed away a couple of years ago, and whose cross-stitch stash I rehomed, had made this beautiful rose latch-hook rug many years ago. \u0026nbsp;Here's the back of it, isn't it gorgeous .... I prefer the back to the front, I know its not the point but I like the neat flatness of it ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-SSeV-eUOq-E\/VenMUVLoZmI\/AAAAAAAAE4k\/UH2Buo6C7AQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1753967522.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-SSeV-eUOq-E\/VenMUVLoZmI\/AAAAAAAAE4k\/UH2Buo6C7AQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1753967522.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EShe'd never managed to have it made into a finished \"thing\" but my friend really wanted to do something with it, so together we decided that a cushion would be best, and she asked me to make it for her. Aaargh pressure! To do justice to such a gorgeous piece of work which is irreplaceable and very cherished. I think that's why it took so long to get around to doing it, I was so worried about making a mess of it.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Bu5XS6OR81E\/VenMFqpjGCI\/AAAAAAAAE38\/8oeoOThXruY\/s640\/blogger-image-250299196.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Bu5XS6OR81E\/VenMFqpjGCI\/AAAAAAAAE38\/8oeoOThXruY\/s640\/blogger-image-250299196.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnyway I finally bit the sewing-bullet last week and got it done. I wanted to make a cushion cover where the cushion was the size of the rug (about 18\" square) but with a border around it, I think its sort of an Oxford pillowcase style ? Amazingly my often temperamental sewing machine behaved herself \u003Cu\u003Ebeautifully\u003C\/u\u003E, bless her, and after a bit of thinking, and a surprisingly small amount of unpicking, I ended up with this .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3OAwOpwzGVc\/VenPPi6t59I\/AAAAAAAAE5A\/VUI9Kp4HZTE\/s640\/blogger-image--1958534225.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3OAwOpwzGVc\/VenPPi6t59I\/AAAAAAAAE5A\/VUI9Kp4HZTE\/s640\/blogger-image--1958534225.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWhat do you think ? I'm very pleased. I hope my friend will be. And I'm sure her Mum would have loved it :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETil next time,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJillxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8225653728918589512\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/09\/everyday-cowls-and-more.html#comment-form","title":"13 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8225653728918589512"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8225653728918589512"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/09\/everyday-cowls-and-more.html","title":"Everyday Cowls and more"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-saoYeYBaV2A\/VenPMkYFSLI\/AAAAAAAAE44\/xypi17JDzqs\/s72-c\/blogger-image--2019980186.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"13"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2349120726272478693"},"published":{"$t":"2015-08-27T20:40:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-27T22:50:36.841+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Shimmer Cowl"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"In my family I am renowned for (and disapproved of because of) always being late with cards and presents. Last year I made a cowl - I love making cowls - for my sister-in-law for Christmas. Sis-in-law wears a palette of black, white and grey a-l-w-a-y-s, so colour choice was easy. Made in Rico Creative Reflection Print in multi-grey, the cowl is my own pattern, I used exactly 1 ball of yarn, and I finished it in time for Christmas! Whoop!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-sDgqX5LnBB4\/Vd9-zU4NmzI\/AAAAAAAAE3o\/Xvg6KuhLXnU\/s640\/blogger-image-1694845471.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-sDgqX5LnBB4\/Vd9-zU4NmzI\/AAAAAAAAE3o\/Xvg6KuhLXnU\/s640\/blogger-image-1694845471.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EBut then it needed something more and I couldn't decide what, I dithered and dithered and ended up in danger of missing the last posting date for Christmas, so I sent her something else instead. The cowl has since then sat in my pile of items that need a final touch - not technically a WIP as it was finished, just not quite \u003Ci style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Efinished\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-908lnsdAjzA\/Vd9tvDjd61I\/AAAAAAAAE3Q\/OC0jW0xHb28\/s640\/blogger-image-1206123249.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-908lnsdAjzA\/Vd9tvDjd61I\/AAAAAAAAE3Q\/OC0jW0xHb28\/s640\/blogger-image-1206123249.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe piece was worked in a rectangle and then seamed along the short edges to make a cowl. I decided to sew a row of buttons along the seam - just for decamaration (as my Gran used to say - Norn-Irn-Gran for decoration).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kugkWnCxxsE\/Vd9tyOECGzI\/AAAAAAAAE3Y\/Ow9mMsWl1eY\/s640\/blogger-image-240134841.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kugkWnCxxsE\/Vd9tyOECGzI\/AAAAAAAAE3Y\/Ow9mMsWl1eY\/s640\/blogger-image-240134841.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThis Rico yarn is 4-ply-ish, very lightweight, and is a colour-changing yarn. One of the strands is a sparkly silvery thread and adds a lovely light shimmer to the finished piece, so I'm calling it the Shimmer Cowl.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe finished cowl looks very smart I think, I'm really really pleased with how it's turned out :) And I'm going to send it to sis-in-law for her birthday. Which was last week. And no I haven't sent it yet.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnyway here is the pattern, I'm writing it up from memory - it's fairly simple, and I've read and reread it a thousand times so hopefully it will be right!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003EShimmer Cowl Pattern\u003C\/u\u003E.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EMaterials\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E1 skein (50g) Rico Creative Reflection Print\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E4mm crochet hook\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Ebuttons (optional)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EAbbreviations\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EPlease note UK terminology is used throughout, US conversion is shown below.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Ech .... chain\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Edc .... double-crochet (single-crochet in American terminology)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Etr  ..... treble-crochet(double-crochet in US terminology)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Esk .... skip\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EPattern\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EChain 200 (or any even number of stitches depending on how long you want your cowl to be).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ER1. Ch4 (counts as tr plus 1ch). Tr in 6th ch from hook, *sk next ch, ch 1, tr in next ch. Repeat from * to end.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ER2. Ch3. Tr in next ch-space, * ch1, tr in next ch-space, Repeat from * to last ch-space. Finish with tr in 3rd chain of the ch-4 at start of previous row.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ER3. Ch3. Tr in next ch-space, * ch1, tr in next ch-space, Repeat from * to last ch-space. Finish with tr in 3rd chain of the ch-3 at start of previous row.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003ER4-22. Repeat R3.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003ER23. Ch1, dc in tr, *dc in ch-space, dc in tr. Repeat from * to end. Do not fasten off.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003ETurn piece to work along short edge.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003ECh 3, then 2-tr in the side of every treble\/ch-3 along the short edge. Fasten off.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003ERejoin yarn on other short edge.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003ECh 3, then 2-tr in the side of every treble\/ch3 along the short edge. Do not fasten off.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003EJoin the short edges together, I used slip-stitch, you could also use dc or just sew them together.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EFinished cowl measures approx 20 cm x 100cm (before joining).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E** Please feel free to make and\/or sell items made from my patterns, but please do not reproduce the pattern, and if you want to include a link back to me that would be lovely :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2349120726272478693\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/08\/shimmer-cowl.html#comment-form","title":"23 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2349120726272478693"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2349120726272478693"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/08\/shimmer-cowl.html","title":"Shimmer Cowl"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-sDgqX5LnBB4\/Vd9-zU4NmzI\/AAAAAAAAE3o\/Xvg6KuhLXnU\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1694845471.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"23"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-7788442215290391976"},"published":{"$t":"2015-08-22T18:20:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-22T21:48:40.392+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Castleward Summer 2015"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OqWRHM1QwGY\/Vdiu_UURQyI\/AAAAAAAAE0k\/ceifTeskL6Y\/s640\/blogger-image--1560979303.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OqWRHM1QwGY\/Vdiu_UURQyI\/AAAAAAAAE0k\/ceifTeskL6Y\/s640\/blogger-image--1560979303.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EHello lovely friends and readers :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESchool holidays have rather gotten in the way of my blogging flow .... but hey-ho, here I am now :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI've got another National Trust visit to share with you today. Whilst we were in Norn Irn we visited Castleward which is my favouritey favouritist most favourite NT property EvEr. I Looooooooove Love LOVE Castleward. Its got the usual NT goodies on offer - great grounds, lovely walks, second-hand bookshop, a fab tea-room, and playgrounds for the Little People, but best of all it is coastal and its grounds go right down to the shores of Strangford Lough.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4nSJyPbtJQI\/VdivVe4sPHI\/AAAAAAAAE1k\/KbXMCaUX_hk\/s640\/blogger-image-1736139578.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4nSJyPbtJQI\/VdivVe4sPHI\/AAAAAAAAE1k\/KbXMCaUX_hk\/s640\/blogger-image-1736139578.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAs it was midday when we arrived we headed straight to the aforementioned tea-room. It's situated on one side of a gorgeous courtyard, so you can eat your lunch outisde, the children can mess around, and Mums can slope off to the second-hand bookshop for a sneaky mooch. I found some card-making magazines for 30p each, I bought 5 so just a teeny spend of £1.50 - but the husband rolled his eyes as usual anyway ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dYgOSoTG9i4\/Vdiu1A8TOzI\/AAAAAAAAE0E\/bRdVlguGH2Y\/s640\/blogger-image-969797877.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dYgOSoTG9i4\/Vdiu1A8TOzI\/AAAAAAAAE0E\/bRdVlguGH2Y\/s640\/blogger-image-969797877.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EFor lunch we decided to keep it simple and have toasties and scones. Look, how lovely, the tea even came in a tea-cup. That hardly ever happens these days :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2RoJc99oVBU\/Vdiu8hZ6rjI\/AAAAAAAAE0c\/yhuRNMs0jws\/s640\/blogger-image--418772478.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2RoJc99oVBU\/Vdiu8hZ6rjI\/AAAAAAAAE0c\/yhuRNMs0jws\/s640\/blogger-image--418772478.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAfter lunch we met up with my cousin as she was joining us for the afternoon. She has 2 children, who I think are my children's second cousins ? Anyway, they are similar ages to my children, but they live in Texas so we don't get to see them very often, but they all get on like a house on fire so lots of fun was to be had. We went for a wander (or a wee dander as we say in Norn Irn) down to the clock tower, and the chat got to geocaching (https:\/\/www.geocaching.com). Have you ever tried geocaching ? We had, once, years ago when it was in its infancy, and we found it a bit tricky (or maybe we were just rubbish??). My cousin goes geocaching loads but hadn't found the one at the Castleward Clock Tower and wanted to give it another go.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OSNeSuRs8L4\/VdivNJECz_I\/AAAAAAAAE1M\/6fMvl9gIAmo\/s640\/blogger-image--81009014.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OSNeSuRs8L4\/VdivNJECz_I\/AAAAAAAAE1M\/6fMvl9gIAmo\/s640\/blogger-image--81009014.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESo what is geocaching I hear you cry ? Well, it describes itself as \"the world's largest treasure hunt\". In a nutshell, any random person can hide some \"treasure\" - usually a plastic box with a little something in it like a car, shell, matchbox, plus a logbook and pen. They then log the GPS position of it on the geocaching website. Then when you want to \"do\" geocaching you go on their website and look for the caches near the position of where you are (or where you want to go a-looking). When youhave the coordinates, and with the help of a GPS device (eg your smart phone), and some hints if needed, you go off, find the treasure, add something to the box if you want to (providing you've found it of course!) and log your name in the log book. And put the box back in its hiding place. And then you can log on the website that you've found it. Yes I realise it sounds a bit pointless but its actually a lot of fun :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAfter a bit of random wandering, and then by using our phones' GPS we managed to find the Castleward Clock Tower cache - hurrah! Inside the (very very grubby) box were crayons, a barbie bat and ball, and some other bits and pieces. Oh and the logbook of course.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yUzns1dq41w\/VdivHzN8bAI\/AAAAAAAAE08\/JpfFNhsQ7xU\/s640\/blogger-image--1836673721.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yUzns1dq41w\/VdivHzN8bAI\/AAAAAAAAE08\/JpfFNhsQ7xU\/s640\/blogger-image--1836673721.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EWe wrote some little messages in the logbook, added a pinecone and a stick (that was from one of the boys - what is it with boys and sticks ???) to the box, re-hid it, and went off exploring the rest of the grounds.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bOy8qXyZBuQ\/Vdiu34nqniI\/AAAAAAAAE0M\/miJkJiZ66mA\/s640\/blogger-image-421856712.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bOy8qXyZBuQ\/Vdiu34nqniI\/AAAAAAAAE0M\/miJkJiZ66mA\/s640\/blogger-image-421856712.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EOh one other interesting thing about Castleward is that a lot of the TV series Game of Thrones is filmed here. Do you recognise Winterfell ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-taM3NXQWrmo\/Vdiu6IprAjI\/AAAAAAAAE0U\/xDJYUAIja40\/s640\/blogger-image-509185888.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-taM3NXQWrmo\/Vdiu6IprAjI\/AAAAAAAAE0U\/xDJYUAIja40\/s640\/blogger-image-509185888.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ELots of the TV series is also filmed in the Titanic Studios in Belfast, more of that another time :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EJust down from the Clock Tower you get a lovely view of Strangford Lough - you can see the little town of Portaferry on the opposite shore, I'll be posting about Portaferry next time.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kZPXBXmpZk4\/VdivSSO0P5I\/AAAAAAAAE1c\/8RPSIQtXwSY\/s640\/blogger-image-1287436099.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kZPXBXmpZk4\/VdivSSO0P5I\/AAAAAAAAE1c\/8RPSIQtXwSY\/s640\/blogger-image-1287436099.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-J8a8VmaG3MI\/VdivPhD3UtI\/AAAAAAAAE1U\/QdsoaKP4RCg\/s640\/blogger-image-1963257719.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-J8a8VmaG3MI\/VdivPhD3UtI\/AAAAAAAAE1U\/QdsoaKP4RCg\/s640\/blogger-image-1963257719.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe children wanted to say hello to Mervyn the donkey - I don't remember him looking quite so alarmed! During our visit there was a wedding going on - I tell you, they were bloomin' lucky with the weather, they had the ceremony outside - very risky - it rained every day the week before, but was completely still and dry for their wedding. We reckon they had some photos taken in a boat because we spotted someone (the best man ?) retrieving said boat in his kilt with his wellies on ...... random or what ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Z-8gaaUEjWY\/VdivKVJkOaI\/AAAAAAAAE1E\/OrV7-7cef5w\/s640\/blogger-image--757891376.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Z-8gaaUEjWY\/VdivKVJkOaI\/AAAAAAAAE1E\/OrV7-7cef5w\/s640\/blogger-image--757891376.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E... and he carried it back ashore. On his head. As you do.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-f97cOBMmzhU\/VdivCZFxOaI\/AAAAAAAAE0s\/A7BJSzRq-AU\/s640\/blogger-image-1853877880.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-f97cOBMmzhU\/VdivCZFxOaI\/AAAAAAAAE0s\/A7BJSzRq-AU\/s640\/blogger-image-1853877880.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VmtT0RL4Q8E\/VdivYP5jcXI\/AAAAAAAAE1s\/d48AVziqLdg\/s640\/blogger-image-687791061.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VmtT0RL4Q8E\/VdivYP5jcXI\/AAAAAAAAE1s\/d48AVziqLdg\/s640\/blogger-image-687791061.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESee what I mean about lovely views ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_y7LDiv4ogA\/VdiuteKS3rI\/AAAAAAAAEzs\/54_oWs9p5N4\/s640\/blogger-image-1075532415.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_y7LDiv4ogA\/VdiuteKS3rI\/AAAAAAAAEzs\/54_oWs9p5N4\/s640\/blogger-image-1075532415.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EThrough the arched window (remember Playschool anyone ??!) there is a sort of quay thing which is perfect for crabbing from.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4x8_xHPfcSw\/VdixNIocb-I\/AAAAAAAAE2A\/papf6HlCjq8\/s640\/blogger-image-299941472.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4x8_xHPfcSw\/VdixNIocb-I\/AAAAAAAAE2A\/papf6HlCjq8\/s640\/blogger-image-299941472.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAlthough I find it totally heart-stopping and can't stop myself from telling everyone to be careful all the time! Hubby and I are vegetarian but we are ok with crabbing as the crabs don't get hooked on the hook, they just grab the bait with their pincer thingy. Our bait was prawns which weren't too successful, the crabs just grab the prawns then the prawns disintegrate and the crabs fall off the line, with the prawns. So you don't get the really fun part of watching the prawns scuttle back to the water!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qD2fbEk6heY\/VdivFaT3ihI\/AAAAAAAAE00\/EEtzXob5CAU\/s640\/blogger-image--1103638070.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qD2fbEk6heY\/VdivFaT3ihI\/AAAAAAAAE00\/EEtzXob5CAU\/s640\/blogger-image--1103638070.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EWe did manage to bring one all the way up though - the children were braver than me, I wasn't going to hold it for love nor money!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-lzKBrntTFXs\/VdiuygTeSBI\/AAAAAAAAEz8\/Q6XNfrQzcbA\/s640\/blogger-image--1949501347.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-lzKBrntTFXs\/VdiuygTeSBI\/AAAAAAAAEz8\/Q6XNfrQzcbA\/s640\/blogger-image--1949501347.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIt was getting late and there was just time for a quick wander along the shore (ie a slither around on the seaweed) ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EuAd8IEU9Nk\/VdiuwIa9JGI\/AAAAAAAAEz0\/XQLvKK4f_OI\/s640\/blogger-image-1397346953.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EuAd8IEU9Nk\/VdiuwIa9JGI\/AAAAAAAAEz0\/XQLvKK4f_OI\/s640\/blogger-image-1397346953.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... before heading off for home.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-G6Mc9rpChAc\/VdixKkIfhBI\/AAAAAAAAE14\/UjCxCtB-Los\/s640\/blogger-image--137558683.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-G6Mc9rpChAc\/VdixKkIfhBI\/AAAAAAAAE14\/UjCxCtB-Los\/s640\/blogger-image--137558683.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EWell actually not home, but to the distant shores of Portaferry for tea.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yY-fEU7O6x0\/VdixQAucNgI\/AAAAAAAAE2I\/rDDgzNg6dQo\/s640\/blogger-image--998794645.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yY-fEU7O6x0\/VdixQAucNgI\/AAAAAAAAE2I\/rDDgzNg6dQo\/s640\/blogger-image--998794645.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ELooking forward to sharing Portaferry pictures next time :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EJill\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Exxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7788442215290391976\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/08\/castleward-summer-2015.html#comment-form","title":"24 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7788442215290391976"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7788442215290391976"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/08\/castleward-summer-2015.html","title":"Castleward Summer 2015"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OqWRHM1QwGY\/Vdiu_UURQyI\/AAAAAAAAE0k\/ceifTeskL6Y\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1560979303.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"24"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-8291630793766422652"},"published":{"$t":"2015-08-10T11:20:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-10T16:24:55.444+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holidays"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Mountstewart, Summer 2015"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003EHello dear readers and a Happy Monday to you :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EWe are back from our holidays; the unpacking is almost done and I'be made a good start on the dreaded post-holiday laundry. Today I thought I'd share some photos from one of our days out - a visit to Mount Stewart, a National Trust property in Co. Down, N. Ireland.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAlmost every time we go over to Norn Irn we spend a day at Mount Stewart. It's very local to where we stay when we're there, and we can easily spend the afternoon exploring the grounds and gardens.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-oH-5FbTjJ4o\/Vch62f2esKI\/AAAAAAAAErg\/nvdbPa2F5Ew\/s640\/blogger-image-957135189.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-oH-5FbTjJ4o\/Vch62f2esKI\/AAAAAAAAErg\/nvdbPa2F5Ew\/s640\/blogger-image-957135189.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIt was looking a bit dark and damp when we arrived, but the drizzle soon abated and the sun almost came out :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vSxg65tUTmk\/Vch68QZFv9I\/AAAAAAAAErw\/ykig-ixgh0U\/s640\/blogger-image-705820502.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vSxg65tUTmk\/Vch68QZFv9I\/AAAAAAAAErw\/ykig-ixgh0U\/s640\/blogger-image-705820502.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EJust at the entrance there is a Lookout Hut, inside which is lots of information about the wildlife of the area, and the deck has a gorgeous view over the beautiful Strangford Lough. Strangford Lough is in fact part of the Irish Sea, and therefore is tidal - the tide is out in the picture below.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-LSZ_iqaajd0\/Vch65or4t8I\/AAAAAAAAEro\/AMqW1nMYbug\/s640\/blogger-image-1811439608.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-LSZ_iqaajd0\/Vch65or4t8I\/AAAAAAAAEro\/AMqW1nMYbug\/s640\/blogger-image-1811439608.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd on the side of the Lookout Hut there is a fabulous mosaic mural depicting the lough with geese flying overhead.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-S9zGWrM_Sps\/Vch6_GjGZtI\/AAAAAAAAEr4\/kHLKHViNJlk\/s640\/blogger-image-948263599.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-S9zGWrM_Sps\/Vch6_GjGZtI\/AAAAAAAAEr4\/kHLKHViNJlk\/s640\/blogger-image-948263599.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe house's recent history dates back to 1744 when it was bought by the Stewart family, later to become holders of the title Marquess of Londonderry.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-n9vUG62obkI\/VciKHC4au5I\/AAAAAAAAExQ\/BDIBdelvOV8\/s640\/blogger-image-583204586.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-n9vUG62obkI\/VciKHC4au5I\/AAAAAAAAExQ\/BDIBdelvOV8\/s640\/blogger-image-583204586.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe house has undergone an extensive refurbishment, and I'd love to have a look inside, but the Little Peeps aren't that keen, so we stuck to the gardens.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-O7KTwHNS9uI\/VciJbdT-p4I\/AAAAAAAAEvw\/6wqz6SndW44\/s640\/blogger-image-1030119754.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-O7KTwHNS9uI\/VciJbdT-p4I\/AAAAAAAAEvw\/6wqz6SndW44\/s640\/blogger-image-1030119754.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd the gardens are beautiful, we only managed the \"back garden\" which consists of a large lake surrounded by pathways and gardens.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-K_3S758pZRA\/Vch-bgC38EI\/AAAAAAAAEsk\/Sf0Kct4Q-Oc\/s640\/blogger-image--984540619.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-K_3S758pZRA\/Vch-bgC38EI\/AAAAAAAAEsk\/Sf0Kct4Q-Oc\/s640\/blogger-image--984540619.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThere are more manicured \"front\" gardens, but the lake and its surrounding is much more fun for tree-climbing, and exploring in general.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hnDZjeVsZYw\/Vch-Yp_DC8I\/AAAAAAAAEsc\/vWAPOzEUwF0\/s640\/blogger-image-1689815027.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hnDZjeVsZYw\/Vch-Yp_DC8I\/AAAAAAAAEsc\/vWAPOzEUwF0\/s640\/blogger-image-1689815027.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pi7FfGWQliM\/Vch-nBQ2CfI\/AAAAAAAAEtE\/ED_McJs93GE\/s640\/blogger-image-484043186.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pi7FfGWQliM\/Vch-nBQ2CfI\/AAAAAAAAEtE\/ED_McJs93GE\/s640\/blogger-image-484043186.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe gardens are FULL of hydrangeas, I could easily have filled an entire post with photos of hydrangeas alone. Such beautiful colours, mine never look this good at home!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yzu6P1Fqbm8\/Vch-Szll-cI\/AAAAAAAAEsM\/U3J6NCjEi2s\/s640\/blogger-image-701097895.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yzu6P1Fqbm8\/Vch-Szll-cI\/AAAAAAAAEsM\/U3J6NCjEi2s\/s640\/blogger-image-701097895.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qwKKhNIvr6E\/VciKJ3ZiMxI\/AAAAAAAAExY\/P2umLQ_ljTc\/s640\/blogger-image--1140452491.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qwKKhNIvr6E\/VciKJ3ZiMxI\/AAAAAAAAExY\/P2umLQ_ljTc\/s640\/blogger-image--1140452491.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KtyBuvhKZw8\/VciKdiZGJ0I\/AAAAAAAAEyM\/chjs1g1wA6k\/s640\/blogger-image-1592528963.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KtyBuvhKZw8\/VciKdiZGJ0I\/AAAAAAAAEyM\/chjs1g1wA6k\/s640\/blogger-image-1592528963.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4cxRhWsJq-M\/VciKMs5iWXI\/AAAAAAAAExg\/T4tEKOEKKCM\/s640\/blogger-image-2104659877.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4cxRhWsJq-M\/VciKMs5iWXI\/AAAAAAAAExg\/T4tEKOEKKCM\/s640\/blogger-image-2104659877.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe insects were busy doing their insect-business ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wn0Yz1J4wtA\/VciC3fviEsI\/AAAAAAAAEuY\/x5EaaJhh1kU\/s640\/blogger-image-83545132.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wn0Yz1J4wtA\/VciC3fviEsI\/AAAAAAAAEuY\/x5EaaJhh1kU\/s640\/blogger-image-83545132.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uUcgYoiL-Xc\/VciDGRM6MbI\/AAAAAAAAEvA\/PBE3qPgmjs0\/s640\/blogger-image-1015840814.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uUcgYoiL-Xc\/VciDGRM6MbI\/AAAAAAAAEvA\/PBE3qPgmjs0\/s640\/blogger-image-1015840814.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and there was colour everywhere ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-947wUerEWu0\/Vch_ELPC9OI\/AAAAAAAAEtU\/JChYh3kfM38\/s640\/blogger-image-702128325.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-947wUerEWu0\/Vch_ELPC9OI\/AAAAAAAAEtU\/JChYh3kfM38\/s640\/blogger-image-702128325.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-MvNA4vlQ0no\/Vch-kXmUuVI\/AAAAAAAAEs8\/p2U7qwxuihE\/s640\/blogger-image--1867810446.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-MvNA4vlQ0no\/Vch-kXmUuVI\/AAAAAAAAEs8\/p2U7qwxuihE\/s640\/blogger-image--1867810446.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-fsPZsX6KcTk\/VciCyZ5oKHI\/AAAAAAAAEuI\/IA4opcoVF3o\/s640\/blogger-image--825025304.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-fsPZsX6KcTk\/VciCyZ5oKHI\/AAAAAAAAEuI\/IA4opcoVF3o\/s640\/blogger-image--825025304.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EUpon arrival we had picked up some of the National Trust's \"50 Things to do before you're 11 3\/4\" books ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aFnDMALtSLU\/Vci13Axti6I\/AAAAAAAAEzU\/UsWaGS_JNDk\/s640\/blogger-image--934040187.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aFnDMALtSLU\/Vci13Axti6I\/AAAAAAAAEzU\/UsWaGS_JNDk\/s640\/blogger-image--934040187.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and we saw that one of the things was to make a grass trumpet. I don't remember ever doing this myself as a youngster, but had a vague idea of how to do it, so I picked some nice fat blades of grass and gave it a go - it worked! So I showed the Little People how to do it - and they picked it up straight away. Happy sigh. My parenting was a success that day!!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kxIsjnmkvk4\/VciCvh-2NPI\/AAAAAAAAEuA\/aN3KMkWPlyw\/s640\/blogger-image--247172653.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kxIsjnmkvk4\/VciCvh-2NPI\/AAAAAAAAEuA\/aN3KMkWPlyw\/s640\/blogger-image--247172653.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIt was really funny. There we all were, screeching away on our grass trumpets, giggling like anything, and every family that came along clearly saw this as either a challenge or an invitation to join in, soon there were little grass trumpet orchestras screeching away all over the place!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EOther \"50 things ...\" things included roly-polying down a hill .... now that's one I definitely did when I was the same age as as Little Tomboy ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_t2L1r1g1QM\/Vch-p20YG2I\/AAAAAAAAEtM\/zIzWQ31pEys\/s640\/blogger-image--1032566062.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_t2L1r1g1QM\/Vch-p20YG2I\/AAAAAAAAEtM\/zIzWQ31pEys\/s640\/blogger-image--1032566062.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and everywhere we walked gave us a new view of the lake .... so pretty :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-RNz8ZirchhU\/Vch_O4Qzj9I\/AAAAAAAAEt0\/i39QzAO_3qQ\/s640\/blogger-image-267800307.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-RNz8ZirchhU\/Vch_O4Qzj9I\/AAAAAAAAEt0\/i39QzAO_3qQ\/s640\/blogger-image-267800307.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-r1EFhM7UNAc\/VciDJvK1aXI\/AAAAAAAAEvI\/MQkyi7JnApE\/s640\/blogger-image--336566021.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-r1EFhM7UNAc\/VciDJvK1aXI\/AAAAAAAAEvI\/MQkyi7JnApE\/s640\/blogger-image--336566021.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aFg2bRMYwQ4\/VciKVRwHFHI\/AAAAAAAAEx4\/KgBT-V1cWPA\/s640\/blogger-image-326780911.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aFg2bRMYwQ4\/VciKVRwHFHI\/AAAAAAAAEx4\/KgBT-V1cWPA\/s640\/blogger-image-326780911.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bkEoP3VsG_c\/VciDNbimK0I\/AAAAAAAAEvQ\/uHV111hyUW0\/s640\/blogger-image-654916180.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bkEoP3VsG_c\/VciDNbimK0I\/AAAAAAAAEvQ\/uHV111hyUW0\/s640\/blogger-image-654916180.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIn a small clearing is a rather bizarre statue of a white stag. There's no mention of why it's here. I suspect it's been donated by a local artist, but I could be totally wrong. Whatever, it is beautiful, if a bit surreal!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yPlTwSDAt3g\/VciJmx2B0sI\/AAAAAAAAEwQ\/n_aqjD-xIzo\/s640\/blogger-image-309015873.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yPlTwSDAt3g\/VciJmx2B0sI\/AAAAAAAAEwQ\/n_aqjD-xIzo\/s640\/blogger-image-309015873.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EHalfway round the lake you stumble upon an intriguing little staircase leading to \"Tir n'an Og\" ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Pys3cHS9fpc\/VciDDezaClI\/AAAAAAAAEu4\/54aBKc5IFTI\/s640\/blogger-image-1707761335.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Pys3cHS9fpc\/VciDDezaClI\/AAAAAAAAEu4\/54aBKc5IFTI\/s640\/blogger-image-1707761335.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ETir n'an Og is Gaelic for \"Land of Youth\", and was the name for the Underworld (or nicer sounding Otherworld as it was called) in Irish mythology. At Mount Stewart the Tir n'an Og staircase leads to the private Stewart family cemetery, and as it's private obviously I have no photos, but in the pathways and stairways surrounding it there is a riot of colour, the flowers really come into their own here ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nuI2kcaC1Y0\/VciDAdZXdzI\/AAAAAAAAEuw\/JoYZ53dBVAg\/s640\/blogger-image-519878162.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nuI2kcaC1Y0\/VciDAdZXdzI\/AAAAAAAAEuw\/JoYZ53dBVAg\/s640\/blogger-image-519878162.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-NW-59DL42ic\/VciC0-if3gI\/AAAAAAAAEuQ\/p6G64z1l34o\/s640\/blogger-image-1640722216.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-NW-59DL42ic\/VciC0-if3gI\/AAAAAAAAEuQ\/p6G64z1l34o\/s640\/blogger-image-1640722216.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-AbFm7iGWJiA\/VciC9c5fNsI\/AAAAAAAAEuo\/TnGKYB9wPWk\/s640\/blogger-image-2139960618.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-AbFm7iGWJiA\/VciC9c5fNsI\/AAAAAAAAEuo\/TnGKYB9wPWk\/s640\/blogger-image-2139960618.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jHIUGVB5Vv4\/VciDQBzzJWI\/AAAAAAAAEvY\/ttyn_IOzl8c\/s640\/blogger-image-926310170.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jHIUGVB5Vv4\/VciDQBzzJWI\/AAAAAAAAEvY\/ttyn_IOzl8c\/s640\/blogger-image-926310170.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EWe loved the way the red fallen leaves looked so vibrant in the cobbles below ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CE4GGdylFkY\/VciC6V-NoNI\/AAAAAAAAEug\/LtEpRBQFv-8\/s640\/blogger-image-767090098.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CE4GGdylFkY\/VciC6V-NoNI\/AAAAAAAAEug\/LtEpRBQFv-8\/s640\/blogger-image-767090098.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ubkwKQHQe04\/VciJsbkONPI\/AAAAAAAAEwg\/yA95c3g8UMg\/s640\/blogger-image-614244859.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ubkwKQHQe04\/VciJsbkONPI\/AAAAAAAAEwg\/yA95c3g8UMg\/s640\/blogger-image-614244859.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-D364IwMIsfE\/VciKgGk387I\/AAAAAAAAEyU\/1z7cd6Wae4M\/s640\/blogger-image-900850520.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-D364IwMIsfE\/VciKgGk387I\/AAAAAAAAEyU\/1z7cd6Wae4M\/s640\/blogger-image-900850520.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-If0H_dPVS9k\/VciKYHZc1pI\/AAAAAAAAEyA\/q6_qERBCkJY\/s640\/blogger-image--2119692439.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-If0H_dPVS9k\/VciKYHZc1pI\/AAAAAAAAEyA\/q6_qERBCkJY\/s640\/blogger-image--2119692439.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-gdNJazgFmFI\/VciJpVMq--I\/AAAAAAAAEwY\/7U9e6U4PzeM\/s640\/blogger-image--444882789.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-gdNJazgFmFI\/VciJpVMq--I\/AAAAAAAAEwY\/7U9e6U4PzeM\/s640\/blogger-image--444882789.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wCEIKiU5rUY\/VciJYl-C2cI\/AAAAAAAAEvo\/CYGryPsXJfs\/s640\/blogger-image-1031222676.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wCEIKiU5rUY\/VciJYl-C2cI\/AAAAAAAAEvo\/CYGryPsXJfs\/s640\/blogger-image-1031222676.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThere was lots of nature-gathering - I love these photos of booty from our trips ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-AVSSiI3Wcfw\/VciJ5CFl5NI\/AAAAAAAAExA\/jFQ426zMjVo\/s640\/blogger-image-306691898.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-AVSSiI3Wcfw\/VciJ5CFl5NI\/AAAAAAAAExA\/jFQ426zMjVo\/s640\/blogger-image-306691898.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XOdadJxJX2I\/Vch-VvZ3CqI\/AAAAAAAAEsU\/KGEC77CPaEY\/s640\/blogger-image--1388897640.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XOdadJxJX2I\/Vch-VvZ3CqI\/AAAAAAAAEsU\/KGEC77CPaEY\/s640\/blogger-image--1388897640.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2fXlUBVYOmE\/Vch-elrepPI\/AAAAAAAAEss\/EoHnR8VzVPM\/s640\/blogger-image-967383034.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2fXlUBVYOmE\/Vch-elrepPI\/AAAAAAAAEss\/EoHnR8VzVPM\/s640\/blogger-image-967383034.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kZthnxKt9W0\/VciKjEC48PI\/AAAAAAAAEyc\/9TKPhDiHPqU\/s640\/blogger-image--1548308288.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kZthnxKt9W0\/VciKjEC48PI\/AAAAAAAAEyc\/9TKPhDiHPqU\/s640\/blogger-image--1548308288.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PqKHWvbLDuA\/VciKaxFeY3I\/AAAAAAAAEyE\/Cls0rjnomHk\/s640\/blogger-image-1618132292.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PqKHWvbLDuA\/VciKaxFeY3I\/AAAAAAAAEyE\/Cls0rjnomHk\/s640\/blogger-image-1618132292.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAfter a full circuit of the lake we made our way back to the cafe for ice-creams outside. I love the super-size flower pots ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-iehhBe0zqRQ\/Vch_MBGFJyI\/AAAAAAAAEts\/fGjYgsIUWqU\/s640\/blogger-image--1219076081.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-iehhBe0zqRQ\/Vch_MBGFJyI\/AAAAAAAAEts\/fGjYgsIUWqU\/s640\/blogger-image--1219076081.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--ifxn-mvJNA\/VciJvWrgEnI\/AAAAAAAAEwo\/JNkNfAdYdAo\/s640\/blogger-image--1820689023.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--ifxn-mvJNA\/VciJvWrgEnI\/AAAAAAAAEwo\/JNkNfAdYdAo\/s640\/blogger-image--1820689023.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E... and I had a little peak in the plant \"shop\". The window in the fence is actually a mirror. I LOVE this, I totally thought it was a window until my own reflection surprised me!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VmQrS8Ca4Zo\/VciJhAZZxJI\/AAAAAAAAEwA\/wGuR2fcV7Vc\/s640\/blogger-image-349959298.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VmQrS8Ca4Zo\/VciJhAZZxJI\/AAAAAAAAEwA\/wGuR2fcV7Vc\/s640\/blogger-image-349959298.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe plant area had some fabulously quirky olde-worlde bits and pieces dotted about ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-c9LfTD5qhjo\/VciKlgOU-4I\/AAAAAAAAEyk\/zYAtiJW8qUU\/s640\/blogger-image--2122456719.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-c9LfTD5qhjo\/VciKlgOU-4I\/AAAAAAAAEyk\/zYAtiJW8qUU\/s640\/blogger-image--2122456719.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UpWN3ghgXHg\/VciKSdnXTOI\/AAAAAAAAExw\/udMY0LioOdk\/s640\/blogger-image--1312071355.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UpWN3ghgXHg\/VciKSdnXTOI\/AAAAAAAAExw\/udMY0LioOdk\/s640\/blogger-image--1312071355.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EBy this time it was time to head home, but not before a quick nosy in the second-hand bookshop. And of course I couldn't leave empty-handed. You've probably heard me say it before - what I love most about second-hand book shops is the randomness of the books. This time I bought, for the princely sum of £1.00, this book by Betty MacDonald.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qkIYpuT-sVw\/Vci10n6ItOI\/AAAAAAAAEzM\/vNYc-A3hXP4\/s640\/blogger-image--1405815352.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qkIYpuT-sVw\/Vci10n6ItOI\/AAAAAAAAEzM\/vNYc-A3hXP4\/s640\/blogger-image--1405815352.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EOnions in the Stew, memoirs of Betty's time living on an island near Seattle, will be on my next month's reading list :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ERight, the washing machine is finished, I'm off to reload it for the millionth time today!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EBye for now\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Exxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8291630793766422652\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/08\/mountstewart-summer-2015.html#comment-form","title":"17 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8291630793766422652"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8291630793766422652"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/08\/mountstewart-summer-2015.html","title":"Mountstewart, Summer 2015"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-oH-5FbTjJ4o\/Vch62f2esKI\/AAAAAAAAErg\/nvdbPa2F5Ew\/s72-c\/blogger-image-957135189.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"17"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-3349395146614677187"},"published":{"$t":"2015-07-28T20:48:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-10T16:16:58.661+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holidays"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Rain rain go away"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello lovely friends and readers :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EWe're enjoying a lovely holiday at the moment back home in Northern Ireland. Or Norn Irn as we like to say :) \u0026nbsp;The word \"home\" has a couple of different meanings for me. If I'm in England, I'll walk \"home\" from dropping the children to school, or I'll drive \"home\" from the shops. But, equally, I might say to someone \"at home we have brown lemonade\" and in that context I mean Norn-Irn-home. When in Norn Irn I'll sigh and say \"gah. It's sunny back at home\" (England-home). Also when I'm at home (England) I will talk about going \"home\" (Norn-Irn-home) and when in Norn Irn I'll sigh and say \"boo, we have to go home next week\" (England-home). But if I ever talk about Home-home, I mean Norn Irn. Got it ???!!?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ghvidkKF8YM\/VbfrpVMJEwI\/AAAAAAAAEqw\/OqHd0eSGXRc\/s640\/blogger-image--1788147912.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ghvidkKF8YM\/VbfrpVMJEwI\/AAAAAAAAEqw\/OqHd0eSGXRc\/s640\/blogger-image--1788147912.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EAnyway when I said it was sunny back at home, I was alluding to the fact that it's been drizzle-drizzle-drizzle since we got here, interspersed with heavy showers just to mix it up a bit. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being at home (Norn-Irn-home) but it would be even better if it was a bit drier. Actually it's not usually this bad. We go home (NI) most years in the summer and this year has been the wettest ever. Oh well, it could be worse, we could be camping !! And at least the birds are happy!!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qQUyXmPuqvc\/VbfrkkKvZ2I\/AAAAAAAAEqo\/E2f4vJ0rhXU\/s640\/blogger-image-1039222415.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qQUyXmPuqvc\/VbfrkkKvZ2I\/AAAAAAAAEqo\/E2f4vJ0rhXU\/s640\/blogger-image-1039222415.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EWe've managed lots of fun despite the incessant rain. We've gone swimming - and met more Norn-Irn'ers who live in England who are home (NI) for a holiday; we've gone to the cinema with my cousin and her Little People - lots of mixup with tickets resulting in a set of free tickets for next week - result ! ; and visiting with my bro, sis-in-law and little nephew. Little Nephew is my Little People's only cousin, he is only 4 and is ToTaLlY GoRgEoUs - my lot completely adore him and the feeling is mutual. We spent a great evening with them, with a (rather damp) barbeque - golf umbrella anyone ???!!! We're staying at my parents' house - they are away at the moment so we are house-sitting for them. When they get back we move into a holiday home for a week, we don't really all fit into their house any more.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ku4lqmnI4D4\/VbfauNDfWhI\/AAAAAAAAEo0\/vope5jivGNI\/s640\/blogger-image--502438357.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ku4lqmnI4D4\/VbfauNDfWhI\/AAAAAAAAEo0\/vope5jivGNI\/s640\/blogger-image--502438357.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EEven though it's not too sunny we've enjoyed lots of ice-cream. It is a holiday after all. This one was bubblegum flavoured apparently. Eurgh. But I do like the cone :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-IXfnyhBHzeY\/VbfcTnVPfyI\/AAAAAAAAEpY\/KDk2sE_uhH0\/s640\/blogger-image-1224865545.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-IXfnyhBHzeY\/VbfcTnVPfyI\/AAAAAAAAEpY\/KDk2sE_uhH0\/s640\/blogger-image-1224865545.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd there have been lattes for the grown-ups of course ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-l1AX8Sh3vK8\/VbfajgU8RnI\/AAAAAAAAEos\/oyQLcQN8Xh0\/s640\/blogger-image-1417011402.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-l1AX8Sh3vK8\/VbfajgU8RnI\/AAAAAAAAEos\/oyQLcQN8Xh0\/s640\/blogger-image-1417011402.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E... and we've stayed in a bit and just chilled, with some new colouring stuff.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4x2fiqXpfU0\/VbfZlBZh-FI\/AAAAAAAAEoc\/-IbrUwJPue8\/s640\/blogger-image--895486590.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4x2fiqXpfU0\/VbfZlBZh-FI\/AAAAAAAAEoc\/-IbrUwJPue8\/s640\/blogger-image--895486590.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EI've taken advantage of the new grown-up colouring that's taken over the world! I've always loved doing a sneaky bit of colouring in the children's books, finally I don't have to keep it secret any more !!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Cj41mu-iGto\/VbfcH0aJKWI\/AAAAAAAAEpQ\/unP0Hr5rFr0\/s640\/blogger-image--289551558.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Cj41mu-iGto\/VbfcH0aJKWI\/AAAAAAAAEpQ\/unP0Hr5rFr0\/s640\/blogger-image--289551558.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EI'm loving this birdhouse design, I've decided to make it into a cushion when I get home (perhaps with less fancy brickwork though ....)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003ENext to crochet and craft, my other favourite thing is shopping. Any kind of shopping, and in fact, the cheaper the better. I do love a bargain! There are loads of local shops here that are dead cheap, pound-shop type of places, we do have them over at home in England too, but I don't usually go as they're in the town-centre and I rarely venture that far (its at least 4 miles for heavens sake, the local shops are about a mile and thats as far as I go - how adventurous!!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EAnyway. The cheap shops had loads of those grown-up colouring books, and nice new pens ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1wucmcCiQpg\/VbfoUIxWyKI\/AAAAAAAAEqc\/NEUCFYqBSSQ\/s640\/blogger-image--2045752114.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1wucmcCiQpg\/VbfoUIxWyKI\/AAAAAAAAEqc\/NEUCFYqBSSQ\/s640\/blogger-image--2045752114.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E... and loads of craft bits and pieces .... these packs were £1 each ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-eJZUNSFxSeU\/VbfmUX9vK-I\/AAAAAAAAEqA\/97U-BiVefag\/s640\/blogger-image--839556597.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-eJZUNSFxSeU\/VbfmUX9vK-I\/AAAAAAAAEqA\/97U-BiVefag\/s640\/blogger-image--839556597.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and some totally bargainous craft books. I treated myself to the Dressmaking book as blogged about by Jo here (http:\/\/joeveryday19.blogspot.co.uk\/2015\/07\/in-navy.html), and also I bought the Mollie Makes \"Woodland Friends\" book. Normally £12, I bought it for £3 :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vENVapHAMyw\/Vbfmxgr88xI\/AAAAAAAAEqQ\/zgBJDc8b5rg\/s640\/blogger-image--1671905683.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vENVapHAMyw\/Vbfmxgr88xI\/AAAAAAAAEqQ\/zgBJDc8b5rg\/s640\/blogger-image--1671905683.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI've coveted this Mollie Makes book for ages but really couldn't justify it (yes, there are limits to my spending), but this price was perfectly ok! And look, how cute....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-TCPACEew7T8\/VbfmjB3yu9I\/AAAAAAAAEqI\/hPWN1llGWrE\/s640\/blogger-image--1643235193.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-TCPACEew7T8\/VbfmjB3yu9I\/AAAAAAAAEqI\/hPWN1llGWrE\/s640\/blogger-image--1643235193.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Eand Haaaaaalelujah - a couple of the shops also sold yarn! Hurrah! Hurray! Deep joy! Okay so its cheap (obviously) but at £1 a ball AND at 3-for-2 (I know, I know!! total bargain!!) I couldn't really walk past it now could I. I'll show you the somewhat limited colours I bought another time. But I decided to use this pink to make a cowl. Not sure how the colour shows up here, but its a sort of rosy dusky pink.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-REmR33qmMLg\/VbfaW5sbUtI\/AAAAAAAAEok\/g7nOGKunv0k\/s640\/blogger-image-2055806627.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-REmR33qmMLg\/VbfaW5sbUtI\/AAAAAAAAEok\/g7nOGKunv0k\/s640\/blogger-image-2055806627.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAs I mentioned its been drizzle-drizzle-drizzle since we got here, interspersed with heavy showers just to mix things up a bit, and my cagoule\/raincoat thing has this butterfly pattern on it ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VVuRCwqL8PA\/Vbfa3-AQB0I\/AAAAAAAAEo8\/1jdV2fE5K94\/s640\/blogger-image-321060075.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VVuRCwqL8PA\/Vbfa3-AQB0I\/AAAAAAAAEo8\/1jdV2fE5K94\/s640\/blogger-image-321060075.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E(incidentally at school we always called them pac-a-macs but people look a it weirdly at me in England when I call it that so I'm not sure if its a Northern Irish thing or a kiddy thing ??!!).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnyway I had also bought some crochet magazines here that I struggle to get easily at home (without traipsing into town I mean) ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-c1Zguo8R5mY\/VbfbFc5xINI\/AAAAAAAAEpE\/ly9-ItOA13Q\/s640\/blogger-image-204796288.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-c1Zguo8R5mY\/VbfbFc5xINI\/AAAAAAAAEpE\/ly9-ItOA13Q\/s640\/blogger-image-204796288.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and in one of them is the \"Everyday Cowl\" ... so I got started ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-n4sTj813Z08\/VbfcdIxn05I\/AAAAAAAAEpg\/F5k_HeODw3k\/s640\/blogger-image-1329696662.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-n4sTj813Z08\/VbfcdIxn05I\/AAAAAAAAEpg\/F5k_HeODw3k\/s640\/blogger-image-1329696662.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI know what you're thinking - you said you were doing it in pink Jill\" .... yes I was, but I bought the magazine first, then some nice grey yarn in some cheapy shop or other, and I started the cowl in grey. I love how the first row or two looks a bit like a DNA strand. Now I know how to crochet DNA should the need ever arise.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESo anyway I then bought the pink yarn the next day, and decided that a pink cowl would go better with the pac-a-mac. Its not that warm here either, as well as being not that dry. So I started the cowl in the pink last night.....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-m6QqiQo7Kh8\/VbfcoqFB5zI\/AAAAAAAAEpo\/CLbOuBjP1jc\/s640\/blogger-image--1112236045.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-m6QqiQo7Kh8\/VbfcoqFB5zI\/AAAAAAAAEpo\/CLbOuBjP1jc\/s640\/blogger-image--1112236045.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EPink DNA. Excellent. So I finished nearly the first ball of pink yarn and it looks like this ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CNhhL7XwtSc\/VbfmFGqr3XI\/AAAAAAAAEp4\/H5TBte4GDfM\/s640\/blogger-image-248612342.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CNhhL7XwtSc\/VbfmFGqr3XI\/AAAAAAAAEp4\/H5TBte4GDfM\/s640\/blogger-image-248612342.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EReally pretty. Lovely, even, but seriously short. So I went back to the shop where I got the pink yarn - and yes - of course - No Pink Left. Argh. There was however grey. Just not quite the same grey as the first grey. Which I also didn't have enough of. So \"Oh Dear\" I said, \"I shall just have to buy More Yarn\". Is this actually some kind of obsessive compulsive yarn addiction I have ? So after this post I'm starting it for the third time. In the new grey. Good job I enjoy crocheting, eh ?!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3349395146614677187\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/07\/rain-rain-go-away.html#comment-form","title":"17 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3349395146614677187"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3349395146614677187"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/07\/rain-rain-go-away.html","title":"Rain rain go away"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ghvidkKF8YM\/VbfrpVMJEwI\/AAAAAAAAEqw\/OqHd0eSGXRc\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1788147912.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"17"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-9090506553493798681"},"published":{"$t":"2015-07-19T21:49:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-10T16:16:40.166+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Strawberry Lace Scarf"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Q8h5now98qY\/VawM9JuZ5EI\/AAAAAAAAEnQ\/cTrJieqm1zA\/s640\/blogger-image--424298799.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Q8h5now98qY\/VawM9JuZ5EI\/AAAAAAAAEnQ\/cTrJieqm1zA\/s640\/blogger-image--424298799.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EThis weekend I've finished and blocked the Strawberry Lace Scarf. I'm so pleased with how it's turned out :) I might have to make myself one. Or possibly two.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zhTJ6LZAU7U\/VawM5984SAI\/AAAAAAAAEnI\/GjMSM6hJVOM\/s640\/blogger-image--315891167.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zhTJ6LZAU7U\/VawM5984SAI\/AAAAAAAAEnI\/GjMSM6hJVOM\/s640\/blogger-image--315891167.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAs mentioned in a previous post it's from the Crochet Noro book. Its a beautiful book, every single project in it is divine, the pictures are glorious, it makes you want to rush out and buy as much yarn as you can get your hands on (nothing new there then).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EL\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003Eook how crinkly the scarf looked before blocking ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-RVHEYvNNCb0\/VawNL5V1lKI\/AAAAAAAAEn4\/qm8RC2cL8SI\/s640\/blogger-image-1821112836.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-RVHEYvNNCb0\/VawNL5V1lKI\/AAAAAAAAEn4\/qm8RC2cL8SI\/s640\/blogger-image-1821112836.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EHere it is pinned out on my blocking boards. I use those foam tile things for kids, you know the ones you can join together, my lot make hopscotch with them in the garden. Don't worry, they aren't muddy, I bought myself a whole pack Just. For. Blocking.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PXUKjcvGGAM\/VawNRdJOG8I\/AAAAAAAAEoI\/GQ3eZiQ0zc4\/s640\/blogger-image--376425421.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PXUKjcvGGAM\/VawNRdJOG8I\/AAAAAAAAEoI\/GQ3eZiQ0zc4\/s640\/blogger-image--376425421.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PeGMqeBRpAQ\/VawM3EzojVI\/AAAAAAAAEnA\/8OInz_Cw9Rk\/s640\/blogger-image--540492257.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PeGMqeBRpAQ\/VawM3EzojVI\/AAAAAAAAEnA\/8OInz_Cw9Rk\/s640\/blogger-image--540492257.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI love how blocking transforms something from a shrivelled up mess into a gorgeous piece of gorgeousness :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ALpAJP2aAO4\/VawM0BtMiOI\/AAAAAAAAEm4\/h49rc_igQ6I\/s640\/blogger-image-1061249988.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ALpAJP2aAO4\/VawM0BtMiOI\/AAAAAAAAEm4\/h49rc_igQ6I\/s640\/blogger-image-1061249988.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIt is a tad (ie a LoT) longer after blocking than I'd anticipated, however I do think that for a scarf it is better to err on the side of too long. Nothing worse than a short scarf, is there.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YFQDfZBEwoU\/VawNJWmiz1I\/AAAAAAAAEnw\/nbSJzSQ1a7A\/s640\/blogger-image--1359189355.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YFQDfZBEwoU\/VawNJWmiz1I\/AAAAAAAAEnw\/nbSJzSQ1a7A\/s640\/blogger-image--1359189355.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ri5UvdGc_lg\/VawM_y1CatI\/AAAAAAAAEnY\/ZJYAe0YW0TA\/s640\/blogger-image--1765091815.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ri5UvdGc_lg\/VawM_y1CatI\/AAAAAAAAEnY\/ZJYAe0YW0TA\/s640\/blogger-image--1765091815.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-LTYCrnBRuZ8\/VawNGIIrb8I\/AAAAAAAAEno\/FyNwLDJyuZ8\/s640\/blogger-image--1629058696.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-LTYCrnBRuZ8\/VawNGIIrb8I\/AAAAAAAAEno\/FyNwLDJyuZ8\/s640\/blogger-image--1629058696.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-80FJ6l2qn-M\/VawNOreTZHI\/AAAAAAAAEoA\/_XI4obtYsC0\/s640\/blogger-image--1768654815.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-80FJ6l2qn-M\/VawNOreTZHI\/AAAAAAAAEoA\/_XI4obtYsC0\/s640\/blogger-image--1768654815.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-logQHNMNH10\/VawNDKbSDuI\/AAAAAAAAEng\/wA2QfEqDXoI\/s640\/blogger-image--420445774.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-logQHNMNH10\/VawNDKbSDuI\/AAAAAAAAEng\/wA2QfEqDXoI\/s640\/blogger-image--420445774.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe scarf is a present for Little Man's mentor, Mrs W. Mrs W. has been so good with him this year, hubby and I are so grateful. She deserves a medal but hopefully a scarf is even better. I hope she likes it :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/9090506553493798681\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/07\/strawberry-lace-scarf.html#comment-form","title":"24 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/9090506553493798681"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/9090506553493798681"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/07\/strawberry-lace-scarf.html","title":"Strawberry Lace Scarf"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Q8h5now98qY\/VawM9JuZ5EI\/AAAAAAAAEnQ\/cTrJieqm1zA\/s72-c\/blogger-image--424298799.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"24"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-7163609848350391692"},"published":{"$t":"2015-07-17T19:45:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-10T16:27:42.423+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"days out"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Vyne"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Earlier this week my dear Friend and I had a visit to the Vyne, a National Trust Property not too far from us. You can read about one of my previous visits to the Vyne \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/06\/a-visit-to-vyne.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-NgW5f1CMjJA\/ValQ7QAMLPI\/AAAAAAAAEhE\/Xe_skjeNqNU\/s640\/blogger-image--1197813332.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-NgW5f1CMjJA\/ValQ7QAMLPI\/AAAAAAAAEhE\/Xe_skjeNqNU\/s640\/blogger-image--1197813332.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFriend and I both have NT membership and usually use it with our respective families, meaning that we never really get to look around the actual houses very much, as we are usually dealing with small ones running off, or older ones declaring they're bored. But this time we had no offspring in tow, it was just the two of us with cameras, chat, and a thirst for a good cuppa.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-0v7nttpN0ZQ\/ValQ2VHLHpI\/AAAAAAAAEg0\/RhcQxVNbEA4\/s640\/blogger-image--1610051482.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-0v7nttpN0ZQ\/ValQ2VHLHpI\/AAAAAAAAEg0\/RhcQxVNbEA4\/s640\/blogger-image--1610051482.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe Vyne, and by that I mean the house itself, dates back to Tudor times (1600's), although it has had many changes since - you can read a bit more of its history \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.nationaltrust.org.uk\/vyne\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GatGCpZiso8\/ValQwmI25cI\/AAAAAAAAEgk\/PC-wIhjx_gE\/s640\/blogger-image-2072729493.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GatGCpZiso8\/ValQwmI25cI\/AAAAAAAAEgk\/PC-wIhjx_gE\/s640\/blogger-image-2072729493.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe house is set before a lovely ornamental lake - you can just see the house peeping through on left in the picture above. The Trust have very thoughtfully provided loads of \"proper\" deckchairs - we decided next time we will bring a proper picnic in a proper picnic hamper :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-FREii-aMLl4\/ValQzg7D7gI\/AAAAAAAAEgs\/8FnXrAe41VQ\/s640\/blogger-image--904368446.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-FREii-aMLl4\/ValQzg7D7gI\/AAAAAAAAEgs\/8FnXrAe41VQ\/s640\/blogger-image--904368446.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe Canadian geese looked a bit hungry, so we didn't hang around as we had no food for them ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-r92kku6IU9c\/ValQ43KQa8I\/AAAAAAAAEg8\/wZLmU8UC-1g\/s640\/blogger-image-1504722539.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-r92kku6IU9c\/ValQ43KQa8I\/AAAAAAAAEg8\/wZLmU8UC-1g\/s640\/blogger-image-1504722539.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe grounds are beautiful, as you would expect in any NT maintained property :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CMXhcFYXeag\/ValXT6fWitI\/AAAAAAAAEjU\/qsod3V1dAzg\/s640\/blogger-image--288954435.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CMXhcFYXeag\/ValXT6fWitI\/AAAAAAAAEjU\/qsod3V1dAzg\/s640\/blogger-image--288954435.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-58rmV4ZqGMU\/ValXLQyKgsI\/AAAAAAAAEi8\/kE8wa0dMcXE\/s640\/blogger-image-777087211.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-58rmV4ZqGMU\/ValXLQyKgsI\/AAAAAAAAEi8\/kE8wa0dMcXE\/s640\/blogger-image-777087211.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-asBaafhHT8c\/ValXF5dfsMI\/AAAAAAAAEis\/fBf95NOXtHM\/s640\/blogger-image-1517934486.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-asBaafhHT8c\/ValXF5dfsMI\/AAAAAAAAEis\/fBf95NOXtHM\/s640\/blogger-image-1517934486.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HVqco3uBMnE\/ValW4UJNiqI\/AAAAAAAAEiE\/1GkmZoqHPeE\/s640\/blogger-image-2064605485.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HVqco3uBMnE\/ValW4UJNiqI\/AAAAAAAAEiE\/1GkmZoqHPeE\/s640\/blogger-image-2064605485.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nlI8a0q0WUI\/ValWqlWyRFI\/AAAAAAAAEhc\/WjrGMyyMsdY\/s640\/blogger-image-2064022560.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nlI8a0q0WUI\/ValWqlWyRFI\/AAAAAAAAEhc\/WjrGMyyMsdY\/s640\/blogger-image-2064022560.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hqW3MV8Vn60\/ValXgMuLLiI\/AAAAAAAAEj0\/YyVt97nH-gg\/s640\/blogger-image--729736257.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hqW3MV8Vn60\/ValXgMuLLiI\/AAAAAAAAEj0\/YyVt97nH-gg\/s640\/blogger-image--729736257.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pxtm36aehQo\/ValW1v11ynI\/AAAAAAAAEh8\/MfOT5T_3AsA\/s640\/blogger-image-796108523.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pxtm36aehQo\/ValW1v11ynI\/AAAAAAAAEh8\/MfOT5T_3AsA\/s640\/blogger-image-796108523.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ExljjI6GQ2E\/ValW9svcD7I\/AAAAAAAAEiU\/rI112YzBLmA\/s640\/blogger-image-495393727.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ExljjI6GQ2E\/ValW9svcD7I\/AAAAAAAAEiU\/rI112YzBLmA\/s640\/blogger-image-495393727.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3PqZ6eU5Bfs\/ValXWtuV5eI\/AAAAAAAAEjc\/aNS2bzg0p4k\/s640\/blogger-image-147131326.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3PqZ6eU5Bfs\/ValXWtuV5eI\/AAAAAAAAEjc\/aNS2bzg0p4k\/s640\/blogger-image-147131326.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bPEHYGgQakM\/ValXZWm5JgI\/AAAAAAAAEjk\/I4w7ck6CARg\/s640\/blogger-image-839743105.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bPEHYGgQakM\/ValXZWm5JgI\/AAAAAAAAEjk\/I4w7ck6CARg\/s640\/blogger-image-839743105.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KAG4e3nQxPo\/ValWn_d40MI\/AAAAAAAAEhU\/fEcTRzOmom0\/s640\/blogger-image--547654879.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KAG4e3nQxPo\/ValWn_d40MI\/AAAAAAAAEhU\/fEcTRzOmom0\/s640\/blogger-image--547654879.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe had a very leisurely stroll followed by a cream tea - yum! (For my friends overseas a \"cream tea\" means a scone with jam and clotted cream (naughty!) and a pot of tea with which to wash it down :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-j2GlM_n_nhU\/ValWywYWxmI\/AAAAAAAAEh0\/zfwy4pgy4SY\/s640\/blogger-image-353730179.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-j2GlM_n_nhU\/ValWywYWxmI\/AAAAAAAAEh0\/zfwy4pgy4SY\/s640\/blogger-image-353730179.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ENext to the tea-room is the shop, I loved these metallic garden ornaments ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zBUl1IF68xg\/ValXAZxOAiI\/AAAAAAAAEic\/HPg5FYEJARM\/s640\/blogger-image-399026738.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zBUl1IF68xg\/ValXAZxOAiI\/AAAAAAAAEic\/HPg5FYEJARM\/s640\/blogger-image-399026738.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-m05aPgg9tRM\/ValXIhoQSQI\/AAAAAAAAEi0\/HfDN_94H-ZM\/s640\/blogger-image--2084078586.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-m05aPgg9tRM\/ValXIhoQSQI\/AAAAAAAAEi0\/HfDN_94H-ZM\/s640\/blogger-image--2084078586.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3X7xeszK0NI\/ValWwPLUCfI\/AAAAAAAAEhs\/UoY72OMZ9So\/s640\/blogger-image--1728177945.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3X7xeszK0NI\/ValWwPLUCfI\/AAAAAAAAEhs\/UoY72OMZ9So\/s640\/blogger-image--1728177945.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EFortified with tea and scones we went for a mooch around the house. I wasn't able to get many good photographs as flash photography is not allowed, but here are a few that I did manage. I loved how the rooms are all interconnected, you can see the full length of the house looking down through the doorways.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WYxpRAhXuEg\/ValXdZwfmCI\/AAAAAAAAEjs\/l4TcETb4PQU\/s640\/blogger-image-1650920423.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WYxpRAhXuEg\/ValXdZwfmCI\/AAAAAAAAEjs\/l4TcETb4PQU\/s640\/blogger-image-1650920423.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIn one of the rooms there was a pianist playing, how lovely!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-9EryOTYdByw\/ValW6_QzLzI\/AAAAAAAAEiM\/mVpsYMtE4qA\/s640\/blogger-image--263830807.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-9EryOTYdByw\/ValW6_QzLzI\/AAAAAAAAEiM\/mVpsYMtE4qA\/s640\/blogger-image--263830807.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI spotted this beautiful embroidery on the covering of a chair ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pLE81nnjtQ0\/ValWtQEYm9I\/AAAAAAAAEhk\/MX9rVT3mID8\/s640\/blogger-image--799804252.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pLE81nnjtQ0\/ValWtQEYm9I\/AAAAAAAAEhk\/MX9rVT3mID8\/s640\/blogger-image--799804252.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy favourite part of the house was the Chapel. The Chapel itself was only used by the priest and the choir - the members of the household could join in the service from a raised gallery which was screened off, and the the staff of the house had to sit in a different room altogether. In the Chapel there is some fabulous stained glass which dates back to the 1600's.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-50Cst4sIVm8\/ValXRGKhbXI\/AAAAAAAAEjM\/b4Jn5BS-asQ\/s640\/blogger-image-800706891.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-50Cst4sIVm8\/ValXRGKhbXI\/AAAAAAAAEjM\/b4Jn5BS-asQ\/s640\/blogger-image-800706891.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe top panels all depict religious images, the bottom panels are of Tudor scenes - of King Henry VIII and various wives. Only one tiny area has been replaced, the rest is original, yes that means it's been there for 400 years. 400 YEARS ! I find that absolutely staggering.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-p-5Zjp557Uw\/ValXOFUVaGI\/AAAAAAAAEjE\/jqW5nWdMeUs\/s640\/blogger-image--895117979.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-p-5Zjp557Uw\/ValXOFUVaGI\/AAAAAAAAEjE\/jqW5nWdMeUs\/s640\/blogger-image--895117979.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qVSZi__fL4o\/ValXDNbSoPI\/AAAAAAAAEik\/7c97NiJ7eUM\/s640\/blogger-image--1411450367.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qVSZi__fL4o\/ValXDNbSoPI\/AAAAAAAAEik\/7c97NiJ7eUM\/s640\/blogger-image--1411450367.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-BhPzTzf_ki4\/ValXiyONNuI\/AAAAAAAAEj8\/pz9maNdE1sw\/s640\/blogger-image-787024961.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-BhPzTzf_ki4\/ValXiyONNuI\/AAAAAAAAEj8\/pz9maNdE1sw\/s640\/blogger-image-787024961.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EOn the floor, in front of where the choir would sit, is some amazing mosaic tiling - it is believed to be Roman ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ZtWctzLBMIQ\/ValgiZaELOI\/AAAAAAAAElg\/DhKjXVkBr9I\/s640\/blogger-image-1117080347.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ZtWctzLBMIQ\/ValgiZaELOI\/AAAAAAAAElg\/DhKjXVkBr9I\/s640\/blogger-image-1117080347.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy next favourite bit of the house was a series of small rooms that the NT have turned into one of their famed second-hand bookshops. What is it about a bookshop - I could spend hours and hours and hours browsing around, I think its the randomness, you never know when you will find just the right book. I loved how they had the main bookshop, and then \"more books\" ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-gVvOvnEpkzs\/ValgciMpa4I\/AAAAAAAAElQ\/u_T84bqY5nQ\/s640\/blogger-image-960071617.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-gVvOvnEpkzs\/ValgciMpa4I\/AAAAAAAAElQ\/u_T84bqY5nQ\/s640\/blogger-image-960071617.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EActually there was another room with all the \"yet-to-be-sorted\" books, where there were a couple of staff members sorting out what I assume were boxes of donated books. Oh my word, I would have LOVED to have been let loose in there! Anyway I managed to find 3 paperbacks which I will probably take on holidays, and there was a 3 for 2 offer so they cost me £2 total - oooooh I love a good bargain.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-BE3SaOweQ1w\/ValgohrejeI\/AAAAAAAAElw\/BcgxUx3Ge2s\/s640\/blogger-image-821443225.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-BE3SaOweQ1w\/ValgohrejeI\/AAAAAAAAElw\/BcgxUx3Ge2s\/s640\/blogger-image-821443225.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EBack outside we spotted the same tree that I'd noticed on my previous visit ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yDT4rW-yfkU\/ValeZftXMPI\/AAAAAAAAEks\/eW_Z8hH22AY\/s640\/blogger-image-686565039.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yDT4rW-yfkU\/ValeZftXMPI\/AAAAAAAAEks\/eW_Z8hH22AY\/s640\/blogger-image-686565039.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EApparently this tree has stood for quite some time - during the time of Trafalgar (early 1800's), the then owner of the house, William Chute, was offered 100 pounds and then 100 guineas for the tree for timber (presumably for ships), he refused both offers and the tree still stands. A mere 200-plus years old! Look at that crazy angle at which its leaning, its amazing it can hold itself up.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EngBNHpFrHo\/ValeNJJa7CI\/AAAAAAAAEkM\/RXCGDPE40yo\/s640\/blogger-image--962535454.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EngBNHpFrHo\/ValeNJJa7CI\/AAAAAAAAEkM\/RXCGDPE40yo\/s640\/blogger-image--962535454.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe also had a peek inside the summerhouse. This would have been used as a shelter from which to admire the garden, or as a cosy place to retreat to after dinner, and in more recent times (1800's) it was used as a dovecote. The timbers in the roof have been dated back to the 1600's so it too has been standing a very long time.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-6mSR4QYrEqY\/ValeS46Di6I\/AAAAAAAAEkc\/iq3AgMa6qJ8\/s640\/blogger-image-417649019.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-6mSR4QYrEqY\/ValeS46Di6I\/AAAAAAAAEkc\/iq3AgMa6qJ8\/s640\/blogger-image-417649019.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThere's a flowerbed close by which reflects the shape of the summerhouse ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-MrqpQBrsCLI\/ValgZ16sHWI\/AAAAAAAAElI\/4V1u5t8_bug\/s640\/blogger-image-96581893.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-MrqpQBrsCLI\/ValgZ16sHWI\/AAAAAAAAElI\/4V1u5t8_bug\/s640\/blogger-image-96581893.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... the pink flowers are geraniums ... imagine planting all of those!!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CRnMnPiKiNY\/ValglW_m_2I\/AAAAAAAAElo\/rdFZJTR3FRQ\/s640\/blogger-image--969306369.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CRnMnPiKiNY\/ValglW_m_2I\/AAAAAAAAElo\/rdFZJTR3FRQ\/s640\/blogger-image--969306369.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe wended our way back dwon the tree-lined path, and onwards home after a very relaxing and reviving day :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'll be posting with crochet updates over the weekend, til then byeeeeeeeee\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7163609848350391692\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/07\/the-vyne.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7163609848350391692"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7163609848350391692"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/07\/the-vyne.html","title":"The Vyne"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-NgW5f1CMjJA\/ValQ7QAMLPI\/AAAAAAAAEhE\/Xe_skjeNqNU\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1197813332.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-7135865398117999777"},"published":{"$t":"2015-07-13T18:15:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-10T16:25:23.989+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Greek day flower hairband"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-M1d5-phSVIA\/VaPx3HoGcMI\/AAAAAAAAEe4\/1rJ8xAcFCqw\/s640\/blogger-image-2133650633.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-M1d5-phSVIA\/VaPx3HoGcMI\/AAAAAAAAEe4\/1rJ8xAcFCqw\/s640\/blogger-image-2133650633.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIt is traditional for our primary school to hold \"Greek Day\" for the Year 5s (9-10 year olds). Boys go in armed with sheets to turn into togas to wear with their PE kit and trainers. Very authentic. Girls go all girly and wear white dresses and sandals and have their hair all curly (if their Mums can be bothered. I can't). When Little Man had Greek day in his year, there was no way on earth I would get him anywhere near the uncertainty of a sheet. So we bought a Greek dressing up outfit. Husband was aghast because what we bought, whilst looking Greek to me, was clearly labelled \"Roman Emporer\". Husband does like things to be accurate. Anyway, 2 years on and the Greek (oops sorry Roman) outfit got dug out for Little Miss who had her Greek Day last week.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vm15GGKKM7w\/VaPx9LWU9UI\/AAAAAAAAEfI\/7AaLlhw-gLc\/s640\/blogger-image--230248271.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vm15GGKKM7w\/VaPx9LWU9UI\/AAAAAAAAEfI\/7AaLlhw-gLc\/s640\/blogger-image--230248271.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EInitially she declared she was wearing a knee-length strappy sundress - er no you're not, its Greek Day, not no-uniform-day, and you have to wear the Greek-Roman thing as I only bought it knowing it would be used at least 3 times. So we cut off the red emporer sash thing (looks less Roman already), tied a beaded belt thing of mine round her waist, and she put on her summer sandals. (Terrible photo sorry!)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3mfp1vvmxto\/VaP_pl8vdZI\/AAAAAAAAEgQ\/zXGI2iCvBEU\/s640\/blogger-image--910182052.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3mfp1vvmxto\/VaP_pl8vdZI\/AAAAAAAAEgQ\/zXGI2iCvBEU\/s640\/blogger-image--910182052.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ENope, she still wanted the sun-dress. Bit of an argument ensued, Daddy was called in as independent adjucator and agreed Greek-Roman thing looked the most Greek. Which only proves how unGreek the sundress was if the Roman thing looked more Greek than it.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XjDfOqkmxyk\/VaPyANN2MlI\/AAAAAAAAEfQ\/d3hFNU2oRnk\/s640\/blogger-image--1664404939.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XjDfOqkmxyk\/VaPyANN2MlI\/AAAAAAAAEfQ\/d3hFNU2oRnk\/s640\/blogger-image--1664404939.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThen of course we had to address the issue of hair accessories. What does a crafty Mum do when a hair-accessory is required ? Why, she makes one of course :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EUsing plain white un-mercerized cotton DK I chained a chain long enough to go round Little Miss' head and with some extra to dangle down the back. It looked a bit bare though, and despite the fact that leaving it plain was probably more Greek, I couldn't resist making some weeny flowers (pattern below).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ZrgMqNFHn1o\/VaPx6OpHSJI\/AAAAAAAAEfA\/vbrHab-W3XQ\/s640\/blogger-image-375376438.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ZrgMqNFHn1o\/VaPx6OpHSJI\/AAAAAAAAEfA\/vbrHab-W3XQ\/s640\/blogger-image-375376438.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EBut I thought it was still going to look a bit plain so I decided to bling it up a bit. A raid upon Little Miss' bead box and I found some semi-transparent coloured beads. I just used the white cotton DK again to sew one onto the middle of each flower, then attached the flowers to the chain, and a few extra beads at the very ends.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd there you have it - Greek (ish) flower hairband.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4W4413hLhSM\/VaPyF6zkWAI\/AAAAAAAAEfg\/vvobd9NjgjY\/s640\/blogger-image--974196128.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4W4413hLhSM\/VaPyF6zkWAI\/AAAAAAAAEfg\/vvobd9NjgjY\/s640\/blogger-image--974196128.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EApparently there was lots going on on Greek Day - they played some Greek games \"day and night\", \"delta\", something called \"cub\"; they acted out a Greek play - Perseus and Medusa - Little Miss played Athena; and they ate some greek food. I asked what they ate - \"pittas, feta cheese, hummus and carrots\". I'm guessing carrots were the safe option for the non-adventurous type. Which reminds me, it was on his Greek Day that Little Man first tried pitta bread after years of refusing, and now he eats it every day as his snack of choice. I've yet to convince him of hummus, but he does like a carrot.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8tQmUePgmcI\/VaP8uW6c2SI\/AAAAAAAAEgE\/2Xdp2gioZ74\/s640\/blogger-image-1001572524.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8tQmUePgmcI\/VaP8uW6c2SI\/AAAAAAAAEgE\/2Xdp2gioZ74\/s640\/blogger-image-1001572524.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThey also made Greek masks - I assume this is meant to look like those happy\/sad\/greek tragedy type masks, but it just looks a bit menacing if you ask me.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-h2vIF8Hwb3w\/VaPyIssQqDI\/AAAAAAAAEfo\/b7_HYcSC4IY\/s640\/blogger-image-1683913123.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-h2vIF8Hwb3w\/VaPyIssQqDI\/AAAAAAAAEfo\/b7_HYcSC4IY\/s640\/blogger-image-1683913123.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI'm so happy that I have the time, energy, inclination, and skill (just) to be able to make things ike this for my Little Peeps, I'm sure they're not that bothered one way or the other but I love being able to make these little bits and pieces for them :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EWeeny Flowers Pattern\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E1. Make a magic ring\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E2. Chain five then slip-stitch into ring. Repeat 5 times.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E3. Fasten off.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EEasiest pattern ever!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-a7aAQpQeZ7g\/VaPyDEBiWpI\/AAAAAAAAEfY\/XjbSJ9t1JTE\/s640\/blogger-image--1693082512.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-a7aAQpQeZ7g\/VaPyDEBiWpI\/AAAAAAAAEfY\/XjbSJ9t1JTE\/s640\/blogger-image--1693082512.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7135865398117999777\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/07\/greek-day-flower-hairband.html#comment-form","title":"22 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7135865398117999777"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7135865398117999777"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/07\/greek-day-flower-hairband.html","title":"Greek day flower hairband"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-M1d5-phSVIA\/VaPx3HoGcMI\/AAAAAAAAEe4\/1rJ8xAcFCqw\/s72-c\/blogger-image-2133650633.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"22"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-4207786305650227418"},"published":{"$t":"2015-07-11T18:28:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-08-10T16:28:31.075+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"magazines"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Secret Garden Crochet-along Part 1"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EfPLBXKzc1E\/VaFvQW-LNvI\/AAAAAAAAEeY\/-N7y52MhJwo\/s640\/blogger-image--2036753142.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EfPLBXKzc1E\/VaFvQW-LNvI\/AAAAAAAAEeY\/-N7y52MhJwo\/s640\/blogger-image--2036753142.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAs you know I have a slight, ok large, addiction to crochet magazines. Well, any craft magazine really, but crochet ones are my favourite. And close to the top of my list is Inside Crochet (and no I am not on commission or anything). I bought the latest issue - issue 67 - this week and as usual it's full of gorgeous patterns .... this bag that I mentioned before .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-h_mTyYdNO58\/VaFvCB4uR1I\/AAAAAAAAEdw\/sa9UmtusC5U\/s640\/blogger-image-1022185002.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-h_mTyYdNO58\/VaFvCB4uR1I\/AAAAAAAAEdw\/sa9UmtusC5U\/s640\/blogger-image-1022185002.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... and I know a young lady who would love one of these water bottle carriers (and I don't mean me, although I'd like one too) .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KzMHuYvfAT8\/VaFu3FCXPkI\/AAAAAAAAEdQ\/hA0xwaX_h2E\/s640\/blogger-image-436116238.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KzMHuYvfAT8\/VaFu3FCXPkI\/AAAAAAAAEdQ\/hA0xwaX_h2E\/s640\/blogger-image-436116238.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... and this funky bunting .... so cute ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GcwBRjkEA7I\/VaFu8nMbBmI\/AAAAAAAAEdg\/RGIDC975twI\/s640\/blogger-image--1102639155.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GcwBRjkEA7I\/VaFu8nMbBmI\/AAAAAAAAEdg\/RGIDC975twI\/s640\/blogger-image--1102639155.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd then on page 26 ...... ooooooo ..... a crochet-along :) A new mystery blanket crochet along ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8a8Q-kSAnHY\/VaFvNhE0eXI\/AAAAAAAAEeQ\/KszMMqKwHaY\/s640\/blogger-image--1935771984.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8a8Q-kSAnHY\/VaFvNhE0eXI\/AAAAAAAAEeQ\/KszMMqKwHaY\/s640\/blogger-image--1935771984.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe Secret Garden mystery blanket crochet-along.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8-kqkJeuMsk\/VaFu_ESOdfI\/AAAAAAAAEdo\/mNLqzzGLgNE\/s640\/blogger-image--1232389845.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8-kqkJeuMsk\/VaFu_ESOdfI\/AAAAAAAAEdo\/mNLqzzGLgNE\/s640\/blogger-image--1232389845.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI gazed longingly at the pictures, and then turned the page to the next article. Then I turned back and gazed some more. Then I paged forward to some other patterns. But then I turned back again. And gazed again. I think I may have stroked the page ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-S_cAAzr9KaI\/VaFu5oAw3DI\/AAAAAAAAEdY\/38tcoq9EA_s\/s640\/blogger-image--685376369.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-S_cAAzr9KaI\/VaFu5oAw3DI\/AAAAAAAAEdY\/38tcoq9EA_s\/s640\/blogger-image--685376369.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI don't have a pink thermos and can't for the life of me find an affordable retro basket (without nicking my Mum's), but it was no good, I decided I HaD to make the blanket. I've fancied a crochet-along, especially a mystery one, for ages, but kept missing the boat as it were. \u0026nbsp;And somehow doing it after everyone else has finished isn't quite the same, not to mention the element of mystery is kind of gone.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESo totally ignoring the fact that I really really really really don't need more yarn (or a new project, come to that), I decided to go ahead and buy the yarn pack! Ooooooo exciting!!!! And it arrived a couple of days ago ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zDFVbAWkd74\/VaFvIA8x6lI\/AAAAAAAAEeA\/N3_YXnNVsR8\/s640\/blogger-image-1492525224.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zDFVbAWkd74\/VaFvIA8x6lI\/AAAAAAAAEeA\/N3_YXnNVsR8\/s640\/blogger-image-1492525224.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EScrump-sha-doobie (as my little brother used to say)!!! And actually I haven't got much cotton yarn. Yes, yes that's it. That's why I NeeDed to buy this yarn pack. Yes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-O61yqLYRvK8\/VaFvFPtcV8I\/AAAAAAAAEd4\/mxPPYsHZdeM\/s640\/blogger-image--2034610468.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-O61yqLYRvK8\/VaFvFPtcV8I\/AAAAAAAAEd4\/mxPPYsHZdeM\/s640\/blogger-image--2034610468.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIt's Stylecraft Cotton Classique DK, yarn which I've fancied playing with for ages so how lucky was it that this perfect opportunity came along ? Destiny, I tell, you. Destiny.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YQqWh-EUVLI\/VaFvK4g5IhI\/AAAAAAAAEeI\/cdfKdeAwcfY\/s640\/blogger-image-12359432.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YQqWh-EUVLI\/VaFvK4g5IhI\/AAAAAAAAEeI\/cdfKdeAwcfY\/s640\/blogger-image-12359432.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm really excited about this, can you tell ?? New yarn. New cotton yarn. Deliciously summery colours. Bit of suspense and intrigue. And a holiday coming up on which to take my lovely mystery project :) I can't wait, can you ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4207786305650227418\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/07\/secret-garden-crochet-along-part-1.html#comment-form","title":"25 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4207786305650227418"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4207786305650227418"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/07\/secret-garden-crochet-along-part-1.html","title":"Secret Garden Crochet-along Part 1"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EfPLBXKzc1E\/VaFvQW-LNvI\/AAAAAAAAEeY\/-N7y52MhJwo\/s72-c\/blogger-image--2036753142.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"25"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-919306263657606475"},"published":{"$t":"2015-07-04T17:00:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-07-04T17:09:33.053+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Feeling hot hot hot"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-m2qfy2yyePI\/VZgCNTK9b2I\/AAAAAAAAEGs\/PIr4JqKbjvc\/s640\/blogger-image-1843130952.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-m2qfy2yyePI\/VZgCNTK9b2I\/AAAAAAAAEGs\/PIr4JqKbjvc\/s640\/blogger-image-1843130952.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EUgh, how hot is it ? Too hot for me. I had great plans to sort the garden this afternoon, its a complete mess, I am not blessed with green fingers. However we've at least managed a sunflower this year. In my cumulative 29 years of parenthood (12+10+7) never before have we managed to keep a sunflower alive long enough to see it flower. Its rather bedraggled looking, but it is DEFinitely a SuNfLoWeR! Oh happy day! Not a parental failure after all!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PZHSG_4ZOnI\/VZgCf-ysobI\/AAAAAAAAEHE\/_KNRgPAnBJw\/s640\/blogger-image-991221026.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PZHSG_4ZOnI\/VZgCf-ysobI\/AAAAAAAAEHE\/_KNRgPAnBJw\/s640\/blogger-image-991221026.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI've had these petunias (I think, I get a bit muddled with my bedding plants) for ages now, I really need to actually plant them. And yes that is a strawberry plant next to them. Also unplanted. It has produced a strawberry, but the snails got to it first. Pah. I bought a couple of strawberry plants, courgette plants and a mini red pepper plant a while back. Is it too late to plant them properly now ? Will they do much ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hWvnLWf2Wng\/VZgCmZd07CI\/AAAAAAAAEHM\/U7EUVexwHnc\/s640\/blogger-image-570660368.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hWvnLWf2Wng\/VZgCmZd07CI\/AAAAAAAAEHM\/U7EUVexwHnc\/s640\/blogger-image-570660368.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EBut still I buy stuff to plant up, mainly as they keep getting them in at Asda, and I always give in to the temptation. I have managed to plant up a few and keep them watered on the front porch at least.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wpngCEhoXvk\/VZgCyK6R9cI\/AAAAAAAAEHc\/YU8uk9eq0_s\/s640\/blogger-image--233065069.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wpngCEhoXvk\/VZgCyK6R9cI\/AAAAAAAAEHc\/YU8uk9eq0_s\/s640\/blogger-image--233065069.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EBut the garden had to take a back seat today as we've been at the school summer fayre this afternoon. As usual it was a great social afternoon of meeting almost every school parent that you know, and having 3 children attend, and having worked there, I know a fair few! Lots of chit-chat and laughter, the Little People can wander around sort of doing their own thing, winning stupid amounts of sweets and hanging out with their friends. Traditionally the Yr5 children (age 9-10) run their own stalls. Bounce a ping-pong ball into a jar, win a sweet. Hit a target with a nerf gun, win a sweet. Spin the spinner, guess where it will land, win a sweet. Are you seeing the theme here ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ZCf1Qo6uMLc\/VZgC8jATEbI\/AAAAAAAAEH0\/vWQq91iZcEg\/s640\/blogger-image--1036636295.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ZCf1Qo6uMLc\/VZgC8jATEbI\/AAAAAAAAEH0\/vWQq91iZcEg\/s640\/blogger-image--1036636295.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ELittle Miss and her friend were on the \"tennis ball challenge\" stall (I've stickered friend's face out for courtesy) and her job was provision of tennis racquets, so she took ours along. When I say \"ours\" I mean mine and hubby's from when we were at school. They are wooden and look like something out of a museum. The game invoved various challenges including \"hit the ball with the racquet and try and aim through one of these holes\" - in the piece of cardboard they were holding up. Surprisingly noone got a black eye or a broken nose.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dpm8LkhsCMw\/VZgCZ3MtLPI\/AAAAAAAAEG8\/nM8CCKq_jzg\/s640\/blogger-image--1416914355.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dpm8LkhsCMw\/VZgCZ3MtLPI\/AAAAAAAAEG8\/nM8CCKq_jzg\/s640\/blogger-image--1416914355.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EBack home now I have a large glass of pink lemonade (my new find at Sainsbury's, oh my it is sooooo refreshingly lemony) and I'm watching Wimbledon (new balls please!) and doing a bit more of Little Man's mentor's present. I think I mentioned in my last post that she's a lovely calm, gentle lady, and is the perfect sort of unflappable, even-keeled personality to deal with an autistic boy. I've noticed she wears very muted tones - soft yellows, greys and blues, and this Araucania yarn is just perfect for her.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-lHxkt9syxzA\/VZgC2YPoefI\/AAAAAAAAEHk\/KLkIBGf_GiA\/s640\/blogger-image-2111521221.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-lHxkt9syxzA\/VZgC2YPoefI\/AAAAAAAAEHk\/KLkIBGf_GiA\/s640\/blogger-image-2111521221.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI decided to make a version of the \"Strawberry Lace Scarf\" from the book Crochet Noro.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Q3nGwEEqucY\/VZgC5fl7IBI\/AAAAAAAAEHs\/VI_wlZuHShA\/s640\/blogger-image-917768963.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Q3nGwEEqucY\/VZgC5fl7IBI\/AAAAAAAAEHs\/VI_wlZuHShA\/s640\/blogger-image-917768963.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ECrochet Noro was one of the first crochet books I bought, and it is really gorgeous. Often it can be hard to find patterns for items that really showcase colour-changing yarns, but this book is full of great ideas.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--IQR9oiAMEg\/VZgC_4GehwI\/AAAAAAAAEH8\/k4E1_UnT4Co\/s640\/blogger-image-1995396996.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--IQR9oiAMEg\/VZgC_4GehwI\/AAAAAAAAEH8\/k4E1_UnT4Co\/s640\/blogger-image-1995396996.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI didn't have enough yarn to make the full width (I MUST learn to either buy more of a yarn or none at all) so I am doing a half width instead. In the picture below you can just see the \"strawberry\" pattern emerging. The pattern isn't especially tricky, but its an 8-row repeat and I just can't seem to keep it all in my head. Thankfully the pattern has a chart so I'm glancing at that as I go along.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-v1X3i6I4VfY\/VZgCTc6W7EI\/AAAAAAAAEG0\/eqh2cJEJqN0\/s640\/blogger-image--1028121093.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-v1X3i6I4VfY\/VZgCTc6W7EI\/AAAAAAAAEG0\/eqh2cJEJqN0\/s640\/blogger-image--1028121093.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI've almost used the first skein, and I reckon that so far the scarf is about half the length it needs to be, so with 1 skein remaining, it's looking like it will work out really well. I love using up just the right amount and having no yarn left, do you know what I mean ? I haven't made my mind up about the fringeing. The pattern calls for a very light at least 4-ply if not lace weight yarn. I'm using more of a DK weight, with a 5.5mm hook. I'm not sure if a DK weight fringe would over-power the delicate pattern ? Any thoughts people ?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-a5W7gGfuWVM\/VZgCtn-l4AI\/AAAAAAAAEHU\/1NV9vHkwn-M\/s640\/blogger-image-702064307.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-a5W7gGfuWVM\/VZgCtn-l4AI\/AAAAAAAAEHU\/1NV9vHkwn-M\/s640\/blogger-image-702064307.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe scarf is looking a bit dishevelled at the minute but I know that a really good block will transform it. Can't wait for that bit! Happy weekend everyone :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Exxxxx \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/919306263657606475\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/07\/feeling-hot-hot-hot.html#comment-form","title":"22 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/919306263657606475"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/919306263657606475"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/07\/feeling-hot-hot-hot.html","title":"Feeling hot hot hot"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-m2qfy2yyePI\/VZgCNTK9b2I\/AAAAAAAAEGs\/PIr4JqKbjvc\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1843130952.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"22"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6684674929500890930"},"published":{"$t":"2015-07-01T12:53:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-07-01T18:28:46.446+01:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Catching up and slowing down"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Gosh how long has it been since I last posted ?? Well, weeks, actually. Sorry about that. There's not \u0026nbsp;really much to report, I just lost my blogging mojo for a bit, but now its back - yay!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-g6aH5SE2VTE\/VZPUYzYPO4I\/AAAAAAAAEEo\/Wz-TSB952-8\/s640\/blogger-image--1308888873.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-g6aH5SE2VTE\/VZPUYzYPO4I\/AAAAAAAAEEo\/Wz-TSB952-8\/s640\/blogger-image--1308888873.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESo what's been going on in my little corner of the world ? I'm certain that I've been super busy but not got much to show for it. As we approach the end of the academic year the days seem to be whizzing by with some school-related activity almost every day - sports days, concert rehearsals, concert performances, school trips, school fayres, annual school reviews, annual doctor's review, transition planning. We've also had lots of Little Man's medication tweaking to manage but we are there now and things have settled down loads and loads.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-o4TRcdv6iGw\/VZPUfIgO_FI\/AAAAAAAAEE4\/auYwOWjc2tQ\/s640\/blogger-image--255250417.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-o4TRcdv6iGw\/VZPUfIgO_FI\/AAAAAAAAEE4\/auYwOWjc2tQ\/s640\/blogger-image--255250417.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI was the proudest Mum on the planet last night when Little Man sang the opening solo in his school music concert. After the most challenging year, during which time we very nearly gave up on school altogether, to see my wonderful son standing up there on stage singing to an audience of hundreds, well .... I can't tell you how proud I am. There really aren't words to describe it. Such an amazing achievement, such an amazing boy.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIn fact the year has been so challenging that I decided I had to mark it in some way. Little Man has just plodded on, challenging himself despite his anxiety and discomfort, he is an inspiration.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-6gmf3V8LI78\/VZQdeJID7cI\/AAAAAAAAEGQ\/oyml7HDuOEw\/s640\/blogger-image-108067778.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-6gmf3V8LI78\/VZQdeJID7cI\/AAAAAAAAEGQ\/oyml7HDuOEw\/s640\/blogger-image-108067778.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESo, I've decided to run the London Marathon 2016 and raise money for the National Autistic Society (http:\/\/www.autism.org.uk). I have to wait until October to find out if I even have a place, but I've also applied for a charity place, and I'm hopeful, and full of fundraising ideas :) My backup plan is the Brighton Marathon in the event that I don't get a place for London. My fundraising pack has arrived, and \u0026nbsp;I'll bore you with lots of training details and fundraising tales over the coming year I'm sure!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIn crochet news I have a few projects on the go.....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E..... a couple of weeks ago I took the Little People out on their bikes while I ran along behind them. We stopped at the park and I worked on my skinny summer scarf ......\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ah5wleznv6k\/VZPUicMpMsI\/AAAAAAAAEFA\/MD5K_cxwhWg\/s640\/blogger-image-387671865.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ah5wleznv6k\/VZPUicMpMsI\/AAAAAAAAEFA\/MD5K_cxwhWg\/s640\/blogger-image-387671865.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm using some gorgeous Araucania yarn that I bought at Unravel \u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E(http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2015\/02\/unravel.html)\u003C\/span\u003E. Its soooooo scrummy, almost too good to crochet with. But not quite :) Look at the gorgeous colours .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--EMexcU6kNo\/VZQdSIkqtlI\/AAAAAAAAEFw\/xYXjy7j4HIs\/s640\/blogger-image-1564301577.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--EMexcU6kNo\/VZQdSIkqtlI\/AAAAAAAAEFw\/xYXjy7j4HIs\/s640\/blogger-image-1564301577.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm also working on a sort of dressy scarf with some even srcummier yarn .... Manos del Uruguay silk blend in Jewel, again bought at Unravel. It is soo silky soft, not splitty at all as its a single ply, and thus is an absolute pleasure to work with.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-R8AYCGCZqzM\/VZPUozQN6SI\/AAAAAAAAEFQ\/NCFZmMArK_s\/s640\/blogger-image-614012368.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-R8AYCGCZqzM\/VZPUozQN6SI\/AAAAAAAAEFQ\/NCFZmMArK_s\/s640\/blogger-image-614012368.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd of course a special yarn deserves a special project. I spent ages and ages deciding what to use it for. Eventually I decided upon this Lacy Crystals scarf (http:\/\/www.ravelry.com\/patterns\/library\/lacy-crystals-scarf), and started it a few days ago. I kept thinking it was quite familiar - and I finally realised that that's because I have un unfinished WIP of this pattern kicking around somewhere that I started earlier in the year! Funny! I am obviously drawn to similar (in the fact the exact same) patterns.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-q8AHIbrWtGE\/VZPUUZmwQnI\/AAAAAAAAEEg\/w59Gm3MbDdE\/s640\/blogger-image--771565873.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-q8AHIbrWtGE\/VZPUUZmwQnI\/AAAAAAAAEEg\/w59Gm3MbDdE\/s640\/blogger-image--771565873.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIdeally I'd have made this a lot wider so it would be more of a wrap, but I only have 2 skeins, and its just too pricey to justify buying any more, so a narrow wrap\/scarf it will have to be. Its looking a bit scrunched up at the moment, can't wait to get it finished and block it to its full glory!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI've made this little sleepy head mouse (excuse the owner's dirty nails. Yuck!). Henry, as Little Tomboy has named him, is designed by a local lady, and you can buy the pattern here on Ravelry (http:\/\/www.ravelry.com\/patterns\/library\/mouse-sleepy-head). He looks super fiddly but is really easy. A perfect introduction to amigurumi if you fancy giving it a go.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--1UlqMt5m6A\/VZQdYB4NloI\/AAAAAAAAEGA\/71lQYET3FOc\/s640\/blogger-image--209233307.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--1UlqMt5m6A\/VZQdYB4NloI\/AAAAAAAAEGA\/71lQYET3FOc\/s640\/blogger-image--209233307.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ENext on my hit list is a beach bag for holidays. We are going to visit my parents in Northern Ireland so a beach bag isn't an absolute necessity, though we do manage a few days at the beach, swinging between getting sunburned and getting blown away by the gales! Anyway, I've had this great bag (here it is below with my Ballyhoo Neckerchief spilling out over the edge) for years. My Mum gave it to me originally, she got it free with some Estee Lauder perfume or something. Anyway this bag was perfect. We drive and take a ferry to get to my parents. Every time we go it's my \"keep-in-the-car-on-the-journey-and-bring-on-the-ferry\" bag. I shove in water, snacks, changes of clothes, magazines,books, colouing pencils, medication, teddies, paperwork, everything that we need handy in the car and on the boat. Over the years it's carried nappies, wipes, comforters, baby bottles, raisins, story books. More recently DS's and iPads.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-P2SPLyI4ILw\/VZPUb1nG18I\/AAAAAAAAEEw\/bg5UseS1NIA\/s640\/blogger-image-173687555.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-P2SPLyI4ILw\/VZPUb1nG18I\/AAAAAAAAEEw\/bg5UseS1NIA\/s640\/blogger-image-173687555.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EBut the straps gave out last year, they detached themselves from the bag, and as they are a tough leather I haven't replaced them yet. I think I will eventually fashion some new straps, but when I saw the Starfish Bag pattern by Nicki Trench in the new Inside Crochet magazine, (issue 67) I decided to also make a crochet version of my bag. I'm still deciding on the colours, what do you think of the selection below ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-X0-4_bMk5Po\/VZPUlfMg6SI\/AAAAAAAAEFI\/CHTsD8viEXA\/s640\/blogger-image-1010176599.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-X0-4_bMk5Po\/VZPUlfMg6SI\/AAAAAAAAEFI\/CHTsD8viEXA\/s640\/blogger-image-1010176599.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm also planning a something for my friend's 40th. But I really can't decide what. Maybe a bag for her as well ? And my neighbour is expecting a baby in July. And I really need to make a gift for Little Man's mentor, she has been the most amazing support to us all this year. I think another lacy crystals scarf maybe, she is a very calm, gentle lady and wears calm, gentle colours - lemon, sand, pale blue, so this Araucania yarn will be perfect. Another Unravel purchase :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yU7MN3q2BkQ\/VZQdVHJv0II\/AAAAAAAAEF4\/kYjD26gJssc\/s640\/blogger-image-1201215439.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yU7MN3q2BkQ\/VZQdVHJv0II\/AAAAAAAAEF4\/kYjD26gJssc\/s640\/blogger-image-1201215439.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd I've also got lots of bits and bobs floating round my head ideas-wise to sell for marathon fundraising. More news on that another time.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_Jxlz3vt1Jw\/VZQdMJn9WdI\/AAAAAAAAEFg\/ywraAdvJpic\/s640\/blogger-image--2042498434.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_Jxlz3vt1Jw\/VZQdMJn9WdI\/AAAAAAAAEFg\/ywraAdvJpic\/s640\/blogger-image--2042498434.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI need to figure out a way to not need sleep, there just aren't enough hours in the day. Especially with so many Little-People-related things going on. But I try to make sure that throughout the chaos I sit down for a little bit each day and do some crochet just to keep myself sane :) These precious moments of downtime do really recharge the old brain for whatever the next chunk of the day will bring.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_xi6OA4n-7k\/VZQdbf-WEDI\/AAAAAAAAEGI\/QfkiMqbTH6s\/s640\/blogger-image--1094523953.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_xi6OA4n-7k\/VZQdbf-WEDI\/AAAAAAAAEGI\/QfkiMqbTH6s\/s640\/blogger-image--1094523953.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOn a final and very sad note for today - I was so sorry on Monday to hear the sad news that Marinke Slump also known as Wink, of A Creative Being, had succumbed to the heavy weight of depression, and taken her own life. Wink also had Asperger's, which, as you know, my son has, and I always felt connected to her because of that. Wink's blog was a wonderful showcase of her creativity, full of inspiring patterns and great photos. I first visited Wink's blog when I made my first mandala from an issue of Simply Crochet which featured one of her mandala patterns. Wink had such a lovely warm chatty style to her blog posts, and there were always so many new wonderful things to feel inspired by, I was a regular visitor to A Creative Being.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vKgPL6YIh5Y\/VZQdPJWoduI\/AAAAAAAAEFo\/YYBIWufmczo\/s640\/blogger-image--284565662.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vKgPL6YIh5Y\/VZQdPJWoduI\/AAAAAAAAEFo\/YYBIWufmczo\/s640\/blogger-image--284565662.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWink, you were a wonderful, special girl who touched the lives of so many. My mandala is for you. May you be at peace now and have contentment in your heart.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6684674929500890930\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/07\/catching-up-and-slowing-down.html#comment-form","title":"25 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6684674929500890930"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6684674929500890930"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/07\/catching-up-and-slowing-down.html","title":"Catching up and slowing down"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-g6aH5SE2VTE\/VZPUYzYPO4I\/AAAAAAAAEEo\/Wz-TSB952-8\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1308888873.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"25"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1379582471099008925"},"published":{"$t":"2015-05-15T19:45:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-15T20:19:11.925+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Ballyhoo Neckerchief"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tf8zsLuwMiE\/VVY-42MHWGI\/AAAAAAAAECw\/vkJcPDxNGew\/s640\/blogger-image-829900760.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tf8zsLuwMiE\/VVY-42MHWGI\/AAAAAAAAECw\/vkJcPDxNGew\/s640\/blogger-image-829900760.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIt's been a few weeks since my last post, I've been feeling a bit flat, and haven't felt much like blogging. We're trying to sort out medication to help Little Man at school, and we are now on the 3rd different lot. The desperate hope then crushing disappointment is taking its emotional toll on him, and on me. First lot didn't work. Second lot were AMAZING but then he couldn't sleep. At all. He had 2 nights of no sleep whatsoever and of course then we had a terrible few days. The jury is out on the 3rd lot. The effect is short-lived so only people in school will see a difference. He can't tell if there's a difference himself, and I'm waiting for feedback from his mentor. We have a review with the doc on Tuesday where we will either try yet another lot or possibly change the dosage of the current one. Meanwhile he is not where he should be in school and essentially has lost most of this school year. Frustrating doesn't quite cover it.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-5PEQafmmEeA\/VVY8--p-RyI\/AAAAAAAAECE\/1Vzh5l_Iuxk\/s640\/blogger-image-2186315.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-5PEQafmmEeA\/VVY8--p-RyI\/AAAAAAAAECE\/1Vzh5l_Iuxk\/s640\/blogger-image-2186315.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnyway, in crochet news I've finished a really cute neckerchief.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-X6XdYb2fTsA\/VVY9GycwN-I\/AAAAAAAAECc\/U05gYP9Vqjo\/s640\/blogger-image-574614945.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-X6XdYb2fTsA\/VVY9GycwN-I\/AAAAAAAAECc\/U05gYP9Vqjo\/s640\/blogger-image-574614945.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI bought this yarn ages ago (http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/07\/lazy-days.html) because it was a bargain. Thats a good enough reason isnt it ?? It sat in my stash for months, I just couldn't decide what to do with it, but I kept getting it out for a snuggle :) It's Sirdar Snuggly Smiley Stripes, 80% bamboo and 20% wool, and is so silky soft to work with, just gorgeous. Its very similar to working with embroidery floss. The yarn itself has no give whatsoever, but the finished piece is beautifully stretchy, flowy and drapey, I absolutely love it.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vG50p9z4kDE\/VVY85r0ZZZI\/AAAAAAAAEB0\/AZkx_ZZqI34\/s640\/blogger-image-1491112982.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vG50p9z4kDE\/VVY85r0ZZZI\/AAAAAAAAEB0\/AZkx_ZZqI34\/s640\/blogger-image-1491112982.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe pattern is the \"Precious Jewel Frilled Neckerchief\" from Simply Crochet issue 28. It's a very straightforward pattern, just rows of trebles with 2 increases at each end plus 2 increases in the middle. There is also a slight raised effect down the centre where a couple of front-post trebles are worked, but I'm not convinced that the effect was worth the bother, it's very subtle.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3munmNzZkaE\/VVY8uttFIoI\/AAAAAAAAEBU\/vyk0cj7Kwok\/s640\/blogger-image--1228758763.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3munmNzZkaE\/VVY8uttFIoI\/AAAAAAAAEBU\/vyk0cj7Kwok\/s640\/blogger-image--1228758763.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe edge is several dc's worked into each treble, then several rows of 1 dc in each dc. It gives a lovely gentle rippley edging.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GOWmhiWp4o0\/VVY83Cpkd-I\/AAAAAAAAEBs\/VzT0cCi3m7A\/s640\/blogger-image-394547007.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GOWmhiWp4o0\/VVY83Cpkd-I\/AAAAAAAAEBs\/VzT0cCi3m7A\/s640\/blogger-image-394547007.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EThe colourway is called Balihoo. What a fabulous name for a yarn colour! Very Northern Irish sounding, I think. I'm sure a ballyhoo was slang back home for a party or similar. So I've decided to call it my Ballyhoo neckerchief. \u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-949Kr7dKTAw\/VVY9EWaDwqI\/AAAAAAAAECU\/bfORzepdHI0\/s640\/blogger-image--792844489.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-949Kr7dKTAw\/VVY9EWaDwqI\/AAAAAAAAECU\/bfORzepdHI0\/s640\/blogger-image--792844489.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAs it's traditional, I went a bit bonkers taking endless photos of the Ballyhoo ..... here is a selection .... and there's even one of it's creator modelling it :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KTP2ahSgbO0\/VVY9JoVyYaI\/AAAAAAAAECk\/USpyEXTC_RU\/s640\/blogger-image-1249264339.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KTP2ahSgbO0\/VVY9JoVyYaI\/AAAAAAAAECk\/USpyEXTC_RU\/s640\/blogger-image-1249264339.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8mdqdkwbwQg\/VVY88TPEu1I\/AAAAAAAAEB8\/MvT1HQaRCB4\/s640\/blogger-image-343566011.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8mdqdkwbwQg\/VVY88TPEu1I\/AAAAAAAAEB8\/MvT1HQaRCB4\/s640\/blogger-image-343566011.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3LTE38e2Gsw\/VVY80oznTYI\/AAAAAAAAEBk\/10K14xSyN40\/s640\/blogger-image-1358929760.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3LTE38e2Gsw\/VVY80oznTYI\/AAAAAAAAEBk\/10K14xSyN40\/s640\/blogger-image-1358929760.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qBV6AHGtKM0\/VVY8x_e8dtI\/AAAAAAAAEBc\/sczL-EQ5kvM\/s640\/blogger-image--2043607246.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qBV6AHGtKM0\/VVY8x_e8dtI\/AAAAAAAAEBc\/sczL-EQ5kvM\/s640\/blogger-image--2043607246.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-NOJ0ZJMMOiE\/VVY9BhAzUAI\/AAAAAAAAECM\/BKD5hBw9eU8\/s640\/blogger-image-1868863926.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-NOJ0ZJMMOiE\/VVY9BhAzUAI\/AAAAAAAAECM\/BKD5hBw9eU8\/s640\/blogger-image-1868863926.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIts my birthday this weekend - on Sunday - so I'm sure I'll be back soon after that with photos of presents and cake :) Happy weekend,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EJillxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1379582471099008925\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/05\/ballyhoo-neckerchief.html#comment-form","title":"21 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1379582471099008925"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1379582471099008925"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/05\/ballyhoo-neckerchief.html","title":"Ballyhoo Neckerchief"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tf8zsLuwMiE\/VVY-42MHWGI\/AAAAAAAAECw\/vkJcPDxNGew\/s72-c\/blogger-image-829900760.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"21"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-8882872459476988272"},"published":{"$t":"2015-04-26T22:12:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:10:21.567+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"home"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"yarn"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Happy Weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003EThis weekend has been so lazy, slow and relaxing. \u0026nbsp;Nothing planned, in fact I haven't left the house at all. Sometimes that is just blissful, pottering about enjoying home comforts :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EYesterday I crocheted for hours and hours and hours and hours. And hours. Everyone else seemed happy doing their own thing so I just left them all to it and caught up on some TV I'd recorded and spent a happy hooky morning. And afternoon. And evening.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HU-tCidc70Q\/VT1Up_YWEGI\/AAAAAAAAEAk\/5EO-OsSiDyI\/s640\/blogger-image-1813612940.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HU-tCidc70Q\/VT1Up_YWEGI\/AAAAAAAAEAk\/5EO-OsSiDyI\/s640\/blogger-image-1813612940.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe postman obviously knew I was about to run out of Stylecraft Special DK Pomegranate at lunchtime and very kindly delived my wool order in the nick of time. I love how Wool Warehouse package their wool deliveries in these sort of organza bags, such a nice touch.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tyabHR0MXxE\/VT1UaHPq2LI\/AAAAAAAAD_0\/gI8zLA-eglk\/s640\/blogger-image-1379607706.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tyabHR0MXxE\/VT1UaHPq2LI\/AAAAAAAAD_0\/gI8zLA-eglk\/s640\/blogger-image-1379607706.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI know you're thinking I couldn't possibly need more wool, and really you are right. I usually buy acrylic as it's so affordable and practical, but I'd really like to use something more luxurious for some scarves come winter. Trouble is, I just can't justify buying a load all at once. So, to ease the pain, often when I buy a few balls of acrylic I sneak in a ball of delicious cashmerino. My favourite is the Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK by Sublime. Oooooooh it is SO sublime, it's like stroking a cloud. I'm going for pastels with this collection as I can't get my head round vibrant and silky-soft together. I've a couple of balls of Rowan Pure Wool DK in there too but its quite scratchy by comparison. Cushion covers perhaps.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-JCRUSmyW5IE\/VT1UksvvydI\/AAAAAAAAEAU\/x9_0xIU0K6s\/s640\/blogger-image-1988261289.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-JCRUSmyW5IE\/VT1UksvvydI\/AAAAAAAAEAU\/x9_0xIU0K6s\/s640\/blogger-image-1988261289.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd while we're on the subject of wool, my lovely lovely crafty friend KC (she doesn't have a sunshine band though) has just come back from a fortnight in Tasmania. As you do. I missed her loads, she is my craft and coffee buddy, and a real shoulder for me to offload onto about stresses with Little Man. She works with children with special needs, a lot of them are autistic so she really understands. Plus our friendship goes way back about 15 years, as my husband and I used to work with her husband, and now all our children go to school together. Anyway, as I said she's just back from Tasmania. (She went with 2 old Uni friends of hers, and didn't take husband or children. Wow!) And bless her sweet sweet heart, she brought me back a present....... some wool of course! Oh my heart leapt with joy! Joy that I have SUCH a Dear Friend, joy that she thought of me at all, and joy that the present was wool. She knows me so well. It's some lovely Alpaca Wool from the Tasmanian Wool centre. Its colours are a really lovely earthy winter palette so I'll be saving it for some gloves or maybe a hat later in the year :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tIqhriWl_TE\/VT1UsuzLw9I\/AAAAAAAAEAs\/LdHKuJpYahI\/s640\/blogger-image--1530023710.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tIqhriWl_TE\/VT1UsuzLw9I\/AAAAAAAAEAs\/LdHKuJpYahI\/s640\/blogger-image--1530023710.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EKC also took loads of wonderful craft-related pictures on her trip, and if she has time, she'll do a guest post here on emerald cottage so she can share her photos with you all :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EToday everyone was quite happy to stay at home, and in the afternoon\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003ELittle Miss did some baking, She made these biscuits all by herself, I only did the in and out of the oven part. I wasn't even in the kitchen when she was weighing, measuring, rubbing in and so on. Not bad for a 10 year old :) (There were a lot more biscuits but they didn't last long enough to photograph)....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jsrzMEGBkCo\/VT1UnKbXeEI\/AAAAAAAAEAc\/0H2bP67tIag\/s640\/blogger-image-695303095.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jsrzMEGBkCo\/VT1UnKbXeEI\/AAAAAAAAEAc\/0H2bP67tIag\/s640\/blogger-image-695303095.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELater we sat round the table doing some colouring. During the Easter holidays we had bought some bargain pound-shop-type-of-shop-felt-tips - £3 for 100 pens, and they're pretty good. \u0026nbsp;I was kind of expecting them to be a bit rubbish. Look at that range of colours ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aryZD1SGiJE\/VT1Uh4SxtwI\/AAAAAAAAEAM\/45lj9mC7I1k\/s640\/blogger-image--655174526.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aryZD1SGiJE\/VT1Uh4SxtwI\/AAAAAAAAEAM\/45lj9mC7I1k\/s640\/blogger-image--655174526.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe've got a couple of these amazing colour-by-number books that we bought in Florida last year. \u0026nbsp;The girls stayed colouring for about an hour, but I was sat there another hour on my own. Very therapeutic :) I love the mosaic style appearance of the resulting picture. I'm brazenly showing off my picture here. The girls didn't finish theirs. No staying power, children these days.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yaBIOzNTF5U\/VT1UcsGV1FI\/AAAAAAAAD_8\/xoc2jMeZykM\/s640\/blogger-image-1367576693.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yaBIOzNTF5U\/VT1UcsGV1FI\/AAAAAAAAD_8\/xoc2jMeZykM\/s640\/blogger-image-1367576693.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ENow. As you know I'm a crocheter, I can knit too, but I always find it slower, and less forgiving in terms of mistakes. But I've had a bit of a knitting itch lately that I need to scratch. I also have some sock yarn that I bought by accident (I know, I know) so I'm going to join in on a Sockalong (such a fab name) with WinwickMum Christine (http:\/\/winwickmum.blogspot.co.uk\/p\/sockalong.html). I had to dig out the bag of knitting needles that my Mum gave me last time I was back home.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DicSpgrPM2Y\/VT1Uux0EY6I\/AAAAAAAAEA0\/jXXyYr5dC5k\/s640\/blogger-image-179822572.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DicSpgrPM2Y\/VT1Uux0EY6I\/AAAAAAAAEA0\/jXXyYr5dC5k\/s640\/blogger-image-179822572.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EMy Mum was an amazing knitter but doesn't do it any more at all now really. I think she may have done a knitting needle cull before she gave me her bag, I'm sure she had way more than these. Look how oranised she is, keeping the packs. The wooden ones were magazine freebies in case you're wondering. So I set aside some sock knitting stuff so I'll be ready to start on May 3rd. I think that is sock yarn ? Is it ? Anyone ??\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VL82Uo8m_b0\/VT1UfAXmUUI\/AAAAAAAAEAE\/mB0kfkSy1Qg\/s640\/blogger-image-486092738.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VL82Uo8m_b0\/VT1UfAXmUUI\/AAAAAAAAEAE\/mB0kfkSy1Qg\/s640\/blogger-image-486092738.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOne last little job that I did today was button sorting. Gosh if colouring-in is therapeutic then I don't know how to describe button-sorting. Mesmerising ? Soporific ? I find it sooooo relaxing. What is that ? Why is fiddling around with teeny bits of flat plastic or wood sooooo satisfying? I'd found these little spice jars in the charity shop, they were just so cute, and seemed like a full set as there were 8 of them, so I had to buy them really. No really, I did. Thery didn't even smell that spicy. I already had a perfectly good set of random mustard\/pickle\/jam jars, but they Didn't Match Each Other. And we all know how I don't really do random. And yes, I also already had a perfectly good button tin that even has pictures of buttons on it for heavens sake. But look, I HAD to buy these jars. I mean they were for charity. Look ..... see ?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-sClTtlt5z9E\/VT1UxWSmqXI\/AAAAAAAAEA8\/Ll3PFvOHER0\/s640\/blogger-image-1623778811.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-sClTtlt5z9E\/VT1UxWSmqXI\/AAAAAAAAEA8\/Ll3PFvOHER0\/s640\/blogger-image-1623778811.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI hope you all had relaxing weekends too :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Exxxxxxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8882872459476988272\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/04\/happy-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"20 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8882872459476988272"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8882872459476988272"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/04\/happy-weekend.html","title":"Happy Weekend"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HU-tCidc70Q\/VT1Up_YWEGI\/AAAAAAAAEAk\/5EO-OsSiDyI\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1813612940.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"20"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1210219836951562375"},"published":{"$t":"2015-04-24T19:43:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:14:33.662+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"A Year In Books"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"books"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A Year in Books 2015 - March-April"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Er, yes, you are absolutely right, I am several weeks in posting this .... but never mind :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELet's just get on with the reviews shall we. In March my 3 planned reads were:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E12 Years a Slave by Solomon Northup, Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris, and Run or Die by Killian Jornet.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Qjn1WYwFnOA\/VTqX7uDq0WI\/AAAAAAAAD-8\/0Tk7unugnPI\/s640\/blogger-image-1569858189.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Qjn1WYwFnOA\/VTqX7uDq0WI\/AAAAAAAAD-8\/0Tk7unugnPI\/s640\/blogger-image-1569858189.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI started off with Kilian Jornet's Run or Die. I must admit I was a bit disappointed with this. I really enjoy reading tales of men and women who undertake extreme challenges - a great example of this being Cheryl Strayed, whose book \"Wild\" I read last month (http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2015\/03\/a-year-in-books-2015-february-march.html) and really enjoyed. Sadly Run or Die wasn't as inspiring. Yes, Kilian has run a lot of extreme distance races, and for that I applaud him, but a writer he is not. The book was only mildly interesting, more like a series of race reviews, which were all a bit samey, and with occasional brief interludes about his childhood and how he became an extreme runner. The book meandered around, and so I think, for me, it just lacked direction. Sorry Kilian. Fair play to you for all the running though :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7QTRiKKNPc0\/VTqZUjdLXaI\/AAAAAAAAD_E\/HBPrPbv58ZU\/s640\/blogger-image--959405148.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7QTRiKKNPc0\/VTqZUjdLXaI\/AAAAAAAAD_E\/HBPrPbv58ZU\/s640\/blogger-image--959405148.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ENext up was \"Definitely Dead\", the 6th book in the Sookie Stakhouse series by Charlaine Harris. You'll know from my previous reviews that the Sookie Stackhouse books are kind of silly, fun, supernatural vampire frivolity. I've enjoyed all the books immensely, however with Definitely Dead I do have a mini grumble. In this book the author refers back to events which happened, chronologically, between the previous book, Dead as a Doornail, and this one. Events which were not included in either book. I spent ages flicking back, wondering if I'd missed a chapter, then I thought I had missed an entire book, and finally I turned to Mr Google who told me that the intervening events had been included in a short story that wasn't considered part of the series. What ???? Eh ????? To be fair it's possible that the short story was by a different publisher or something, and so couldn't be referenced in the main books, but, whatever the reason, it was bloomin' annoying. Luckily I found the short story \"One Word Answer\", again by asking Mr Google, and I was able to read it online, thereby filling in the gaps. Otherwise, Definitely Dead was as much silly, vampire, nonsene, fun as usual. I thoroughly enjoyed it :) Just don't say I didn't warn you about the extra story.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EjjWCRnVrQI\/VTqeMivbEmI\/AAAAAAAAD_U\/vSNoTzYZsbU\/s640\/blogger-image-923444931.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EjjWCRnVrQI\/VTqeMivbEmI\/AAAAAAAAD_U\/vSNoTzYZsbU\/s640\/blogger-image-923444931.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFinally, I read \"12 Years a Slave\" by Solomon Northup. I knew that a film had been made of this and I really wanted to read the book first. What I didn't realise was that the book was written in the mid 1800's and is the true memoirs of Solomon Northup's own experience. Knowing that now, I feel, well, stupid, to be honest. I had thought that the book was a work of fiction only based upon fact, and when I started reading it I really didn't like the olde-worlde language in which it's written. How completely ignorant do I feel now, realising that the language is reminiscent of a time gone by because it was written in a time gone by. Anyway, so now that I've got that sort of confession out of the way, I can talk about the book. What is there to say..... It's amazing in a terrible, awful way. Solomon Northup was born a free man, in New York state, but was essentially kidnapped as a young man, and sold into slavery. The desperate events that happened to Northup, and of course many many many others like him, are just unbelivevably cruel, harsh, unfair, merciless. There aren't words to describe the atrocities that slaves endured. I'm ashamed to say I've never taken the time to think about the real lives of slaves and how appallingly they were treated. I know that makes me sound like a modern day spoilt brat, I don't think I am, well not any more than the average person, but this book was a real eye-opener. Of course I've always thought, known, that slavery is just plain wrong, but I had no idea how bad things really were. Once I got used to the language and style of writing, I couldn't put this book down. I was so desperate for Platt (as Solomon was renamed) to escape from slavery and be re-united with his family. Having read the book I'm not sure that I want to see the film. It won't be a light-hearted movie, that's for sure. 12 Years a Slave is one of those books that I think everyone should read. It's very humbling and I'm thankful every day that I have the freedom that Solomon lacked for such a large part of his life, for no other reason than having different coloured skin.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-BG4EKRtK-nk\/VTqePHnhyKI\/AAAAAAAAD_c\/ImpcF4erl58\/s640\/blogger-image--1140630911.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-BG4EKRtK-nk\/VTqePHnhyKI\/AAAAAAAAD_c\/ImpcF4erl58\/s640\/blogger-image--1140630911.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIn April (what's left of it!) I'm planning to read (and have indeed made an excellent start upon) The Ice Balloon by Alec Wilkinson. This is the story of S.A.Andree, the swedish explorer who, in the late 1800's, attempted to be the first man to fly a hot-air balloon over the North Pole. Slightly bonkers, right ?! Then of course there will be the 7th Sookie Stackhouse book, \"All Together Dead\", another supernatural romp I'm sure :) And finally my kindle choice for April is Lucy Diamond's \"Sweet Temptation\"; the front cover describes it as \"a story of love, friendship, calories and cake\", I'm hoping for a light-hearted easy read.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThat's it for now, see you soon for April's reviews, erm, next week I suppose :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1210219836951562375\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/04\/a-year-in-books-2015-march-april.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1210219836951562375"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1210219836951562375"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/04\/a-year-in-books-2015-march-april.html","title":"A Year in Books 2015 - March-April"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Qjn1WYwFnOA\/VTqX7uDq0WI\/AAAAAAAAD-8\/0Tk7unugnPI\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1569858189.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2833612320898385157"},"published":{"$t":"2015-04-19T22:06:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T22:56:25.724+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Crochet cube"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Crochet is brilliant, don't you think ? I find it such a relaxing hobby, playing with yarn of all varieties and colours of the rainbow, and I love the fact that crochet projects can be so diverse - from a tiny flower to a humungous blanket, from a simple washcloth to a complicated openwork shawl. In fact that pretty much sums up what I love about crochet - colour and diversity. And for me the diversity is best demonstrated by the use of crocheted squares.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EOn the subject of rainbow brights and square-ness, for a while now, on and off, I've been working on a fun project for our playroom. We have a two seater sofa in there, and with 3 Little People ...... well it doesn't take a genius to work out the problem. So I thought I'd make a little cubey stool type thingammybob for them to sit on, put their feet on, roll around the room, use for den-building, and so on. Inspiration struck at some point around Christmas and I decided to make it in the style of a Rubik's cube. (I used to LOVE my Rubik's cube, I could nearly solve it. All but the last 4 middle edge bits. Totally forgotten how now, but still it holds a fascination for me ....)\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-oiCXVqw0OHw\/VTQWX_ixbuI\/AAAAAAAAD9s\/YZM4cemYv5U\/s640\/blogger-image--1496184579.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-oiCXVqw0OHw\/VTQWX_ixbuI\/AAAAAAAAD9s\/YZM4cemYv5U\/s640\/blogger-image--1496184579.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnyway, I saved the cardboard from parcels that arrived, mostly by amazon, at Christmas time. And also from Very Important Wool Deliveries. I worked out that the width of three 4-round solid grannies crocheted together was about the right size for a Little Person to sit on, and then I made the right size of cardboard box out of bits of cardboard. With me so far ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-McyWXtUu0rM\/VTQWlwyT4eI\/AAAAAAAAD-U\/DR5rB_L9Tz0\/s640\/blogger-image-78650513.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-McyWXtUu0rM\/VTQWlwyT4eI\/AAAAAAAAD-U\/DR5rB_L9Tz0\/s640\/blogger-image-78650513.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe box then had to be filled with something to make it stand up to the rigours of 3 ruffians. I decided to use layers of cardboard. Not sure if this was a good idea, it took Flipping Ages. Cutting cardboard is horrible, really hurts your hands, is blooming awkward and seems to take forever. But, forever later, I had a nice solid cardboard cube. Maybe not the easiest solution but it definitely works.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3fADLK7m8k0\/VTQWNLpY95I\/AAAAAAAAD9M\/nn4Xyn8dgJc\/s640\/blogger-image--1333221906.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3fADLK7m8k0\/VTQWNLpY95I\/AAAAAAAAD9M\/nn4Xyn8dgJc\/s640\/blogger-image--1333221906.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFor extra sturdiness I wrapped miles of packing tape round the whole thing.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zeg1CRjI2d4\/VTQWoXiDpPI\/AAAAAAAAD-c\/_nhoUFy-r4w\/s640\/blogger-image--1030143178.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zeg1CRjI2d4\/VTQWoXiDpPI\/AAAAAAAAD-c\/_nhoUFy-r4w\/s640\/blogger-image--1030143178.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EObviously each face of the cube needed 9 squares. And I wanted a solved Rubik's cube. No disorderly random chaos of mixed up pieces for me, thanks very much.)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jGqZPYdq0WA\/VTQWH54gojI\/AAAAAAAAD88\/AhWLZFY5JCI\/s640\/blogger-image--4026971.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-jGqZPYdq0WA\/VTQWH54gojI\/AAAAAAAAD88\/AhWLZFY5JCI\/s640\/blogger-image--4026971.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E9 of each of red, blue, green, yellow, orange and grey. The grey was instead of white which I thought would get pretty grubby pretty quickly. To be honest I always wished the Rubik's cube had had a purple face instead of white, that would have been much better balanced in terms of the colour wheel I think. Silly old Mr Rubik.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-oZunkF2YpWY\/VTQWVQquy2I\/AAAAAAAAD9k\/lbU3EUxlxKQ\/s640\/blogger-image--10630965.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-oZunkF2YpWY\/VTQWVQquy2I\/AAAAAAAAD9k\/lbU3EUxlxKQ\/s640\/blogger-image--10630965.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFor each face I crocheted all the squares individually then joined them together using double crochet, in black, on the right sides. This gives a really nice definition to the indiviual squares.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VblLysCNQno\/VTQWP-xoxnI\/AAAAAAAAD9U\/399SwR3zQMU\/s640\/blogger-image--1173335295.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VblLysCNQno\/VTQWP-xoxnI\/AAAAAAAAD9U\/399SwR3zQMU\/s640\/blogger-image--1173335295.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI then used the same double crochet seam, again on the right sides, to join the faces together to make up the cube shape.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-MmE419nccW8\/VTQWSXDieWI\/AAAAAAAAD9c\/i7SND-Uis2A\/s640\/blogger-image-1627710796.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-MmE419nccW8\/VTQWSXDieWI\/AAAAAAAAD9c\/i7SND-Uis2A\/s640\/blogger-image-1627710796.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOnce 5 faces were joined together, I joined the last face on by one edge, then slipped the cover over the box - it fitted really well thank goodness! My measurements, amazingly, were right.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bi1NPPTRXzw\/VTQWgEcVSKI\/AAAAAAAAD-E\/qg-bazadjLc\/s640\/blogger-image--1391478031.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bi1NPPTRXzw\/VTQWgEcVSKI\/AAAAAAAAD-E\/qg-bazadjLc\/s640\/blogger-image--1391478031.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFinally I crocheted the last 3 edges with the cover in place (otherwise I wouldn't have had enough of a gap to get the cube in).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-9B-OwF3PA1A\/VTQWbMcppnI\/AAAAAAAAD90\/WMmm7OPG690\/s640\/blogger-image-1547606173.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-9B-OwF3PA1A\/VTQWbMcppnI\/AAAAAAAAD90\/WMmm7OPG690\/s640\/blogger-image-1547606173.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd ta-daaaa!! A Rubik's cube cubey thing :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VaCDU8dszvY\/VTQWq6oWkeI\/AAAAAAAAD-k\/iau2rD7Zkgc\/s640\/blogger-image-228271799.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VaCDU8dszvY\/VTQWq6oWkeI\/AAAAAAAAD-k\/iau2rD7Zkgc\/s640\/blogger-image-228271799.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vFKnBRY-Sjk\/VTQWKtVb-zI\/AAAAAAAAD9E\/1qs2hzZR30w\/s640\/blogger-image-47080321.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vFKnBRY-Sjk\/VTQWKtVb-zI\/AAAAAAAAD9E\/1qs2hzZR30w\/s640\/blogger-image-47080321.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Y2J3y-D9ghk\/VTQWiuTy0PI\/AAAAAAAAD-M\/Jb2tLkWiHOg\/s640\/blogger-image-687266284.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Y2J3y-D9ghk\/VTQWiuTy0PI\/AAAAAAAAD-M\/Jb2tLkWiHOg\/s640\/blogger-image-687266284.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-M0iYtlEz6lE\/VTQWdbZ6yjI\/AAAAAAAAD98\/LHNRUu70_ng\/s640\/blogger-image--311579579.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-M0iYtlEz6lE\/VTQWdbZ6yjI\/AAAAAAAAD98\/LHNRUu70_ng\/s640\/blogger-image--311579579.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd there you go, a bit of rainbow coloured recycling crochet fun :)\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EOf course now they are arguing over who gets to sit on the Rubik's cube. Ho-hum.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHappy crocheting people :)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ci style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EThis post is my submission to the Deramores Craft Blog Competition 2015. Deramores is the UK’s number one online retailer of knitting and crochet supplies. Visit www.deramores.com for more details.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2833612320898385157\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/04\/crochet-cube.html#comment-form","title":"24 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2833612320898385157"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2833612320898385157"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/04\/crochet-cube.html","title":"Crochet cube"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-oiCXVqw0OHw\/VTQWX_ixbuI\/AAAAAAAAD9s\/YZM4cemYv5U\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1496184579.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"24"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2720202602517837016"},"published":{"$t":"2015-04-14T18:13:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T22:59:47.873+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"craft"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Fused glass"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"We are still on Easter school holidays in our neck of the woods, and the hours of blissful crafting I'd envisaged appears to have morphed into hours of laundry, mess-tidying, food provision, and sibling-bickering-refereeing with the odd bit of swing-ball and kerplunk thrown in just to keep it exciting. Ah such is life as a Mum of 3!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnyhoo. In the absence of anything finished to show you (plenty started, nothing completed as yet) I thought I'd share some of the photos I took when I attended a Fused Glass workshop back in February.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-mTd24jmyCwM\/VS60B7gL01I\/AAAAAAAAD5s\/oPWPNKO5wqw\/s640\/blogger-image--1758819812.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-mTd24jmyCwM\/VS60B7gL01I\/AAAAAAAAD5s\/oPWPNKO5wqw\/s640\/blogger-image--1758819812.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI was given a voucher for the workshop for Christmas by my friend. \"Thanks!\" I said, \"Brilliant!\" I cried. And wondered what on earth fused glass was and how to do it. A few weeks later I phoned to book my session with Namrata of Montages (www.montages.co.uk). Namrata said she'd send me some information via email, and I went off for a nosy on the interweb.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe bumpf about the workshop arrived by email as promised. I had to think about 3 designs - for a small coaster, a small dish, and a pendant - prior to the day itself. Now, I'd been on a stained glass thing a few years ago, rocked up with zero ideas and panicked for most of the session because my mind went blank. So I definitely wanted to be prepared this time. Namrata's email included a sheet to print off with templates for the 3 items. Each piece should only be straight lines and 3-4 colours each. I jumped on Pinterest and got looooooads of ideas.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-F50Ob3EkO-k\/VS6z82NqNeI\/AAAAAAAAD5c\/iU1Rk1R72NM\/s640\/blogger-image-2096320510.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-F50Ob3EkO-k\/VS6z82NqNeI\/AAAAAAAAD5c\/iU1Rk1R72NM\/s640\/blogger-image-2096320510.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFor the coaster, and the dish, as a good hooker, I decided to go for - what else - a granny square effect. Basically a series of small squares. Nice straight edges. The pendant proved a bit harder but I kept coming back to a mini-beach scene I'd spotted on Pinterest, so I decided to go for something similar for my pendant.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOn the day of the workshop I was really hoping that I wouldn't turn up and be billy-no-mates sitting in a group of others that all knew each other, but it was even better than I could have hoped - I arrived to find that one of the others was a lady (girl?) with whom I'd worked 18 years ago. She was there with her 15 year old twin daughters :) We felt very old. Long gone are the days of hitting the pub after work on a Friday......\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ifknKTyDIEY\/VS6zuAJoUYI\/AAAAAAAAD4s\/MjGtGK8D_Ac\/s640\/blogger-image-2076226891.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ifknKTyDIEY\/VS6zuAJoUYI\/AAAAAAAAD4s\/MjGtGK8D_Ac\/s640\/blogger-image-2076226891.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ENamrata gave us a run-down of what to do, and then let us loose with the glass and equipment.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETo cut a piece of glass you first have to score it along a ruler with a scoring device.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2CS2laxtx24\/VS60ETwTwFI\/AAAAAAAAD50\/KquesABnFnw\/s640\/blogger-image--954188416.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2CS2laxtx24\/VS60ETwTwFI\/AAAAAAAAD50\/KquesABnFnw\/s640\/blogger-image--954188416.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThen you use a pair of snipper things and squeeze the glass where you scored it.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-bYpDlMa6zZQ\/VS6z1otMRuI\/AAAAAAAAD5E\/5biS8Giwc_s\/s640\/blogger-image--2010956215.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-bYpDlMa6zZQ\/VS6z1otMRuI\/AAAAAAAAD5E\/5biS8Giwc_s\/s640\/blogger-image--2010956215.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIt just goes \"snap\" and breaks with a nice straight(ish) edge.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-SGdKlhd1DU4\/VS6zwoG3BGI\/AAAAAAAAD40\/BeZEl5PDCE8\/s640\/blogger-image-1890114444.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-SGdKlhd1DU4\/VS6zwoG3BGI\/AAAAAAAAD40\/BeZEl5PDCE8\/s640\/blogger-image-1890114444.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd so you go on, scoring and snapping, until you have enough pieces of roughly the correct size for your design.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-SFPtgfGud-s\/VS60GxjLl_I\/AAAAAAAAD58\/xk64X6lZ5IY\/s640\/blogger-image--1087842477.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-SFPtgfGud-s\/VS60GxjLl_I\/AAAAAAAAD58\/xk64X6lZ5IY\/s640\/blogger-image--1087842477.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIf any edges need a bit of fine-tuning you use a small grinder. No photos of that though, its really hard to hold a piece of glass against a grinder whilst taking a photo of yourself doing it. At least its hard to do it without losing a fingertip. Don't worry, mine are all still intact.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-SFSPKEWa8XM\/VS60bWdzxKI\/AAAAAAAAD68\/eh60bwxtFGU\/s640\/blogger-image--1975424350.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-SFSPKEWa8XM\/VS60bWdzxKI\/AAAAAAAAD68\/eh60bwxtFGU\/s640\/blogger-image--1975424350.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EYou can add details onto the design with copper sheet, and can use a regular craft stamp, or just scissors, to cut the copper.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-TkLqf3RyCVs\/VS60L7uC2rI\/AAAAAAAAD6M\/haTekHAoBDI\/s640\/blogger-image-372510166.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-TkLqf3RyCVs\/VS60L7uC2rI\/AAAAAAAAD6M\/haTekHAoBDI\/s640\/blogger-image-372510166.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI decided to add a few hearts to my dish. The copper sheet has an adhesive side so you can position it on your design and it stays put.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WGa7A6zctT8\/VS6z4FUQUfI\/AAAAAAAAD5M\/oS-FulpgL_8\/s640\/blogger-image-1373194495.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WGa7A6zctT8\/VS6z4FUQUfI\/AAAAAAAAD5M\/oS-FulpgL_8\/s640\/blogger-image-1373194495.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI also wanted a little boat on my beach-scene pendant.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-fU6VyZM6Xek\/VS60TxKfYFI\/AAAAAAAAD6k\/uv0s1VO32r8\/s640\/blogger-image--1364654460.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-fU6VyZM6Xek\/VS60TxKfYFI\/AAAAAAAAD6k\/uv0s1VO32r8\/s640\/blogger-image--1364654460.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ECute, eh? I was quite pleased with that :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOnce you are happy with your design you go and lay it out on the kiln bed.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-flGimlUhhdA\/VS60OtYmfoI\/AAAAAAAAD6U\/e82vsDjoJbA\/s640\/blogger-image--344312436.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-flGimlUhhdA\/VS60OtYmfoI\/AAAAAAAAD6U\/e82vsDjoJbA\/s640\/blogger-image--344312436.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMost of the glass is what-you-get-is-what-you-see. So you fire green glass in the kiln, it comes out green. Blue comes out blue. And so on. There were a few exceptions which Namrata explained. Also the black piece in my beach scene is a powdery substance which, when fired, turns into a sort of bright blue bubbly effect. I'd decided to use that for the \"sea\" layer of my beach scene\"\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-cAtGZyw389c\/VS60WTolMDI\/AAAAAAAAD6s\/exwSFZJ_J98\/s640\/blogger-image--1189038079.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-cAtGZyw389c\/VS60WTolMDI\/AAAAAAAAD6s\/exwSFZJ_J98\/s640\/blogger-image--1189038079.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOnce your designs are laid out on the kiln, you lay a piece of glass, which Namrata had pre-cut for us, over the top. The basic idea is that when the pieces are fired in the kiln, the kiln heats up the glass enough to just go a bit blobby or gooey, so the individual pieces sort of blob together. The clear glass over the top just sort of blobs over the edges to give a nice clear and smooth cover to the whole piece. That's my admittedly non-technical explanation of how I think it works.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe all left our pieces with Namrata to be fired, and I popped along later in the week to pick up my finished items.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe pendant didn't come out as well as I'd hoped. The blue I used for the sky came our purple. Ah. That was one of the exceptions then. The black powdery bit was darker than I hoped. I might have been a bit heavy handed with the powder, or maybe it looks dark next to the purple. Not sure. But despite it being slightly different to what I expected, I do still like it, its kind of sweet :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-mH_naEx9soU\/VS6z_YEKtLI\/AAAAAAAAD5k\/QRKQccuaXPU\/s640\/blogger-image--1428116371.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-mH_naEx9soU\/VS6z_YEKtLI\/AAAAAAAAD5k\/QRKQccuaXPU\/s640\/blogger-image--1428116371.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETo make the dish curve out like it does, I think Namrata must lift the dish piece (which starts off flat as shown earlier) and drape it upside-down over some kind of stand so it drapes down as it cools. Then when you turn it the right way up again it's dish-shaped. Does that make sense ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI love my granny-coaster but my absolute favourite is the dish, its just so cute, I'm so happy with it :)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CWjwINmM__k\/VS60JZvfNnI\/AAAAAAAAD6E\/eKc_KjS5BBc\/s640\/blogger-image-149238116.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CWjwINmM__k\/VS60JZvfNnI\/AAAAAAAAD6E\/eKc_KjS5BBc\/s640\/blogger-image-149238116.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EYou may be wondering how the pendant attaches onto a necklace ? Well during the firing process Namrata added a little silver attachment thingy to it through which a necklace or cord could be threaded, but I kind of tried to widen it to fit a cord thing I already had, but in trying to widen it, I, er, um, kind of broke it. Gah! Hubby has a soldering iron somewhere so I'm wondering if I can use that to fix it, otherwise it will just have be a decorative stone on my desk ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI really enjoyed the workshop, I definitely want to do it again some time, and think I could go a bit more adventurous this time now that I know what to expect.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAs well as running workshops, Namrata makes and sells a lot of her own work. Her pieces are truly stunning, and show how complex the design can be for a professional ..... check out her jewellery ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-56Ouj679NA0\/VS60Ywnuj8I\/AAAAAAAAD60\/A_j9IHqqNEk\/s640\/blogger-image--1756920725.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-56Ouj679NA0\/VS60Ywnuj8I\/AAAAAAAAD60\/A_j9IHqqNEk\/s640\/blogger-image--1756920725.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-iG15no2uY80\/VS7IG8YFnMI\/AAAAAAAAD7M\/3rGVZOLpS0g\/s640\/blogger-image-1579965344.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-iG15no2uY80\/VS7IG8YFnMI\/AAAAAAAAD7M\/3rGVZOLpS0g\/s640\/blogger-image-1579965344.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and these next two pieces of wall-art are quite large, sort of dinner plate sized.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/--Q93qNobGlI\/VS6z6rUNR5I\/AAAAAAAAD5U\/9-loalwA6dc\/s640\/blogger-image--1111426367.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/--Q93qNobGlI\/VS6z6rUNR5I\/AAAAAAAAD5U\/9-loalwA6dc\/s640\/blogger-image--1111426367.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-OpJtvya_Js0\/VS60RP46hAI\/AAAAAAAAD6c\/v_bXFOPrn2g\/s640\/blogger-image--1634393466.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-OpJtvya_Js0\/VS60RP46hAI\/AAAAAAAAD6c\/v_bXFOPrn2g\/s640\/blogger-image--1634393466.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIf you get the chance, I definitely recommend going on this sort of workshop, it was a really fun way to spend a morning, and with lovely (hopefully!) pieces to keep at the end :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Exxxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2720202602517837016\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/04\/fused-glass.html#comment-form","title":"17 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2720202602517837016"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2720202602517837016"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/04\/fused-glass.html","title":"Fused glass"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-mTd24jmyCwM\/VS60B7gL01I\/AAAAAAAAD5s\/oPWPNKO5wqw\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1758819812.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"17"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-3985666625632041402"},"published":{"$t":"2015-04-10T21:56:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:12:06.260+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"days out"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Easter"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"giveaway"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Easter and Giveaway Winners"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I bet you thought I'd given up blogging at the 1 year mark .... well of course not :) Sorry about a slightly longer absence than usual but we've been busy having a really marvellous Easter holidays, I mean really tippity top. It's been one of those holidays where we've found the perfect balance of going out .... staying in .... doing lots .... and relaxing ..... There really has been much to be thankful for.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... sweetheart roses - sweet indeed\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-myWRyyEcL6w\/VSg5D9zTL9I\/AAAAAAAAD4U\/SIbkkY_tXuk\/s640\/blogger-image-2062722085.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-myWRyyEcL6w\/VSg5D9zTL9I\/AAAAAAAAD4U\/SIbkkY_tXuk\/s640\/blogger-image-2062722085.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... spring greenery from the garden\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OkS__ehsIes\/VSg43xc3E4I\/AAAAAAAAD3s\/soJioePedEg\/s640\/blogger-image--1724125116.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OkS__ehsIes\/VSg43xc3E4I\/AAAAAAAAD3s\/soJioePedEg\/s640\/blogger-image--1724125116.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... little chocolate eggs from my lovely hubby\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-qzeytF8iJF8\/VSg3JWOPEiI\/AAAAAAAAD3Q\/-jDthkJ0OYs\/s640\/blogger-image-1018270431.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-qzeytF8iJF8\/VSg3JWOPEiI\/AAAAAAAAD3Q\/-jDthkJ0OYs\/s640\/blogger-image-1018270431.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... fun day out at Basildon Park\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-pFjEOfxjVyk\/VSg4yQ-UdQI\/AAAAAAAAD3c\/jd35Nftb0Hs\/s640\/blogger-image--1699914274.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-pFjEOfxjVyk\/VSg4yQ-UdQI\/AAAAAAAAD3c\/jd35Nftb0Hs\/s640\/blogger-image--1699914274.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... doing their Easter quiz-trail\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-5R8zqcbS270\/VSg3Ej9xpvI\/AAAAAAAAD3A\/XyQGjtQuoGk\/s640\/blogger-image-1206481475.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-5R8zqcbS270\/VSg3Ej9xpvI\/AAAAAAAAD3A\/XyQGjtQuoGk\/s640\/blogger-image-1206481475.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E... and admiring the beautiful blooms\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-FaitB0RLvcg\/VSg2zc3UMlI\/AAAAAAAAD2I\/VtLnXMJYkMc\/s640\/blogger-image-1277890183.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-FaitB0RLvcg\/VSg2zc3UMlI\/AAAAAAAAD2I\/VtLnXMJYkMc\/s640\/blogger-image-1277890183.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tPvyM-FAx6c\/VSg26wTDHfI\/AAAAAAAAD2g\/h-Wcm5oTjHM\/s640\/blogger-image--664336534.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tPvyM-FAx6c\/VSg26wTDHfI\/AAAAAAAAD2g\/h-Wcm5oTjHM\/s640\/blogger-image--664336534.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-JNgBMRAMKIY\/VSg21wN76kI\/AAAAAAAAD2Q\/gozGI2W3B38\/s640\/blogger-image-678263252.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-JNgBMRAMKIY\/VSg21wN76kI\/AAAAAAAAD2Q\/gozGI2W3B38\/s640\/blogger-image-678263252.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-aejjNUuOQds\/VSg24bywQNI\/AAAAAAAAD2Y\/DnNKxDsM6fo\/s640\/blogger-image-202027910.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-aejjNUuOQds\/VSg24bywQNI\/AAAAAAAAD2Y\/DnNKxDsM6fo\/s640\/blogger-image-202027910.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... enjoying first crochet in the garden this year\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-m1PC4wQPOUI\/VSg5BnFfg6I\/AAAAAAAAD4M\/Eq_iAEOTzQk\/s640\/blogger-image--431676444.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-m1PC4wQPOUI\/VSg5BnFfg6I\/AAAAAAAAD4M\/Eq_iAEOTzQk\/s640\/blogger-image--431676444.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-eGsMjcbiutE\/VSg46a1dsTI\/AAAAAAAAD30\/FRLrfZUy4VE\/s640\/blogger-image-1229023857.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-eGsMjcbiutE\/VSg46a1dsTI\/AAAAAAAAD30\/FRLrfZUy4VE\/s640\/blogger-image-1229023857.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe weather has been fabulous here, I hope it's been as good wherever you are. We've really made the most of it with trips to the park, lots of time in the garden, Little Man and his friends have been out on their bikes and playing nerf-gun wars on the field, and the girls have been trampolining, playing hopscotch, making assault courses, skipping, ..... oh the list of outdoor pursuits goes on and on, its been so lovely to see them having all this wholesome fun :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EJust before Easter I had spotted these little chick beanbags on Pinterest. (http:\/\/www.petalstopicots.com\/2014\/03\/crochet-chicken-pattern-little-chick-bean-bag-pattern) I decided to make a whole bunch so we could play beanbag games with them. And of course they had to be rainbow coloured.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--L1S0LMnZr8\/VSg3HK4SY4I\/AAAAAAAAD3I\/hbkLnIpbD4E\/s640\/blogger-image-2108504373.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--L1S0LMnZr8\/VSg3HK4SY4I\/AAAAAAAAD3I\/hbkLnIpbD4E\/s640\/blogger-image-2108504373.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI tell you, this is a fab stash-busting project. Each chick is just a rectangle, twice as long as it is wide, then you sew it up at a strange angle, add on some of those red wobbly bits on their heads (should they only be for roosters ??) and some beaks and ta-daaaah ..... little beanbag chickens .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-4yuOrW9QubA\/VSg2_u8yfoI\/AAAAAAAAD2w\/_ctRCPV07ZI\/s640\/blogger-image--1761736522.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-4yuOrW9QubA\/VSg2_u8yfoI\/AAAAAAAAD2w\/_ctRCPV07ZI\/s640\/blogger-image--1761736522.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIf you think they are looking rather menacing, you should have seen the first one I made with pointy eyes. Very Angry Birds.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIn the absence of a suitable Easter bucket, we stuffed them all in a Halloween pail and took them outside for some beanbag fun.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-bGERQdZfmTU\/VSg4_Vh2xqI\/AAAAAAAAD4E\/we_J9-7xEAw\/s640\/blogger-image--1659194398.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-bGERQdZfmTU\/VSg4_Vh2xqI\/AAAAAAAAD4E\/we_J9-7xEAw\/s640\/blogger-image--1659194398.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe homemade beanbag tossy stand thingy was another Pinterest find. Got to love Pinterest, eh ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-EkcfqB63Glk\/VSg2uPqgmUI\/AAAAAAAAD14\/OH483--QQJ4\/s640\/blogger-image-1779055015.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-EkcfqB63Glk\/VSg2uPqgmUI\/AAAAAAAAD14\/OH483--QQJ4\/s640\/blogger-image-1779055015.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ENow. After all that jolliness, get our tissues ready for I have a sad little tale to tell you. Little Man and his friend were out on their bikes yesterday and found this little chap at the roadside. They very carfeully carried him home in one of their bike helmets (so proud of them both :) The doorbell rang. \"We found a tortoise\" they said. \"A tortoise?\" I said. \"Er.....\". And so we phoned the vet. And took the tortoise, in a shoebox balanced very carefully on Little Man's lap in the car, to said vet - me, my 3 Little Peeps plus Little Man's friend. Quite an expedition. And so the vet took a look at the tortoise. Which turned out to be a turtle.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1BC31dqVGLg\/VSg486C3vTI\/AAAAAAAAD38\/eZfHpWpRY7I\/s640\/blogger-image--180680721.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1BC31dqVGLg\/VSg486C3vTI\/AAAAAAAAD38\/eZfHpWpRY7I\/s640\/blogger-image--180680721.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\"He's very poorly....\" said the vet \"... very skinny and dehydrated...\" he continued. Turns out he is a type of Asian Box Turtle. Aquatic, not native to the UK, difficult to look after, and of high monetry value. Often used for breeding, illegally. And really not in great shape at all. The vet said he would monitor it overnight and call us today with an update. In the meantime we called at a few houses to see if anyone had an escapee turtle (how does that even happen) but in reality I was rather hoping we wouldn't find anyone as I have a suspicion that the poor little turtle was, at best, not being looked after properly, and at worst, had been abandoned.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESo the vet called this morning, poor little turtle didn't do well overnight, isn't feeding himself so needs tube-feeding which would need an anaesthetic which would add more stress and trauma....... aaaah bless him :( Vet is going to monitor again tonight but between us we agreed it would be best, if there's no improvement overnight, to put him to sleep :( We, hubby and I, considered giving poor little turtle a home, but we don't think we'd be able to care for him properly. Poor little turtle :(\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EPhew. Sorry. Bit of a sad ending there. I am supremely proud of my boy and his friend so being so caring, they were so worried and so gentle with poor little turtle.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd onto brighter things. Little Miss helped me to pick the Blog Birthday Giveaway Winners :)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-9PpRYLk0aJg\/VSg41YlPdSI\/AAAAAAAAD3k\/Jzz48F6Xbwk\/s640\/blogger-image--1856192848.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-9PpRYLk0aJg\/VSg41YlPdSI\/AAAAAAAAD3k\/Jzz48F6Xbwk\/s640\/blogger-image--1856192848.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe wrote out the names, folded them up and plonked them in my button tin. If you're wondering where the buttons are, they are now in jars and sorted according to colour (wee bit OCD ??).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-o9F9COjIJjc\/VSg3CGB7T0I\/AAAAAAAAD24\/z5hkGrVKnqk\/s640\/blogger-image--417592865.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-o9F9COjIJjc\/VSg3CGB7T0I\/AAAAAAAAD24\/z5hkGrVKnqk\/s640\/blogger-image--417592865.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd the lucky winners are ..... Niki Murray - hurray!!! And HouseWithHearts - yippee!!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI'll be in touch tomorrow ladies to get your contact details :) And then you can await an exciting parcel in the post :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-tnFsq1AtDTE\/VSg2wkhtVLI\/AAAAAAAAD2A\/XFFz1MvB2pY\/s640\/blogger-image--648590482.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-tnFsq1AtDTE\/VSg2wkhtVLI\/AAAAAAAAD2A\/XFFz1MvB2pY\/s640\/blogger-image--648590482.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EEnjoy the rest of your Easter hols people - mwah!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Exxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3985666625632041402\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/04\/easter-and-giveaway-winners.html#comment-form","title":"23 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3985666625632041402"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3985666625632041402"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/04\/easter-and-giveaway-winners.html","title":"Easter and Giveaway Winners"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-myWRyyEcL6w\/VSg5D9zTL9I\/AAAAAAAAD4U\/SIbkkY_tXuk\/s72-c\/blogger-image-2062722085.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"23"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-7582346543325369569"},"published":{"$t":"2015-04-01T12:03:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:04:56.075+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"giveaway"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"review"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Happy Blog 1st Birthday Giveaway"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Happy Blog-day to me,\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHappy Blog-day to me,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHappy Blog-day emerald cottaaaaage\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHappy Blog-day to me :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-FSd3ZoEfLfc\/VRu_EUSfQ5I\/AAAAAAAADzU\/ddZJ6lAC30w\/s640\/blogger-image-1185796502.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-FSd3ZoEfLfc\/VRu_EUSfQ5I\/AAAAAAAADzU\/ddZJ6lAC30w\/s640\/blogger-image-1185796502.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EYes, its a whole year since I started my blog, wow! I can't believe I've actually managed to keep going this long :) Thankyou to everyone who's been reading and\/or commenting for a while, and welcome to my new readers too. Its definitely the bloggy love that keeps me coming back to post more. The community of like-minded bloggers is not something I had considered, so blogging fellowship has been a really lovely happy surprise :) I wondered if I would have much to say, if I would get bored, or if anyone would bother to read my waffle. Well, I'm definitely not bored yet, and it would appear that you lot are happy to still be reading, so I count that as a success :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EStay tuned to the end of this post for the details of a celebratory Giveaway :) Yes! Another one! This time you can win this crochet book, along with some yarn and a hook to make some hooky flowers :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHurray :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-mVwdfpsoWjY\/VRu__tZhLTI\/AAAAAAAAD0E\/Dxcjk6-sudc\/s640\/blogger-image-707409157.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-mVwdfpsoWjY\/VRu__tZhLTI\/AAAAAAAAD0E\/Dxcjk6-sudc\/s640\/blogger-image-707409157.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI didn't do any kind of end-of-year or 100-post roundup, so I think my 1st year blogiversary seems like an opportune time to reflect back on what's happened, craft-wise, in the emerald cottage over the last 12 months. Take a deep breath and let's dive head first into a year of craft .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThere have been scarves and cowls ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-O491y_k2r1Y\/VRu_W4eqxcI\/AAAAAAAADzk\/OXhSxRgkY6k\/s640\/blogger-image-226420574.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-O491y_k2r1Y\/VRu_W4eqxcI\/AAAAAAAADzk\/OXhSxRgkY6k\/s640\/blogger-image-226420574.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... and cowls and scarves ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-2ilIoGNfG24\/VRvCqSgJkRI\/AAAAAAAAD0o\/NZOH1p9rzXg\/s640\/blogger-image--1874536494.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-2ilIoGNfG24\/VRvCqSgJkRI\/AAAAAAAAD0o\/NZOH1p9rzXg\/s640\/blogger-image--1874536494.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and cosy mitts ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Ib26eIir6T4\/VRvAXBDXPiI\/AAAAAAAAD0U\/7l1n1BuHVdY\/s640\/blogger-image--721571528.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Ib26eIir6T4\/VRvAXBDXPiI\/AAAAAAAAD0U\/7l1n1BuHVdY\/s640\/blogger-image--721571528.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ELots of dinky little bags ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-5CU9HqWC3bU\/VRu_NfDkhUI\/AAAAAAAADzc\/Zp8PYLRlXaw\/s640\/blogger-image--186817937.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-5CU9HqWC3bU\/VRu_NfDkhUI\/AAAAAAAADzc\/Zp8PYLRlXaw\/s640\/blogger-image--186817937.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... and happy bunting ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Yis3mDKCAqw\/VRu-SQwRIfI\/AAAAAAAADzE\/16Ot7C3KFyc\/s640\/blogger-image-1247957328.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Yis3mDKCAqw\/VRu-SQwRIfI\/AAAAAAAADzE\/16Ot7C3KFyc\/s640\/blogger-image-1247957328.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ECuddly baby blankets ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Y6eh2nNfWBU\/VRu_fwDHoJI\/AAAAAAAADzs\/XRRpQMLOKcU\/s640\/blogger-image--263022539.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Y6eh2nNfWBU\/VRu_fwDHoJI\/AAAAAAAADzs\/XRRpQMLOKcU\/s640\/blogger-image--263022539.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... and cushions and cosies for home ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bEYqfgREb-c\/VRvDA5VsZ6I\/AAAAAAAAD04\/dEofnqZpRvM\/s640\/blogger-image--1158524531.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-bEYqfgREb-c\/VRvDA5VsZ6I\/AAAAAAAAD04\/dEofnqZpRvM\/s640\/blogger-image--1158524531.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESome crochet creatures ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-o1GqMzbw5Fo\/VRvAKs6LedI\/AAAAAAAAD0M\/oGXQgCJuMz4\/s640\/blogger-image--2146250553.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-o1GqMzbw5Fo\/VRvAKs6LedI\/AAAAAAAAD0M\/oGXQgCJuMz4\/s640\/blogger-image--2146250553.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... and Christmassy craft ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-PJg8BV7xL94\/VRu-c6zP5xI\/AAAAAAAADzM\/BuM6Yts7eXY\/s640\/blogger-image--181258875.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-PJg8BV7xL94\/VRu-c6zP5xI\/AAAAAAAADzM\/BuM6Yts7eXY\/s640\/blogger-image--181258875.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELots of crochet mini-makes ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rGPbXDNZAP4\/VRvChRbi5gI\/AAAAAAAAD0g\/QrTjd7lc-go\/s640\/blogger-image--1164928235.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rGPbXDNZAP4\/VRvChRbi5gI\/AAAAAAAAD0g\/QrTjd7lc-go\/s640\/blogger-image--1164928235.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-tVhEUUxSza8\/VRvDMgzeKHI\/AAAAAAAAD1A\/a_2Mkz0-iKg\/s640\/blogger-image-2011493235.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-tVhEUUxSza8\/VRvDMgzeKHI\/AAAAAAAAD1A\/a_2Mkz0-iKg\/s640\/blogger-image-2011493235.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... and loooooads of non-crochet makes too ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-4s6Keq4IMPk\/VRvEbhT805I\/AAAAAAAAD1U\/czYhY-JLaF0\/s640\/blogger-image--2006529329.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-4s6Keq4IMPk\/VRvEbhT805I\/AAAAAAAAD1U\/czYhY-JLaF0\/s640\/blogger-image--2006529329.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-nGjJd13yQ2w\/VRvC3wmq7lI\/AAAAAAAAD0w\/Kxk1Iy4igwM\/s640\/blogger-image--148181934.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-nGjJd13yQ2w\/VRvC3wmq7lI\/AAAAAAAAD0w\/Kxk1Iy4igwM\/s640\/blogger-image--148181934.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-vWrih0EsG4k\/VRvEKOsW14I\/AAAAAAAAD1M\/mJj1vFvHKv4\/s640\/blogger-image-1613441256.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-vWrih0EsG4k\/VRvEKOsW14I\/AAAAAAAAD1M\/mJj1vFvHKv4\/s640\/blogger-image-1613441256.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy goodness! Did I really manage all that lot in a year ??!? You know, it's funny. I am my own harshest critic. I read other blogs, adore other people's creations and sigh with frustration - how much everyone makes! How lovely it all is! How much time I must waste! I ought to get more done! Well, maybe I am not wasting time and maybe I am getting plenty done :) It's been lovely to look back at photos of all these fun projects, and to think about where I made them (at home, on holidays, in the park, on the school run) and who they were for (my Little People, friends, family). To remember the workshops I attended (felting, fused glass, candlemaking) and the friends who came along for the ride! How lucky am I to be able to do all these fun things and then to share them with you.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESo in the spirit of this sharing, let's get down to the business of the GiVeAwAy :) I know the last giveaway was quite recent (and I may or may not have got round to posting prizes yet - ho-hum ....) but it doesn't bother me and hopefully doesn't bother you either :)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnyway, I recently bought myself a new crochet book (and I do love a good crochet book) \"Cute and Easy Crochet with Flowers\" by Nicki Trench. It's so lovely, packed full of patterns for flowers to crochet, and imaginative ideas of how to use them. I have 2 extra copies to give away, and so there are two prizes, each comprising a book, some yarn and a hook. Here's that photo again ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-9aAFtXzyv3c\/VRvPaYax9aI\/AAAAAAAAD1k\/BYoy9iGoIj4\/s640\/blogger-image-173134278.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-9aAFtXzyv3c\/VRvPaYax9aI\/AAAAAAAAD1k\/BYoy9iGoIj4\/s640\/blogger-image-173134278.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe rules are simple - to enter just leave a comment below, and please include your contact details - purely so I can contact you in the event that you win, I'm not going to start spamming you or anything. The giveaway closes at midnight UK-time on Easter Sunday, that's Sunday 5th April, after which time 2 winners names will be chosen at random (probably with the assistance of a small person). I should point out this is not a sponsored post or anything fancy like that, I just liked the book (ok I confess it was on offer on amazon) and I wanted a lovely prize for my lovely readers.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESo what are you waiting for ?! Get commenting, and best of luck!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Eps The actual blog-i-versary was actuallly on Saturday but I've had millions of annoying technical problemettes (the details of which I will not bore you with) but suffice it to say I feel like I have written, rewritten and proof-read this post about 365 (do you see what I did there) times so apologies if it is full of mistakes, I just can't see it properly anymore!\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7582346543325369569\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/03\/happy-1st-blog-day.html#comment-form","title":"41 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7582346543325369569"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7582346543325369569"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/03\/happy-1st-blog-day.html","title":"Happy Blog 1st Birthday Giveaway"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-FSd3ZoEfLfc\/VRu_EUSfQ5I\/AAAAAAAADzU\/ddZJ6lAC30w\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1185796502.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"41"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1038269789773171543"},"published":{"$t":"2015-03-26T11:11:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:06:29.217+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"books"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"home"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"random"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"This week"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"This week I've been mostly ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... loving that my Mother's Day flowers still look gorgeous\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-PtWmLW8P3iE\/VRQavyNBwdI\/AAAAAAAADvM\/TrTqmJXNX4Q\/s640\/blogger-image--379487296.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-PtWmLW8P3iE\/VRQavyNBwdI\/AAAAAAAADvM\/TrTqmJXNX4Q\/s640\/blogger-image--379487296.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... snuggling under blankets with various under-the-weather Little People\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-dMdx5v8Dv0w\/VRQa1s3qEtI\/AAAAAAAADvc\/bW8C0zgQFFE\/s640\/blogger-image-1482991155.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-dMdx5v8Dv0w\/VRQa1s3qEtI\/AAAAAAAADvc\/bW8C0zgQFFE\/s640\/blogger-image-1482991155.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... enjoying daffodils in my new-to-me 50p bargain charity shop vase\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-C7XYEnYzkcA\/VRQa6-_bXVI\/AAAAAAAADvs\/bjzNQFqmKA8\/s640\/blogger-image-1531249390.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-C7XYEnYzkcA\/VRQa6-_bXVI\/AAAAAAAADvs\/bjzNQFqmKA8\/s640\/blogger-image-1531249390.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... crocheting things with my Gillymakes win of Sugar n Cream cotton yarn\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-2hlTvnLacvQ\/VRQay-5xSzI\/AAAAAAAADvU\/ndykFxwWAig\/s640\/blogger-image-1730109762.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-2hlTvnLacvQ\/VRQay-5xSzI\/AAAAAAAADvU\/ndykFxwWAig\/s640\/blogger-image-1730109762.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... admiring the pieces I made on my fused glass workshop\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-sLzcEBZrUA0\/VRQbAes_ddI\/AAAAAAAADv8\/Hd2pXoWTAFU\/s640\/blogger-image--1599571162.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-sLzcEBZrUA0\/VRQbAes_ddI\/AAAAAAAADv8\/Hd2pXoWTAFU\/s640\/blogger-image--1599571162.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... flicking through my new-to-me craft books - another charity shop find, all 4 for £12 :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-g23keqEiiEA\/VRQa9SPsmuI\/AAAAAAAADv0\/ViaBMp4Ihzo\/s640\/blogger-image-265278602.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-g23keqEiiEA\/VRQa9SPsmuI\/AAAAAAAADv0\/ViaBMp4Ihzo\/s640\/blogger-image-265278602.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... loving the latest McDonalds Shawn the Sheep Happy Meal toys (yes I know its unhealthy)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-gU7HeGXTx5I\/VRQa4Aqs92I\/AAAAAAAADvk\/-GBu8hcmG3I\/s640\/blogger-image--916128834.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-gU7HeGXTx5I\/VRQa4Aqs92I\/AAAAAAAADvk\/-GBu8hcmG3I\/s640\/blogger-image--916128834.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... ironing Hama bead creations\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CAhsB6Z2zUI\/VRQbC8JHtMI\/AAAAAAAADwE\/bdTQM3WiTFQ\/s640\/blogger-image-334357228.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CAhsB6Z2zUI\/VRQbC8JHtMI\/AAAAAAAADwE\/bdTQM3WiTFQ\/s640\/blogger-image-334357228.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... packaging up (finally) my blog giveaway prizes\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-CZFL8We1-6Q\/VRQbFsiKOlI\/AAAAAAAADwM\/WUoX6psCj8I\/s640\/blogger-image--1328732302.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-CZFL8We1-6Q\/VRQbFsiKOlI\/AAAAAAAADwM\/WUoX6psCj8I\/s640\/blogger-image--1328732302.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... playing with colours for a new blanket :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-kqUGhG8nZhk\/VRQh-sxav3I\/AAAAAAAADwc\/c4pG0TH1duY\/s640\/blogger-image--805030870.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-kqUGhG8nZhk\/VRQh-sxav3I\/AAAAAAAADwc\/c4pG0TH1duY\/s640\/blogger-image--805030870.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWhat have you been doing this week ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Eps rubbish photos, sorry - all taken on my iPad, just couldn't be bothered faffing about with memory cards etc!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1038269789773171543\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/03\/this-week.html#comment-form","title":"25 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1038269789773171543"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1038269789773171543"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/03\/this-week.html","title":"This week"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-PtWmLW8P3iE\/VRQavyNBwdI\/AAAAAAAADvM\/TrTqmJXNX4Q\/s72-c\/blogger-image--379487296.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"25"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2794758645121556921"},"published":{"$t":"2015-03-17T21:26:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:07:17.794+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"craft"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"st patricks day"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"St Patrick's Day"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Dg7m9D9FiI0\/VQibYfkPGEI\/AAAAAAAADsw\/qjdDlD3-kig\/s640\/blogger-image--889791645.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Dg7m9D9FiI0\/VQibYfkPGEI\/AAAAAAAADsw\/qjdDlD3-kig\/s640\/blogger-image--889791645.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EPeople from Ireland are the people who least celebrate St Parick's Day, at least in Northern Ireland, and at least when I lived there. I do seem to remember that we got the afternoon off school to watch some inter-school rugby final, but other than that I don't remember celebrating it in any way. Of course that may have changed now what with the internet an' all. I know that our cousins across the pond go a bit mad for St Patrick's Day, and certainly in England it's a day of (albeit minor) note. Usually I will wear a green top or scarf and perhaps have some soda bread or Guinness, but this year I didn't even do that. My (English) friend ran up to me in Sainsbury's earlier, gave me a massive hug, and shrieked \"Happy St Patrick's Day !!! Bless her, it was very sweet :)\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELittle Miss had to \"bring something from Ireland\" to Brownies tonight. I said \"bring me, I'm something from Ireland\" but thankfully she took it as the joke it was intended and did not make me accompany her. Instead, after scouring Pinterest, I made her a little leprechaun hat fascinator-come-headband to wear. The pin sent me to a ravelry pattern here (http:\/\/www.ravelry.com\/patterns\/library\/st-patricks-day-fascinator), so big thankyou to Helen Whiteley for making it available :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI made 90% of it waiting for Little Man to come out of the school, and the last bit while I was making dinner. A bit of a rush but here's how it turned out ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-VtUl25aglWQ\/VQib3Pff6uI\/AAAAAAAADuY\/9-129dSaIKQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1489040320.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-VtUl25aglWQ\/VQib3Pff6uI\/AAAAAAAADuY\/9-129dSaIKQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1489040320.jpg\" width=\"550\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026lt;.... and here's the Brownie herself modelling it :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-ddC0Kb4SmdY\/VQibrOIl6uI\/AAAAAAAADtw\/QflFZvKY6ys\/s640\/blogger-image--419054568.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-ddC0Kb4SmdY\/VQibrOIl6uI\/AAAAAAAADtw\/QflFZvKY6ys\/s640\/blogger-image--419054568.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe photos are rubbish, sorry. It was 5.50pm. I had to finish drying her hair, fish her top out from the tumble drier, get her to finish her dinner, and finish the headband thingy and get to Brownies for 6pm, so no time for decent pics. She was late, yes. Oops.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ENow everyone knows that you can't just go on Pinterest, find a pattern, and leave. That would be most rude. Naturally you have to spend loads of time browsing other stuff but usually not making anything else. Today though I decided to capitalise on the St Patrick's Day spirit and make a little wreath too. I gathered some bits and pieces ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-bgUPfFQ70i0\/VQibmd5GsXI\/AAAAAAAADtg\/4x6K2l-JA6s\/s640\/blogger-image-123018183.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-bgUPfFQ70i0\/VQibmd5GsXI\/AAAAAAAADtg\/4x6K2l-JA6s\/s640\/blogger-image-123018183.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe little inconspicuous pink and white plasticy thing on the left is a pom-pom maker. Have you ever used one ? They are great fun. Much easier than getting all cross with cardboard. Here's a quick lesson in pom-pom making.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E1. Get your pom-pom maker ready - it starts off like this (this is my slightly bigger one),\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-NRuCSSNw0hc\/VQibwK4guxI\/AAAAAAAADuA\/Dnb7wjdmxhc\/s640\/blogger-image--110757802.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-NRuCSSNw0hc\/VQibwK4guxI\/AAAAAAAADuA\/Dnb7wjdmxhc\/s640\/blogger-image--110757802.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EBoth sides have 2 foldy-out arm things.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-1PIy6PtltgY\/VQibyqCWQBI\/AAAAAAAADuI\/wnSmDNXd1Ks\/s640\/blogger-image--175228249.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-1PIy6PtltgY\/VQibyqCWQBI\/AAAAAAAADuI\/wnSmDNXd1Ks\/s640\/blogger-image--175228249.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E2. Make sure the arms on one side are folded in, and that the 2 on the other side are folded out. It's the two that are folded out that we will use first.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-CFi9ZDWqnAc\/VQib-bYALTI\/AAAAAAAADuw\/x3GVKdJHeHA\/s640\/blogger-image-869289373.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-CFi9ZDWqnAc\/VQib-bYALTI\/AAAAAAAADuw\/x3GVKdJHeHA\/s640\/blogger-image-869289373.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E3. Start wrapping your wool round the arches of the folded out arms. Just keep going round and round, over and over, with an even distribution, until there is only a small space left at the centre.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DbnIqfoeRLc\/VQib02WDwFI\/AAAAAAAADuQ\/4zc7DtLLdqs\/s640\/blogger-image--1020945651.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DbnIqfoeRLc\/VQib02WDwFI\/AAAAAAAADuQ\/4zc7DtLLdqs\/s640\/blogger-image--1020945651.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E4. Now fold that side away, and fold out the other side. Start wrapping again.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-hFTkjjQZwf8\/VQibtjcb0TI\/AAAAAAAADt4\/PDN__HdikXs\/s640\/blogger-image-498302559.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-hFTkjjQZwf8\/VQibtjcb0TI\/AAAAAAAADt4\/PDN__HdikXs\/s640\/blogger-image-498302559.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E5. \u0026nbsp;Once the second side is wrapped, fold it away too. Then use a pair of sharp scissors to cut all the way round both sides.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-qDL81gi-iJE\/VQib5yOczJI\/AAAAAAAADug\/APvG3xHV-bI\/s640\/blogger-image-1443715487.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-qDL81gi-iJE\/VQib5yOczJI\/AAAAAAAADug\/APvG3xHV-bI\/s640\/blogger-image-1443715487.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E6. At this point you can see the beginnings of a pom-pom :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-5tI6NUtAZC8\/VQibVhExstI\/AAAAAAAADso\/Jzi01MdGhDo\/s640\/blogger-image--1473498264.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-5tI6NUtAZC8\/VQibVhExstI\/AAAAAAAADso\/Jzi01MdGhDo\/s640\/blogger-image--1473498264.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E7. Tie a length of yarn round the middle to catch all the pom-pom strands together. Make sure it's nice and tight, do it a couple of times to be sure.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E8. Now for the fun part! Open out the foldy-out arm things on both sides, then separate the white flat front and back from each other (they are held together by a pin and come apart fairly easily). Ruffle it up and ta-daaaa - a lovely squishy pom-pom :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-8ohpZwvqZZU\/VQib8HZHm7I\/AAAAAAAADuo\/6H7HC6gGw7Y\/s640\/blogger-image-1103186109.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-8ohpZwvqZZU\/VQib8HZHm7I\/AAAAAAAADuo\/6H7HC6gGw7Y\/s640\/blogger-image-1103186109.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EBack to the wreath. I used some green fabric - leftover from an old book-rack thing that bit the dust - the fabric formed pockets for the books to lay in. I cut the fabric into strips, wound it around the wreath and pinned the ends in place.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-DKz6nvwR4jo\/VQibjySWK3I\/AAAAAAAADtY\/iD7awdq8zsM\/s640\/blogger-image--851483902.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-DKz6nvwR4jo\/VQibjySWK3I\/AAAAAAAADtY\/iD7awdq8zsM\/s640\/blogger-image--851483902.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe pom-poms were also pinned in place ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Cp8pJ8IXRUY\/VQibanzzLlI\/AAAAAAAADs4\/_ds4gXIgxkc\/s640\/blogger-image--227813070.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Cp8pJ8IXRUY\/VQibanzzLlI\/AAAAAAAADs4\/_ds4gXIgxkc\/s640\/blogger-image--227813070.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... I had some green felt that I cut into 4 little square-heart shapes ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-KqqwAjtD8rU\/VQibc1I6GMI\/AAAAAAAADtA\/-OlKic8EmlM\/s640\/blogger-image-1745223148.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-KqqwAjtD8rU\/VQibc1I6GMI\/AAAAAAAADtA\/-OlKic8EmlM\/s640\/blogger-image-1745223148.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;.... and gathered then together into a sort of shamrock ....\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-HZTjtAfHFak\/VQibonTCObI\/AAAAAAAADto\/RIdrd8DZHuQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1428431886.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-HZTjtAfHFak\/VQibonTCObI\/AAAAAAAADto\/RIdrd8DZHuQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1428431886.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E... and pinned with some ribbon to the top of my wreath ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-NWF4r3tc7Do\/VQibfOVzL1I\/AAAAAAAADtI\/8QnAwmN7eeA\/s640\/blogger-image-224794231.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-NWF4r3tc7Do\/VQibfOVzL1I\/AAAAAAAADtI\/8QnAwmN7eeA\/s640\/blogger-image-224794231.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and here it is, a really simple St Patrick's Day wreath ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-n5e6yIi1c84\/VQibhqnL6wI\/AAAAAAAADtQ\/IBJK5H8vZ8I\/s640\/blogger-image-642915951.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-n5e6yIi1c84\/VQibhqnL6wI\/AAAAAAAADtQ\/IBJK5H8vZ8I\/s640\/blogger-image-642915951.jpg\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EHappy St Patrick's Day :)\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EJill\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Exxxxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2794758645121556921\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/03\/st-patrick-day.html#comment-form","title":"25 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2794758645121556921"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2794758645121556921"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/03\/st-patrick-day.html","title":"St Patrick\u0026#39;s Day"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Dg7m9D9FiI0\/VQibYfkPGEI\/AAAAAAAADsw\/qjdDlD3-kig\/s72-c\/blogger-image--889791645.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"25"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6564478684956590383"},"published":{"$t":"2015-03-12T17:56:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:15:05.262+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"craft"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Spring vase cosies"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ft1n9ItrygU\/VQMez0-c3DI\/AAAAAAAADrE\/4ZOmpsd-bYA\/s640\/blogger-image--888674060.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ft1n9ItrygU\/VQMez0-c3DI\/AAAAAAAADrE\/4ZOmpsd-bYA\/s640\/blogger-image--888674060.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EToday was a semi-enforced day of rest - I spent 3 hours yesterday attacking the pyracantha along the side of our house with some secateurs. It was extremely therapeutic as the sun was shining and it wasn't cold, and it was also very sociable - I chatted to a grand total of 9 neighbours, plus the postman, and a window cleaner. I love where we live, I really do :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-s1gPwnP-mOg\/VQMe2FBTgHI\/AAAAAAAADrM\/4S5OaTmaeU0\/s640\/blogger-image--1479530181.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-s1gPwnP-mOg\/VQMe2FBTgHI\/AAAAAAAADrM\/4S5OaTmaeU0\/s640\/blogger-image--1479530181.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI found an abandoned bird's nest in the thick of things. I've taken it out so I could show the Little Peeps, and I'm going to see if school would like to have it for nature lessons or something. I hope it was okay to move it. It was sort of on its side already, and there was no evidence of eggs, or baby birds in residence, or any birds at all. I'm really hoping I haven't committed a massive ecological faux-pas. Anyway, this was the end result of my hard labour - a large pile of thorny detritus (still to be bagged up for recycling - groan) and baldy looking shrubs.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E   \u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-YfXnosyq4D4\/VQMeuxTb6zI\/AAAAAAAADq0\/XD-A4ghZUdA\/s640\/blogger-image-1698215945.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-YfXnosyq4D4\/VQMeuxTb6zI\/AAAAAAAADq0\/XD-A4ghZUdA\/s640\/blogger-image-1698215945.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003EI ended up with one very shredded arm, and about a thousand splintery-thorn wounds. Some with bits left in them. I'm currently sporting plasters on 4 of my fingers. And that was with gloves on. Crap gloves, obviously. My hands, arms and shoulders were agony today, all muscle aches, scratches and the aforementioned thorny splintery bits, so I had a very decadent duvet day. I watched the last three \"Call The Midwife\"s (Call the Midwives ??) back-to-back and drank about 20 cups of tea. And I had a great time working on a fun little project. Despite the finger injuries.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-u5QhRcLp-lg\/VQMexW_PW-I\/AAAAAAAADq8\/Dshy3IJmT_U\/s640\/blogger-image-396458582.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-u5QhRcLp-lg\/VQMexW_PW-I\/AAAAAAAADq8\/Dshy3IJmT_U\/s640\/blogger-image-396458582.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003EAt the start of the week I'd seen this post (http:\/\/pinkmilkjewels.blogspot.co.uk\/2015\/03\/this-weeks-news.html)by Heather of Pink Milk. Do go and pay Heather a visit, her blog is gorgeous. Heather had a picture of daffodils in groups of 4 or 5 in sweet little bottles, not dissimilar to the ones we used to get school milk in (eurgh - warm milk that had been sitting by the radiator too long anyone ??), and also not dissimilar to the ones I keep from when I splash out in the summer on Starbucks chilled coffee drinks from the supermarket (delicious but v expensive as I can drink them in one big gulp - yum). Just before reading Heather's post I'd bought some daffodils, and now I knew just what I wanted to do with them.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003ESo today, shredded fingers and all, I decided to bling up my Starbucks bottles and steal Heather's idea (thanks Heather :). I crocheted some little teeny weeny vase cosies, more like vase bands really. I wanted to tart them up a bit and decided on some little fabric yo-yo's, and buttons, in contrasting colours.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-B3E00vJ2CTA\/VQNXdBvr_tI\/AAAAAAAADr8\/ZXUY7SFPRKU\/s640\/blogger-image-2111129913.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-B3E00vJ2CTA\/VQNXdBvr_tI\/AAAAAAAADr8\/ZXUY7SFPRKU\/s640\/blogger-image-2111129913.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003EHave you ever made a fabric yo-yo ? It's easy, and as I am a lazy-short-cutter, I'll share my super easy method with you.\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003E(By the way making fabric yo-yos is an excellent children's first \"proper\" sewing project as they are really quick, easy and versatile :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EA fabric yo-yo is a little circular 3D puff of fabric. You will need:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- fabric (well, duh)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- pencil or pen or chalk\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- scissors\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- sewing needle\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- thread\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- something circular to draw round\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uis6l8GSiKg\/VQNXTgURlwI\/AAAAAAAADrc\/aWErO_kwmZc\/s640\/blogger-image--16922949.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uis6l8GSiKg\/VQNXTgURlwI\/AAAAAAAADrc\/aWErO_kwmZc\/s640\/blogger-image--16922949.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003EBefore we start, a few notes:\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003E- I wanted to make yo-yo's of 4cm in diameter, but you can use the same idea for any size, just change your fabric circle size accordingly.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- use any old round thing for your template - a lid, cup, glass, bracelet, roll of tape, anything. I used the lid of the tub I keep my pins in.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- your circle template needs to be twice the diamater of the yo-yo you want to end up with.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI wanted my yo-yo's to be about 4cm in diameter so my template was about 8cm in diameter. In the picture below you can see a green yo yo that started off as a circle the same size as the yellow circle, so they really do shrink.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-V3txu1Y4xQE\/VQNXhrXPBPI\/AAAAAAAADsM\/5oLPxQkryRY\/s640\/blogger-image-895795050.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-V3txu1Y4xQE\/VQNXhrXPBPI\/AAAAAAAADsM\/5oLPxQkryRY\/s640\/blogger-image-895795050.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003ELet's get on with making a yo-yo shall we ....\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003E1. Place your template on your fabric and draw it round with pencil or pen. You won't see this on the finished yo-yo edge so it doesn't matter if the pen is fadeable or not. I just used a pencil. Yes, that is a Disney Princess on my pencil. Its not mine, honest.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003E2. Cut out your fabric circle.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003E3. Turn your fabric circle wrong side up, and using your needle (obviously), join your thread to your fabric circle with a knot or a few weeny stiches over each other, either is fine, a few mm from the edge. I find weeny stitches easier than knotting a fiddly piece of thread. The old eye-sight isnt what it used to be. Or maybe my arms aren't long enough ;)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-CX3XipmWffo\/VQNXfeQ1KNI\/AAAAAAAADsE\/rX4kYq2nTIY\/s640\/blogger-image-894564749.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-CX3XipmWffo\/VQNXfeQ1KNI\/AAAAAAAADsE\/rX4kYq2nTIY\/s640\/blogger-image-894564749.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003E4. Sew a running stitch all around the edge of the circle, staying a few mm in from the edge. Don't worry about precision. Fancy yo-yo sew-ers will at this point turn a neat little hem and use the running stitch to secure it as they go, but as I will be putting a button in the center of my yo-yos, I don't care about the raw edge (what a rebel) so - no hemming. See, super easy.\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-l13AI9aZ770\/VQNXahvjA3I\/AAAAAAAADr0\/4IeVpmA2JFM\/s640\/blogger-image-222611668.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-l13AI9aZ770\/VQNXahvjA3I\/AAAAAAAADr0\/4IeVpmA2JFM\/s640\/blogger-image-222611668.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003E5. When you are back round at the start of your circle DO NOT FASTEN OFF. Pull the thread so it starts to gather the circle in on itself. Sort of fiddle around easing the gathers evenly until you have pulled the circle in as tight as it will go. The bigger your running stitches were, the tighter you can get it: bigger stitches means fewer parts of the fabric pulled into the centre means less bulk of fabric in the centre means tighter bunching. Comprende? \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-DUTx28eBUIM\/VQNXYRF541I\/AAAAAAAADrs\/LkIGmRYufXE\/s640\/blogger-image-455191634.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-DUTx28eBUIM\/VQNXYRF541I\/AAAAAAAADrs\/LkIGmRYufXE\/s640\/blogger-image-455191634.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E6. Holding the gathers in place, use your needle and thread to do a few wee stitches to secure it, then attach your button, using the same thread: that's why we didn't fasten off.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EYou can choose which side of the yo-yo to attach the button to. If you choose the side where you can see the gathered hole (the left-hand yo-yo above), you will see all the bunching and gathering, and its quite a nice effect. If you prefer the smoother look of the other side, just attach the button to that side. Simples! Ok, but STILL DONT FASTEN OFF!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-JdnV7Ji2qkA\/VQNXWOqadJI\/AAAAAAAADrk\/Ix50KoFJcis\/s640\/blogger-image-113874521.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-JdnV7Ji2qkA\/VQNXWOqadJI\/AAAAAAAADrk\/Ix50KoFJcis\/s640\/blogger-image-113874521.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E7. Now you have a button attached to your yo-yo, you can attach your yo-yo to whatever it's going to decorate. In our case, vase sleeves. You can use yo-yos for loads of things - clothing, bags, cushions, wall art, endless yo-yo fun :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EYou didn't fasten off (I hope not, I told you not to ....) so you can use the same thread to now attach the button decorated yo-yo to the crocheted sleeve (or whatever).\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003EAnd that's all there is to it - mini ta-daaa - some spring vase cosies, cheery or what :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2o07F3tETE4\/VQNXk7Lo-fI\/AAAAAAAADsU\/fKnK42Y5kSM\/s640\/blogger-image-2136918953.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2o07F3tETE4\/VQNXk7Lo-fI\/AAAAAAAADsU\/fKnK42Y5kSM\/s640\/blogger-image-2136918953.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cdiv\u003EI rather suspect that I have turned the making of the most simplest thing in the world into a set of instructions with more words in that most people say in a week, but hey that's why you love me, right ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003Exxxxxx\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6564478684956590383\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/03\/spring-vase-cosies.html#comment-form","title":"24 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6564478684956590383"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6564478684956590383"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/03\/spring-vase-cosies.html","title":"Spring vase cosies"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ft1n9ItrygU\/VQMez0-c3DI\/AAAAAAAADrE\/4ZOmpsd-bYA\/s72-c\/blogger-image--888674060.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"24"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6360123005355123164"},"published":{"$t":"2015-03-09T16:22:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:08:19.551+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"random"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Surprises"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI am not a winter person. Every year I tell myself it will be different, I will enjoy the fresh bracing air, and the coming home to a warm house, and getting all crafty and cosy while its grey and cold outside. But every year I go all listless and gloomy and fed up and lose motivation for pretty much everything. However. The mornings are lighter and its around now that I feel like I am waking up, just like spring.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe weather this last week has been a lovely surprise. Feeling the sun's glorious rays always helps to lift the spirits.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-03AW3cWBfUM\/VQCoJ8nFxyI\/AAAAAAAADpY\/RVhvbdpflJs\/s640\/blogger-image-1319442765.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-03AW3cWBfUM\/VQCoJ8nFxyI\/AAAAAAAADpY\/RVhvbdpflJs\/s640\/blogger-image-1319442765.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESpring is arriving and there is new growth everywhere.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-6ruQdUsd_Ck\/VQCoMLFI44I\/AAAAAAAADpg\/ehoJ5r6gUww\/s640\/blogger-image--495409701.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-6ruQdUsd_Ck\/VQCoMLFI44I\/AAAAAAAADpg\/ehoJ5r6gUww\/s640\/blogger-image--495409701.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe first few days of my mood lifting is also a lovely surprise. I waken up and something imperceptible has changed. I can't even remember what my train of thought was, but on Monday I was pondering getting more organised and generally feeling a bit more in control off general day to day stuff when I vaguely remembered Lucy's Attic24 post (http:\/\/attic24.typepad.com\/weblog\/2015\/03\/keeping-track.html). I think I'd read it previously but not really absorbed it, you know ? Anyway the gist of Lucy's post is about using a new-fangled (ish) personal managementy type thing called Bullet Journalling (http:\/\/bulletjournal.com) to record calendar dates, to-do items, ideas, anything really. I won't waffle on about it here but suffice it to say it's a method that really appeals to me. Probably because it meant justifying the purchase of a nice new notebook.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-3ISIJlRxvqM\/VQCoc0f1J2I\/AAAAAAAADqY\/qpdTmtRA42o\/s640\/blogger-image-1441913887.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-3ISIJlRxvqM\/VQCoc0f1J2I\/AAAAAAAADqY\/qpdTmtRA42o\/s640\/blogger-image-1441913887.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EWhen I was little I LOVED notepads. I was never happier than when I had a new notepad and new pens. The start of each school year, with all the new stationery it entailed, was pure joy. A new notepad and\/or pens still has the same effect to this day, so off I trotted to find a suitable notepad for my new journalled bulleted organised life. I bagged an absolute Bargain with the notepad above. I spotted it in our local newsagents. It was marked at £7 (about $11US). £7!! For an A5 (half US letter sized) notepad! Scandalous. Argh. I tried the supermarket too. Nope, they were all just wrong. Back to the newsagents. Ummed and aahed and argued with myself, put the notebook down, picked it up, put it down, argh, it's way too expensive, oh but it's so nice, I shouldn't really, oh what the hell let's just do it. So I took it up to the till, the lady rang it up - £2. Really ? Are you sure ?? Yes! £2!!! How brilliant! I am sooooo glad I decided to get it after all the dithering. Gotta love a bargain :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-w6OAvMcNEOU\/VQCofe40CyI\/AAAAAAAADqg\/cwv-wvgacfk\/s640\/blogger-image--2083754950.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-w6OAvMcNEOU\/VQCofe40CyI\/AAAAAAAADqg\/cwv-wvgacfk\/s640\/blogger-image--2083754950.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EBack at home I set to the actual Getting Organised part. I spent most of the day at my desk with pens and paper and scissors and glue. I nicked Lucy's calendar sheet, Ihttp:\/\/www.calendarpedia.com\/2015-calendar-word-templates.html), printed it out and stuck it in. Like Lucy had done, I made up and printed out a page for just March, and stuck that in too.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-1TSb0zBvPmE\/VQCoTZZM0EI\/AAAAAAAADp4\/vXsvkKTlXws\/s640\/blogger-image-68683770.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-1TSb0zBvPmE\/VQCoTZZM0EI\/AAAAAAAADp4\/vXsvkKTlXws\/s640\/blogger-image-68683770.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI also nicked Lucy's idea of alittle mantra-y motto-y thing in the front page, so I did a quicky doodley drawing and stuck that in too. I'll never be the world's greatest artist but it makes me smile :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-zzT4oO87olM\/VQCoRHsIJtI\/AAAAAAAADpw\/vBdFGeH4BkQ\/s640\/blogger-image-295395959.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-zzT4oO87olM\/VQCoRHsIJtI\/AAAAAAAADpw\/vBdFGeH4BkQ\/s640\/blogger-image-295395959.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EYes I know I copied all of Lucy's ideas (thanks Lucy!) but I find that I often spend so long dithering about what to do that I don't do anything, so when someone else has presented you with an excellent solution, why think of something else just for the sake of it. I'm sure Lucy won't mind :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI did that mad thing that we list makers do. I wrote out a whole heap of tasks that I'd already got done this week, just so I could cross them off. Very pointless but also very very satisfying \"look at how organised my journal has got me already :)\".\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThere have been a couple of other lovely surprises this week too. A win at a school fundraiser raffle. You can still see my lucky raffle ticket attached. A trio of cute boxes filled with fruity smellies for a bit of pampering, lovely :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zDuDAMgCgJ0\/VQCoOv-4TCI\/AAAAAAAADpo\/A2PgHUXDRqo\/s640\/blogger-image--722822909.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zDuDAMgCgJ0\/VQCoOv-4TCI\/AAAAAAAADpo\/A2PgHUXDRqo\/s640\/blogger-image--722822909.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-4n9ee5Nx6Gw\/VQCoHdIeiEI\/AAAAAAAADpQ\/ET-iaKYlSE4\/s640\/blogger-image-209086556.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-4n9ee5Nx6Gw\/VQCoHdIeiEI\/AAAAAAAADpQ\/ET-iaKYlSE4\/s640\/blogger-image-209086556.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ECrocheting with normal yarn over t-shirt yarn is proving fun and surprisingly easier than expected :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-L08IYuklpSA\/VQCoV7IQzGI\/AAAAAAAADqA\/ljUXh4m7_yc\/s640\/blogger-image-1846260344.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-L08IYuklpSA\/VQCoV7IQzGI\/AAAAAAAADqA\/ljUXh4m7_yc\/s640\/blogger-image-1846260344.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd a final surprise, I was lucky enough to win Gilly's, from gillymakes (http:\/\/gillymakes.blogspot.co.uk) giveaway recently, and my lovely parcel arrived last weekend. Look how beautiful it looks, a pretty card tucked into some funky bakers' twine.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-JLNUjHrkjxY\/VQCoavBMEbI\/AAAAAAAADqQ\/j_AnYyC70Vs\/s640\/blogger-image--225611691.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-JLNUjHrkjxY\/VQCoavBMEbI\/AAAAAAAADqQ\/j_AnYyC70Vs\/s640\/blogger-image--225611691.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E... and inside, a pack of scrumptious patriotic yarn, and a really sweet little National Trust book by Nicki Trench .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-L_ojBqViVJc\/VQCoYXzEtbI\/AAAAAAAADqI\/9EkxRZr5Uro\/s640\/blogger-image-2032351003.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-L_ojBqViVJc\/VQCoYXzEtbI\/AAAAAAAADqI\/9EkxRZr5Uro\/s640\/blogger-image-2032351003.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThankyou so much Gilly, its a fabulous prize :) I look forward to making something out of the book with my new yarn :) No, idea what yet, it will be a surprise :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxxxxxxxxxxxxx\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6360123005355123164\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/03\/surprises.html#comment-form","title":"16 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6360123005355123164"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6360123005355123164"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/03\/surprises.html","title":"Surprises"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-03AW3cWBfUM\/VQCoJ8nFxyI\/AAAAAAAADpY\/RVhvbdpflJs\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1319442765.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"16"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-5290311532311039714"},"published":{"$t":"2015-03-08T15:56:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-03-11T21:53:00.761+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"A Year In Books"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"books"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A Year in Books 2015 - February-March"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-qQoBdDE0_VA\/VPyFUgBvZDI\/AAAAAAAADoI\/y6YUhHBSJlI\/s640\/blogger-image--1383087970.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-qQoBdDE0_VA\/VPyFUgBvZDI\/AAAAAAAADoI\/y6YUhHBSJlI\/s640\/blogger-image--1383087970.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EFebruary was a bumper month for reading. We spent a few days away, so in addition to the 3 books I'd planned to read, I squeezed in another couple. Five books in one month?! Better keep the reviews brief then.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-kzPYP3qZ5E8\/VPyFew0aEkI\/AAAAAAAADoo\/CEVlYN0nCjM\/s640\/blogger-image--1595454065.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-kzPYP3qZ5E8\/VPyFew0aEkI\/AAAAAAAADoo\/CEVlYN0nCjM\/s640\/blogger-image--1595454065.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI started February with Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. This seemed to elicit various responses when I mentioned at the end of January that I'd be reading it, so I wasn't sure how I'd find it. It's a funny one. Funny peculiar, not funny ha-ha. I struggled a little to get into it, but I found myself wanting to keep reading, so there must have been something there. None of the characters were particularly likeable, there were no heroes to root for, or victims to empathise with particularly, and I do find that hard in a book. But I really, really wanted to find out what happened, and actually I raced through the second half, I thought it really picked up in pace, and was a great story. If you like the whodunnit genre, then give Gone Girl a go. Interestingly, the night I finished it hubby and I watched the film. The film was a very condensed version of the book, as is usually the case (except for The Hobbit - how did they stretch that to 3 films ......?) however it captured the essence of the story quite well, and both main characters were well portrayed. Read the book first though!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-QI-q2108Yy8\/VPyFZnAdG1I\/AAAAAAAADoY\/5lMa4VQ0HHw\/s640\/blogger-image-1053554270.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-QI-q2108Yy8\/VPyFZnAdG1I\/AAAAAAAADoY\/5lMa4VQ0HHw\/s640\/blogger-image-1053554270.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe Gap Year for GrownUps by Annie Sanders was my charity-shop-book choice for February. I don't usually read all of the blurb on the back of books in case it gives too much away, so to be honest, I felt a bit let down by this story. Sarah is having a bit of a mid-life crisis - she is bored with her (very, I have to say, irritating) husband, she sort of temporarily leaves him and, more selfishly, their two children, who I must admit are at Uni, and runs off to stay with her old college friend in France. Now, to me, that is not a gap year. That is a nice long holiday. My idea of a gap year is backpacking round Thailand or trekking in Chile. How Sarah gets on in France is very light reading, but the relationship between Sarah and her daughter Claire is the far more interesting sub-plot. It's a complicated relationship; Claire is devastated when (in her eyes) her mother abandons her, and the book would have been much meatier if it had focused on this relationship alone. Anyway. I'm always reluctant to give up on a book, so I did finish it, and it was okay. But just okay.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ilsEocC3i6c\/VPyFcKtGQrI\/AAAAAAAADog\/Cn5U-jUvGtI\/s640\/blogger-image-1077271530.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ilsEocC3i6c\/VPyFcKtGQrI\/AAAAAAAADog\/Cn5U-jUvGtI\/s640\/blogger-image-1077271530.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThey All Ran After the Farmer's Wife by Veronica Frater was one of my \"extras\" last month. This is Veronica's account of life as a farmer's wife, told through the farming year, starting in January. Veronica's husband runs a farm - with Veronica's not infrequent help - with the usual sheep, cows and chickens, and to supplement their income, Veronica runs a holiday home and a B\u0026amp;B business. Oh and they have 6 children. Yes, 6. Clearly they are bonkers. Veronica seems to never be stressed or agitated and appears to flit from disaster (flooded kitchen) to disaster (herd of cows escaped) with good grace and tremendous humour. I'm sure in real life it isn't like this, but it makes for a most enjoyable read. The book is a bit like a series of anecdotes, or at best short essays, and once you realise that there isn't a lot of flow, and that that doesn't matter, its brilliant. Great fun and guaranteed to raise a smile.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-dvKARW7y5B0\/VPyFXZKfDpI\/AAAAAAAADoQ\/X3Z0qLAD_3o\/s640\/blogger-image--1853185915.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-dvKARW7y5B0\/VPyFXZKfDpI\/AAAAAAAADoQ\/X3Z0qLAD_3o\/s640\/blogger-image--1853185915.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnother extra in February was Wild, by Cheryl Strayed. This was my favourite of February's books. I really couldn't put it down, and all the reviews I'd read about how great it was were certainly accurate. Wild is a true autobiographical account of Cheryl's journey of discovery, in every sense. Cheryl has had an usual upbringing, and more recently had faced a lot of trouble in her relatively short life - she was 26 at the time of her story. After a chain of mostly unhappy events, and largely on a whim, Cheryl decides to hike, alone, the 1000-odd mile Pacific Crest Trail. It's a trail that runs north along the west coast of the United States, from the Mexican border, to the border with Canada. Naturally, this is no mean feat even to an experienced hiker but Cheryl has undertaken no training, indeed she barely even knows how to fasten her backpack. What starts out as a book following a young woman on a long walk, very quickly becomes a lot more. We really feel Cheryl's despair at what her life had become, and the agonies, both physical and mental, that she struggles with on her journey. Cheryl's story leaves you with feelings of gratitude for a stable home life, admiration for her for setting out on this journey, and also, a strong desire to do something Really Big yourself. Cheryl, I take my hat off to you.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-U-2MhLakGTM\/VPyFjgzw8MI\/AAAAAAAADo4\/hy-09R6N-fA\/s640\/blogger-image-725625934.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-U-2MhLakGTM\/VPyFjgzw8MI\/AAAAAAAADo4\/hy-09R6N-fA\/s640\/blogger-image-725625934.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy last book this month was Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris, book 5 in the Sookie Stackhouse series. If you've read my other Year in Books 2015 posts, you'll know I am reading one of these a month. Each book introduces various supes (supernaturals) including vampires and werewolves, and poor old Sookie is always at the heart of a heap of trouble. Dead as a Doornail does not disappoint, with lots of supernatural goings-on, and Sookie, as ever, only narrowly escaping serious injury or death. Silly, and fun :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-q2gCQWWDqZg\/VPyFhHRMhJI\/AAAAAAAADow\/sUwloQdUlSY\/s640\/blogger-image-237441475.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-q2gCQWWDqZg\/VPyFhHRMhJI\/AAAAAAAADow\/sUwloQdUlSY\/s640\/blogger-image-237441475.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ENow to my choices for March.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFirst I'm planning to read Run or Die by Kilian Jornet - \"The inspirational memoir of the world's greatest ultra-runner\". I'm hoping it gives me a much needed kick up the you-know-what to get me running again. I use the word \"running\" very loosely. Next I've chosen Solomon Northup's Twelve Years a Slave. This is another one I've had on my kindle for a while, and I'd like to read it before seeing the film. I suspect some bits of it will be hard going, so after that, I'm planning to read Definitely Dead - Charlaine Harris' next Sookie Stackhouse book. I had initially intended to read it first in March, straight on the back of Dead as a Doornail, but I think the Run or Die hoped-for inspiration is a bit more urgent :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJoining in with A Year on Books hosted by Laura at Circle of Pines\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5290311532311039714\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/03\/a-year-in-books-2015-february-march.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5290311532311039714"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5290311532311039714"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/03\/a-year-in-books-2015-february-march.html","title":"A Year in Books 2015 - February-March"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-qQoBdDE0_VA\/VPyFUgBvZDI\/AAAAAAAADoI\/y6YUhHBSJlI\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1383087970.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1625809914524430061"},"published":{"$t":"2015-02-24T16:18:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:14:04.059+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"craft"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"days out"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"yarn"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Unravel"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Beware! Long post ahead!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOn Saturday my friend and I abandoned our menfolk and children, and skived off from all domestic duties, to go to Unravel, the yarny craft show that is run every year in Farnham. We hadn't been before, in fact we'd never managed a craft show together before .... there was always a football match or choir rehearsal or something that at least one of our children would've had to have gone to. What made it even better this time was that the children were going to a party so the menfolk would have to the taxiing around (for a change!). Joyous indeed :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-dJVFslcobRE\/VPDmMawqahI\/AAAAAAAADms\/ll8u_rgZta8\/s640\/blogger-image-733598843.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-dJVFslcobRE\/VPDmMawqahI\/AAAAAAAADms\/ll8u_rgZta8\/s640\/blogger-image-733598843.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnyway, we leapt into the car and before you could say \"Mum, will you help me with my homework\" we sped off. Sat-nav took us by a scenic route (3 times round Farnham town centre anyone ?) but we got there eventually, found a perfect parking spot, and scampered off towards the venue like a couple of nutters who'd been let out for the day (actually that pretty much sums it up).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EUnravel describes itself as a knitting festival, but the first stalls we came across were spinning, weaving and felting, so really it's just one big happy jolly yarny love-in. We booked ourselves onto a felting workshop running later in the day, and went off exploring.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWell. Oh. My. Golly. Gosh. There was soooooooo much to see. Yarn, yarn, crocheting, yarn, knitted items, more yarn, buttons, more yarn, yarny accessories, yet more yarn, and did I mention the yarn ?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qPQgAivJho8\/VPDlwHoqgII\/AAAAAAAADlM\/QyvBgT-LfHE\/s640\/blogger-image-546171345.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qPQgAivJho8\/VPDlwHoqgII\/AAAAAAAADlM\/QyvBgT-LfHE\/s640\/blogger-image-546171345.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAs I said, almost the first thing we saw was this lovely lady spinning. So very calming to watch. \"Would you like a go dear?\" she said to me. \"Would I like a go ? Try and stop me!\". So, I sat down, and with a little instruction, I had a go. A really bad go. It turns out I am seriously totally CRAP (sorry, but it has to be said) at spinning. Yes I could push the pedal but I was too fast, not keeping it even enough, I kept forgetting to let the yarn go in, it all sort of overwound, tangled itself all up, snapped, eurgh. The stuff I did actually spin ended up so tight it was like wire. My little spinning lady was so lovely ... \"you're doing ever so well dear, keep trying\". But it was no good. I was dreadful. I have now found a craft I won't be taking up. I shall leave it to the little old ladies and anyone else who can manage it, and will just watch in admiration from the side-lines.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-ehdTKxy2tQM\/VPDl0qnuzCI\/AAAAAAAADlc\/I0hdOzJuJ5M\/s640\/blogger-image-907175566.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-ehdTKxy2tQM\/VPDl0qnuzCI\/AAAAAAAADlc\/I0hdOzJuJ5M\/s640\/blogger-image-907175566.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ENext up was The Great Hall. Yarny heaven. Serious, I-have-died-and-want-to-stay-here-forever heaven. Lots of stalls with merino tops (I know what is thanks to the felting lady), oh my gosh so soft I just want to lie in a bed of them forever. There were yarns of all colours, shapes, sizes, and lots of crafted produce on display showing the yarns crocheted or knitted up. And what's more, lots of the attendees were sporting hand-made items - I loved this lady's button necklace. \u0026nbsp;She thought I was a bit bonkers when I asked if I could take a photo of it :) Isn't it marvelous :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XjXEXZGAVDA\/VPDmRIv69cI\/AAAAAAAADm8\/afoP-a7Jnyc\/s640\/blogger-image--1144784692.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XjXEXZGAVDA\/VPDmRIv69cI\/AAAAAAAADm8\/afoP-a7Jnyc\/s640\/blogger-image--1144784692.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe had a lovely chat with Louise Walker who was showing some of her fabulous animal creations. I just LOVE the name of her book \"Faux Taxidermy Knits\" - how brilliant! I wish I'd taken some pictures of her creatures, they really were fab. Louise was really lovely, so bubbly and enthusiastic, I am sure she will go far :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-29rDcBukPpE\/VPDlODZt9_I\/AAAAAAAADjU\/Iw2azF9XgQA\/s640\/blogger-image-304622333.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-29rDcBukPpE\/VPDlODZt9_I\/AAAAAAAADjU\/Iw2azF9XgQA\/s640\/blogger-image-304622333.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-lqPTDzgEGKw\/VPDlcO5r27I\/AAAAAAAADkE\/-cc88i3Y75c\/s640\/blogger-image--1085064045.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-lqPTDzgEGKw\/VPDlcO5r27I\/AAAAAAAADkE\/-cc88i3Y75c\/s640\/blogger-image--1085064045.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThere was room after room after room of stalls of gorgeous fibers and yarns.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EMy favourite though was Amanda's yarns, at the Natural Dye Studio stall. Amanda, who also hosts a blog amandascrochetblog.blogspot.co.uk, hand-dyes her yarns, they are the most amazing colours, truly DiVine.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-YCksmTK49gM\/VPDmAkf_CgI\/AAAAAAAADmE\/sec4ugfvHko\/s640\/blogger-image--657002634.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-YCksmTK49gM\/VPDmAkf_CgI\/AAAAAAAADmE\/sec4ugfvHko\/s640\/blogger-image--657002634.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOn display at her stall was a Zodiac crochet blanket of Amanda's design, made by her crochet group. I\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003Ekept coming back to gaze at it, the colours were so mesmerizing, and knowing that right alongside, on sale, was all the yarn needed to make such an object of beauty, was almost too much to bear.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-YeZ1YQZraCw\/VPDlQkN_8NI\/AAAAAAAADjc\/HxeONiuuTrw\/s640\/blogger-image-1515573994.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-YeZ1YQZraCw\/VPDlQkN_8NI\/AAAAAAAADjc\/HxeONiuuTrw\/s640\/blogger-image-1515573994.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd then there was the fact that Amanda is winding down the dyeing side of her business, so this was the last of the yarn. Waaaaaaah :( However, if I'd come home with all the yarn required, hubby would have sent me out to work, and we'd have needed an extra room to store it in, and a spare year to do all the crocheting. It just wasn't to be. Let's just have another look though. Sigh.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-WwDAEMrJyxU\/VPDmTUB-8OI\/AAAAAAAADnE\/zOSq9ivn7X0\/s640\/blogger-image-909861698.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-WwDAEMrJyxU\/VPDmTUB-8OI\/AAAAAAAADnE\/zOSq9ivn7X0\/s640\/blogger-image-909861698.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EJust outside the Great Hall we noticed this very strange thing hanging down from the ceiling, like the drawings in Dr Seuss books, or some weird blue seaweed. Hanging from various points were random balls of blue wool with the occasional knitting needle sticking out. We wandered over to see what this was all about, and discovered we could be part of Sarah Filmer's Blue Project - you can read about it here. (www.sarahfilmer.com\/blue-jumper).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-0rZtTkuaTOU\/VPDlncLOSNI\/AAAAAAAADks\/zMZEy_muVSc\/s640\/blogger-image-1864544830.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-0rZtTkuaTOU\/VPDlncLOSNI\/AAAAAAAADks\/zMZEy_muVSc\/s640\/blogger-image-1864544830.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe grabbed a pair of knitting needles (or the one-and-only crochet hook - shameful!) and got busy putting our own little stamp on the blue-jumper. This was my bit. Not my finest crochet hour, but lots of fun :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Nn3H-DqdZjU\/VPDlt0ero_I\/AAAAAAAADlE\/E0L4am9LS94\/s640\/blogger-image-1481525727.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Nn3H-DqdZjU\/VPDlt0ero_I\/AAAAAAAADlE\/E0L4am9LS94\/s640\/blogger-image-1481525727.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESoon it was time for our wet felting workshop. We were a small group, just of 4 of us with an enthusiastic teacher. \u0026nbsp;Here's our kit all laid out .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CkrdVYiUoa4\/VPDliXHNoII\/AAAAAAAADkc\/7BLJP6M48yM\/s640\/blogger-image--81093810.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CkrdVYiUoa4\/VPDliXHNoII\/AAAAAAAADkc\/7BLJP6M48yM\/s640\/blogger-image--81093810.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EWe started off with this lovely fluffy stuff ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-9bWvREmBr-8\/VPDlZ3ES55I\/AAAAAAAADj8\/qVPD8Qq5-Oc\/s640\/blogger-image-2017453728.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-9bWvREmBr-8\/VPDlZ3ES55I\/AAAAAAAADj8\/qVPD8Qq5-Oc\/s640\/blogger-image-2017453728.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... then we made into a soggy heap ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uJNC1e_HI48\/VPDlpny0_BI\/AAAAAAAADk0\/rWRa2ifvyQw\/s640\/blogger-image-898572018.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uJNC1e_HI48\/VPDlpny0_BI\/AAAAAAAADk0\/rWRa2ifvyQw\/s640\/blogger-image-898572018.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... rolled it and bashed it about a bit ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-HqwqLqAD9I4\/VPDl-X2CyXI\/AAAAAAAADl8\/E6KVCTuwtQk\/s640\/blogger-image--1480599260.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-HqwqLqAD9I4\/VPDl-X2CyXI\/AAAAAAAADl8\/E6KVCTuwtQk\/s640\/blogger-image--1480599260.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and somehow managed to get it to look like this! Miraculous!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-LJqK0P9jwPI\/VPDleFA9TPI\/AAAAAAAADkM\/HsC9YG9vkyI\/s640\/blogger-image-123383820.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-LJqK0P9jwPI\/VPDleFA9TPI\/AAAAAAAADkM\/HsC9YG9vkyI\/s640\/blogger-image-123383820.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EHere are all our flowers together :) Really very pleasing, don't you think ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Q23Q3Kqu3sQ\/VPDsltsO2wI\/AAAAAAAADnU\/GjCso_iunWo\/s640\/blogger-image--391948816.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Q23Q3Kqu3sQ\/VPDsltsO2wI\/AAAAAAAADnU\/GjCso_iunWo\/s640\/blogger-image--391948816.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThere were some really fun stalls of vintage sewing and knitting patterns, and bits and pieces. We had a LOT of fun giggling at ancient patterns for men's string vests and things :)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI did bag a wee bargain though, this gorgeous vintage cross-stitch book for £1.50 ........\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-hgRBlIrTBhw\/VPDmOvxDL-I\/AAAAAAAADm0\/H4U2KZWiS7A\/s640\/blogger-image--216053899.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-hgRBlIrTBhw\/VPDmOvxDL-I\/AAAAAAAADm0\/H4U2KZWiS7A\/s640\/blogger-image--216053899.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EThere are some really great designs which have probably come full circle back into fashion since its first publication decades ago.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-PBHUwIzi96g\/VPDmKBWMFlI\/AAAAAAAADmk\/AJ0DayTK5dU\/s640\/blogger-image--70744379.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-PBHUwIzi96g\/VPDmKBWMFlI\/AAAAAAAADmk\/AJ0DayTK5dU\/s640\/blogger-image--70744379.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd so the time has come for me to share some photos of the yarn I just had to buy. \u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EWe wandered around a lot but I kept coming back to this luxurious number by Manos del Uruguay. It is heavenly. A silk blend, it's amazing to the touch, I have no idea what to make with it, I couldn't possibly do it justice.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DTCN6Mw7JwE\/VPDlVdaFKpI\/AAAAAAAADjs\/cvsxjnSkjlk\/s640\/blogger-image--1282333744.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DTCN6Mw7JwE\/VPDlVdaFKpI\/AAAAAAAADjs\/cvsxjnSkjlk\/s640\/blogger-image--1282333744.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThat was the buying floodgates opened then, and I went a bit mad! One stall had some samples of woven fabric (on an Ashford Rigid Heddle like mine), made with a variegated yarn on the warp, and a single colour on the weft. And so I bought this to do my own version .... \u0026nbsp;it's silky soft. Because it's silk. Soooooo gorgeous :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Xd70Gy6qaA4\/VPDl8LQLTBI\/AAAAAAAADl0\/SBKbTmrZ_3Q\/s640\/blogger-image-293785093.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Xd70Gy6qaA4\/VPDl8LQLTBI\/AAAAAAAADl0\/SBKbTmrZ_3Q\/s640\/blogger-image-293785093.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd then I had a rummage in the sale box (which was still waaaaay dearer than I would normally spend on yarn - oops) and bought these Louise Harding balls as a 4-pack. More silky softness.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-q2vLTvwJFGY\/VPDlrkGpXvI\/AAAAAAAADk8\/GVgehCsb2zw\/s640\/blogger-image--170339949.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-q2vLTvwJFGY\/VPDlrkGpXvI\/AAAAAAAADk8\/GVgehCsb2zw\/s640\/blogger-image--170339949.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd since I couldn't make it my mind which of these skeins of squidginess to buy, I bought all three. And two of each.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-fh_NhjOpvps\/VPDl5X-F36I\/AAAAAAAADls\/sezdqMr-KPo\/s640\/blogger-image-1370966513.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-fh_NhjOpvps\/VPDl5X-F36I\/AAAAAAAADls\/sezdqMr-KPo\/s640\/blogger-image-1370966513.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd here it is altogether. Yummy yum!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-vXxdk0KLfxY\/VPDmF8J0Z_I\/AAAAAAAADmU\/47lxvCayNkk\/s640\/blogger-image--1274420891.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-vXxdk0KLfxY\/VPDmF8J0Z_I\/AAAAAAAADmU\/47lxvCayNkk\/s640\/blogger-image--1274420891.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EAll that ohh-ing and ash-ing at yarn makes a girl rather puckish and very thirsty, so we headed off to the cafe for a rather late lunch. We were standing having a sandwich and a cuppa (there were no seats left), and I was generally looking around, when right next to me I spotted this ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-0DOtN9quW4I\/VPDmIJrl8AI\/AAAAAAAADmc\/LhP2hUXjz8c\/s640\/blogger-image-220355498.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-0DOtN9quW4I\/VPDmIJrl8AI\/AAAAAAAADmc\/LhP2hUXjz8c\/s640\/blogger-image-220355498.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E... yes, a random little white paper bag, stuck on a pillar, saying \"Take me!\" with a \"Have a nice day\" sticker. I had a look around for the hidden camera, and after checking with my friend that I wasn't about to really embarrass myself (she thought I was) I tentatively peeled it off. The lady at the next table also thought I was mad, I think. I checked that she hadn't put it there and was waiting for an unsuspecting yarn addict to made a complete idiot of herself. She insisted she'd had nothing to do with it.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EOn the other side of the paper bag was this ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-tVIl1IHo0YQ\/VPDmDPrnaaI\/AAAAAAAADmM\/SEJqHhdBc3E\/s640\/blogger-image-1030344473.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-tVIl1IHo0YQ\/VPDmDPrnaaI\/AAAAAAAADmM\/SEJqHhdBc3E\/s640\/blogger-image-1030344473.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EEven more intriguing! \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EAnd when I opened it, iI found this little leather key fob thingy .....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-M9baWi-6n9g\/VPDlgS8Pf-I\/AAAAAAAADkU\/-EQKgO2__2w\/s640\/blogger-image-367050455.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-M9baWi-6n9g\/VPDlgS8Pf-I\/AAAAAAAADkU\/-EQKgO2__2w\/s640\/blogger-image-367050455.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EIsn't it gorgeous! A total \"pay-it-forward\" type gesture. The little business card didn't even have a business name on it so there was no one I could thank for such a thoughtful gift.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EWe'd had a really fabulous day at Unravel, and this was the icing on the yarny cake :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1625809914524430061\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/02\/unravel.html#comment-form","title":"18 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1625809914524430061"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1625809914524430061"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/02\/unravel.html","title":"Unravel"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-dJVFslcobRE\/VPDmMawqahI\/AAAAAAAADms\/ll8u_rgZta8\/s72-c\/blogger-image-733598843.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"18"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-939261337960983285"},"published":{"$t":"2015-02-23T21:03:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-02-23T21:06:27.576+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holidays"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Half-term at Centerparcs"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Half-term brought a lovely surprise - a last-minute mid-week break to Centerparcs in Longleat, Wiltshire. And I mean last-minute. We booked it at 11am Sunday morning, and left 9am Monday! The weather was very kind to us, only a little rain, with crisp clear blue skies for most of the time.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIf you don't know, Centerparcs is a (not inexpensive) way of combining a villa holiday with activities and restaurants all on hand. I believe it began in Holland, and in fact we've been to a Dutch Centerparcs 3 times - it's much cheaper than the English ones, though more of a pain to get to, obviously.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-JwII15lPOFU\/VOtxdm0Pk8I\/AAAAAAAADis\/3450FCNF5lk\/s640\/blogger-image-90775179.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-JwII15lPOFU\/VOtxdm0Pk8I\/AAAAAAAADis\/3450FCNF5lk\/s640\/blogger-image-90775179.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EYour holiday price includes full use of the \"Subtropical Swimming Paradise\" which is pretty much all we do whilst there (it's great but I wouldn't go as far as \"paradise\"). That's not it above - that's just the boating pond :) The pool area is all under a bio dome type thingy, loads of slides, rapids, wave machine and so on. Perfectly heated and no risk of sunburn.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-yBfHjNQXOys\/VOtxLQeN8pI\/AAAAAAAADhs\/DM2QvpNfeTA\/s640\/blogger-image--1552773726.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-yBfHjNQXOys\/VOtxLQeN8pI\/AAAAAAAADhs\/DM2QvpNfeTA\/s640\/blogger-image--1552773726.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIt's a great holiday for us. Little Man knows exactly what to expect and we can keep the routine the same each day. This also works for me as I get to chill for a lot of it :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOur routine goes like this:-\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- waken up, Dad does breakfast, Mum has lie-in with book, Little Peeps play\/draw\/watch DVD.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- amble via play areas to central area\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- quick lunch\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- pool for hoooooours, Dad is chief entertainer. Mum is provider of drinks, snacks, towels, cuddles and again reads book.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- get dried, dinner, home.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- small people to bed, Dad and Mum watch a DVD while Mum crochets :) Everyone happy.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ERepeat.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWhilst away I read 3 books, and I crocheted half a scarf. My Year in Books post will be looking pretty healthy next time.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI've only got a few photos as I left my fancy camera at home, and only took my phone out with me one day. The squirrels kept running away, and despite looking I didn't see any spring flowers emerging. So you'll have to make do with leafy things, ducks and children. And crochet of course :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-lhpaF7dI6rw\/VOtxWmTk_YI\/AAAAAAAADiU\/0k6WxtTd8AY\/s640\/blogger-image--364024358.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-lhpaF7dI6rw\/VOtxWmTk_YI\/AAAAAAAADiU\/0k6WxtTd8AY\/s640\/blogger-image--364024358.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-7W5uDFiySyg\/VOtxbW1JMkI\/AAAAAAAADik\/Kdm--wo-lpg\/s640\/blogger-image--895023106.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-7W5uDFiySyg\/VOtxbW1JMkI\/AAAAAAAADik\/Kdm--wo-lpg\/s640\/blogger-image--895023106.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-uGA3AbAknFw\/VOtxEV6_B_I\/AAAAAAAADhU\/KJUROm2wFJM\/s640\/blogger-image-247782281.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-uGA3AbAknFw\/VOtxEV6_B_I\/AAAAAAAADhU\/KJUROm2wFJM\/s640\/blogger-image-247782281.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/--IV9JS5w0NE\/VOtxUrZk28I\/AAAAAAAADiM\/alyaJEQHVOo\/s640\/blogger-image--1635598445.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/--IV9JS5w0NE\/VOtxUrZk28I\/AAAAAAAADiM\/alyaJEQHVOo\/s640\/blogger-image--1635598445.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nklNRwxASWE\/VOtxNlWJe1I\/AAAAAAAADh0\/c_F-PT9XINI\/s640\/blogger-image--1121330376.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nklNRwxASWE\/VOtxNlWJe1I\/AAAAAAAADh0\/c_F-PT9XINI\/s640\/blogger-image--1121330376.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ESfrDuzxfjg\/VOtxZCKgQiI\/AAAAAAAADic\/c0hF3DS9GnE\/s640\/blogger-image-881853315.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ESfrDuzxfjg\/VOtxZCKgQiI\/AAAAAAAADic\/c0hF3DS9GnE\/s640\/blogger-image-881853315.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-djhaMM312oI\/VOtxSEAXjWI\/AAAAAAAADiE\/SxiwRnq8UyA\/s640\/blogger-image--1738455889.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-djhaMM312oI\/VOtxSEAXjWI\/AAAAAAAADiE\/SxiwRnq8UyA\/s640\/blogger-image--1738455889.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-FBzZzVD_-cM\/VOtxP_3p5rI\/AAAAAAAADh8\/YQNeQKN7fMk\/s640\/blogger-image-1740405650.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-FBzZzVD_-cM\/VOtxP_3p5rI\/AAAAAAAADh8\/YQNeQKN7fMk\/s640\/blogger-image-1740405650.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-5YevQttpdLk\/VOtxI1qJeJI\/AAAAAAAADhk\/vmLFISXi54I\/s640\/blogger-image-194099455.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-5YevQttpdLk\/VOtxI1qJeJI\/AAAAAAAADhk\/vmLFISXi54I\/s640\/blogger-image-194099455.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-1YtuwVqNfEE\/VOtxGkJICAI\/AAAAAAAADhc\/7SIpy8zladA\/s640\/blogger-image--1065509545.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-1YtuwVqNfEE\/VOtxGkJICAI\/AAAAAAAADhc\/7SIpy8zladA\/s640\/blogger-image--1065509545.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-igcb7oDH4-s\/VOt057ai5QI\/AAAAAAAADi4\/AelHef2liBA\/s640\/blogger-image--367898613.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-igcb7oDH4-s\/VOt057ai5QI\/AAAAAAAADi4\/AelHef2liBA\/s640\/blogger-image--367898613.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/939261337960983285\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/02\/half-term-at-centerparcs.html#comment-form","title":"16 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/939261337960983285"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/939261337960983285"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/02\/half-term-at-centerparcs.html","title":"Half-term at Centerparcs"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-JwII15lPOFU\/VOtxdm0Pk8I\/AAAAAAAADis\/3450FCNF5lk\/s72-c\/blogger-image-90775179.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"16"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-3147264627266315543"},"published":{"$t":"2015-02-22T17:31:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-02-22T19:24:45.452+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"giveaway"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"100 Posts Giveaway Winners"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-eWiDgmrW5z0\/VOonaJBjYCI\/AAAAAAAADhE\/pyoS33xmOxo\/s640\/blogger-image--1074689178.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-eWiDgmrW5z0\/VOonaJBjYCI\/AAAAAAAADhE\/pyoS33xmOxo\/s640\/blogger-image--1074689178.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EThankyou so much to everyone who entered my 100 Posts Giveaway. What a wonderful response :) There were 27 entries, and I had decided in my head that if it was over 25 then I'd pick two runners-up as well as the main winner.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ENaturally such an important task as randomly picking winners required the assistance of a Helper. Little Miss volunteered and she had the genius idea of using her Squinkie (teeny small figures that come in a little clear ball) gum ball machine to pick the winning names.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-D1r3LH-R3qM\/VOonAznHbxI\/AAAAAAAADgc\/n7fWkhFzwT0\/s640\/blogger-image--792527657.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-D1r3LH-R3qM\/VOonAznHbxI\/AAAAAAAADgc\/n7fWkhFzwT0\/s640\/blogger-image--792527657.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI wrote them out and my Helper folded them and put them in their balls. We then jumbled them up and loaded them into the gum ball machine.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-uetu58AxouU\/VOonFleXrTI\/AAAAAAAADgs\/EG9wKvRC-O4\/s640\/blogger-image--180119305.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-uetu58AxouU\/VOonFleXrTI\/AAAAAAAADgs\/EG9wKvRC-O4\/s640\/blogger-image--180119305.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe lights were dimmed, their was an air of suspense and we held our breath as the plastic yellow coin was inserted into the garish pink and purple plastic machine, and the green plastic turny-thing was turned.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-BQS-QizlNVE\/VOom-S0lbTI\/AAAAAAAADgU\/-W5lRgucbrs\/s640\/blogger-image-1807856460.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-BQS-QizlNVE\/VOom-S0lbTI\/AAAAAAAADgU\/-W5lRgucbrs\/s640\/blogger-image-1807856460.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOut of the purple plastic door there rolled a clear plastic ball. (Lots of plastic around, eh). We opened it, unfolded the paper and .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-q5HtLHMpgSQ\/VOonIDASQeI\/AAAAAAAADg0\/q7naYLH3cr4\/s640\/blogger-image--462793856.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-q5HtLHMpgSQ\/VOonIDASQeI\/AAAAAAAADg0\/q7naYLH3cr4\/s640\/blogger-image--462793856.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E..... the winner is (drum-roll please) ........\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-J98ZffpZf5c\/VOonDeI97_I\/AAAAAAAADgk\/e_xgiHyDBDs\/s640\/blogger-image--1847818590.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-J98ZffpZf5c\/VOonDeI97_I\/AAAAAAAADgk\/e_xgiHyDBDs\/s640\/blogger-image--1847818590.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E..... the very lovely Anne of Crochet Between Two Worlds :) Hurray! Congratulations Anne :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe repeated the whole exciting coin-inserting-green-twisty-thing-turning drama twice and two more names rolled out .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-tZg_9ktm2vM\/VOom8EVFg1I\/AAAAAAAADgM\/-atOsTF-UF4\/s640\/blogger-image-832051097.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-tZg_9ktm2vM\/VOom8EVFg1I\/AAAAAAAADgM\/-atOsTF-UF4\/s640\/blogger-image-832051097.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETeresa from knitbakecultivate, and Gill :) Hurray hurray!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHelper (Little Miss) then decided it was only fair to personalize the hand-written names by allocating a Squinkie to each ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-BpzZOoOGcoQ\/VOonK4uIYAI\/AAAAAAAADg8\/5GsrvlQRGZ0\/s640\/blogger-image--924292566.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-BpzZOoOGcoQ\/VOonK4uIYAI\/AAAAAAAADg8\/5GsrvlQRGZ0\/s640\/blogger-image--924292566.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIf you lovely winners can send me your contact details I'll get your goodies packaged up and sent off. I have a feeling my email on my profile won't let you email me, but give it a try and let me know what happens! Sadly Squinkies are not included as part of the prize package. Bet you're gutted.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELove Jill\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3147264627266315543\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/02\/100-posts-giveaway-winners.html#comment-form","title":"18 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3147264627266315543"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3147264627266315543"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/02\/100-posts-giveaway-winners.html","title":"100 Posts Giveaway Winners"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-eWiDgmrW5z0\/VOonaJBjYCI\/AAAAAAAADhE\/pyoS33xmOxo\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1074689178.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"18"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-4732866948467743107"},"published":{"$t":"2015-02-14T21:28:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-02-22T19:14:10.619+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"giveaway"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"100 Posts Giveaway"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ECEn1Cj0hfY\/VN--Ech3hZI\/AAAAAAAADfo\/t2C2rjTJBfY\/s640\/blogger-image-1558289575.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ECEn1Cj0hfY\/VN--Ech3hZI\/AAAAAAAADfo\/t2C2rjTJBfY\/s640\/blogger-image-1558289575.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EHurray! I've finally managed to write 100 posts! I can't believe that I've made it this far, I really wanted to try and stick at it, but wasn't sure if I would, or if I could find either the time to write, or the \"stuff\" to write about. I didn't really have any kind of goal or plan in mind, I just hoped to enjoy a bit of crafting and maybe take some not-too-awful photos as a sort of virtual scrapbook :) As it turns out, I've really loved writing my posts, the desire for my content to be of even mild interest to anyone has opened my eyes to the smaller details of everyday life. Bits and pieces of nature, random happenings at home with my Little People, fun days out. My crafting has definitely increased, and having lots of positive feedback has been amazing. That first morning, the day after my first post, when I saw I had some comments on my was soooooo exciting!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tqbxEEJvjOk\/VN-9yQBOqsI\/AAAAAAAADeo\/HNnJ8EsRwEg\/s640\/blogger-image--1545993014.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tqbxEEJvjOk\/VN-9yQBOqsI\/AAAAAAAADeo\/HNnJ8EsRwEg\/s640\/blogger-image--1545993014.jpg\" width =550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIn fact, for me, comments from my lovely readers is the very best bit about blogging. Not because of how lovely the comments are in themselves, it's more the feeling of community that exists, and the (albeit virtual) meeting of kindred spirits. I've made lots of lovely bloggy friends, and had the privilege of discovering so many other wonderful bloggers and their blogs, lots of amazingly creative people, who not only share their knowledge and ideas (and gorgeous photos), but who give their time to read and comment back on my posts. Lovely readers from all over the world, from Iceland to New Zealand everywhere in between. Bloody marvelous isn't it :) Just makes you realize people are people, and what's more are lovely people, the world over. Thankyou to each and everyone of you who've read my posts or left me comments \u0026nbsp;:)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ENow down to business. There's only one way to celebrate 100 posts and that's with a GiVeAwAy .... yippee !!!! I've gathered together a few craft bits and bobs for one lucky winner.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThere's a few stationery bits ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VQS4D2E1Mvg\/VN-9_iNxJ6I\/AAAAAAAADfY\/8k92wJMU0-w\/s640\/blogger-image-46844953.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-VQS4D2E1Mvg\/VN-9_iNxJ6I\/AAAAAAAADfY\/8k92wJMU0-w\/s640\/blogger-image-46844953.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E... including one of my fabric covered notebooks (I'm hoping to be selling these soon) ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-0DyYTwhRApQ\/VN--B4hrDQI\/AAAAAAAADfg\/oKxIG7XscQ0\/s640\/blogger-image-1630635531.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-0DyYTwhRApQ\/VN--B4hrDQI\/AAAAAAAADfg\/oKxIG7XscQ0\/s640\/blogger-image-1630635531.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and a selection of yarny stitchy goodies ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-XB_IhU4NZcM\/VN-97HNGN6I\/AAAAAAAADfI\/pyXmzJIS0mM\/s640\/blogger-image--1706459380.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-XB_IhU4NZcM\/VN-97HNGN6I\/AAAAAAAADfI\/pyXmzJIS0mM\/s640\/blogger-image--1706459380.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI made the lined pouch, you could use it to hold pens, glasses, or crochet hooks of course! The yarn is a wool-acrylic mix and there is enough to make a pair of the Ombré Mitts from my last post? And I'll also include a printed copy of the pattern for the mitts (totally bigging it up, it's very easy!). There may be a couple of little extras thrown in too that aren't in the photo :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThere will also be 2 surprise runner-up prizes (surprise because I haven't decided what yet lol).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAt this point I'm thinking \"I will be so mortified if no one enters, because that will mean everyone thinks it's a load of old tat\" ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnyway here are the (for want of a better word) rules ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E1. To enter all you have to do is leave a comment below. If you feel like telling me what your favourite emerald cottage post was, that would be lovely.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E2. If you mention my blog, and the giveaway, on your own blog, that would also be lovely, and will get you a second chance of winning :) Just make sure you tell me you've done so :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E3. The closing date is midnight next Saturday night, 21st Feb 2015. Midnight my time. (London time!)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E4. The winner will be chosen highly scientifically by one of my Little People pulling a name from a hat (this is why there are runners up, I have to allow each child to select a name, otherwise an argument will ensue).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E5. Please do make sure to leave some contact details, and in the unlikely event that I can't contact you (after a few tries), should you win, then another name will be chosen.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI think that's it! If there's sufficient interest I may even be tempted to do another giveaway on my first blog birthday which is just round the corner :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThankyou all my lovely lovely readers, and Good Luck !!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-jdoXJPwINrQ\/VN_Ph41Zu1I\/AAAAAAAADf4\/Nx-JylTwn04\/s640\/blogger-image-1139440176.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-jdoXJPwINrQ\/VN_Ph41Zu1I\/AAAAAAAADf4\/Nx-JylTwn04\/s640\/blogger-image-1139440176.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4732866948467743107\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/02\/100-posts-giveaway.html#comment-form","title":"32 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4732866948467743107"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4732866948467743107"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/02\/100-posts-giveaway.html","title":"100 Posts Giveaway"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ECEn1Cj0hfY\/VN--Ech3hZI\/AAAAAAAADfo\/t2C2rjTJBfY\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1558289575.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"32"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-458972887345072211"},"published":{"$t":"2015-02-09T18:36:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-02-09T18:36:04.696+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Ombré Cowl and Mitts"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EWhen is it too late to give Christmas presents ? In my book, if you know the person well enough, and they know what you're like (ie rubbish at deadlines), and the present is handmade, then until the end of January is acceptable. Isn't it ???\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-HV2wMGZ3DjE\/VNfFOgVwFRI\/AAAAAAAADcY\/jKu-TuknkRA\/s640\/blogger-image-1359305136.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-HV2wMGZ3DjE\/VNfFOgVwFRI\/AAAAAAAADcY\/jKu-TuknkRA\/s640\/blogger-image-1359305136.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EBy now, if you've been following my blog, you'll know that I like to leave things to the last minute, just to add that extra-stressful edge to the finishing of a project. The Ombré Cowl and Mitts were no exception. Twice.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-nuDhbG4G874\/VNjz98GwbsI\/AAAAAAAADd8\/aD4EoSvhA48\/s1600\/Impeccable.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-nuDhbG4G874\/VNjz98GwbsI\/AAAAAAAADd8\/aD4EoSvhA48\/s1600\/Impeccable.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI'd bought 2 balls each of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.michaels.com\/loops-and-threads-impeccable-yarn\/M10108936.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis yarn\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;on holiday in Florida last year, I really loved the richness of the colours. It's a line that I believe is stocked only at Michael's craft stores, and is sold under their Loops and Threads Impeccable label (feel free to correct me lovely US readers if I'm wrong). My favourite is the red and green one, called \"Summerset\", and a close second is the purple one, \"Fresh Lilac\".\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XS5weh_4ZiY\/VNfFaPtP45I\/AAAAAAAADdA\/b2MbHzW3rEs\/s640\/blogger-image-1430588312.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-XS5weh_4ZiY\/VNfFaPtP45I\/AAAAAAAADdA\/b2MbHzW3rEs\/s640\/blogger-image-1430588312.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EFor ages I couldn't decide what to use this yarn for, the project I selected would have to use all the yarn or none at all, I couldn't see how I would use up oddments of it so I didn't want any leftovers. Eventually I settled upon a chevrony-rippley pattern for a scarf, and used Summerset for it for one of my friends (let's call her \"Friend A\") for Christmas. The colours in the yarn changes very rapidly, so there's no self-striping going on, and for a while I really wasn't convinced about the effect of the colours, it looked a bit mottled and sort of patchy. Undeterred, I kept at it, and when the scarf was long enough - about 150cm - I decided to join the ends and turn it into a cowl.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sGBzDMtZUqE\/VNj1BscRu6I\/AAAAAAAADeE\/Bi6v7iWMUYk\/s1600\/impeccable5.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-sGBzDMtZUqE\/VNj1BscRu6I\/AAAAAAAADeE\/Bi6v7iWMUYk\/s1600\/impeccable5.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAfter completing the cowl there was about half a ball of yarn left, so I crossed my fingers and hoped it would stretch to a pair of mitts. Hip hip hurray, I had Exactly The Right Amount left. Interestingly whilst working on the mitts, I could see a pattern emerging, obviously the length of your row or round compared to the distance between colour change repeats can vary the effect and I had hit upon a good ratio in the mitts. Both mitts and cowl suddenly seemed way more appealing - more deliberate and less random :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EoyIQ7HRcew\/VNfFevOtZyI\/AAAAAAAADdQ\/Se7CAJ1pbyU\/s640\/blogger-image--2028490339.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EoyIQ7HRcew\/VNfFevOtZyI\/AAAAAAAADdQ\/Se7CAJ1pbyU\/s640\/blogger-image--2028490339.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;The mitts are so easy, just a spiral of half-trebles and a gap for the thumbhole.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-_OMrp6KL3P0\/VNfFMWmBYRI\/AAAAAAAADcQ\/TRwqIXlKKSA\/s640\/blogger-image--1615055741.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-_OMrp6KL3P0\/VNfFMWmBYRI\/AAAAAAAADcQ\/TRwqIXlKKSA\/s640\/blogger-image--1615055741.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI did crochet about 90% of this set before Christmas but somehow festivities took over and I didn't pick it up again, and complete it, until last Saturday - 31st January - phew, just in time!! When both mitts and cowl were completed I had used 2 balls - 200g - and I had about 20cm of yarn left - now that is what I call good value :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI did the thing where you try and get a photo of your own hand wearing a mitt\/wristie\/glove, it just doesn't work does it. Both arms are too short. But here's the best I could do ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-XSOYz01YR2U\/VNfFKDeCooI\/AAAAAAAADcI\/melToa1Y-Os\/s640\/blogger-image-96732807.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-XSOYz01YR2U\/VNfFKDeCooI\/AAAAAAAADcI\/melToa1Y-Os\/s640\/blogger-image-96732807.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EFinally I wrapped them up and dispatched the parcel off to Friend A - well, my Little Miss and her best friend, who is Friend A's Little Miss (keeping up ?) were meeting up at the park, so I entrusted the handover to them, and they didn't let me down - lovely sensible girls they are :) Happily, Friend A says she loves both the cowl and the mitts and I've seen her wearing them twice already :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-b_HieJOyjTA\/VNfFF064ixI\/AAAAAAAADb4\/ZCpnzpuJ0Fo\/s640\/blogger-image--1659030399.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-b_HieJOyjTA\/VNfFF064ixI\/AAAAAAAADb4\/ZCpnzpuJ0Fo\/s640\/blogger-image--1659030399.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\"Fresh Lilac\" was still to be used, and, probably before the first set was in Friend A's hands, I started on a second set, for another friend - any idea what to call her ? - \"Friend B\" of course.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIt was Friend B's birthday on Tuesday, so technically I only had a couple of days (yikes) to get cowl and mitts completed for her. Well, I don't know what was going on: this yarn is sort of a heavy-DK-light-chunky, the pattern is really simple (I'll post it up in a few days), and yet the cowl seemed to grow sooo slooooowly.I was crocheting like fury all week to finish it. I knew I definitely wouldn't see Friend B on her birthday, and probably not over the weekend either, so although it was finished after her birthday, it isn't a problem.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-I45hXxybNPY\/VNfFTVXhE1I\/AAAAAAAADco\/QIEZTNU1JUs\/s640\/blogger-image--2111493792.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-I45hXxybNPY\/VNfFTVXhE1I\/AAAAAAAADco\/QIEZTNU1JUs\/s640\/blogger-image--2111493792.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAgain I did the cowl with matching mitts, I think they are so pretty together.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-r7apjx0Kuas\/VNfFVpUo0VI\/AAAAAAAADcw\/mzWd8mfsips\/s640\/blogger-image-1747268491.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-r7apjx0Kuas\/VNfFVpUo0VI\/AAAAAAAADcw\/mzWd8mfsips\/s640\/blogger-image-1747268491.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThis time my hand-selfie was a bit more successful - plus my nails match :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-XpZJd5rdcwM\/VNfFIPnCEeI\/AAAAAAAADcA\/fSN4wz836aA\/s640\/blogger-image--214995768.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-XpZJd5rdcwM\/VNfFIPnCEeI\/AAAAAAAADcA\/fSN4wz836aA\/s640\/blogger-image--214995768.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EBoth sets were finished with emerald cottage labels .... cute aren't they :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-YNxPP0oZ2IQ\/VNfFQ3LjSUI\/AAAAAAAADcg\/9DDNF4PQD0k\/s640\/blogger-image--874245839.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-YNxPP0oZ2IQ\/VNfFQ3LjSUI\/AAAAAAAADcg\/9DDNF4PQD0k\/s640\/blogger-image--874245839.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd here is the lilac set festooned (what a fabulous word!) with a lovely ribbon. Aaaaah lovely :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-HRj29cbffPQ\/VNfFcQwdCCI\/AAAAAAAADdI\/J9MT9rNBc00\/s640\/blogger-image--491660509.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-HRj29cbffPQ\/VNfFcQwdCCI\/AAAAAAAADdI\/J9MT9rNBc00\/s640\/blogger-image--491660509.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EThe patterns for both are easy-peasy, I'll try and get around to posting them soon.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EBut first - keep your eyes peeled for later this week ...... this is post 99, so my next one is The Big One - 100 - and the GiVeAwAy ... whoop !!!! Bye til then .....\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/458972887345072211\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/02\/ombre-cowl-and-mitts.html#comment-form","title":"16 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/458972887345072211"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/458972887345072211"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/02\/ombre-cowl-and-mitts.html","title":"Ombré Cowl and Mitts"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-HV2wMGZ3DjE\/VNfFOgVwFRI\/AAAAAAAADcY\/jKu-TuknkRA\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1359305136.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"16"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1315581047755867189"},"published":{"$t":"2015-02-01T17:02:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-02-09T18:37:34.461+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"A Year In Books"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"books"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A Year In Books 2015 - January-February"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Dlptoqowanc\/VM5k0V5zIdI\/AAAAAAAADbE\/jGoFjKqiGEs\/s640\/blogger-image--1172608512.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Dlptoqowanc\/VM5k0V5zIdI\/AAAAAAAADbE\/jGoFjKqiGEs\/s640\/blogger-image--1172608512.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EIn an attempt to read more, and reduce my to-be-read backlog, I'm joining in with Laura at Circle of Pines' The Year In Books (http:\/\/www.circleofpinetrees\/year-in-books-January-2015). In January I read 3 books - Dead To The World, A Girl Named Disaster and The Great Christmas Knit-off\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-at--h3RuJCY\/VM6cDZxUmRI\/AAAAAAAADbk\/AHJNM84JAc0\/s640\/blogger-image--528150568.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-at--h3RuJCY\/VM6cDZxUmRI\/AAAAAAAADbk\/AHJNM84JAc0\/s640\/blogger-image--528150568.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ECharlaine Harris' \"Dead to the World\" is book 4 of her Sookie Stackhouse Series. Set in modern day small-town southern Bon Temps in Louisiana, Sookie is a \"supe\" - supernatural - who gets up to various escapades involving vampires and other supes of various shapes and sizes. It's a bit like Nancy Drew meets Twilight. The stories could be considered slightly daft, however it is fantasy, so I guess that's ok. Definitely a bit tongue in cheek, and providing you don't take them too seriously they are an enjoyable read. As with books 1-3, book 4 was a real page-turner. I'm looking forward to book 5 :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-dcNWdHC4jZ0\/VM6b-__QTBI\/AAAAAAAADbU\/KJf8UWhrwBw\/s640\/blogger-image-1224687609.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-dcNWdHC4jZ0\/VM6b-__QTBI\/AAAAAAAADbU\/KJf8UWhrwBw\/s640\/blogger-image-1224687609.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy next book was very different. Nancy Farmer's \"A Girl Named Disaster\" follows Nhamo, a young girl in Mozambique, who runs away to avoid being married off. Wow, I loved this book, I really couldn't put it down. The first couple of chapters were quite hard work as there are a lot of unfamiliar names and words to get to grips with, but fairly quickly, as the story line evolves, I stopped noticing them. We follow Nhamo as she travels up-river, alone and with extremely limited resources, searching for safety. The author really evokes the sounds, smells, and culture of living in Nhamo's village, and we are also introduced into the villagers' belief system. Once Nhamo has run away we feel her fear, frustration and fight to stay alive, and her struggle between hope and despair. Life in the village was hard and relentless, and being on the run for Nhamo is, in a lot of respects, easier. This is a story about survival, and discovery of hidden strength. It's not especially light subject matter, but it is a very worthwhile read.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-HRqpJFPodI0\/VM6cBNsStdI\/AAAAAAAADbc\/scEoTf3Hc-8\/s640\/blogger-image--490936380.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-HRqpJFPodI0\/VM6cBNsStdI\/AAAAAAAADbc\/scEoTf3Hc-8\/s640\/blogger-image--490936380.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy 3rd book was in complete contrast to Nhamo's story. \"The Great Christmas Knit-off\" by Alexandra Brown is a lighthearted seasonal yarn (do you see what I did there ... :). Girl has various woes in busy noisy London. Girl goes to visit best friend in quaint village. Girl falls in love with hunky village man. Girl turns dream of knitting for a living into reality. Everyone lives happily ever after. \u0026nbsp;No, I haven't just spoilt the plot, you out could work it out in the first chapter or so.(Actually as I write I have a couple of chapters still to go, so there could be an unexpected zombie apocalypse at the end, but I rather doubt it). The Great Christmas Knit Off is warm and fuzzy, just like cozying up on the sofa with a cuppa, a biccy and your knitting (or in my case, crochet). Very predictable chick-lit, but isn't the predictability of chick-lit the exact reason we love it ? Of course the addition of knitting banter makes the whole thing Even Better. Great, great fun to read, really gentle and uncomplicated, no tear-jerking heartache moments, it's just hearty, wholesome, yarny fun.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFor February I've chosen 3 books again.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\"Just how well can you ever know the person you love ? This is the question that Nick Dunne must ask himself on the morning of his fifth wedding anniversary, when his wife Amy, suddenly disappears.\"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI bought Gillian Flynn's \"Gone Girl\" for my kindle over a year ago. I'd like to see the film (it's got Ben Affleck in it. Enough said :), but I think seeing the film first spoils the book more than reading the book first spoils the film. Does that make sense ?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8KITrf7qa74\/VM5kx4EFzVI\/AAAAAAAADa8\/kT3Su5y-LOA\/s640\/blogger-image-1641627414.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8KITrf7qa74\/VM5kx4EFzVI\/AAAAAAAADa8\/kT3Su5y-LOA\/s640\/blogger-image-1641627414.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe purple yarn is about to be hooked up into a scarf and wristies for my friend's birthday next week.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy second choice should be a bit lighter - \u0026nbsp;\"The Gap Year for Grown Ups\" by Annie Sanders. This is one of my charity shop purchases, the title appealed to me, as did the cover. \"After twenty years of comfortable marriage, and with the kids finally off her hands, Sarah Lewis realizes she has filled the wash machine once too often ...... What Sarah needs is a gap year for grown ups\". Sounds quite light-hearted and fun I thought. I could do with a gap-day myself, never mind a year!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Wod-v2GXOjs\/VM5knIZHdGI\/AAAAAAAADas\/CqMnT94b8Ys\/s640\/blogger-image--261831112.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Wod-v2GXOjs\/VM5knIZHdGI\/AAAAAAAADas\/CqMnT94b8Ys\/s640\/blogger-image--261831112.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe granny squares above are destined for the playroom, I have about 3 to go and then I can join them, it's a bit of silly fun and I can't wait for the big ta-dah!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFinally for February I'm planning toread is \"Dead as a Doornail\", book 5 in the Sookie Stackhouse series. I'm fully expecting more vampire silliness, but that's ok! I haven't even read the blurb on the back of the book, to be honest, but as I know the characters now, I'll just dive straight in. I'm going to read this book last so I can move straight onto book 6 at the start of March.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-E96nAMBAFFQ\/VM5kvnoj77I\/AAAAAAAADa0\/UBc3tL6Pu_E\/s640\/blogger-image-2126031718.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-E96nAMBAFFQ\/VM5kvnoj77I\/AAAAAAAADa0\/UBc3tL6Pu_E\/s640\/blogger-image-2126031718.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe blue, green and white squares are for a little something for my 100th post Giveaway - only a couple of posts away now - exciting!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHappy reading everyone :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxxxxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1315581047755867189\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/02\/a-year-in-books-2015-january-february.html#comment-form","title":"18 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1315581047755867189"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1315581047755867189"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/02\/a-year-in-books-2015-january-february.html","title":"A Year In Books 2015 - January-February"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Dlptoqowanc\/VM5k0V5zIdI\/AAAAAAAADbE\/jGoFjKqiGEs\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1172608512.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"18"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-5076406011093858328"},"published":{"$t":"2015-01-29T20:54:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:18:13.549+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"home"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"house"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Craft Room Makeover Part 1"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-7An7ceByHPo\/VMqkunMEI8I\/AAAAAAAADZI\/hbMXJTW_0eY\/s640\/blogger-image-588905135.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-7An7ceByHPo\/VMqkunMEI8I\/AAAAAAAADZI\/hbMXJTW_0eY\/s640\/blogger-image-588905135.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EI've been waiting waiting waiting to publish a new post, ideally with great ta-das and exciting reveals of amazingly impressive projects. Or project singular even. Sadly though, this was not to be. I've been really restless this last week or two. Starting things. Not finishing things. Sometimes not even starting things at all. I decided that the root of this, or part of it, at least, is my increasingly disorganized craft room. I'm really really lucky to have a whole room to dedicate to my crafting, it's not a very big room - after all I live in deepest suburbia in the increasingly densely populated south of England - but it's a room nonetheless. The furniture is a mish-mash of bits we've stopped using in other rooms - an old dining table, an unused desk, a bookshelf that someone gave us, a toy storage unit that was replaced by something more grown up. Hubby keeps telling me just to buy new furniture, but I quite like the old bits and pieces. Plus I really can't be bothered trying to decide what else to get, and it just seems so wasteful when there's nothing wrong with any of them.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHowever I have a really bad habit of piling stuff up and never putting it away properly, not least because there wasn't enough storage space for it all. Plus, my wool storage just wasn't doing it for me. Stacked about 6 balls high it kept collapsing and was generally just a mess. This room was not the restful, peaceful and inspiring place I wanted it to be.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESo, for the last week, my spare time (what there is of it) has been spent rearranging and reorganizing. I didn't want the chaos to affect any of the other rooms so it was a bit like one of those square tile puzzles where you can only move one thing at a time then move the next thing into the space just created by moving the first thing, and so on. It's still a bit of a giant WIP but it's getting there. Lots more to sort out - paperwork, fabric, ironing, but lots is looking rather lovely, and the most important bit - my Beloved Yarn Stash - is looking fab-u-lous .... Here's a wee peek (can't show you any more as the rest is still obscured by Messy Stuff) ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-FdH3rrGSFc4\/VMqk3tmnqCI\/AAAAAAAADZo\/SUXRdAzc90E\/s640\/blogger-image--87957357.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-FdH3rrGSFc4\/VMqk3tmnqCI\/AAAAAAAADZo\/SUXRdAzc90E\/s640\/blogger-image--87957357.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI commandeered 2 CD racks from around the house. We only ever listen to electronic copies of the music now anyway, so the CDs were evicted and are now occupying a couple of shelves elsewhere. They are several disks deep as we don't need to get them much. The CD racks are pretty sturdy and quite tall, so I've laid them on their sides, one on top of the other, along the back of my desk :) Each little CD cubby-hole holds 4-6 balls of yarn. What a happy sight to work\/play next to :) I could spend hours just gazing at it. I might even sleep next to it.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'm also fortunate to have a brilliant embroidery floss collection. My friend's Mum, who was a passionate cross-stitcher, passed away quite suddenly a few years ago. I knew her myself, she was a lovely lady. My friend and her sisters had to sell a lot of their Mum's belongings and add the monies to her estate. My friend sold me the job-lot of all of her Mum's stitching stuff - books, magazines, and threads - and look - one of those gorgeous vintage concertina sewing boxes ......\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uLNb8zUMsFU\/VMqk-FM8NjI\/AAAAAAAADaA\/Qu-syHPOdhs\/s640\/blogger-image-2146586762.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-uLNb8zUMsFU\/VMqk-FM8NjI\/AAAAAAAADaA\/Qu-syHPOdhs\/s640\/blogger-image-2146586762.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI thought about painting the box off-white, and doing the whole distressed thing (the box would be distressed, I might too) but actually I'd rather keep it the way its original owner had it. The floss collection was (is) amazing, look at the range of greens alone ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-i60MhpLKWxA\/VMqkspT0idI\/AAAAAAAADZA\/Qx3icVeQjDg\/s640\/blogger-image--215641573.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-i60MhpLKWxA\/VMqkspT0idI\/AAAAAAAADZA\/Qx3icVeQjDg\/s640\/blogger-image--215641573.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EEverything was numbered and labelled, Shelagh was super-organized. When I came into ownership of the collection, the sewing box was empty and all the cards of floss were in those whitefish plastic flat boxes with dividers ..... which are now in use by the Little People for their equally impressive loom band collection. And the floss cards fit perfectly into the sewing box, as you would hope. Shelagh kept all her spare cards and number stickers in this little original Oxo tin. I think she must have won it in a raffle, you can still the raffle ticket stuck on the bottom....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-U-zzhB566BM\/VMqkl9DoSjI\/AAAAAAAADYo\/kxXltlQCXhU\/s640\/blogger-image-1596795265.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-U-zzhB566BM\/VMqkl9DoSjI\/AAAAAAAADYo\/kxXltlQCXhU\/s640\/blogger-image-1596795265.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EDuring my sort-out I found this old cross-stitch that I completed years ago but never got round to framing. I loved making this picture, it the kit was a gift from my Mum, and although it's a bit olde-fashioned for my usual tastes, I do rather like it, so I must get round to finding a frame for it.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-CLA_mAT_Et0\/VMqk5l2d5WI\/AAAAAAAADZw\/rPH7XKDfQg8\/s640\/blogger-image-844622364.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-CLA_mAT_Et0\/VMqk5l2d5WI\/AAAAAAAADZw\/rPH7XKDfQg8\/s640\/blogger-image-844622364.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAs lots of shelves and boxes were cleared up, various random crochet motifs and swatches were unearthed. Maybe they will become a freestyle something-or-other. I had a great idea for them earlier but I seem to have forgotten what it was. Don't you hate that ? I'll just have to wait for inspiration to strike again. It looks like a dreadful jumble doesn't it ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vNtWlu2BggA\/VMqkn6UBkvI\/AAAAAAAADYw\/8k-L0_19WD8\/s640\/blogger-image--1980594700.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vNtWlu2BggA\/VMqkn6UBkvI\/AAAAAAAADYw\/8k-L0_19WD8\/s640\/blogger-image--1980594700.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThere, that's a bit better .....\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-aBIZEeftkvQ\/VMqkw03LBxI\/AAAAAAAADZQ\/WWoCYBK5v3k\/s640\/blogger-image-1149496945.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-aBIZEeftkvQ\/VMqkw03LBxI\/AAAAAAAADZQ\/WWoCYBK5v3k\/s640\/blogger-image-1149496945.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy Playroom Thingy squares are multiplying, I'm nearly ready to assemble .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-IUKSDqh-ubc\/VMqkqNTbWzI\/AAAAAAAADY4\/5wGHEoj6R7k\/s640\/blogger-image-329497729.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-IUKSDqh-ubc\/VMqkqNTbWzI\/AAAAAAAADY4\/5wGHEoj6R7k\/s640\/blogger-image-329497729.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd I've got a few new little bits on the go .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-cIJb6WFRhvo\/VMqk7_3ZCAI\/AAAAAAAADZ4\/PPGVCoWAX0Y\/s640\/blogger-image-112207866.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-cIJb6WFRhvo\/VMqk7_3ZCAI\/AAAAAAAADZ4\/PPGVCoWAX0Y\/s640\/blogger-image-112207866.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELast, but most definitely nowhere near least, look look look look loooooook ...........\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-5Bx8oJyCiU4\/VMqk1erQeyI\/AAAAAAAADZg\/4PPUDv39F6o\/s640\/blogger-image--1186896710.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-5Bx8oJyCiU4\/VMqk1erQeyI\/AAAAAAAADZg\/4PPUDv39F6o\/s640\/blogger-image--1186896710.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFancy winning those little treats ? Next week I hope to reach my 100th post (I know!!!! 100!!!!), and I'm planning my Very First Giveaway!!! Whoop!!!! That little lot (deliberately half hidden, by the way, in order to keep it a surprise), with the addition of a few bits more, will be winging its way to one of you, my lovely readers, and I'll give you more details in a few posts' time :) Y'all come back now, y'hear ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5076406011093858328\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/craft-room-makeover-part-1.html#comment-form","title":"20 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5076406011093858328"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5076406011093858328"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/craft-room-makeover-part-1.html","title":"Craft Room Makeover Part 1"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-7An7ceByHPo\/VMqkunMEI8I\/AAAAAAAADZI\/hbMXJTW_0eY\/s72-c\/blogger-image-588905135.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"20"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1912065985541024594"},"published":{"$t":"2015-01-19T18:52:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-02-09T18:36:21.532+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Cappuccino Cowl"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-K9kn9RHs4gI\/VL1ShYEB54I\/AAAAAAAADYI\/fauxZb_JCeM\/s640\/blogger-image-1677890137.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-K9kn9RHs4gI\/VL1ShYEB54I\/AAAAAAAADYI\/fauxZb_JCeM\/s640\/blogger-image-1677890137.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EInspiration strikes in the oddest places.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOn Saturday we went out for lunch at our local cafe. It's an independent business, and we like it as we can walk or cycle there, and go to the park on the way home. Plus, the food is great and not too pricey. As we left the house I grabbed some notebooks and pens to amuse the Little People during our meal.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-knvzniwj1Q0\/VL1R_oxOK2I\/AAAAAAAADWY\/KNvP4ru3J_Y\/s640\/blogger-image--778529253.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-knvzniwj1Q0\/VL1R_oxOK2I\/AAAAAAAADWY\/KNvP4ru3J_Y\/s640\/blogger-image--778529253.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELunch was lovely - veggie brekkie for hubby, sausage and chips for the Little Peeps, and a goats' cheese salad for me. For afters the Little People had ice-cream (with squirty cream and sprinkles, obviously) and coffees for us. Well, mine was a tea (but we'll come back to that) which I asked for in a to-go cup. The cup had one of those cardboard sleeves on it, with wiggly vertical grooves. Well, they were begging to be coloured in, so I made the Little Peeps share the pens, and while they slurped their ice-cream, I pimped up my cup. Although the selection of pens I'd brought was rubbish (there wasn't even a red for goodness' sake) I do enjoy a bit of doodling and colouring.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-PPqDommwHZ0\/VL1R9NUAvPI\/AAAAAAAADWQ\/eJgHn0OqR7A\/s640\/blogger-image-1098605835.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-PPqDommwHZ0\/VL1R9NUAvPI\/AAAAAAAADWQ\/eJgHn0OqR7A\/s640\/blogger-image-1098605835.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EOn the way home we swung by the park for a bit (spot the grubby plaster-cast coloured mitt anyone ?) and as I sipped my cuppa to warm myself up, the old creative cogs began to whirr. Hmmm. Doesn't that cup actually look quite good ? Aren't those colours together quite pleasing ? Wouldn't they make a jolly nice colourway for a new scarf or scarf-like thing ?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-TTEDe12r830\/VL1R4WMnzfI\/AAAAAAAADWA\/5rLiiJSu_x4\/s640\/blogger-image--1409791263.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-TTEDe12r830\/VL1R4WMnzfI\/AAAAAAAADWA\/5rLiiJSu_x4\/s640\/blogger-image--1409791263.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAs soon as we got home I headed for the yarn cupboard and looked for just the right colours. My Stylecraft stash yielded four of the five that I wanted, and for the fifth - the pink - I had a Paton's yarn, the Stylecraft pinks that I had weren't quite right.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-a2e_sP7_OfY\/VL1Saa7CA9I\/AAAAAAAADXw\/TnSQWOobo_s\/s640\/blogger-image-133383750.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-a2e_sP7_OfY\/VL1Saa7CA9I\/AAAAAAAADXw\/TnSQWOobo_s\/s640\/blogger-image-133383750.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI made a really simple granny-stripe cowl, it's quite straightforward but I'll add the pattern at the end of this post, there's nothing worse than thinking \"I'd like to make that\" and then being uncertain about where to begin (totally flattering myself that anyone might like to make something similar).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-0lnaC1YQuI8\/VL1SQy8ay0I\/AAAAAAAADXQ\/1wX-xDVmjfk\/s640\/blogger-image-763520883.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-0lnaC1YQuI8\/VL1SQy8ay0I\/AAAAAAAADXQ\/1wX-xDVmjfk\/s640\/blogger-image-763520883.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EA pattern of two rows of each colour, and then the whole thing repeated.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ryNE3rZt2Ww\/VL1R6zYPtyI\/AAAAAAAADWI\/C5RVijmaBuE\/s640\/blogger-image-447036575.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ryNE3rZt2Ww\/VL1R6zYPtyI\/AAAAAAAADWI\/C5RVijmaBuE\/s640\/blogger-image-447036575.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EWorking in a granny pattern of groups of three trebles is so relaxing, I find I don't really have to think much about it, so it's a good background activity to do whilst chatting or watching telly.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-ifjsAoxPAFM\/VL1RxTmqNnI\/AAAAAAAADVo\/0_qB1Z-v1Bs\/s640\/blogger-image-1611204138.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-ifjsAoxPAFM\/VL1RxTmqNnI\/AAAAAAAADVo\/0_qB1Z-v1Bs\/s640\/blogger-image-1611204138.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe colours are really unusual for me, not a red nor a purple \u0026nbsp;in sight. I used Stylecraft Special DK in (from the bottom of above photo) Mocha, Meadow, Spice, and Camel. The pink is Patons Fab DK in Candy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tehq6JLjNVg\/VL1SG40i56I\/AAAAAAAADWw\/8qwd9i1TU70\/s640\/blogger-image--701135474.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tehq6JLjNVg\/VL1SG40i56I\/AAAAAAAADWw\/8qwd9i1TU70\/s640\/blogger-image--701135474.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI'm calling it the Cappucino Cowl. The Tea Cowl doesn't sound as good. Actually it sounds a lot like tea-towel. Cappucino Cowl it is then.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-oGjgSY_pl_o\/VL1STLsmmQI\/AAAAAAAADXY\/akZCs6qDkug\/s640\/blogger-image--551380203.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-oGjgSY_pl_o\/VL1STLsmmQI\/AAAAAAAADXY\/akZCs6qDkug\/s640\/blogger-image--551380203.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThere are no decent photos of me wearing it, or of its full length, as the light is so dodgy at the time of year. But it looks quite delicious rolled up, I think. And I wore it today - it's very cosy :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YgCmVghu1xI\/VL1ScsH3OHI\/AAAAAAAADX4\/ciw25uRcWfw\/s640\/blogger-image--305383798.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YgCmVghu1xI\/VL1ScsH3OHI\/AAAAAAAADX4\/ciw25uRcWfw\/s640\/blogger-image--305383798.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIsn't it great how you can draw inspiration even from a pack of random and mostly-dried-up pens :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-bohrGV9B9D0\/VL1Ru8qHgWI\/AAAAAAAADVg\/cRKQqkBqEGE\/s640\/blogger-image--1769807744.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-bohrGV9B9D0\/VL1Ru8qHgWI\/AAAAAAAADVg\/cRKQqkBqEGE\/s640\/blogger-image--1769807744.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ECappucino or a cuppa anyone ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-LVk5fJvQFZM\/VL1SfDHQPiI\/AAAAAAAADYA\/PUkUhcrsbVU\/s640\/blogger-image-1403874473.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-LVk5fJvQFZM\/VL1SfDHQPiI\/AAAAAAAADYA\/PUkUhcrsbVU\/s640\/blogger-image-1403874473.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cu\u003ECappucino Cowl Pattern\u003C\/u\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E5 colours of DK yarn\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E5mm hook\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ENote: pattern is in UK terminology\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAbbreviations:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Esl-st slip-stitch\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Ech chain\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Ech-space chain-space\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Edc double-crochet\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Etr treble-crochet\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EChain 257. (Counts as 256 ch plus 1 dc)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ERow 1 : dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in every st to end.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; sl-st to top of first dc of previous round, to form a loop (ensure work is not twisted)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ERow 2: ch 3, 2tr in st at base of ch3, (skip 3, ch 1, 3tr in next st) to end. ch 1, sl-st to top of ch3.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ERow 3: c\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003Eh 3, 2tr in ch-space at base of ch3, (ch 1, 3tr in next ch-space) to end. ch 1, sl-st to top of ch3. Fasten off.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003ERow 4: with new colour , join in any ch-space. ch 3,\u0026nbsp;2tr in ch-space at base of ch3, (ch 1, 3tr in next st) to end. ch 1, sl-st to top of ch3.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003ERow 5: ch 3, 2tr in ch-space at base of ch3, (ch 1, 3tr in next st) to end. ch 1, sl-st to top of ch3. Fasten off.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ERow 6-22: repeat rows 4-5, changing colour every 2 rows. **\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ERow 23: ch1, dc in every st to end\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ETo finish:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EUse the loose end of yarn at the very start to slipstitch or sew onto the end of the foundation row of chains, this closes the little gap that was left.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESew in all ends.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EBlock or press lightly with a medium iron, depending on care instructions for your yarn\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E** I changed yarn after every two rows of granny trebles, so my pattern was\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E- dc row in Mocha\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E- 10 granny rows in (mocha, mocha, meadow, meadow, spice, spice, camel, camel, pink, pink) twice\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E- 2 more rows of granny trebles in mocha\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E- finished with a dc row in mocha\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1912065985541024594\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/cappuccino-cowl.html#comment-form","title":"29 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1912065985541024594"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1912065985541024594"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/cappuccino-cowl.html","title":"Cappuccino Cowl"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-K9kn9RHs4gI\/VL1ShYEB54I\/AAAAAAAADYI\/fauxZb_JCeM\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1677890137.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"29"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6803978206349977367"},"published":{"$t":"2015-01-16T22:56:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-01-16T23:12:26.717+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Five on Friday"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Five on Friday"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"For Five on Friday today I thought I'd share with you some crocheted items that I made before I started blogging. It's only been around 18 months but some of these projects feel like years ago. Off we go then on a (fairly recent) nostalgia trip ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EChildren's hats ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-vJLLxUwnWjU\/VLmAH8HLplI\/AAAAAAAADU8\/RwkD1lK7spU\/s640\/blogger-image-2120467345.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-vJLLxUwnWjU\/VLmAH8HLplI\/AAAAAAAADU8\/RwkD1lK7spU\/s640\/blogger-image-2120467345.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EMinecraft creeper, Hello Kitty, and a Minion. Pretty much sums up my Little Peeps - a die-hard gamer likely to explode any second, a pretty cutie-pie and a mischievous small thing. They don't wear these any more, they are either too small or no longer considered cool, but I will keep them for sentimental value, I think :) I used lots of Pinterest ideas for inspiration, but just made them up as I went along. After all I had life size models trying them on every 10 minutes.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E✿\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETeddy blankets ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-T6g_BRo5j5I\/VLl06ajMqYI\/AAAAAAAADUM\/BFv3e3HDSkI\/s640\/blogger-image-1715883720.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-T6g_BRo5j5I\/VLl06ajMqYI\/AAAAAAAADUM\/BFv3e3HDSkI\/s640\/blogger-image-1715883720.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThese little blankets were my first attempt at granny squares, and also my first foray into blocking. I made them both on holidays in Northern Ireland, and the crocheting was done largely on the beach.\u003Cbr \/\u003EYes, there are beaches in Northern Ireland, and yes it's sometimes even warm enough to sit on them. With the safety net of a beach tent though, you never know where the next rain cloud is coming from.\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe blue blanket is being modeled by Ted - Little Tomboy's teddy. I've blogged about Ted before, he's quite a character. Our 4th child I think. Yesterday I played Snakes and Ladders with Little Tomboy. Ted played too. (I won, in case you're wondering. I wasn't too popular). Today, Little Tomboy informed me that I had to leave her curtains closed all day, as Ted was having a lie-in.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EFlopsy, Little Miss' rabbit-teddy, is snuggled under the pink blanket. Flopsy is as equally loved, but a bit more shy, and a lot less demanding.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E✿\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EGranny Square Cowl\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-k9IEr6Zids8\/VLmAFuA0OiI\/AAAAAAAADU0\/obNLa39Cu4A\/s640\/blogger-image-2042730703.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-k9IEr6Zids8\/VLmAFuA0OiI\/AAAAAAAADU0\/obNLa39Cu4A\/s640\/blogger-image-2042730703.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI made this just over a year ago, late in the winter of 2013. It was my first flirtation with James C Brett Marble Chunky. I have a love-hate relationship with this yarn. I adore how it looks, and feels, but I find working with it quite irritating. That being said I have since bought it again so I guess it can't be that bad. When I made this cowl, I just wanted to make Something, but wasn't sure exactly what. I tried a few different things and wasn't happy with any of them. In the end it was more a sort of \"sod it I'll just make granny squares and do something with them\" type of project. And so the cowl was created. I hated it. It just wasn't right. Too stiff, too curly, and I didn't like the colour-changing-granny effect. However it was the warmest scarf-like thing I had last winter and I wore it constantly. Now it has softened up beautifully, become a wardrobe staple and of course I've grown to love it.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E✿\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFirst Fingerless Mitts\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-lDXidQnl4MM\/VLmAAwLjo3I\/AAAAAAAADUk\/XTKPs5R2Riw\/s640\/blogger-image--1235946453.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-lDXidQnl4MM\/VLmAAwLjo3I\/AAAAAAAADUk\/XTKPs5R2Riw\/s640\/blogger-image--1235946453.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOh, these mitts are a dilemma. I made them really just to use up some Aran wool that my friend gave me when her mother-in-law cleared out her loft. And I mean Aran as in that creamy stuff my Mum made me too-tight jumpers with and then forced me to wear them - shudder). The pattern was from Simply Crochet, I think, and I also embellished them with a heart. I was really happy with them when finished, and they are fabulously warm. BUT I hate the colour. Sigh. It's exactly the colour of a plaster cast. I broke my wrist a few years ago and had a cast for 7 weeks (nightmare - couldn't drive, write, lift laundry, type properly, cook, dry my hair, putting on my bra was a contortionist act) and when I wear these mitts I look like I've broken both wrists. I keep waiting for someone to ask me what I've done. Oh and they get super grubby super quick. But they're soooooooo cosy to wear.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E✿\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EChunky Poncho\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-reXCSIMdgSg\/VLl_-Zx1hkI\/AAAAAAAADUc\/Qo5ST1434YI\/s640\/blogger-image--953875071.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-reXCSIMdgSg\/VLl_-Zx1hkI\/AAAAAAAADUc\/Qo5ST1434YI\/s640\/blogger-image--953875071.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThis was another trial with James C Brett and his marble chunky. James, James, James. Could you not have made it a bit less fuzzy and splitty ? Well it's not really splitty, it's just I find it so hard to distinguish the stitch outline to know where to put the hook. The poncho was made from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.garnstudio.com\/lang\/us\/pattern.php?id=5488\u0026amp;lang=us\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis Drops pattern\u003C\/a\u003E. (If you've never visited the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.garnstudio.com\/lang\/en\/kategori_oversikt.php\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDrops pattern website\u003C\/a\u003E before, go and have a browse, there are loads of free patterns, I highly recommend it). I'm not the right shape to carry a poncho off that well in public in front of other actual people, but it's a winner for wearing in front of the telly :) I love the colours here, gorgeous earthy tones, and it is gloriously snuggly and warm. James, perhaps your marble chunky isn't so bad after all.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ci style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EI'm joining in with Five on Friday, thankyou to \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAmy\u003C\/a\u003E for organising :) You can visit the other bloggers taking part by clicking the links below.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"il\"\u003EAmy\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;from Love Made My Home\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/cjabovetheriver.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003ECJ from Above The River\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/mygardendiaries.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003ENicole from My Garden Diaries\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/elisabetpollock.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003EBeth from The Whimsical Dowager\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lifeatsylvanhouse.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003EAlison from Life At Sylvan House\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6803978206349977367\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/five-on-friday.html#comment-form","title":"15 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6803978206349977367"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6803978206349977367"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/five-on-friday.html","title":"Five on Friday"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-vJLLxUwnWjU\/VLmAH8HLplI\/AAAAAAAADU8\/RwkD1lK7spU\/s72-c\/blogger-image-2120467345.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"15"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-465771305554563744"},"published":{"$t":"2015-01-13T16:20:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-01-16T23:13:36.735+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cooking"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"random"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Settling Back In"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIt's been a week since my last blog-post. It's a bit like confession isn't it, and I'm not even Catholic.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EWe've been gently lowering ourselves back into the murky waters of early mornings and school runs, after a lovely Christmas break.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-yURMvvaqjUo\/VLVFsGnfn_I\/AAAAAAAADTw\/M4uhoCxareo\/s640\/blogger-image--123875654.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-yURMvvaqjUo\/VLVFsGnfn_I\/AAAAAAAADTw\/M4uhoCxareo\/s640\/blogger-image--123875654.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe early starts are a killer for me, I'm not a morning person, so that part of the routine is always challenging, but at this time of year, when it's still dark when I get up, and still dark upon leaving for school in the morning, it seems really hard. Thankfully all the after-school clubs haven't re-started yet, so the Mum-taxi service to and from football, basketball, dancing, gymnastics, drama, or - my favourite - sewing club - has yet to resume service. I'm not a big club fan, I survived quite well without attending every club going, but it just seems to have worked out this way, and I suppose I should be happy that they like to try different things. Just the girls though, Little Man is a home bird, no clubs for him!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI seem to done a lot of pottering about this last week, sorting, clearing out, doing all those post-Christmas\/New Year jobs like rehoming old toys, donating old books and shredding old paperwork. Jobs that are very therapeutic but don't exactly make for riveting reading.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-FtZ2jp69L9Q\/VLVFNey2nfI\/AAAAAAAADSg\/ffi3C-hlFaE\/s640\/blogger-image-1646921326.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-FtZ2jp69L9Q\/VLVFNey2nfI\/AAAAAAAADSg\/ffi3C-hlFaE\/s640\/blogger-image-1646921326.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI spent a pleasant hour or two sorting out my crochet books and magazines. They're in the top part of my old bureau, the fold down desk-y bit broke so I can't stuff random paperwork in there any more. Instead I have all my crochet literature (which is much prettier and far more important than those silly old bills and bank statements) all filed and on display.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-DVPtMmJTTH4\/VLVFbK_7keI\/AAAAAAAADTI\/_4aIsHx5GFs\/s640\/blogger-image-1649474509.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-DVPtMmJTTH4\/VLVFbK_7keI\/AAAAAAAADTI\/_4aIsHx5GFs\/s640\/blogger-image-1649474509.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAlthough, and now I'm talking to you Simply Crochet, what's with the stark black top part of the spine on issue 27? Bring back the properly coloured colours please. Thankyou.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe slow cooker has been earning it's keep. As a vegetarian family with one child who does't like \"shiny\" sauces - you know, the sort that have gravy, flour, cornflour, roux type bases - we eat a lot of tomatoey based meals from the slow-cooker.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003ELast night was (meat-free) meatball pasta bake, tonight is quorn paprika, tomorrow the other half of the mixture for tonight's dinner will become a lasagne. And later this week we'll have jacket potatoes done in the slow-cooker.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Mj4IA3h68kU\/VLVFYjLVkgI\/AAAAAAAADTA\/xD8sMlCgCF8\/s640\/blogger-image-1129278959.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Mj4IA3h68kU\/VLVFYjLVkgI\/AAAAAAAADTA\/xD8sMlCgCF8\/s640\/blogger-image-1129278959.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI love that you can bung something in it in the morning, or even the night before, and it's just ready and waiting patiently for you at tea-time. So you don't get that \"oh groan what will we have for tea tonight\" feeling at 5pm. If anyone has any vegetarian non-shiny non-tomatoey sauce slow-cooker recipes, fire them over please! Always looking for new ideas :) By the way, is it \"tea-time\" or \"dinner-time\" in your house ? I always say tea-time, I have VERY vivid memories of my Mum shrieking \"TEA'S READY!!!!!!\" repeatedly, and getting annoyed if we didn't come straight away. In a very similar way to myself nowadays.... So maybe it's the Northern Irish way to say \"tea-time\" ? I'm sure my Southern English Mum friends say dinner-time.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-EToxxVo4SFc\/VLVFRFRM7WI\/AAAAAAAADSo\/hvHknex9Ekc\/s640\/blogger-image--94626783.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-EToxxVo4SFc\/VLVFRFRM7WI\/AAAAAAAADSo\/hvHknex9Ekc\/s640\/blogger-image--94626783.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EOn the crochet-front I've started a hat. For myself. I love hats, but not on me. I can't work out if it's because I wear glasses, or is my face too round-y ? Anyway, I thought I'd tailor-make myself one. I'm totally making it up as I go along, it's so great when you can try it on pretty much every round! I'm using a really gorgeous deep berry red Sirdar wool-blend DK. But to speed things up, and chunk up the hat a bit, I'm using two strands at the same time, with a 6mm hook. It's supposed to snow overnight (I have my doubts though) so I'm hoping to finish it tonight.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe playroom project (you'll be so disappointed, it's a bit funky but not that amazing) is progressing. I tried to get a decent photo of some of the squares but the light is just so bad. Here's one that is neither glaringly bright nor overly dark .......\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-ctixCIIanbU\/VLVFdltSujI\/AAAAAAAADTQ\/g4JiWY9WdV8\/s640\/blogger-image--1814556977.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-ctixCIIanbU\/VLVFdltSujI\/AAAAAAAADTQ\/g4JiWY9WdV8\/s640\/blogger-image--1814556977.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... but the teal colour on the right is a big lie. it's actually a very bright green. More like this ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-2jsWMcsgPGA\/VLVFWZPxsdI\/AAAAAAAADS4\/DwNdcppKdfQ\/s640\/blogger-image--817332178.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-2jsWMcsgPGA\/VLVFWZPxsdI\/AAAAAAAADS4\/DwNdcppKdfQ\/s640\/blogger-image--817332178.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... I love this green. What would you call it ? It's not neon, lime, sage, mint, pistachio, emerald, forest, petrol, not even really jade. Is it Mid Green ? Just \"Green\" ?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe WIP that's taken up most of my time is the cross-stitch I'm doing for Little Tomboy. She spotted this kit at Hobbycraft one afternoon, it was reduced to a fiver - bargain! - so I agreed to make it for her. I'll do an over the top reveal once I've done the last few bits and framed it somehow. Here are a few sneak peeks though ....\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ECute little flower detail in the corner ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-3ZmGPyg-afY\/VLVFiegu-NI\/AAAAAAAADTg\/6n_ema7pqNc\/s640\/blogger-image-792669110.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-3ZmGPyg-afY\/VLVFiegu-NI\/AAAAAAAADTg\/6n_ema7pqNc\/s640\/blogger-image-792669110.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003ESome of the writing yet to be outlined ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-7lgNGMIwQF8\/VLVFTQp7qDI\/AAAAAAAADSw\/dpXhlV9YXI0\/s640\/blogger-image--1347433006.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-7lgNGMIwQF8\/VLVFTQp7qDI\/AAAAAAAADSw\/dpXhlV9YXI0\/s640\/blogger-image--1347433006.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd some of the writing with completed outlining detail ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-bk8_TeBzh9w\/VLVFlL4Pq6I\/AAAAAAAADTo\/AMX_7trGemg\/s640\/blogger-image-1894770105.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-bk8_TeBzh9w\/VLVFlL4Pq6I\/AAAAAAAADTo\/AMX_7trGemg\/s640\/blogger-image-1894770105.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI love how the outlining adds so much depth to the picture.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIt's not my usual choice of picture, or style, but Little Tomboy is going to love it. Well I hope so anyway :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI'll be \"Five on Friday\"ing this week, see you then :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Exxxxxxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/465771305554563744\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/settling-back-in.html#comment-form","title":"22 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/465771305554563744"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/465771305554563744"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/settling-back-in.html","title":"Settling Back In"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-yURMvvaqjUo\/VLVFsGnfn_I\/AAAAAAAADTw\/M4uhoCxareo\/s72-c\/blogger-image--123875654.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"22"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6123195019748640623"},"published":{"$t":"2015-01-06T21:38:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-01-06T21:40:44.924+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"A Year In Books"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"books"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A Year In Books - January 2015"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EIt's so tempting to leap aboard every blogging band-wagon with gay abandon, I read so many interesting and varied posts, and think how fun they sound. But posts take time to write, and I do want to try and keep my blog primarily-craft-and-especially-crochet focused. Plus, if I joined in with every linky-up thing I would spend all my time blogging and not doing any actual doing. And that would mean not crocheting. And that would be Not Good.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EThe theme though that I do constantly find myself thinking about is The \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/circleofpinetrees.com\/year-books-information\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYear In Books\u003C\/a\u003E organised by Laura at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/circleofpinetrees.com\/year-in-books-january-2015\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECircle of Pine Trees\u003C\/a\u003E. I've often seen posts linking back to this, usually with eye-catching photos of book covers positioned at jaunty angles. I do some of my reading on my kindle and just assumed that photos of it would just be really duuuuuulllll ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E.... however I was blog-hopping this morning - as you do - and read \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/littlehouseinthecorner.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/10\/a-year-in-books.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis post\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;by Shelley at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/littlehouseinthecorner.blogspot.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Little House In The Corner\u003C\/a\u003E - another lovely crafty crochet homey blog. Shelley provided me with a solution to the boring kindle photo - arrange the kindle artfully on a pile of colourful crochet! Genius! Simple genius, but genius nonetheless. Why had I not thought of this before ? And now there's no stopping me from blogging about books, so here we go .....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-0t3soCfTwq8\/VKu02rPVkjI\/AAAAAAAADRo\/-tZ3a-ozJ4Q\/s640\/blogger-image--1422711292.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-0t3soCfTwq8\/VKu02rPVkjI\/AAAAAAAADRo\/-tZ3a-ozJ4Q\/s640\/blogger-image--1422711292.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAs a child I devoured books. I couldn't get enough of them. From Enid Blyton to Lewis Carroll, Anna Sewell to Judy Blume, I'd read anything. I continually had books on loan from the library, and asked for them for birthdays and Christmas. My reading continued through school, whilst at university and during my office-working life (not actually AT work I hasten to add), but nowadays life seems to have got in the way of reading much. I'd like to rectify this, so hopefully joining in with A Year in Books will give me that push that I need to get back on board the reading train.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\"\u003E✿\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI'm being stupidly over ambitious and aiming for 3 books a month. Yes, yes, I know I'm running before I can walk, but let me explain. My three books a month fall into these categories:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris, given to me over a year ago for Christmas by a friend.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECharity shop purchases - I keep buying them and not actually reading them.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EKindle backlog - again I keep buying them and not actually reading them.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI'd like to read one from every category every month. And inspired by \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/littlehouseinthecorner.blogspot.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EShelley\u003C\/a\u003E I thought it might be fun to have, as\"props\" for the photos, whatever crochet projects I'm currently working on.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-3XiY4YSFVUw\/VKwMeMWr7vI\/AAAAAAAADSI\/yOo-pz47omU\/s640\/blogger-image--1473377013.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-3XiY4YSFVUw\/VKwMeMWr7vI\/AAAAAAAADSI\/yOo-pz47omU\/s640\/blogger-image--1473377013.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESo, a bit more detail about the books I've chosen for January. From the Sookie Stackhouse books, I'm just finishing the third, Club Dead, and this month I plan to read book 4, \"Dead to the World\". They sound a bit grim don't they. They're actually surprisingly cheery, and a very light read. Think chick-lit with a southern vampire twist. The stories are all centred on Sookie Stackhouse (no surprises there) who lives in a version of today where Vampires have \"come out\" as it were, and live openly in day to day society in normalcy if not harmony with people. Each book is a story in itself, although each does contain minor references to previous books.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EI probably wouldn't have chosen these for myself.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003EI'm not a huge fan of vampire tales, but I had read Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series and my friend knew I'd enjoyed them (the films not so much). As with the Twilight books, I would say that the Sookie Stackhouse series is probably more favoured by the late teenage market, however some of my favourite books would be aimed at that market too, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.philip-pullman.com\/books\/his-dark-materials\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPhilip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy\u003C\/a\u003E being a perfect example, so I think its ok for an - ahem- 40-something - grown adult to enjoy them too :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-l8wJpPQRZno\/VKwMYaTcaGI\/AAAAAAAADR4\/8SGujA3ICDE\/s640\/blogger-image-966839987.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-l8wJpPQRZno\/VKwMYaTcaGI\/AAAAAAAADR4\/8SGujA3ICDE\/s640\/blogger-image-966839987.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EDead to the World is pictured next to some yellow solid grannies, squares for a Top Secret Project for the Little Peeps, unfortunately I've built up its part too much and they're expecting a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/2012\/07\/crochet-playgrounds-by-toshiko-horiuchi-macadam\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ecolossal crochet play arena\u003C\/a\u003E or something. They're going to be disappointed. Oh well.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\"\u003E✿\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EFrom my charity shop backlog I'm going to give \"A Girl Named Disaster\" by Nancy Farmer a go. This looks the meatiest of my 3 choices, and it's for that reason that I'm most looking forward to it. According to the blurb (that's what my Little People call the synopsis on the back :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\"\u003Ci\u003ENhamo is an unloved and unwanted orphan who determines to leave her village rather than face a hateful marriage. Alone for the first time in her life, she paddles upriver towards Zimbabwe in her canoe\u003C\/i\u003E.\"\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EHmmm. Better get the tissues handy. I love books like this. Books that transport you to another place, another climate, another culture. Books that immerse you in a world radically different to that in which you live day to day. Can't wait to get into this one.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-O5WdJnaOtfA\/VKwMgxHiU4I\/AAAAAAAADSQ\/nxMltIPTMg4\/s640\/blogger-image--1188264198.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-O5WdJnaOtfA\/VKwMgxHiU4I\/AAAAAAAADSQ\/nxMltIPTMg4\/s640\/blogger-image--1188264198.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EA Girl Named Disaster is shown with a backdrop of Autumn Blanket, yes I know it's not been autumn for ages, but who cares ?!.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\"\u003E✿\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EFinally I've chosen something a bit lighter from my kindle - \"The Great Christmas Knit-Off\" by Alexandra Brown, on a recommendation from Clare at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/summerhousebythesea.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/12\/year-in-books.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESummerhouse by The Sea\u003C\/a\u003E. (Thanks Clare!). Clare took part in A Year in Books last year, and this was her December read.\u0026nbsp;Despite having 3 billion (ok, 108) books already on my kindle, I bought it last week (when it was technically still Christmas), and yes I know that buying a new kindle book does not reduce the backlog. Must try harder next month.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe Great Christmas Knit-Off will be a bit of light-hearted fun, I hope. And let's face it, with a title like that it has to be entertaining.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PscuIw-1rds\/VKwMb2FLGsI\/AAAAAAAADSA\/N8tFwyFuMuA\/s640\/blogger-image-588813801.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PscuIw-1rds\/VKwMb2FLGsI\/AAAAAAAADSA\/N8tFwyFuMuA\/s640\/blogger-image-588813801.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EThe Great Christmas Knit-Off is shown nestled in a very very variegated scarf which is a very very nearly finished very very late Christmas present, in fact for the friend that bought me the Sookie Stackhouse books. Ooooh nice link back to the top of my post there :) How convenient :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, hirakakupro-w3, osaka, 'ms pgothic', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\"\u003E✿\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EMust dash, lots of reading to do :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003Exxxxxxxx\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6123195019748640623\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/a-year-in-books-january-2015.html#comment-form","title":"23 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6123195019748640623"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6123195019748640623"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/a-year-in-books-january-2015.html","title":"A Year In Books - January 2015"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-0t3soCfTwq8\/VKu02rPVkjI\/AAAAAAAADRo\/-tZ3a-ozJ4Q\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1422711292.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"23"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1583483174087239297"},"published":{"$t":"2015-01-02T20:52:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-01-06T21:41:53.976+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"craft"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Twinkly Tealight Holders"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Qh1_yUdejzY\/VKcly7iO_YI\/AAAAAAAADPo\/NpHg_maOf9c\/s640\/blogger-image--2014740461.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Qh1_yUdejzY\/VKcly7iO_YI\/AAAAAAAADPo\/NpHg_maOf9c\/s640\/blogger-image--2014740461.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EBack in December, when I was drowning in a sea of tinsel, wrapping paper, and pine needles, I'd seen a brilliant post over at Christina's blog A Colourful Life (http:\/\/christinascolourfullive.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/11\/sunday-evening-catch-up.html), and then, another lovely post on a really similar theme over at Gillian's Tales From a Happy House blog (http:\/\/www.talesfromahappyhouse.com\/2014\/12\/alpine-tea-light-holders.html).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-AcWKi_kXIs0\/VKcmH6-dK2I\/AAAAAAAADQw\/5njtMVF_DXk\/s640\/blogger-image-912579283.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-AcWKi_kXIs0\/VKcmH6-dK2I\/AAAAAAAADQw\/5njtMVF_DXk\/s640\/blogger-image-912579283.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EBoth posts featured empty glass jars of some type, varying colours of tissue paper and watery glue .... the making of tealight holders. What fun :) I mean, who wouldn't enjoy designing a tealight holder and then making it in the comfort of your own kitchen with Christmas sweets to hand ? The answer to that question is that apparently 11 year old boys with autism don't enjoy it. Tantrums a-plenty. The mess; the scissors being too blunt, too big, too small; the paper not cutting right; the colour being wrong; the pieces not being square ..... but you live and learn, eh ?! So it was just us girls then.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qTVMV5iuKnY\/VKcmDquVnjI\/AAAAAAAADQg\/NsmF-GnO1lI\/s640\/blogger-image-412234700.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-qTVMV5iuKnY\/VKcmDquVnjI\/AAAAAAAADQg\/NsmF-GnO1lI\/s640\/blogger-image-412234700.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe set about making a design each on paper first. Mainly so I could gather all the necessary materials without twenty questions at the same time. \u0026nbsp;And if you are a 10 year old girl it is practically the Law that all design type projects require One Direction pencils. Luckily Little Miss has a few.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-GSKCNw3iz4Q\/VKcmKfUFdvI\/AAAAAAAADQ4\/QISp782bgwY\/s640\/blogger-image-1598058017.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-GSKCNw3iz4Q\/VKcmKfUFdvI\/AAAAAAAADQ4\/QISp782bgwY\/s640\/blogger-image-1598058017.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELittle Miss was the self-proclaimed expert, having done decopatching (to use the grown-up term) at both school and Brownies. She is the most laid back of my children and just got on with it, a lovely quick sketch of a rainbow and then she just dived straight in.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-1HHTuiDQHN8\/VKcl8pTX0iI\/AAAAAAAADQI\/a8JZDAfsUfo\/s640\/blogger-image-573264069.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-1HHTuiDQHN8\/VKcl8pTX0iI\/AAAAAAAADQI\/a8JZDAfsUfo\/s640\/blogger-image-573264069.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELittle Tomboy is a bit fussier, and wanted a very precise design (oh groan - precise usually spells disaster in 7 year olds I've found - expectation rarely matches end result. I helped her design a Stampy-Cat face (those of you with Minecrafters may know what I'm on about) which luckily she was very happy with once its decopatching interpretation was complete.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Kcrp4F-54ck\/VKcl-8JgZ4I\/AAAAAAAADQQ\/w6OECHimBN0\/s640\/blogger-image--1502616573.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Kcrp4F-54ck\/VKcl-8JgZ4I\/AAAAAAAADQQ\/w6OECHimBN0\/s640\/blogger-image--1502616573.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI went for a sort of glowing heart against a cool blue backdrop. No sketch. Life on the edge. All we needed was some\u0026nbsp; empty jars (rummage in the garage), ordinary tissue paper (rummage in children's craft box), children's paint brushes (rummage in paint sets and give several brushes a good wash - yuck), and watered down PVA glue. I was fairly unscientific, I used maybe about 1 part water to 2 parts PVA but I think I should have made it more watery. Another lesson learned! Our materials were gathered, we got stuck in to choosing paper, and then chopping it up.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pmY8q7bzaf0\/VKcl4Yoq6YI\/AAAAAAAADP4\/2ybG-G0RZvk\/s640\/blogger-image-1560081612.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pmY8q7bzaf0\/VKcl4Yoq6YI\/AAAAAAAADP4\/2ybG-G0RZvk\/s640\/blogger-image-1560081612.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThen it's just a case of pasting and layering. I guess there are a million and one ways to achieve differing effects, but we kept it simple. Paste some glue over an area of the jar, lay on a small square, paste some glue over it to sort of seal it, repeat. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Totally relaxing, really calming, very zen. You can't really go wrong. And if you do, just pick it off, or cover it up, or go with the flow and change your design as you go along.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Rf34ifWgYOw\/VKclsY9uFhI\/AAAAAAAADPQ\/iGaIjqWAmpU\/s640\/blogger-image-1193811615.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Rf34ifWgYOw\/VKclsY9uFhI\/AAAAAAAADPQ\/iGaIjqWAmpU\/s640\/blogger-image-1193811615.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KJdSh-p-A80\/VKclqCMHIqI\/AAAAAAAADPI\/0KgOyKOQOnQ\/s640\/blogger-image--750667356.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KJdSh-p-A80\/VKclqCMHIqI\/AAAAAAAADPI\/0KgOyKOQOnQ\/s640\/blogger-image--750667356.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-k23guVGHG9c\/VKcmMoRMXEI\/AAAAAAAADRA\/MnF8TF0o8Pg\/s640\/blogger-image--1793457666.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-k23guVGHG9c\/VKcmMoRMXEI\/AAAAAAAADRA\/MnF8TF0o8Pg\/s640\/blogger-image--1793457666.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-vvVnFrx3U3g\/VKclwk4UpSI\/AAAAAAAADPg\/gWyF-JRN3zM\/s640\/blogger-image-937658318.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-vvVnFrx3U3g\/VKclwk4UpSI\/AAAAAAAADPg\/gWyF-JRN3zM\/s640\/blogger-image-937658318.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HTqKAvidSXc\/VKcmPO5LoeI\/AAAAAAAADRI\/3oKpm9TGWyQ\/s640\/blogger-image-250097673.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HTqKAvidSXc\/VKcmPO5LoeI\/AAAAAAAADRI\/3oKpm9TGWyQ\/s640\/blogger-image-250097673.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ELoads of fun. I may or may not have continued on my own for an hour after Little Miss and Little Tomboy wandered off .......\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EI did another 4 (yes, f.o.u.r) jars, er, I mean tealight holders, one to represent each season.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EFor winter, a blue background with a few stars twinkling through.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EFor spring, some tulips against a light greeny-blue background.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EFor summer, greens, blues, and pinks in a rainbow affair.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EFor autumn, orange, red, and purple to resemble fiery tones.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EAs the afternoon grew darker, and I realized I really should stop messing about and cook something for tea, I called it a day - it was time to light the candles - hurray :D\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-GyIbjIQ2FPY\/VKcvOMNdBXI\/AAAAAAAADRY\/TkxJ_7ik4Mk\/s640\/blogger-image--1169537756.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-GyIbjIQ2FPY\/VKcvOMNdBXI\/AAAAAAAADRY\/TkxJ_7ik4Mk\/s640\/blogger-image--1169537756.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-fOMDyYE_cyY\/VKcmBGFdKNI\/AAAAAAAADQY\/sc015DCwLgE\/s640\/blogger-image--54377458.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-fOMDyYE_cyY\/VKcmBGFdKNI\/AAAAAAAADQY\/sc015DCwLgE\/s640\/blogger-image--54377458.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-9oowoNZStRs\/VKcl1LC-8lI\/AAAAAAAADPw\/z8TuNDL3QzY\/s640\/blogger-image--33132192.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-9oowoNZStRs\/VKcl1LC-8lI\/AAAAAAAADPw\/z8TuNDL3QzY\/s640\/blogger-image--33132192.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ySN2A9z543I\/VKcl6aj6eoI\/AAAAAAAADQA\/hFtnA4SX_A8\/s640\/blogger-image-678321439.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ySN2A9z543I\/VKcl6aj6eoI\/AAAAAAAADQA\/hFtnA4SX_A8\/s640\/blogger-image-678321439.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GQB51nOWHo8\/VKcmFp7htaI\/AAAAAAAADQo\/hNJ1CD9UINg\/s640\/blogger-image-1106715372.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GQB51nOWHo8\/VKcmFp7htaI\/AAAAAAAADQo\/hNJ1CD9UINg\/s640\/blogger-image-1106715372.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EAaaah lovely. Don't you love the soft twinkliness glowing through the semi opaque layers of colour. Very calming, and soooo pretty :)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WP_enx7SCBE\/VKclulIFsyI\/AAAAAAAADPY\/vRqMioY34Dg\/s640\/blogger-image--1396525433.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WP_enx7SCBE\/VKclulIFsyI\/AAAAAAAADPY\/vRqMioY34Dg\/s640\/blogger-image--1396525433.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1583483174087239297\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/twinkly-tealight-holders.html#comment-form","title":"26 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1583483174087239297"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1583483174087239297"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/twinkly-tealight-holders.html","title":"Twinkly Tealight Holders"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Qh1_yUdejzY\/VKcly7iO_YI\/AAAAAAAADPo\/NpHg_maOf9c\/s72-c\/blogger-image--2014740461.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"26"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1647276017812554272"},"published":{"$t":"2014-12-31T17:16:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-12-31T17:34:29.046+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"bag"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Children's Granny Square Bags"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-htzq0RrAamc\/VKQvS4QPYCI\/AAAAAAAADOQ\/M7vqHHkpk80\/s640\/blogger-image-1817285854.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-htzq0RrAamc\/VKQvS4QPYCI\/AAAAAAAADOQ\/M7vqHHkpk80\/s640\/blogger-image-1817285854.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EThere was just enough time today for a couple of quick makes - the last of 2014. It's so cold and frosty outside, I wanted to play with some lovely warm colours, and, having decided to make a little bag for each of my girls, I asked them to choose 3 or 4 colours apiece. Little Miss chose her usual palette of zingy pinks, and greeny-blues ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wGPQInX5NBk\/VKQvINo2zYI\/AAAAAAAADNw\/MacxOghYRkw\/s640\/blogger-image-145964626.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wGPQInX5NBk\/VKQvINo2zYI\/AAAAAAAADNw\/MacxOghYRkw\/s640\/blogger-image-145964626.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... whereas Little Tomboy went for the rather less girly primary colours ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hvYGMBaVX6U\/VKQvFp18sqI\/AAAAAAAADNo\/He-Fa5T3r3w\/s640\/blogger-image-2131567613.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hvYGMBaVX6U\/VKQvFp18sqI\/AAAAAAAADNo\/He-Fa5T3r3w\/s640\/blogger-image-2131567613.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-IUfC1JTix90\/VKQvAs79o8I\/AAAAAAAADNY\/w2VsQmkST0k\/s640\/blogger-image-230854688.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-IUfC1JTix90\/VKQvAs79o8I\/AAAAAAAADNY\/w2VsQmkST0k\/s640\/blogger-image-230854688.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EEach bag is made up of two simple 6-round granny squares, and one big long strip which forms the sides, base, and strap. This strip is just 2 long rows of (UK) half-trebles, and joined to the granny squares using a double-crochet along 3 sides.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-7fEcDfRVVw0\/VKQvVHdHiOI\/AAAAAAAADOY\/1CPprgWGtbQ\/s640\/blogger-image-79717257.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-7fEcDfRVVw0\/VKQvVHdHiOI\/AAAAAAAADOY\/1CPprgWGtbQ\/s640\/blogger-image-79717257.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe bags are lined with fabric from my stash - flowery for Little Miss ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-z1BfrwV66rs\/VKQvM8ANZXI\/AAAAAAAADOA\/NHtR1q0u4i8\/s640\/blogger-image--992792130.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-z1BfrwV66rs\/VKQvM8ANZXI\/AAAAAAAADOA\/NHtR1q0u4i8\/s640\/blogger-image--992792130.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... and a sort of goldy colour for Little Tomboy.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-LnvV9YGR7qk\/VKQvXasoUrI\/AAAAAAAADOg\/5KAphlrIQ70\/s640\/blogger-image--1033296977.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-LnvV9YGR7qk\/VKQvXasoUrI\/AAAAAAAADOg\/5KAphlrIQ70\/s640\/blogger-image--1033296977.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAdd a button to the front of each bag, and a fastening loop (a length of 8 or so chains) attached to the middle of the back, at the top ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-0RR9G1kRWRI\/VKQvcgttuCI\/AAAAAAAADOw\/FzRHmdMC9-g\/s640\/blogger-image-43207042.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-0RR9G1kRWRI\/VKQvcgttuCI\/AAAAAAAADOw\/FzRHmdMC9-g\/s640\/blogger-image-43207042.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-FzsKcZgK24E\/VKQvDAgwhVI\/AAAAAAAADNg\/zZGj6uNeYcU\/s640\/blogger-image--1799298039.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-FzsKcZgK24E\/VKQvDAgwhVI\/AAAAAAAADNg\/zZGj6uNeYcU\/s640\/blogger-image--1799298039.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E....and ta-da! Two sweet little granny bags :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-QkFX1U9wl4Q\/VKQvKXPuT_I\/AAAAAAAADN4\/fSY_GwVAgrE\/s640\/blogger-image--1454017499.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-QkFX1U9wl4Q\/VKQvKXPuT_I\/AAAAAAAADN4\/fSY_GwVAgrE\/s640\/blogger-image--1454017499.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-6d3pZ5R3dqc\/VKQvZifYCcI\/AAAAAAAADOo\/-aQMJr0Z8Fw\/s640\/blogger-image-231429955.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-6d3pZ5R3dqc\/VKQvZifYCcI\/AAAAAAAADOo\/-aQMJr0Z8Fw\/s640\/blogger-image-231429955.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-m8rMY3Rhl20\/VKQvQuu4LmI\/AAAAAAAADOI\/ZaYJFkd-fSs\/s640\/blogger-image--1633869575.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-m8rMY3Rhl20\/VKQvQuu4LmI\/AAAAAAAADOI\/ZaYJFkd-fSs\/s640\/blogger-image--1633869575.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWell, that's it for 2014 :) May you all have a happy and peaceful 2015\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1647276017812554272\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/children-granny-square-bags.html#comment-form","title":"14 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1647276017812554272"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1647276017812554272"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/children-granny-square-bags.html","title":"Children\u0026#39;s Granny Square Bags"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-htzq0RrAamc\/VKQvS4QPYCI\/AAAAAAAADOQ\/M7vqHHkpk80\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1817285854.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"14"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6929397988006867317"},"published":{"$t":"2014-12-29T16:53:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-12-29T16:53:47.561+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"random"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Day After"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EDuring the pre-Christmas rush I find myself longing for Boxing Day more even than Christmas Day. Don't get me wrong, I do love Christmas Day, and it's all about the Little People and their collective excitement, which is both joyful and exhausting in equal measure. But Boxing Day feels a lot more manageable and restful.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/--v5o2tDLBHk\/VKF86eH1LBI\/AAAAAAAADMo\/2apykNKw_ME\/s640\/blogger-image--395494540.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/--v5o2tDLBHk\/VKF86eH1LBI\/AAAAAAAADMo\/2apykNKw_ME\/s640\/blogger-image--395494540.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EI usually sleep really badly on the night of Christmas Eve, and this year was no exception - did I label everything ? Have I wrapped everything? Prepped all the veg ? Bought Brussels sprouts ? Hung the bunting ?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EIt's ridiculous. My sub-conscious brain worries far more than my conscious one does. The answer to \"Hung the bunting ?\" Was a big fat NO. But here's a photo of it anyway, it still looks pretty even in a heap on the table.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-vw60PZNGyuU\/VKFz9iNkSWI\/AAAAAAAADMQ\/Sha-L5Cdj-0\/s640\/blogger-image--715308066.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-vw60PZNGyuU\/VKFz9iNkSWI\/AAAAAAAADMQ\/Sha-L5Cdj-0\/s640\/blogger-image--715308066.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd then I was woken (for the day) at 4. Yes, 4am. By Little Tomboy totally wide awake and asking \"is it time to get up yet?\". \"No, Santa probably hasn't been yet. Try and go back to sleep\". However that didn't put her off and she asked every 10 minutes until I finally gave in at 6.15. The household is then in a state of high excitement for the rest of the day ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\"He's been he's been!\"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\"How did he know I like tomboy stuff ??!\"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\"Best loom band set EVER!\"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\"Look, look, he ate the mince pie !\"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-4TlKUJgU3rI\/VKFzkT1JBQI\/AAAAAAAADLQ\/bLcnqFU0QZU\/s640\/blogger-image-1075176238.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-4TlKUJgU3rI\/VKFzkT1JBQI\/AAAAAAAADLQ\/bLcnqFU0QZU\/s640\/blogger-image-1075176238.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E(Note the absence of festive coloured bunting in photo. Tut.)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWe have scrummy pain au chocolat and frothy cappuccinos for breakfast. Or sweets if you are 11 or under. \u0026nbsp;I have my eye on this jar when it's emptied (which should be quite soon the rate they're going at).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-qbHmBitzIHU\/VKF0AWomZ7I\/AAAAAAAADMY\/TIOZKYKgm2M\/s640\/blogger-image--775832597.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-qbHmBitzIHU\/VKF0AWomZ7I\/AAAAAAAADMY\/TIOZKYKgm2M\/s640\/blogger-image--775832597.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003ET\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Ehe excitement continues through the day as more presents are unwrapped, lego is built, new pens are used and\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003Eboard games are played. They\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;realise they can eat sweets all day without any parents being boring and saying no. On Christmas Day I am the parent who likes to say yes \u0026nbsp;....\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ECan I have another whole selection box Mum ? Yes of course!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWill you play Monster High Top Trumps with me Mummy? Yes of course!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ECan you help me with my loom bands ? Yes of course!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ECan I have another mince pie ? Yes of course!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ECan we play charades again ?\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EYes of course!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWill you help me with my new jigsaw?\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EYes of course!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWill you play my new very energetic dance game on the Xbox with me ? Yes of course!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ECan someone get me some toilet roll ? (Seriously) Yes of course!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EYes of course! \u0026nbsp;Yes of course! Yes of course!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Mj-bdqsqYXU\/VKFz1BXaiFI\/AAAAAAAADMA\/LO6lOe6-9K8\/s640\/blogger-image--1860093230.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: black;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Mj-bdqsqYXU\/VKFz1BXaiFI\/AAAAAAAADMA\/LO6lOe6-9K8\/s640\/blogger-image--1860093230.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy mother-in-law comes for the day and is great fun, and we have a long silly skype call with my family in Northern Ireland having their own chaotic Christmas Day.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI try - and fail - to ban everyone from the kitchen and cook the lunch (I succeed in the cooking part). Mother-in-law brings the desserts, she clearly can't decide on just one though and brings too many. This year we had a choice of 7 (including a really cute little Christmas cake - I'm the only one who likes it). There were 6 of us. We joked that we really need a desert trolley. And a load have gone in the freezer.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-5Tos0aTyjqU\/VKF8_XzeAHI\/AAAAAAAADM4\/7uGIH6PKLbc\/s640\/blogger-image--689227329.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-5Tos0aTyjqU\/VKF8_XzeAHI\/AAAAAAAADM4\/7uGIH6PKLbc\/s640\/blogger-image--689227329.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ECrackers are pulled at lunch, and later we race the wind-up Santa teddies that came with this year's set. Wind-up teddy Santa racing. What more could you want, really.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dcwu5hqeC0k\/VKF9D2PSmHI\/AAAAAAAADNI\/6gKg6tP_DD0\/s640\/blogger-image--709202210.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dcwu5hqeC0k\/VKF9D2PSmHI\/AAAAAAAADNI\/6gKg6tP_DD0\/s640\/blogger-image--709202210.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003ELittle Tomboy is the champion (phew, that could have gone badly).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-_ERF5aHG3Fs\/VKF9BksEoYI\/AAAAAAAADNA\/8JyZHIu1tUU\/s640\/blogger-image-2056637838.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-_ERF5aHG3Fs\/VKF9BksEoYI\/AAAAAAAADNA\/8JyZHIu1tUU\/s640\/blogger-image-2056637838.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EThey laugh and squeal at the silliness of charades, and they are STILL eating sweets, but us adults are groaning about how much we've eaten and maybe undoing a button or two (ok, I confess I changed into my pyjamas late afternoon). And it's all tremendous fun :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EBy the end of it though .... I. Am. Absolutely. Shattered.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHubby drives Mother-in-law home and I attempt to herd the Little People into bed. Ever heard that analogy about putting an octopus in a string bag ? Enough said.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy own little tradition, and it drives hubby bonkers, is to set aside my presents from him and open them in the peace that ensues once the Little People are in bed, Mother-in-law has gone home, and it's just him and me and a bottle of Baileys. Hubby really doesn't like it that I do this, but it's my one little indulgence on a day otherwise given over - and willingly so - to everyone else. \u0026nbsp;His presses to me are always brilliant - he's very thoughtful and generous, and I like to take my time over them. This year he gave me lots of lovely crafty things - including the Mollie Makes Crochet book, and a yarn cutter pendant ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-KDAiIJnI1h0\/VKF89DxsqUI\/AAAAAAAADMw\/XRXESp9mTMg\/s640\/blogger-image--586002741.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-KDAiIJnI1h0\/VKF89DxsqUI\/AAAAAAAADMw\/XRXESp9mTMg\/s640\/blogger-image--586002741.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd some practical things - a new phone (my old one is dying) and, just as excitingly - for me, anyway - a new charging plug and cable that are pink.\u0026nbsp;Hurray for girly techy\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Ethings!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-WhaFUoF4p-w\/VKFznQ221zI\/AAAAAAAADLY\/STIg8dQkcpI\/s640\/blogger-image-1138133958.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-WhaFUoF4p-w\/VKFznQ221zI\/AAAAAAAADLY\/STIg8dQkcpI\/s640\/blogger-image-1138133958.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd then the day, with all its exuberance and expectations, is over. And I go off to bed grateful and content in the knowledge that my little family are all healthy and happy.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EBoxing Day is a far more laid back affair. Having stashed their presents in their bedrooms, the Little People wake up at whatever ungodly hour they like and just play. I stay in pyjamas all day. I make cups of tea and take them back up to bed. I chat uninterrupted to hubby. I browse my new books. I mess about with hooks and yarn. I throw together a help-yourself lunch on the kitchen table. I remember this is why I bought the crackers, cheeses, pre-pack snack box thingies and salads that have been taking up valuable space in the fridge. I play the odd game with a child that needs a bit of Mummy time. I watch Christmas telly with a child that wants to snuggle for a bit.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-v4Qd_iY98Jo\/VKFzhBN8qnI\/AAAAAAAADLI\/-ZIGpor6x0I\/s640\/blogger-image--100518944.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-v4Qd_iY98Jo\/VKFzhBN8qnI\/AAAAAAAADLI\/-ZIGpor6x0I\/s640\/blogger-image--100518944.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EI potter about enjoying the relative calmness, reflecting on how fortunate we are, and I promise myself that next year I will\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Epace myself better. (Hahaha!! Who am I kidding?!)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-nH_gdYw2758\/VKFz3fVS8YI\/AAAAAAAADMI\/ixc8YVPYsX4\/s640\/blogger-image--767268724.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-nH_gdYw2758\/VKFz3fVS8YI\/AAAAAAAADMI\/ixc8YVPYsX4\/s640\/blogger-image--767268724.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6929397988006867317\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/the-day-after.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6929397988006867317"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6929397988006867317"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/the-day-after.html","title":"The Day After"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/--v5o2tDLBHk\/VKF86eH1LBI\/AAAAAAAADMo\/2apykNKw_ME\/s72-c\/blogger-image--395494540.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2877004032265990797"},"published":{"$t":"2014-12-22T18:34:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:19:05.294+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"craft"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sewing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Christmas Card Swap"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-PaZeWj3F140\/VJiABvoKDCI\/AAAAAAAADKk\/7QVPflW6BuA\/s640\/blogger-image--1003774851.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-PaZeWj3F140\/VJiABvoKDCI\/AAAAAAAADKk\/7QVPflW6BuA\/s640\/blogger-image--1003774851.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe lovely Amy from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Elovemademyhome\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;has arranged a bloggy Christmas Card Swap this year. If you haven't visited Amy's blog then you are missing out ! Amy's posts are fun and interesting, with lots of great pictures, and crafty makes :) After replying to Amy to say I'd take part, she emailed me the details of my swap-partner. I was paired with Clicky Needles (I think Clicky likes her anonymity so I'm respecting that) from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/clickyneedles.blogspot.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eclickyneedles\u003C\/a\u003E. I hadn't visited clickyneedles before, so I popped on over, and enjoyed a browse. Clicky's posts are great to read, full of family fun and knitting adventures, ooooh the knitting, her needles surely do click!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWe contacted each other and exchanged postal details. Clicky was super-quick and practically the next day I received a beautiful home-made card. It was one of the first cards that we received in fact:)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-A8HMWoN3LwM\/VJhkIXhsCnI\/AAAAAAAADKU\/kHPWrJFk57c\/s640\/blogger-image-1615500534.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-A8HMWoN3LwM\/VJhkIXhsCnI\/AAAAAAAADKU\/kHPWrJFk57c\/s640\/blogger-image-1615500534.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIsn't it fab :) So elegant and pretty, I'd never thought of making a card using embroidery thread this way, I will definitely be making some like this next year :) I\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Ewas so chuffed to receive Clicky's card, I know lots of people are opting out of the Christmas Card chaos, but I am a firm fan, and receiving a home-made (well, I am assuming Clicky did make it) card from a fellow bloggy crafter is just lovely, and it was equally as lovely to make one to send in return.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ENow. If you are reading this Clicky, please STOP! as I am about to post details of the making of my card to you! If you are anyone else, you may continue.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI'm terribly last-minute about everything so of course I only got round to making my card for Clicky yesterday, and I think I missed the last Christmas post. Honestly, I reeeeeeally annoy myself with my last-minute-ness, but I just perform better to a deadline. Yes, I will be that person still wrapping presents at midnight on Christmas Eve. I kid you not.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wpo2RNJD3VM\/VJhkGQNZhUI\/AAAAAAAADKM\/0ex5hRBKJXs\/s640\/blogger-image-536477976.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wpo2RNJD3VM\/VJhkGQNZhUI\/AAAAAAAADKM\/0ex5hRBKJXs\/s640\/blogger-image-536477976.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnyway, back to the card. I dithered about making a card with a crochet embellishment, but I have loads of Christmas cross-stitch books and booklets, so I thought I'd use one of those instead.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-9cntE7WGGY4\/VJhkCK0LC_I\/AAAAAAAADJ8\/r4ReFSUX8YI\/s640\/blogger-image-1002775126.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-9cntE7WGGY4\/VJhkCK0LC_I\/AAAAAAAADJ8\/r4ReFSUX8YI\/s640\/blogger-image-1002775126.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI decided to make the First Day of Christmas' Partridge in a Pear Tree. It was stitched whilst watching Christmas movies and eating mince pies :) Very festive :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-0emziqbA4lg\/VJhkEKDvIVI\/AAAAAAAADKE\/oGR2XBLcJTo\/s640\/blogger-image--1383998782.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-0emziqbA4lg\/VJhkEKDvIVI\/AAAAAAAADKE\/oGR2XBLcJTo\/s640\/blogger-image--1383998782.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd I put it in a rather jolly red and gold window card. I hope Clicky likes it :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2877004032265990797\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/christmas-card-swap.html#comment-form","title":"17 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2877004032265990797"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2877004032265990797"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/christmas-card-swap.html","title":"Christmas Card Swap"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-PaZeWj3F140\/VJiABvoKDCI\/AAAAAAAADKk\/7QVPflW6BuA\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1003774851.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"17"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-7521736587144296941"},"published":{"$t":"2014-12-19T21:12:00.000+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-01-03T00:24:40.899+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Five on Friday"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Five on Friday"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C!-- \u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E --\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-qNVP4nax3wA\/VJSQg99QzLI\/AAAAAAAADJo\/nTFD52MUYno\/s1600\/IMG_6069.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-qNVP4nax3wA\/VJSQg99QzLI\/AAAAAAAADJo\/nTFD52MUYno\/s1600\/IMG_6069.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFor about 20 years the same baubles decorated my Christmas tree. I'd bought a super-cheap pack from Woolworths when I was a student and couldn't really justify any fancier ones. Once I started work I was too busy having a social life to worry about improving the bauble-quality. Fast-forward a decade and a bit, Little People came along, and even having a Christmas tree up at all was a risky business, never mind any decent decorations. There was an incident one year where one of the Little Peeps\u0026nbsp;un-decorated the tree, and took every single thing off it and put in in a heap on the floor. Amazingly the tree itself has never come a cropper (yet). Anyway, as well as the Woolies' baubles, the tree has become fuller and fuller with little masterpieces from nursery, pre-school and primary school. These are of huge sentimental value to me, and evoke so many memories, but I couldn't possibly only pick five to show you.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EHowever, over the last couple of years I've acquired, either by making, being given or simply purchasing, some new ones :) \u0026nbsp;Oooooh! The extravagance! Hurrah! So without further ado, here are my Five Favourite (non children-y) Christmas Decorations .....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E1. A few years ago my Aunt gave me, for Christmas, a really lovely set of metal decorations. They're gorgeous to look at but tricky to hang on the tree as they're a bit too heavy, and the branches just bend so the decorations slide off. This snowman stands up very well on his own, doesn't he look smart :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-1ZsgR6ory0A\/VJLX5axqKcI\/AAAAAAAADJE\/J7DdDBcXURc\/s640\/blogger-image-575346973.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-1ZsgR6ory0A\/VJLX5axqKcI\/AAAAAAAADJE\/J7DdDBcXURc\/s640\/blogger-image-575346973.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E2. \u0026nbsp;On the mantelpiece stands my little miniature gingerbread house snow globe. I think this is actually Little Miss', and was given to her by Grandma, but I've commandeered it for our decorations box, I really adore it, it's so tiny and cute, just over an inch wide, but so detailed.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-0K-Hvrpmby8\/VJLX3D_TjPI\/AAAAAAAADI8\/Urs9ogHmJFs\/s640\/blogger-image-578773681.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-0K-Hvrpmby8\/VJLX3D_TjPI\/AAAAAAAADI8\/Urs9ogHmJFs\/s640\/blogger-image-578773681.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E3. My Mum gave me this reindeer, no idea why really as it wasn't part of a Christmas gift or anything, and I think he's meant to go on the tree, but I rather like him standing up, again he's on the mantelpiece. I love his sparkly antlers :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-SzOuP1-Qbz8\/VJLX7jctx2I\/AAAAAAAADJM\/BXbuUc0X9x0\/s640\/blogger-image-510162907.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-SzOuP1-Qbz8\/VJLX7jctx2I\/AAAAAAAADJM\/BXbuUc0X9x0\/s640\/blogger-image-510162907.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E4. I bought this little wooden tree-shaped hanging decoration last year. Just a supermarket purchase, but I love all the little bells in it, nothing like a good jingley-bell for Christmas.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-TEoJw6g-8MA\/VJLXxB9ct7I\/AAAAAAAADIk\/oNaUMMML-ZI\/s640\/blogger-image-204164218.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-TEoJw6g-8MA\/VJLXxB9ct7I\/AAAAAAAADIk\/oNaUMMML-ZI\/s640\/blogger-image-204164218.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E5. And I've saved the best til last. I bought this little wooden Christmas tree in Moscow about 10 years ago. We'd gone with Little Man when he was only 9 months old, to stay with friends who moved there for a couple of years. In between visiting St. Basil's, Red Square, The Kremlin and Gorky Park, our friends took us shopping, and of course everywhere were Matryoshka dolls to buy as souvenirs, and amongst them I spotted this little Christmas tree. It was February (therefore slightly strange - I thought - for it to have been on display at the market) so I had to wait for ages before I could display it :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-bjsAckMJ8bE\/VJLX1TU1TYI\/AAAAAAAADI0\/HEiOxPgU_0o\/s640\/blogger-image--1422665292.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-bjsAckMJ8bE\/VJLX1TU1TYI\/AAAAAAAADI0\/HEiOxPgU_0o\/s640\/blogger-image--1422665292.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIt's quite cute on its own but look ....... just like it's Russian doll counterpart .... it's got little nesting snowman and Santa figures! So sweet!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DFQB26e-hbs\/VJLXzZD7eKI\/AAAAAAAADIs\/yQ3o1HY1ybM\/s640\/blogger-image-1655197209.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DFQB26e-hbs\/VJLXzZD7eKI\/AAAAAAAADIs\/yQ3o1HY1ybM\/s640\/blogger-image-1655197209.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EOur tree is always up early, and I refuse to take it down until twelfth night. I often think that it seems such a shame to have the decorations up for such a short period of time, \u0026nbsp;but perhaps that's what makes them so special :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EI'm joining in with Five on Friday, thankyou to Amy for organising :) You can visit the other bloggers taking part by clicking the links below.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #0563c1; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"il\"\u003EAmy\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;from Love Made My Home\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #0563c1; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/cjabovetheriver.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #1155cc;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECJ from Above The River\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #0563c1; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/mygardendiaries.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #1155cc;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ENicole from My Garden Diaries\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #0563c1; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/elisabetpollock.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #1155cc;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBeth from The Whimsical Dowager\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #0563c1; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lifeatsylvanhouse.blogspot.co.uk\/search\/label\/Five%20on%20Friday\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #1155cc;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAlison from Life At Sylvan House\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7521736587144296941\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/five-on-friday.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7521736587144296941"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7521736587144296941"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/five-on-friday.html","title":"Five on Friday"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-qNVP4nax3wA\/VJSQg99QzLI\/AAAAAAAADJo\/nTFD52MUYno\/s72-c\/IMG_6069.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-417027626734243552"},"published":{"$t":"2014-12-14T00:20:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-12-22T21:59:24.592+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"home"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"December Days"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIs it really mid-way through December already ? Gosh it's really going by fast :) Big hello to my new readers, followers and commenters - it's always good to see a new name :) I'd also like to say that I don't usually leave such long gaps between posts - I think it's just that the light is so rubbish I don't feel terribly inspired to take many photos, and photos usually in turn inspire my posts.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-5OCN6Zc6Zx8\/VJCfSvhGADI\/AAAAAAAADH8\/mzOIzxkxjvw\/s640\/blogger-image-1750469633.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-5OCN6Zc6Zx8\/VJCfSvhGADI\/AAAAAAAADH8\/mzOIzxkxjvw\/s640\/blogger-image-1750469633.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe last week or so has been the annual chaos of school carol concerts, class parties, nativities, and Christmas jumpers for Christmas jumper day.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1FNWjsVYiXk\/VJCfM9QvldI\/AAAAAAAADHs\/2l99Cob9FbQ\/s640\/blogger-image-640296312.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1FNWjsVYiXk\/VJCfM9QvldI\/AAAAAAAADHs\/2l99Cob9FbQ\/s640\/blogger-image-640296312.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ELittle Man didn't have a Christmas jumper (well, not one that fitted him anyway) so I crocheted a snowman and sewed it onto a normal jumper :) He's quite cute, isn't he ?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-iePye1tRSCE\/VJCfVOqLCNI\/AAAAAAAADIE\/RY7DxhWoIQc\/s640\/blogger-image--2098494468.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-iePye1tRSCE\/VJCfVOqLCNI\/AAAAAAAADIE\/RY7DxhWoIQc\/s640\/blogger-image--2098494468.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI've been making scarves for presents ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OXkl8RwA0aE\/VJCfQCBaBiI\/AAAAAAAADH0\/KbJCRke5IWo\/s640\/blogger-image--1501041889.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OXkl8RwA0aE\/VJCfQCBaBiI\/AAAAAAAADH0\/KbJCRke5IWo\/s640\/blogger-image--1501041889.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E... and I rediscovered my holly bauble basket that I made last year ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-MWjxfuHEqyE\/VJCfX5uojGI\/AAAAAAAADIM\/j3VOQJcp-yI\/s640\/blogger-image-1833949730.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-MWjxfuHEqyE\/VJCfX5uojGI\/AAAAAAAADIM\/j3VOQJcp-yI\/s640\/blogger-image-1833949730.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E....\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Ethis little guy made an appearance again ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KDAQrc5fqSs\/VJCfKuH8v1I\/AAAAAAAADHk\/cco51B6dUDI\/s640\/blogger-image--1638891042.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KDAQrc5fqSs\/VJCfKuH8v1I\/AAAAAAAADHk\/cco51B6dUDI\/s640\/blogger-image--1638891042.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.... and I've got a little production line of gift bags, embellishments and washcloths on the go. No photos of those yet, but watch this space.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThere's a few more scarves to be completed, and a couple of pairs of mitts too. Over-stretching myself ? Of course! That's when I'm at my best :) Dashing off to complete another scarf now :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Exxxxxxx\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/417027626734243552\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/december-days.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/417027626734243552"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/417027626734243552"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/december-days.html","title":"December Days"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-5OCN6Zc6Zx8\/VJCfSvhGADI\/AAAAAAAADH8\/mzOIzxkxjvw\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1750469633.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2795791756545855321"},"published":{"$t":"2014-12-04T22:14:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-12-22T22:04:09.355+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"craft"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Weaving"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Loomtastic"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EYou're probably thinking \"oh no not another blog post about loom band creations\" but do not fear - it's a blog post about my new Christmas present to myself - my first actual proper real loom !! Yaaay !\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ELook look look look loooooook .........\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Kz0o2Ji3TpM\/VIDcvHZwnCI\/AAAAAAAADG4\/gVYvmZUf190\/s640\/blogger-image-1988422454.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Kz0o2Ji3TpM\/VIDcvHZwnCI\/AAAAAAAADG4\/gVYvmZUf190\/s640\/blogger-image-1988422454.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI've always loved loads of different crafts, but never ever thought of weaving before, I didn't realize that there were home-sized options, nor that you could weave with knitting yarn. That was until I read this post (http:\/\/mereknits-mereknits.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/07\/the-table-runner-is-finished.html) by lovely Meredith on her brilliant blog Mereknits.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EMaybe it was the gorgeous colours in Meredith's table-runner that grabbed me, or just the fact that here was another yarn-centric craft that I had yet to try, but the seed was sown. Over the last few months I've thought more and more about acquiring a loom of my own, and Meredith emailed me with some advice as to what to think about when deciding what to buy. After much research and reading of reviews, to cut a long story short I made a decision, and am now the proud owner of an Ashford Knitter's Loom. It's a rigid heddle table loom which folds up - this felt important because I want to be able to stow it away when not in use. (Which may be never as I am addicted already).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Yh5RHxaMuR0\/VIDcpPoRobI\/AAAAAAAADGg\/KSqlv2_YG3w\/s640\/blogger-image--1213211206.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Yh5RHxaMuR0\/VIDcpPoRobI\/AAAAAAAADGg\/KSqlv2_YG3w\/s640\/blogger-image--1213211206.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIt arrived on Tuesday and I couldn't wait to get started. I picked out a green acrylic DK from my stash for the warp yarn, and a candy floss pink acrylic DK for the weft. A month or so ago I had no clue about any of this, and obviously I'm not any kind of expert, but during the research phase I've read loads of articles and can at least understand the whole new language of weaving.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-FVKwHVyLDwI\/VIDcrA740kI\/AAAAAAAADGo\/lLOvK8oC-Ms\/s640\/blogger-image-504804026.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-FVKwHVyLDwI\/VIDcrA740kI\/AAAAAAAADGo\/lLOvK8oC-Ms\/s640\/blogger-image-504804026.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd now for the science bit. Basically here's how a rigid heddle works.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThere are two rollers and the middle bit (that looks whitish) is called a heddle. The heddle has about 80 white plastic vertical strips. Each strip has a little hole in the middle, and between the strips there is a vertical gap called a slot.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EYou decide how long and wide you want your project to be - I decided on a length of about 1.5 m, and about 6\" in width (yes I am mixing my units). The first thing you do is set up the warp threads - these are the threads that run down the length of your piece. You need to set up the full length of the warp threads at the start, you can't easily add to this later on. It's not as fiddly as it sounds,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Ebut you set the loom up with as many warp threads as your project will need, threading the first one from the end of loom through a hole in the heddle to the end of the table (if that's the right length for your project).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe next thread goes parallel to the first, from the loom to the end of the table, but this time it goes through the slot between the vertical plastic strips in the heddle. The next thread goes through a hole, the next through a slot, and so on, alternating across, as wide as you need.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ENow, once all the warp threads are set up, you don't want them flopping all over your kitchen table, so (and I think this is genius) you roll it all onto one of the rollers. In the picture below it's all rolled up on the roller on the right.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-qU8rGV9IpH4\/VIDchJvbVnI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/uFmwHqPlCrk\/s640\/blogger-image--189215348.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-qU8rGV9IpH4\/VIDchJvbVnI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/uFmwHqPlCrk\/s640\/blogger-image--189215348.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EYou then attach the loose ends onto the other roller. And it's sort of next to this roller that you do the actual weaving. \u0026nbsp;As you weave more and more rows you need to roll the fabric you've woven onto one roller to get it out of the way, and release some new not-yet-woven warp threads off the other roller, ready to be woven. It's all so compact, I always assumed looms were either huge room sized things, or else so small that they produced tiny little samples. So clever! Who knew!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-3tMEOBs0ruQ\/VIDcnFpdyCI\/AAAAAAAADGY\/yPNJmdhTdqM\/s640\/blogger-image-1459241038.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-3tMEOBs0ruQ\/VIDcnFpdyCI\/AAAAAAAADGY\/yPNJmdhTdqM\/s640\/blogger-image-1459241038.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe reason for the hole and slot thing becomes apparent as soon as you start weaving. So, remember that heddle thingy - the whitey bit with all the plastic strips, and the warp threads alternated between hole and slot ? Well, the heddle can be in a few positions: up, rest (or neutral), and down. When you move the heddle up or down, the threads in the holes are moved up or down too. But the threads in the slots always stay where they are.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ESo you move the heddle up, the hole threads go up, you weave the weft thread (side to side), one way.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThen you move the heddle down, the hole threads go down, you weave the weft back the other way.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThis is how you get the weft thread actually woven through the warp threads in that way that we all learned at school with strips of paper going over a perpendicular strip, then going under the next one, them over, then under, and so on.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-oDgX5Krk6F4\/VIDcjF-LD7I\/AAAAAAAADGI\/8u7N3GHMHrI\/s640\/blogger-image-1005783559.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-oDgX5Krk6F4\/VIDcjF-LD7I\/AAAAAAAADGI\/8u7N3GHMHrI\/s640\/blogger-image-1005783559.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ESo of course I got so carried away with the whole weaving thing, that 3 hours later I had no photographs but I did have a finished scarf :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-gCTisweP6CI\/VIDclGPjp4I\/AAAAAAAADGQ\/sbQazoOA4T0\/s640\/blogger-image--1724937887.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-gCTisweP6CI\/VIDclGPjp4I\/AAAAAAAADGQ\/sbQazoOA4T0\/s640\/blogger-image--1724937887.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI'm so pleased with myself :) I think it's pretty good for a first attempt. I'd read lots of negative reports about using acrylic yarn for weaving, but I thought I had nothing to lose for a first practice, and it seemed to work ok. The resulting fabric (I made fabric! .... I know!) is very soft, and such a different texture to knitting or crocheting, yet made with the same yarn.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI was quite heavy handed with the beating - this is where you squidge each woven row up tight to the preceding row. I think I was a bit scared of the final piece being holey so I crammed them too close together. Keeping a neat selvedge (left and right edges.... why can't they just call them edges ?) was tricky but I think this will come with practice. And I'm sure my tension left a lot to be desired, but overall, not bad eh ?!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIn other news, Little Miss had Victorian Day at school last week. They get to go to the local museum where they have a Victorian schoolroom set up complete with slates, chalk, dunce's cap and the dreaded cane! I spent a fun day at my sewing machine turning an old black top of mine, some random black cotton fabric, an old white sheet and bit of broderie anglaise type stuff that my friend gave me, into a Victorian schoolgirl outfit. It's maybe a bit more maid than schoolgirl, but she was happy.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-lMpcQRMts_s\/VIDctYAXRaI\/AAAAAAAADGw\/OzEDWDQlRAw\/s640\/blogger-image-650942404.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-lMpcQRMts_s\/VIDctYAXRaI\/AAAAAAAADGw\/OzEDWDQlRAw\/s640\/blogger-image-650942404.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe crochet hooks have been busy, scarves and washcloths for Christmas presents, and more progress on my Autumn Blanket - yes I'm aware it's really winter now but I won't tell if you won't :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Exxxxxx\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2795791756545855321\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/loomtastic.html#comment-form","title":"19 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2795791756545855321"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2795791756545855321"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/loomtastic.html","title":"Loomtastic"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Kz0o2Ji3TpM\/VIDcvHZwnCI\/AAAAAAAADG4\/gVYvmZUf190\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1988422454.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"19"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1919842255588492265"},"published":{"$t":"2014-11-24T11:19:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-11-24T20:30:58.836+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sewing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Granny Sleepover Bag"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ENo, not a bag for Granny when she comes to stay, but a crochet bag with a circular base, and sides made from granny squares.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-WRfUotav4bw\/VHOBTL3RASI\/AAAAAAAADFA\/3xdnWuQnv_4\/s640\/blogger-image--134996735.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-WRfUotav4bw\/VHOBTL3RASI\/AAAAAAAADFA\/3xdnWuQnv_4\/s640\/blogger-image--134996735.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI started this a few months ago, and yes, as usual, it was another great start with a rather slower \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Efinish.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe inspiration came from a bag I'd seen on the internet, but I can't seem to remember where, probably Pinterest. I had saved the pattern as a PDF, but on closer inspection, the bag looked as though it would be quite teeny, so I scaled it up and changed the border quite a bit. The end result is a sweet little bag that would be perfect for a girls sleepover or perhaps to stuff a mini WIP into, or even your purse, phone and keys, you know, just the necessities (assuming you are not currently in possession of a pre-school child, obviously).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-yOAxnJwc3wE\/VHOBMQ53OKI\/AAAAAAAADEo\/KzbeP-O6Xdc\/s640\/blogger-image--348040442.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-yOAxnJwc3wE\/VHOBMQ53OKI\/AAAAAAAADEo\/KzbeP-O6Xdc\/s640\/blogger-image--348040442.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWell anyway, as usual I had a rummage (great word, \"rummage\", isn't it ?) in my stash and selected some quite wintery colours. Strange, seeing as it was June. Must've known I wouldn't finish it til December :) There's a lovely dark dark blue, a deep red, a dark grey, some white and an oatmeal (aaaaah oatmeal, I would be lost without you, my favouritest of stash yarn). All were double-knitting yarns of various brands, and I used a 5mm hook.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Bo5eb6kApMo\/VHOBhdX_ekI\/AAAAAAAADFw\/rbMU2qgYjQ8\/s640\/blogger-image--732541888.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Bo5eb6kApMo\/VHOBhdX_ekI\/AAAAAAAADFw\/rbMU2qgYjQ8\/s640\/blogger-image--732541888.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe base is a flat circle with 6 rounds, and the sides are 18 granny squares in total (6 as you go round, and 3 high).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rriGIE52G1g\/VHOBX4Pk4SI\/AAAAAAAADFQ\/66Zhczu_ul4\/s640\/blogger-image--177216975.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rriGIE52G1g\/VHOBX4Pk4SI\/AAAAAAAADFQ\/66Zhczu_ul4\/s640\/blogger-image--177216975.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI made the base, then made all 18 granny squares, then joined the grannies all together to make a cylinder 6 squares round, 3 squares high.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-wa4s1hSsBvM\/VHOBKBFYQNI\/AAAAAAAADEg\/pGQZficNTZw\/s640\/blogger-image--2136213189.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-wa4s1hSsBvM\/VHOBKBFYQNI\/AAAAAAAADEg\/pGQZficNTZw\/s640\/blogger-image--2136213189.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ENext I joined the granny-cylinder to the base. \u0026nbsp;I worked out how many base stitches needed to join to each granny square (ie. the total in the final round divided by 6) and marked them with stitch markers (Simply Crochet freebie anyone ????!). My first attempt had a very baggy base so I frogged a couple of rounds of the base to make it fit together better.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-zVs4KkJy0eY\/VHOBVd_4BwI\/AAAAAAAADFI\/k58v0fg47mA\/s640\/blogger-image--839782720.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-zVs4KkJy0eY\/VHOBVd_4BwI\/AAAAAAAADFI\/k58v0fg47mA\/s640\/blogger-image--839782720.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThen I worked a few rows of border around the top edge of the granny cylinder, and finally I made and attached a drawstring.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PJF85U6JHQ8\/VHOBObgWkKI\/AAAAAAAADEw\/2bkF-Iv6O9Y\/s640\/blogger-image-498028094.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-PJF85U6JHQ8\/VHOBObgWkKI\/AAAAAAAADEw\/2bkF-Iv6O9Y\/s640\/blogger-image-498028094.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EBecause of the traditional granny square (as opposed to solid granny), the bag is quite loose and holey, so I decided to line it as well. I found a pretty red and white flowery fabric and used almost exactly a fat quarter.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-1FsZHH0Kx5c\/VHOBDKuwXqI\/AAAAAAAADEI\/kZuK9JDBMcw\/s640\/blogger-image-711643790.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-1FsZHH0Kx5c\/VHOBDKuwXqI\/AAAAAAAADEI\/kZuK9JDBMcw\/s640\/blogger-image-711643790.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI didn't have to scour the house for a compass, my large embroidery hoop was just right to trace around for the outline of the base lining piece, with a 1\/2\" seam allowance.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-QoK1CBrn1PQ\/VHOBcmxWuHI\/AAAAAAAADFg\/NA1vgVl_BJI\/s640\/blogger-image--866792286.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-QoK1CBrn1PQ\/VHOBcmxWuHI\/AAAAAAAADFg\/NA1vgVl_BJI\/s640\/blogger-image--866792286.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI had a large rectangle left for the cylinder-sides part of the lining. I gave it a nice double turned over seam (do you like the technical term there) so the top edge would look neat. And I cut out the circle for the base.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-XrHG8eTf0s8\/VHOBH0RBk3I\/AAAAAAAADEY\/p7bQ4-tmVY4\/s640\/blogger-image--410310644.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-XrHG8eTf0s8\/VHOBH0RBk3I\/AAAAAAAADEY\/p7bQ4-tmVY4\/s640\/blogger-image--410310644.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAfter a little bit of fiddling and faffing (and maybe the odd swear word and minor fingertip injury) I managed to pin the circular base to the non-circular side piece. Is this akin to \"easing in an arm\" type thing that they always talk about on the Great British Sewing Bee ?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Cd4YuhpHDb0\/VHOBfBtbv1I\/AAAAAAAADFo\/orfaWEP7UBE\/s640\/blogger-image--2104170191.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Cd4YuhpHDb0\/VHOBfBtbv1I\/AAAAAAAADFo\/orfaWEP7UBE\/s640\/blogger-image--2104170191.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI popped the lining, still wrong side out, inside the crocheted bag and hand-sewed around the top to join them together.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-FLDsGPp_Bzs\/VHOBF_YKzOI\/AAAAAAAADEQ\/JHMIivg5rls\/s640\/blogger-image--940405823.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-FLDsGPp_Bzs\/VHOBF_YKzOI\/AAAAAAAADEQ\/JHMIivg5rls\/s640\/blogger-image--940405823.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe finished bag was supposed to be a \"For Sale item\", however Little Tomboy had other ideas and asked if she could have it.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Iqk2Z7F1i4I\/VHOBaHAiDWI\/AAAAAAAADFY\/V2-JqlZYPNE\/s640\/blogger-image--277143715.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Iqk2Z7F1i4I\/VHOBaHAiDWI\/AAAAAAAADFY\/V2-JqlZYPNE\/s640\/blogger-image--277143715.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI'm not very good at this selling lark, am I ?! if I do actually manage to finish an item, one or more of the Little Peeps bat their best big puppy dog eyes at me until I give in and give up whatever masterpiece I've just finished. Which usually then gets dragged around the the floor in various guises (food receptacle, floor polisher, den-builder, costume of some sort, weapon, defensive article).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-7dRlLHlcGsw\/VHOBQ4-WeQI\/AAAAAAAADE4\/wqiDHDzXaE8\/s640\/blogger-image--1961158794.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-7dRlLHlcGsw\/VHOBQ4-WeQI\/AAAAAAAADE4\/wqiDHDzXaE8\/s640\/blogger-image--1961158794.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI could easily say no, you can't have it, but instead I take a deep breath, smile, and say Oh Go On Then :) When I am older and greyer I won't look back and think \"I wish I'd sold that bag\", instead I will remember the time they built that den and had a teddies' dressing up tea-party. And so I let them have my makes if they want, this is the stuff that memories are made of, isn't it :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EBelow is the pattern for the bag. I've tried really hard to make sure it's accurate, but if there are any mistakes, let me know :) Also I dud have an inspiration on the bag but as the sizing, border and lining etc are my own addition, I am posting this as my own pattern. Please feel free to share but if you could link back tone that would be lovely :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EGranny Sleepover Bag Pattern\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFor the Base: (nb beginning ch3 of every round counts at a tr)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EMake a magic ring.**\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ERnd 1: Ch3, 11tr into magic ring. Slip stitch to top of ch3 to join (12tr)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ERnd 2: Ch3, tr in st at base of ch3. 2tr in every tr to end (24sts)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ERnd 3: Ch3, 2tr in next tr, *tr in next tr, 2tr in next tr, repeat from * to end, join with slip-stitch to top of ch3 (36 sts)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ERnd 4: Ch3, tr in next tr, 2tr in next tr, *tr in each of next 2tr, 2tr in next tr, repeat from * to end, join with slip-stitch to top of ch3 (48 sts)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ERnd 5: Ch3, tr in next 2 tr, 2tr in next tr, *tr in each of next 3tr, 2tr in next tr, repeat from * to end, join with slip-stitch to top of ch3 (60 sts)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ERnd 6:,Ch3, tr in next 3 tr, 2tr in next tr, *tr in each of next 4tr, 2tr in next tr, repeat from * to end, join with slip-stitch to top of ch3 (72 sts)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFasten off\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFor a Granny Square: (make 18)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EMake a magic ring.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ERnd 1: Ch3, 2tr, 2ch, *3tr, 2ch . Repeat from * twice. Slip-stitch to top of ch3 to join. Fasten off.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ERnd 2: Attach new colour in a corner space.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ECh3, 2tr in corner-space, ch2, 3tr in corner-space, ch1 *3tr in corner-space, ch2, 3tr in corner-space, ch1, repeat from * twice. Slip-stitch to top of ch3 to join. Fasten off.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ERnd 3: attach new colour in a corner-space.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ECh3, 2tr in corner-space, ch2, 3tr in corner-space, ch1, 3tr in next ch-space, ch 1, *3tr in corner-space, ch2, 3tr in corner-space, ch1, 3tr in next ch-space, ch 1, repeat from * twice. Slip-stitch to top of ch3 to join.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAssembling the Bag So Far\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003EJoin all granny squares in an array of six by three squares. There are lots of ways to do this, I used a slip-stitch through the back-loops only, on the wrong side, so the seam is hidden and the squares have nice definition.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003ERightghtbsides together slip-stitch the sides to the base, you should have about 1 stitch from the base to 1 stitch of the squares around the bottom.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFor the border:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003ERow 1: Work a granny stripe around the top of the squares (a granny stripe being 3tr worked into the chain space of the previous row, and in between do 1 ch. Also work 3 tr into the corner-spaces along the top of each granny.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003ERow 2: ch3, *1tr, 1ch, sk q st. Repeat from* to end. \u0026nbsp;Slip-stitch to join. (ch gaps leave space to thread the bag tie later).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003ERow 3: 3ch, tr in every tr or ch.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003ERow 4: 2tr in every tr to end. Slip stitch to join. Fasten off. (The 2trvin every set creates a slight ruffle).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFor the drawstring.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003Efdc (foundation-double-crochet) enough stitches to go around the bag and down the side and up again, to allow it to have a carrying strap.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003E(If you don't know how to do and fdc then just do a normal row of chains and then work a dc row into that. If you can work through the pain barrier of learning fdc you won't be disappointed.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFinal assembly.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThread drawstring through gaps in round 2 of the baorder. Secure the drawstring ends together in a knot, or affix the ends of the drawstring to the base of bag (this is what I did, and I just hand sewed them securely).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFinally make up the lining if required, and hand sew in.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003E**nb if you don't know how to make a magic ring, don't panic! You can just make 4 chains then slip stitch into the first chain to join, so you have a little ring made of 4 chains. You then work into the centre of the ring.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1919842255588492265\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/granny-sleepover-bag.html#comment-form","title":"24 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1919842255588492265"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1919842255588492265"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/granny-sleepover-bag.html","title":"Granny Sleepover Bag"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-WRfUotav4bw\/VHOBTL3RASI\/AAAAAAAADFA\/3xdnWuQnv_4\/s72-c\/blogger-image--134996735.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"24"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1710735797493337193"},"published":{"$t":"2014-11-20T23:21:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-11-20T23:27:49.812+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cushion"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sewing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Pink and Blue Cushion"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWaaaaaaay back when I first started crocheting (well, ok, it was only about 18 months ago), after making a few teddy blankets and scarfy things, I decided to really go for it, live dangerously, throw caution to the wind, and make A Cushion Cover ! Whoop!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-s9--DAKIfi4\/VG53Sb_ytQI\/AAAAAAAADCo\/6bFhiWOIMvo\/s640\/blogger-image--203993416.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-s9--DAKIfi4\/VG53Sb_ytQI\/AAAAAAAADCo\/6bFhiWOIMvo\/s640\/blogger-image--203993416.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI got out my notebook and pencils and drew a little plan of the cushion cover I had in mind.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-i7gGmuGeuSQ\/VG53hoVft_I\/AAAAAAAADDo\/N7ASU1ZSzgA\/s640\/blogger-image--1157004058.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-i7gGmuGeuSQ\/VG53hoVft_I\/AAAAAAAADDo\/N7ASU1ZSzgA\/s640\/blogger-image--1157004058.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EMy stash was fairly minimal back then, so I didn't have too many colours to choose from, yet funnily enough, this is one of my favourite colour combos so far. I love the dark blue and dark pink especially, and really wish I'd noted down the brand and shade, because I have absolutely no idea what I used (and bizarrely don't even seem to have any small bits left).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe little 3 round grannies mounted up pretty quickly ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-BfRCId0SdQY\/VG53WIBM9EI\/AAAAAAAADC4\/XVmJZThm3Xw\/s640\/blogger-image-1247489214.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-BfRCId0SdQY\/VG53WIBM9EI\/AAAAAAAADC4\/XVmJZThm3Xw\/s640\/blogger-image-1247489214.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.... and my favourite oatmeal yarn (random stuff from Hobbycraft but I use it loads) was just right for the final round.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-xKsahAmQ6og\/VG53aIgvUOI\/AAAAAAAADDI\/O8NvsZhV-X4\/s640\/blogger-image-2028918190.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-xKsahAmQ6og\/VG53aIgvUOI\/AAAAAAAADDI\/O8NvsZhV-X4\/s640\/blogger-image-2028918190.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI played with the layout a bit \u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E(and gosh my pictures may not be that great now but they've definitely improved!) ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-rJnBPstBIaM\/VG53laGAiII\/AAAAAAAADD4\/OKuIMD7bp9c\/s640\/blogger-image--1142768967.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-rJnBPstBIaM\/VG53laGAiII\/AAAAAAAADD4\/OKuIMD7bp9c\/s640\/blogger-image--1142768967.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI didn't use join-as-you-go, instead I joined the squares together using double-crochet - yes it's tedious, but I simply adore the beautiful straightness of the outlines of those squares.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-mrnOYHy2EzQ\/VG53fm5gDsI\/AAAAAAAADDg\/lOXlwH1ZP-s\/s640\/blogger-image-1735355098.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-mrnOYHy2EzQ\/VG53fm5gDsI\/AAAAAAAADDg\/lOXlwH1ZP-s\/s640\/blogger-image-1735355098.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EOf course at first it all looks a bit wrinkly, but nothing that a bit of good old steam blocking won't sort out ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-NZANoDdlok8\/VG53UU8xbhI\/AAAAAAAADCw\/JqQXsjHrfyw\/s640\/blogger-image-1404942638.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-NZANoDdlok8\/VG53UU8xbhI\/AAAAAAAADCw\/JqQXsjHrfyw\/s640\/blogger-image-1404942638.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd so the front of my cushion cover was complete. All I had to do was turn it into an actual proper cover with a front, a back, an opening and a filling. Easy, right ? Er so why did it take me over a year ???!! Finally, at the weekend just gone, I made a bold decision, and rescued the poor thing from one of my many to-do piles. Also in that pile were two little blue cardigans that my girls grew out of a couple of years ago. Age 3-4 and 5-6. Aaaaahhhhh sweet.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-DAhJIqwiwpc\/VG53d4juBMI\/AAAAAAAADDY\/oraN37meIVc\/s640\/blogger-image--883582205.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-DAhJIqwiwpc\/VG53d4juBMI\/AAAAAAAADDY\/oraN37meIVc\/s640\/blogger-image--883582205.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe cardigans had been deliberately set aside to be upcycled, and they seemed like the perfect colour for the back of the cushion cover, complementing the blue accent on the front.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI fastened up the cardigans' buttons, then chopped off a chunk of the sleeves to\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Esquare them up, sewed up where I'd cut, and then cut most of the back off, leaving a large rectangle with buttons down the front.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-MVggXWyG1BA\/VG53jd17jlI\/AAAAAAAADDw\/tNdNNQc3aM0\/s640\/blogger-image-1227597828.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-MVggXWyG1BA\/VG53jd17jlI\/AAAAAAAADDw\/tNdNNQc3aM0\/s640\/blogger-image-1227597828.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI overlapped the 2 rectangles (one from each cardigan), envelope style and made up a complete cover with an off-white front, and the upcycled cardigans as the back.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-mFUTc2Rvq9U\/VG53byZaA9I\/AAAAAAAADDQ\/vPlm-8Ujazk\/s640\/blogger-image--603457080.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-mFUTc2Rvq9U\/VG53byZaA9I\/AAAAAAAADDQ\/vPlm-8Ujazk\/s640\/blogger-image--603457080.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFinally, I hand-sewed the crocheted piece onto the front of my cover, and put in an old cushion pad that I'd set aside.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-FKx-etlY7vI\/VG53YBPNecI\/AAAAAAAADDA\/ZZoHxCRO0hE\/s640\/blogger-image-392343561.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-FKx-etlY7vI\/VG53YBPNecI\/AAAAAAAADDA\/ZZoHxCRO0hE\/s640\/blogger-image-392343561.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd there you have it, my pink and blue cushion :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-yKSgPAckRZY\/VG53QfTel6I\/AAAAAAAADCg\/udUeQtM1qh0\/s640\/blogger-image--2102146088.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-yKSgPAckRZY\/VG53QfTel6I\/AAAAAAAADCg\/udUeQtM1qh0\/s640\/blogger-image--2102146088.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIt's one of those projects which, when I finally got round to completing it, it didn't really take that long, and I am left wondering why on earth it took me so long ??? And now I need to work in applying that to all the other WIPs in all those little piles around the house :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1710735797493337193\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/pink-and-blue-cushion.html#comment-form","title":"20 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1710735797493337193"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1710735797493337193"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/pink-and-blue-cushion.html","title":"Pink and Blue Cushion"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-s9--DAKIfi4\/VG53Sb_ytQI\/AAAAAAAADCo\/6bFhiWOIMvo\/s72-c\/blogger-image--203993416.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"20"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-8753406966072709189"},"published":{"$t":"2014-11-17T21:50:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-11-17T21:57:54.519+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"craft"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sewing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Mini makes"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-syTQfpA00jg\/VGptlpcYJkI\/AAAAAAAADBs\/qs8-qcEN3w4\/s640\/blogger-image--79181721.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-syTQfpA00jg\/VGptlpcYJkI\/AAAAAAAADBs\/qs8-qcEN3w4\/s640\/blogger-image--79181721.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EThis weekend was really damp and gloomy - great excuse to stay in and get crafty :) Little Miss was going to a birthday party on Saturday afternoon. Oh to be a 10 year old girl again - go to your friend's house, mess about with craft stuff, have your nails and makeup done, eat crisps and cake, and go home with a goody bag, sweets and more cake. We were just giving the birthday girl a gift voucher - \u0026nbsp;very unexciting but apparently would be very gratefully received - so I thought we should include some sweets just for something to unwrap - so naturally I had to make a little bag to put them in....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-MSqHMFbbVV0\/VGptnyppR4I\/AAAAAAAADB0\/pwNvmVrMoRY\/s640\/blogger-image--1257015230.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-MSqHMFbbVV0\/VGptnyppR4I\/AAAAAAAADB0\/pwNvmVrMoRY\/s640\/blogger-image--1257015230.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EOnce the fabric was out I decided to use a bit more to make a pincushion ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-aebDQE1lM6c\/VGpthuIQJxI\/AAAAAAAADBc\/lFBbzCw0W0E\/s640\/blogger-image--412731874.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-aebDQE1lM6c\/VGpthuIQJxI\/AAAAAAAADBc\/lFBbzCw0W0E\/s640\/blogger-image--412731874.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EMy helper added the pins. All of them. In one colour per section. Ah she is like her mother, we do like an orderly pincushion.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-IVr_V4PNAVg\/VGptjmunfBI\/AAAAAAAADBk\/w9XksZlMYvs\/s640\/blogger-image-1085337820.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-IVr_V4PNAVg\/VGptjmunfBI\/AAAAAAAADBk\/w9XksZlMYvs\/s640\/blogger-image-1085337820.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI have loads of flowers left from the Rose Blanket (http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/11\/rose-blanket.html), annoyingly they have 8 petals, not 6, so can't be as easily arranged together without big spaces in between. But 3 in a row make a perfect hair band accessory.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Cd1I8qqSPcs\/VGptp2OVWwI\/AAAAAAAADB8\/bz1fdRxNcr4\/s640\/blogger-image--341197307.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Cd1I8qqSPcs\/VGptp2OVWwI\/AAAAAAAADB8\/bz1fdRxNcr4\/s640\/blogger-image--341197307.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI crocheted a hairband for them in the apple green that I'd used for the leaf detail of the blanket - which is making a sneaky appearance above, look.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe band was a row of foundation double crochet to fit round Little Miss head, and then two or three rows of half-trebles, then the two ends joined together, and some button embellishments added.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-njOXj0ZzjOM\/VGptbaZutsI\/AAAAAAAADBE\/I9jFHgh0rkQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1805934152.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-njOXj0ZzjOM\/VGptbaZutsI\/AAAAAAAADBE\/I9jFHgh0rkQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1805934152.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI still have loads of flowers left, more headbands coming I think :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EHowever next crochet job is to wave my magic hook and turn this lot into a bag ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-kC3YlGO5Lxs\/VGptdurnIPI\/AAAAAAAADBM\/2WXvL2c3iws\/s640\/blogger-image-2104668162.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-kC3YlGO5Lxs\/VGptdurnIPI\/AAAAAAAADBM\/2WXvL2c3iws\/s640\/blogger-image-2104668162.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E... and then turn this lot into a scarf for my friend's birthday (which was last week ...... but I won't see her next week. Well that's my excuse ...)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-w9AMJy8LBvg\/VGptZUFC1dI\/AAAAAAAADA8\/rIPBR5BpCsE\/s640\/blogger-image--716266227.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-w9AMJy8LBvg\/VGptZUFC1dI\/AAAAAAAADA8\/rIPBR5BpCsE\/s640\/blogger-image--716266227.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI'm starting a new embroidered picture soon, just working out the colours and pattern. It's going to be a cross-stitch version of the name-plaque of the villa we've stayed in in Florida. It's my friend's villa and her birthday is on Christmas Eve, so it's a joint birthday-Christmas present. Really loving choosing the colours ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EEoMOl6uS-U\/VGptfjGCn9I\/AAAAAAAADBU\/i1GfV20I1BA\/s640\/blogger-image-1775358500.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EEoMOl6uS-U\/VGptfjGCn9I\/AAAAAAAADBU\/i1GfV20I1BA\/s640\/blogger-image-1775358500.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI must be in a cross-stitch mood these days because I've also just started a kit that Little Tomboy chose in a sale a few months back. Can you guess what it is ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-tfAWZDSNLQA\/VGptsMwFRHI\/AAAAAAAADCE\/rJsTeoEgqDQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1603244577.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-tfAWZDSNLQA\/VGptsMwFRHI\/AAAAAAAADCE\/rJsTeoEgqDQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1603244577.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ENo ? Well I'll show you more as it's done, so watch this space :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EHope you all have a lovely week :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Exxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8753406966072709189\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/mini-makes.html#comment-form","title":"22 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8753406966072709189"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8753406966072709189"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/mini-makes.html","title":"Mini makes"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-syTQfpA00jg\/VGptlpcYJkI\/AAAAAAAADBs\/qs8-qcEN3w4\/s72-c\/blogger-image--79181721.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"22"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-3061372120856483861"},"published":{"$t":"2014-11-13T18:15:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-11-13T22:30:58.411+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Rose Blanket"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAh the Rose Blanket. Long-suffering, much-maligned, often cursed. Ridiculously fiddly motifs, annoyingly long stitches, not enough of one colour, and much smaller than planned\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E. I can't tell you how much this flipping THING has irritated me. I didn't have a lot of love for this project during its production, can you tell ?? Don't worry though, there's a happy ending.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-dBU1dPRq4A4\/VGUtuSORiMI\/AAAAAAAAC_E\/mI1ESHv9aVY\/s640\/blogger-image-800423702.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-dBU1dPRq4A4\/VGUtuSORiMI\/AAAAAAAAC_E\/mI1ESHv9aVY\/s640\/blogger-image-800423702.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EI first spotted the pattern for the Dog-Rose Blanket in a magazine called \"Crochet Gifts\" that I bought ages ago, probably in about May of this year (haven't seen it for sale since!). It's also the pattern featured on the front of the book \"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EGranny Squares: Over 25 Creative Ways to Crochet the Classic Pattern\" by Barbara Wilder. \u0026nbsp;(\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Granny-Squares-Creative-Crochet-Classic\/dp\/1844488403\/ref=sr_1_6?s=books\u0026amp;ie=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=1415914485\u0026amp;sr=1-6\u0026amp;keywords=Granny+squares).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAfter a rummage in my stash I found I had just the right colours.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-NP5Ru2yo9Yk\/VGUuC1kgzGI\/AAAAAAAADAU\/4buwZEo3A3o\/s640\/blogger-image--1846836838.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-NP5Ru2yo9Yk\/VGUuC1kgzGI\/AAAAAAAADAU\/4buwZEo3A3o\/s640\/blogger-image--1846836838.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EHowever, there were some warning signs: I didn't like the name (I've re-christened it simply the Rose Blanket) and the baby for whom it was intended had already been born. As usual I thought \"no, no, it will be fine, I'll whip up half a dozen squares a night, be done in less than two weeks, fab\". JILL!!!!! Do you not know yourself AT ALL?????\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-YpI4uy_r-nM\/VGUtoddZqRI\/AAAAAAAAC-s\/civf0bN0GeQ\/s640\/blogger-image-756204282.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-YpI4uy_r-nM\/VGUtoddZqRI\/AAAAAAAAC-s\/civf0bN0GeQ\/s640\/blogger-image-756204282.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFirstly, I don't whip up anything when crocheting in the evening, I fiddle, faddle, get distracted with my phone, my cup of tea, the internet, the telly. Secondly, I can't produce several squares a night because I work up all the round 1's, then all the round 2's, and so on. Working this way ought to be quite efficient - less rooting around in the basket for the right colour, and you sort of get into the groove of the pattern for that round.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-xQiJZAzUNjc\/VGUt0Ej--0I\/AAAAAAAAC_c\/1X4OBWimMI4\/s640\/blogger-image-1828660195.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-xQiJZAzUNjc\/VGUt0Ej--0I\/AAAAAAAAC_c\/1X4OBWimMI4\/s640\/blogger-image-1828660195.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EOf course in reality, working up 60-odd of the same fiddly round over and over is a bit t.e.d.i.o.u.s so the distraction sets in, and cancels out the efficiency. Thirdly, try try try as I might, I find it really hard to start a project and focus on it right through to completion without starting a few more projects, and perhaps even finishing another little thing or two, along the way.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-mxSXDeHootE\/VGUt-2ozX7I\/AAAAAAAADAE\/0z239IUqMmg\/s640\/blogger-image-764625023.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-mxSXDeHootE\/VGUt-2ozX7I\/AAAAAAAADAE\/0z239IUqMmg\/s640\/blogger-image-764625023.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI plodded along with the blanket through the summer. I crocheted in the house, in the garden, in the park, just a little at a time and my little flowers began to blossom.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-cn-8UeA7ReI\/VGUt89i_-gI\/AAAAAAAAC_8\/8Re9Xj9zFuA\/s640\/blogger-image-602979491.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-cn-8UeA7ReI\/VGUt89i_-gI\/AAAAAAAAC_8\/8Re9Xj9zFuA\/s640\/blogger-image-602979491.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-sDowxcbH-Rw\/VGUtwZHTkRI\/AAAAAAAAC_M\/g6E0G9rnGBI\/s640\/blogger-image--742757049.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-sDowxcbH-Rw\/VGUtwZHTkRI\/AAAAAAAAC_M\/g6E0G9rnGBI\/s640\/blogger-image--742757049.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-XSY3Cp3q5bU\/VGUtsAks5dI\/AAAAAAAAC-8\/b7Z2h-VuNvg\/s640\/blogger-image-1939048429.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-XSY3Cp3q5bU\/VGUtsAks5dI\/AAAAAAAAC-8\/b7Z2h-VuNvg\/s640\/blogger-image-1939048429.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-FBm0DRJ4sPI\/VGUt2cHPpMI\/AAAAAAAAC_k\/Tpyyl7mb6CA\/s640\/blogger-image-1431819343.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-FBm0DRJ4sPI\/VGUt2cHPpMI\/AAAAAAAAC_k\/Tpyyl7mb6CA\/s640\/blogger-image-1431819343.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWe went away on holidays and when we got back there was my little tin of squares (well, flowers actually) waiting patiently for me to resume working on them. And so I continued working on the blanket as summer turned to autumn, and I moved from crocheting in the mild evenings outside to working inside in the warmth, and as the days grew shorter, I was by now reaching the final rounds.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-WR-u6FRUWtw\/VGUt4nvcWNI\/AAAAAAAAC_s\/Ucqek7DZLgA\/s640\/blogger-image-1771230478.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-WR-u6FRUWtw\/VGUt4nvcWNI\/AAAAAAAAC_s\/Ucqek7DZLgA\/s640\/blogger-image-1771230478.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe flowery and leafy bit of each motif - the light pink centre, dark pink ring around it, then the pale pink outer petals and the little green leafy touches, were all worked in the usual (UK) stitches - chains, doubles, half-trebles and trebles. But the final round, worked in white .... groan. Like big, major G.R.O.A.N. All the stitches in that last round were either double-treble or triple-treble. Triple treble ??!!! Whoever thought that one up needs a good talking to. Loopy, saggy, long stitches, and they take ages to do. Never Again. Ever.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-mrn3gbzqQr8\/VGUt665tBVI\/AAAAAAAAC_0\/J0EfeTdTE9g\/s640\/blogger-image-155404525.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-mrn3gbzqQr8\/VGUt665tBVI\/AAAAAAAAC_0\/J0EfeTdTE9g\/s640\/blogger-image-155404525.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EI was tempted to rip out the white and redo it in a less loopy stitch, but I couldn't face redoing the ones I'd done, so I kept going, on and on and on ...... and now\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Eseveral months after its start, it's finally finished. Hurray hurray whoop whoop etc :D\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd I must say I totally love Love LOVE it :) The colours are divine, just like a big slice of yummy cake, and the fiddliness was totally worth the effort, I think the detail is gorgeous: so delicate and yet a bit chunky at the same.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-aBtbYMtIV1w\/VGUuGpMdAVI\/AAAAAAAADAk\/ioO3fV28GYQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1754657666.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-aBtbYMtIV1w\/VGUuGpMdAVI\/AAAAAAAADAk\/ioO3fV28GYQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1754657666.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe pattern has a scalloped-y edging but I decided to stop at the two rounds of double-trebles, they give it a nice ruffle without being overly fussy.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/--u-LqzfuQXE\/VGUuEz3Z4II\/AAAAAAAADAc\/LkM6r7_Iwb4\/s640\/blogger-image-1432370933.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/--u-LqzfuQXE\/VGUuEz3Z4II\/AAAAAAAADAc\/LkM6r7_Iwb4\/s640\/blogger-image-1432370933.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe squares were all joined using the join-as-you-go method, and I love the starry effect this gives at the point where 4 corners meet.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-EZqYCwQG34g\/VGUtkDkTRiI\/AAAAAAAAC-c\/4FSe9Kw_w7M\/s640\/blogger-image--1086409046.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-EZqYCwQG34g\/VGUtkDkTRiI\/AAAAAAAAC-c\/4FSe9Kw_w7M\/s640\/blogger-image--1086409046.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI made my blanket smaller than the pattern (ok so I did run out of the light pink) but it's the perfect size for snuggling, so my snuggle expert tells me.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-uWXO5jPba-A\/VGUuAzAh2cI\/AAAAAAAADAM\/15qIBzsM8G0\/s640\/blogger-image-815992927.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-uWXO5jPba-A\/VGUuAzAh2cI\/AAAAAAAADAM\/15qIBzsM8G0\/s640\/blogger-image-815992927.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe pattern called for 63 squares, for a 9x7 blanket, but mine is 30 squares, for a 5x6 blanket.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-WkeYQWyJcuk\/VGUtqOqG7yI\/AAAAAAAAC-0\/Um_agbf7tR4\/s640\/blogger-image--1812411661.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-WkeYQWyJcuk\/VGUtqOqG7yI\/AAAAAAAAC-0\/Um_agbf7tR4\/s640\/blogger-image--1812411661.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIt's going to reside draped over the back of a dark grey wicker chair I have in my front room, and I love the contrast of the white over the dark grey. The edging is meant to lay flat, but I like the softness of the ruffled edge so I am not going to block it .... what a rebel, eh ?!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-NPswoJOxTaM\/VGUtme7K0vI\/AAAAAAAAC-k\/F2wi950gdZI\/s640\/blogger-image--1184136961.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-NPswoJOxTaM\/VGUtme7K0vI\/AAAAAAAAC-k\/F2wi950gdZI\/s640\/blogger-image--1184136961.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003ENow it gets a bit embarrassing really. Long story short - the blanket was meant for one baby - then it got too late really - and then for a second baby - but it's getting a bit late for that too now (and no I still haven't made anything else for them. I'm rubbish at deadlines). Plus I think the blanket is just a bit too holey for a baby, I know what little fingers and little fingernails are like for catching in things, and I already caught one of those stupid triple-trebles on a door handle, so it's not really that practical for a baby. Also my husband suggested that the parents really won't appreciate all the effort that went into it, as it was hours and hours and hours of work, and I think he's right. So I've decided to keep it :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd the snuggle-tester is very happy about that - can you spot her underneath ?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-txSWxSDYy0M\/VGUtyImhIMI\/AAAAAAAAC_U\/5rRN-MGR3cw\/s640\/blogger-image-588399044.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-txSWxSDYy0M\/VGUtyImhIMI\/AAAAAAAAC_U\/5rRN-MGR3cw\/s640\/blogger-image-588399044.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3061372120856483861\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/rose-blanket.html#comment-form","title":"27 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3061372120856483861"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3061372120856483861"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/rose-blanket.html","title":"Rose Blanket"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-dBU1dPRq4A4\/VGUtuSORiMI\/AAAAAAAAC_E\/mI1ESHv9aVY\/s72-c\/blogger-image-800423702.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"27"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2858729957191537344"},"published":{"$t":"2014-11-11T11:14:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-11-13T22:26:50.714+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Armistice Day"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Poppies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remembrance"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Remembrance"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-4oBARiH3kNw\/VGHvqGVoRkI\/AAAAAAAAC-M\/SOfXXCMV8pw\/s640\/blogger-image-1688589867.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-4oBARiH3kNw\/VGHvqGVoRkI\/AAAAAAAAC-M\/SOfXXCMV8pw\/s640\/blogger-image-1688589867.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EIn Flanders Fields\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EBy Major John McCrae\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EMay 1915\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"poem\" style=\"margin-bottom: 2em; margin-left: 13px; margin-top: 0.4em;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EIn Flanders fields the poppies blow\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EBetween the crosses, row on row,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EThat mark our place; and in the sky\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EThe larks, still bravely singing, fly\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EScarce heard amid the guns below.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe are the Dead. Short days ago\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003ELoved and were loved, and now we lie\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EIn Flanders fields.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003ETake up our quarrel with the foe:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003ETo you from failing hands we throw\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EThe torch; be yours to hold it high.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EIf ye break faith with us who die\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EWe shall not sleep, though poppies grow\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EIn Flanders fields.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"poem\" style=\"margin-bottom: 2em; margin-left: 13px; margin-top: 0.4em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"poem\" style=\"margin-bottom: 2em; margin-left: 13px; margin-top: 0.4em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003ExXx\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe shall remember them.\u003Cbr \/\u003ExXx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2858729957191537344\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/remembrance.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2858729957191537344"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2858729957191537344"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/remembrance.html","title":"Remembrance"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-4oBARiH3kNw\/VGHvqGVoRkI\/AAAAAAAAC-M\/SOfXXCMV8pw\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1688589867.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2681847095639998550"},"published":{"$t":"2014-11-10T11:04:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:23:05.177+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"random"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"yarn"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Stress-busting"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EDo you ever open a \"new blog post\" page and then think ...... crikey, what have I actually Got Done in the last week ? Yep, me too. Is it really nearly a week since I last posted? Well, that went by in a flash. In a flash of stress I think - poor Little Man was massively unsettled returning to school after a week off for half-term. Lots of tears and panic. I love having the Little People at home, and enjoy the more relaxed days of half-term, but that first week back ? It's never fun. However he seemed happier today, so fingers crossed.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Zicxkc59LFY\/VGCbp_IlZWI\/AAAAAAAAC9s\/akoiBNYTBWw\/s640\/blogger-image--1481064419.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Zicxkc59LFY\/VGCbp_IlZWI\/AAAAAAAAC9s\/akoiBNYTBWw\/s640\/blogger-image--1481064419.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ESo what does a good hooker do when she is feeling stressed ? That's right! Buy yarn!!! I'm thinking scarves and mitts for most of that lot. For Christmas. Well I'm telling myself that anyway ...\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ZBOsvOmXK1k\/VGCbt4-wStI\/AAAAAAAAC98\/8aYBMu4GPpc\/s640\/blogger-image--487247974.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ZBOsvOmXK1k\/VGCbt4-wStI\/AAAAAAAAC98\/8aYBMu4GPpc\/s640\/blogger-image--487247974.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EObviously just buying yarn wasn't enough so I had a nosy round the charity shops too. I've had these artificial lilies since we moved house yeeeeears ago - I bought them so we could have the fresh-flower-look while we had people viewing the house that we were selling, but without actually having to replace the flowers every week. Currently they stand in a tall vase in my hall next to the front door. Over the years they have become a bit more battered and a couple have broken, so I was really chuffed to find these deep raspberry coloured beauties. They fill up the vase really rather well, and the addition of some colour completely changes the look. In the next shop I spotted this cute little mini-pitcher, and a selection of napkins - always handy to top up the fabric stash :) And the whole lot was less than a fiver! Bonkers! (Wish I could say the same about the yarn .....)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-DSqjq6THmtQ\/VGCbiSxTWDI\/AAAAAAAAC9U\/3upVW7mXiaI\/s640\/blogger-image--2025076621.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-DSqjq6THmtQ\/VGCbiSxTWDI\/AAAAAAAAC9U\/3upVW7mXiaI\/s640\/blogger-image--2025076621.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI mentioned in my last post I'd been playing with lilac, green and white .... isn't that a winning combo :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-zPAAJCUiBfI\/VGCboBW88DI\/AAAAAAAAC9k\/nEpTyhZD6_8\/s640\/blogger-image--1276339037.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-zPAAJCUiBfI\/VGCboBW88DI\/AAAAAAAAC9k\/nEpTyhZD6_8\/s640\/blogger-image--1276339037.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ENaturally being in a state of medium stress necessitates lots of crochet therapy. And I am soooooooo nearly finished my rose-blanket. I've gone through loving it then hating it, then leaving it for weeks untouched, then feeling all motivated and doing a load more, then realizing I'd run out of the pink and needed more but had no clue what I'd used (naughty hooker! Must be more organized) then accepting it would have to be smaller, and am currently really motivated and on the final push to get it done. Before the baby it's for starts school or something.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-DmtVv7AkzAk\/VGCbgvulYHI\/AAAAAAAAC9M\/HPHZkl4OUTw\/s640\/blogger-image-802785557.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-DmtVv7AkzAk\/VGCbgvulYHI\/AAAAAAAAC9M\/HPHZkl4OUTw\/s640\/blogger-image-802785557.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI've sewn in all the ends (yes I know I should have done it as I went along), and am working on the border.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-vhZ6LqfGXg8\/VGCbk_Kh0cI\/AAAAAAAAC9c\/SgCE5Fg4oxY\/s640\/blogger-image-387991716.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-vhZ6LqfGXg8\/VGCbk_Kh0cI\/AAAAAAAAC9c\/SgCE5Fg4oxY\/s640\/blogger-image-387991716.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIt's looking really rather pretty I think :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-KpCpyxAyhYE\/VGCbr91BrpI\/AAAAAAAAC90\/Ntxq7ZrYztM\/s640\/blogger-image--1048286098.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-KpCpyxAyhYE\/VGCbr91BrpI\/AAAAAAAAC90\/Ntxq7ZrYztM\/s640\/blogger-image--1048286098.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe blocking bit, and it does need it, is filling me with dread, but I'm really hoping I can do a big ta-dah this week :)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThanks for all your get well wishes for the Little Peeps, they are all better now and have very kindly shared their germs with good old Mum. Lemsip anyone ? Cheers :) xxxxxxx\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2681847095639998550\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/stress-busting.html#comment-form","title":"21 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2681847095639998550"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2681847095639998550"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/stress-busting.html","title":"Stress-busting"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Zicxkc59LFY\/VGCbp_IlZWI\/AAAAAAAAC9s\/akoiBNYTBWw\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1481064419.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"21"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6663630761094681456"},"published":{"$t":"2014-11-04T20:47:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-11-04T21:09:04.004+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"colour"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"random"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Finding the Colour"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EHalf-term is over, Inset day (teachers in for training, children still off) is over, so normal service resumes, yes ? No! One child off with a cold, one sent home feeling poorly, but one still at school so In(and the poorly ones) still had the school run to do. Gah. My day of unfettered access to my crochet hook didn't quite go as planned. The weather outside was damp and grey, but there was plenty of colour to be found in the emerald cottage ......\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E♥ f\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Elowers I bought at the weekend\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zpYIb9I7yYo\/VFk7cbSIxtI\/AAAAAAAAC8g\/4fDrdAKiQW4\/s640\/blogger-image--916037393.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zpYIb9I7yYo\/VFk7cbSIxtI\/AAAAAAAAC8g\/4fDrdAKiQW4\/s640\/blogger-image--916037393.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥ r\u003C\/span\u003Eecent progress on my Autumn Blanket\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-GlZLtytgi7A\/VFk7WDUMJqI\/AAAAAAAAC8I\/DLyCsOdDoPc\/s640\/blogger-image-1966158619.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-GlZLtytgi7A\/VFk7WDUMJqI\/AAAAAAAAC8I\/DLyCsOdDoPc\/s640\/blogger-image-1966158619.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥ p\u003C\/span\u003Elaying with these yummy colours\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-YUcyMePFIKg\/VFk7YJlwcrI\/AAAAAAAAC8Q\/5Hu2iRs3ceY\/s640\/blogger-image--1657637313.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-YUcyMePFIKg\/VFk7YJlwcrI\/AAAAAAAAC8Q\/5Hu2iRs3ceY\/s640\/blogger-image--1657637313.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥ f\u003C\/span\u003Einding a pot for my wiggly scissors\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-HCXF8buKyOs\/VFk7RxO4cBI\/AAAAAAAAC74\/MxBCs44G9zs\/s640\/blogger-image-1958000343.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-HCXF8buKyOs\/VFk7RxO4cBI\/AAAAAAAAC74\/MxBCs44G9zs\/s640\/blogger-image-1958000343.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥ s\u003C\/span\u003Epotting my new buttons\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-D0Qs5F6RfOc\/VFk7PrQckjI\/AAAAAAAAC7w\/lJejMiW_zaA\/s640\/blogger-image--1193084932.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-D0Qs5F6RfOc\/VFk7PrQckjI\/AAAAAAAAC7w\/lJejMiW_zaA\/s640\/blogger-image--1193084932.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥ some\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003EBrownies badges to be sewn on\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-U1DMNfLXhkg\/VFk7aO8U2oI\/AAAAAAAAC8Y\/MqFKk3x1JIY\/s640\/blogger-image--1966803040.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-U1DMNfLXhkg\/VFk7aO8U2oI\/AAAAAAAAC8Y\/MqFKk3x1JIY\/s640\/blogger-image--1966803040.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥ a\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;gorgeous rainbow against the dark grey sky\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-mnypbVF2Slk\/VFk7T6FlbsI\/AAAAAAAAC8A\/KsQM6PXP22c\/s640\/blogger-image-957664049.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-mnypbVF2Slk\/VFk7T6FlbsI\/AAAAAAAAC8A\/KsQM6PXP22c\/s640\/blogger-image-957664049.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EWhat colour did you find in your day today ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Exxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6663630761094681456\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/finding-colour.html#comment-form","title":"19 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6663630761094681456"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6663630761094681456"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/finding-colour.html","title":"Finding the Colour"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zpYIb9I7yYo\/VFk7cbSIxtI\/AAAAAAAAC8g\/4fDrdAKiQW4\/s72-c\/blogger-image--916037393.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"19"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-568975274497654072"},"published":{"$t":"2014-11-01T23:34:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-11-02T20:10:10.439+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Halloween"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Cap-sleeve Cardigan"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EFor Halloween, Little Miss required a bright pink waistcoat. Yes, I could have bought some fabric and run one up (ish) on the sewing machine, but I had loads of neon pink wool in my stash, and due to its verging-on-the-hideous, I can't see it being used for much else. Of course this then presented me with the perfect crochet opportunity - stash-busting specific item, hurrah :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-GmTEBous7xE\/VFVtqAg3cjI\/AAAAAAAAC6M\/foFLvOJvjeM\/s640\/blogger-image-380645656.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-GmTEBous7xE\/VFVtqAg3cjI\/AAAAAAAAC6M\/foFLvOJvjeM\/s640\/blogger-image-380645656.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI trawled ravelry, Pinterest, books, and magazines for a waistcoat design, and finally happened upon a pattern for a baby jacket in my brilliant One Skein Wonders book. (I say My book as in my copy, I didn't actually write it or anything impressive like that). The design is called the Dancing Poppies Mini Bolero, but is really a short-sleeved cardigan. The pattern is highly adaptable, very easy and worked in one piece from the top down.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OhBaEGqI8kk\/VFVt8InB8EI\/AAAAAAAAC7U\/lT3Jd5XOUyw\/s640\/blogger-image-1199603203.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OhBaEGqI8kk\/VFVt8InB8EI\/AAAAAAAAC7U\/lT3Jd5XOUyw\/s640\/blogger-image-1199603203.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI have to be honest, I'm not overly pleased with it. For a start the yarn is Just. Awful. It was given to me ages ago, I simply can't turn down yarn of any sort, and this sort is pretty bad. Quite splitty, veeeery plasticky (you know that horrid squeak of plastic yarn on metal hook....), and garish in colour. Shocking pink indeed. However, it did fit the bill for the pink vampire outfit.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-hl6AntNs8Ls\/VFVt0uDZtII\/AAAAAAAAC60\/iZTvGiMA7aI\/s640\/blogger-image-2146988759.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-hl6AntNs8Ls\/VFVt0uDZtII\/AAAAAAAAC60\/iZTvGiMA7aI\/s640\/blogger-image-2146988759.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI had to increase the depth of the top-to-shoulder piece to allow it to fit a nearly 10 year old, basically by crocheting a few more rows, and increasing a little every 3rd row. The bottom section which is the main front, back and sides are then worked and I added a couple of extra rows of the mesh. I left too large a gap for the armholes so I would make that smaller next time. But otherwise I guess it's not too bad for a last minute speed crochet garment :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-FZ-iP58skcA\/VFVtn1owzpI\/AAAAAAAAC6E\/DgYNlQ96syA\/s640\/blogger-image--1142398544.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-FZ-iP58skcA\/VFVtn1owzpI\/AAAAAAAAC6E\/DgYNlQ96syA\/s640\/blogger-image--1142398544.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-bRLqa-3aDqA\/VFVtwiOKBoI\/AAAAAAAAC6k\/Y7r5oSeD8Cg\/s640\/blogger-image-880412328.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-bRLqa-3aDqA\/VFVtwiOKBoI\/AAAAAAAAC6k\/Y7r5oSeD8Cg\/s640\/blogger-image-880412328.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-oIHdbSRogI4\/VFVtsSbo0SI\/AAAAAAAAC6U\/oxZKegR9IXs\/s640\/blogger-image--916614025.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-oIHdbSRogI4\/VFVtsSbo0SI\/AAAAAAAAC6U\/oxZKegR9IXs\/s640\/blogger-image--916614025.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-3J_L3jRI0cY\/VFVtuqKN_CI\/AAAAAAAAC6c\/qBwMXFGPACo\/s640\/blogger-image-1519902899.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-3J_L3jRI0cY\/VFVtuqKN_CI\/AAAAAAAAC6c\/qBwMXFGPACo\/s640\/blogger-image-1519902899.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe next step was to bling it up a bit, Halloween style. I cut out a small bat template, it's about 2 inches across. Then pinned the template to some scraps of black felt and cut out six little bats.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-leX2eWNDmLY\/VFVt4ayoVmI\/AAAAAAAAC7E\/IB9zSVTOgk4\/s640\/blogger-image-711273289.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-leX2eWNDmLY\/VFVt4ayoVmI\/AAAAAAAAC7E\/IB9zSVTOgk4\/s640\/blogger-image-711273289.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-7vERTJ17Wbc\/VFVt-FbQHwI\/AAAAAAAAC7c\/0ixCAa1n3tY\/s640\/blogger-image--143783763.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-7vERTJ17Wbc\/VFVt-FbQHwI\/AAAAAAAAC7c\/0ixCAa1n3tY\/s640\/blogger-image--143783763.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DwfChH-r3Dk\/VFVt2UsgjYI\/AAAAAAAAC68\/mIb-1mloUgs\/s640\/blogger-image--1831752869.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-DwfChH-r3Dk\/VFVt2UsgjYI\/AAAAAAAAC68\/mIb-1mloUgs\/s640\/blogger-image--1831752869.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI pinned the bats at random angles onto the front of the cardigan, and then sewed them on very roughly with the sewing machine - a single line of stitches across the middle, for each bat.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-5uAbvvV34ok\/VFVt6Dq_YgI\/AAAAAAAAC7M\/TODNr8wZUlw\/s640\/blogger-image-1709414512.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-5uAbvvV34ok\/VFVt6Dq_YgI\/AAAAAAAAC7M\/TODNr8wZUlw\/s640\/blogger-image-1709414512.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rGgImrPMnzA\/VFVtl6SSm8I\/AAAAAAAAC58\/zl2PIkoePpo\/s640\/blogger-image-1908703237.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rGgImrPMnzA\/VFVtl6SSm8I\/AAAAAAAAC58\/zl2PIkoePpo\/s640\/blogger-image-1908703237.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ETa-dah! Batty pink cardigan with matching pink Halloween mitts, and obligatory fangs ....\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-gMrQoIJYs7Q\/VFVtye7BVBI\/AAAAAAAAC6s\/9RAjCN2Sb-M\/s640\/blogger-image-962403349.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-gMrQoIJYs7Q\/VFVtye7BVBI\/AAAAAAAAC6s\/9RAjCN2Sb-M\/s640\/blogger-image-962403349.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/568975274497654072\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/cap-sleeve-cardigan.html#comment-form","title":"11 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/568975274497654072"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/568975274497654072"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/cap-sleeve-cardigan.html","title":"Cap-sleeve Cardigan"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-GmTEBous7xE\/VFVtqAg3cjI\/AAAAAAAAC6M\/foFLvOJvjeM\/s72-c\/blogger-image-380645656.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"11"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-8422213288396324165"},"published":{"$t":"2014-11-01T22:32:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-11-02T20:10:53.995+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Halloween"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Hallowe'en Fun"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-BVd0bd_ch1E\/VFVfZIr8ODI\/AAAAAAAAC48\/60d2GfAYxR4\/s640\/blogger-image--2087391246.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-BVd0bd_ch1E\/VFVfZIr8ODI\/AAAAAAAAC48\/60d2GfAYxR4\/s640\/blogger-image--2087391246.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.... pumpkin lanterns ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UUqzFsn1krU\/VFVfbKVhwHI\/AAAAAAAAC5E\/kh7GVxhQuHg\/s640\/blogger-image-495471264.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UUqzFsn1krU\/VFVfbKVhwHI\/AAAAAAAAC5E\/kh7GVxhQuHg\/s640\/blogger-image-495471264.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.... making paper-chains ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-IN_nCM_G9BQ\/VFVffEpfDdI\/AAAAAAAAC5U\/0VxrRiBt-zU\/s640\/blogger-image--1022419366.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-IN_nCM_G9BQ\/VFVffEpfDdI\/AAAAAAAAC5U\/0VxrRiBt-zU\/s640\/blogger-image--1022419366.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.... careful cutting ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-S7wzfyIodaM\/VFVfQONoBYI\/AAAAAAAAC4c\/S9WYl-0zDMU\/s640\/blogger-image--1957757820.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-S7wzfyIodaM\/VFVfQONoBYI\/AAAAAAAAC4c\/S9WYl-0zDMU\/s640\/blogger-image--1957757820.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.... scary pumpkin faces ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-e5KWfs9cA24\/VFVfTxoGA5I\/AAAAAAAAC4s\/8_IulEOCseQ\/s640\/blogger-image-329626900.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-e5KWfs9cA24\/VFVfTxoGA5I\/AAAAAAAAC4s\/8_IulEOCseQ\/s640\/blogger-image-329626900.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.... knock if you dare ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-kdeNnYWaGMc\/VFVfhOYQW0I\/AAAAAAAAC5c\/rudatUdY33s\/s640\/blogger-image--346906494.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-kdeNnYWaGMc\/VFVfhOYQW0I\/AAAAAAAAC5c\/rudatUdY33s\/s640\/blogger-image--346906494.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.... treats for the tricksters ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-aMoSBPp24N4\/VFVfSJoSgHI\/AAAAAAAAC4k\/doZYQCvX574\/s640\/blogger-image--1429455180.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-aMoSBPp24N4\/VFVfSJoSgHI\/AAAAAAAAC4k\/doZYQCvX574\/s640\/blogger-image--1429455180.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.... decorating the front door ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7J2UNk96pao\/VFVfj_CKrqI\/AAAAAAAAC5k\/uBAUYg4j0FQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1638240830.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7J2UNk96pao\/VFVfj_CKrqI\/AAAAAAAAC5k\/uBAUYg4j0FQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1638240830.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.... disembodied arms ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-KvwAAOTfuTI\/VFVfGV6X3bI\/AAAAAAAAC30\/H2JBAPc8hLY\/s640\/blogger-image--199543633.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-KvwAAOTfuTI\/VFVfGV6X3bI\/AAAAAAAAC30\/H2JBAPc8hLY\/s640\/blogger-image--199543633.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.... yet more pumpkinnage ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-QBpZedUjJvo\/VFVfl8UX4KI\/AAAAAAAAC5s\/DQBdRKrhEOs\/s640\/blogger-image--1790838491.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-QBpZedUjJvo\/VFVfl8UX4KI\/AAAAAAAAC5s\/DQBdRKrhEOs\/s640\/blogger-image--1790838491.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.... shocking hair decorations ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-MTXrF7aE5lY\/VFVfIf3dpqI\/AAAAAAAAC38\/XElXkpSFmNE\/s640\/blogger-image--905118827.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-MTXrF7aE5lY\/VFVfIf3dpqI\/AAAAAAAAC38\/XElXkpSFmNE\/s640\/blogger-image--905118827.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.... going batty ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-_nrhA1wGVSw\/VFVfME6nT3I\/AAAAAAAAC4M\/z_IRSsSFIt8\/s640\/blogger-image--1720076267.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-_nrhA1wGVSw\/VFVfME6nT3I\/AAAAAAAAC4M\/z_IRSsSFIt8\/s640\/blogger-image--1720076267.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.... terrifying teeth ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Idzu6CEsIUM\/VFVfdKmd7NI\/AAAAAAAAC5M\/Fbpw84f33sc\/s640\/blogger-image--1264246996.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Idzu6CEsIUM\/VFVfdKmd7NI\/AAAAAAAAC5M\/Fbpw84f33sc\/s640\/blogger-image--1264246996.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.... scary monsters ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-x0rfm_NSdqI\/VFVfXDRuo9I\/AAAAAAAAC40\/F6NtyEFaWLo\/s640\/blogger-image--1085002458.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-x0rfm_NSdqI\/VFVfXDRuo9I\/AAAAAAAAC40\/F6NtyEFaWLo\/s640\/blogger-image--1085002458.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.... juicy fingers ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-nCEpECkrb8Q\/VFVfKLUSbCI\/AAAAAAAAC4E\/YNEX8vattzY\/s640\/blogger-image-277521344.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-nCEpECkrb8Q\/VFVfKLUSbCI\/AAAAAAAAC4E\/YNEX8vattzY\/s640\/blogger-image-277521344.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E.... happy monsters ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-G2LNRxIgmgk\/VFVfOAvzvSI\/AAAAAAAAC4U\/7BuSli9-MfQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1705239339.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-G2LNRxIgmgk\/VFVfOAvzvSI\/AAAAAAAAC4U\/7BuSli9-MfQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1705239339.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EHope you had a happy Hallowe'en too :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Exxxxxxxx\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8422213288396324165\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/hallowe-fun.html#comment-form","title":"15 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8422213288396324165"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8422213288396324165"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/11\/hallowe-fun.html","title":"Hallowe\u0026#39;en Fun"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-BVd0bd_ch1E\/VFVfZIr8ODI\/AAAAAAAAC48\/60d2GfAYxR4\/s72-c\/blogger-image--2087391246.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"15"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1983331441051795445"},"published":{"$t":"2014-10-30T20:21:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-10-31T20:38:03.463+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Cranberry Velvet Scarf"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-SKYIyzR2zHo\/VFKdqb4Qi4I\/AAAAAAAAC3U\/N6hKSpJIvo0\/s640\/blogger-image--1769944129.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-SKYIyzR2zHo\/VFKdqb4Qi4I\/AAAAAAAAC3U\/N6hKSpJIvo0\/s640\/blogger-image--1769944129.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EIt was my lovely friend's birthday yesterday, and several weeks ago - with plenty of time to spare - I started crocheting a scarf to give her as a gift. Started, with plenty of time to spare, yes, but finished ? Well yes, but only just. And I really mean o.n.l.y j.u.s.t.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-qHcYjwcnOU4\/VFKdstCMYTI\/AAAAAAAAC3c\/cGDa10IY_vU\/s640\/blogger-image-1694663092.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-qHcYjwcnOU4\/VFKdstCMYTI\/AAAAAAAAC3c\/cGDa10IY_vU\/s640\/blogger-image-1694663092.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EI\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Edon't mean only just as in the night before, I don't even mean only just as in a couple of hours before I was due to see her, no, this scarf flew hot off the hook yesterday at 13:25, straight into some wrapping paper, and my friend arrived at 13:30 for a birthday lunch!! Phew!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-g7r5FSBZD94\/VFKEs32JB6I\/AAAAAAAAC10\/KYsyv4Eji8Y\/s640\/blogger-image-1102782889.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-g7r5FSBZD94\/VFKEs32JB6I\/AAAAAAAAC10\/KYsyv4Eji8Y\/s640\/blogger-image-1102782889.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI completed just over a third of it sat at my kitchen table yesterday with This Morning on the iPad, whilst supervising Little Miss who was baking buns for the birthday girl. Birthday girl's daughter had her 6th birthday the day before so we had a bit of a tea-party lunch to celebrate both their birthdays :) The buns are Hallowe'en themed of course ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ZQmQj_1qmKw\/VFKEx0QBDPI\/AAAAAAAAC2E\/3vJrZ1NhS_s\/s640\/blogger-image--1791129097.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ZQmQj_1qmKw\/VFKEx0QBDPI\/AAAAAAAAC2E\/3vJrZ1NhS_s\/s640\/blogger-image--1791129097.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe cakes were yummy and my friend loved her scarf :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-8BRJ5cw4M74\/VFKE6N4OhnI\/AAAAAAAAC2c\/gGXIEJApDPA\/s640\/blogger-image--484505658.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-8BRJ5cw4M74\/VFKE6N4OhnI\/AAAAAAAAC2c\/gGXIEJApDPA\/s640\/blogger-image--484505658.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe pattern was a Simply Crochet one, Blue Velvet from issue 18. I used a 5.5mm hook and King Cole acrylic DK, no idea what shade as the label has gone astray. No matter, I have christened it Cranberry hence I'm calling this scarf Cranberry Velvet. I'm planning another couple of these as Christmas gifts, and I think I'll make one for myself at some stage, I don't think this mild weather will last forever - much as I'd like it to. In the meantime, here are some more Cranberry Velvet pics - enjoy :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/--Cbxj-QLy_g\/VFKFB30eD8I\/AAAAAAAAC20\/yhCNp_wPG4g\/s640\/blogger-image-474661579.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/--Cbxj-QLy_g\/VFKFB30eD8I\/AAAAAAAAC20\/yhCNp_wPG4g\/s640\/blogger-image-474661579.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-vm3baVyCMtM\/VFKE8ilt9VI\/AAAAAAAAC2k\/SDVUOw5_4No\/s640\/blogger-image-2064033331.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-vm3baVyCMtM\/VFKE8ilt9VI\/AAAAAAAAC2k\/SDVUOw5_4No\/s640\/blogger-image-2064033331.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-S1qJFEDVNeA\/VFKEvAHHo2I\/AAAAAAAAC18\/bxebthC58I0\/s640\/blogger-image-1813699756.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-S1qJFEDVNeA\/VFKEvAHHo2I\/AAAAAAAAC18\/bxebthC58I0\/s640\/blogger-image-1813699756.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-tDvI2fnOFjM\/VFKE3CP11XI\/AAAAAAAAC2U\/7XWltGGGHJw\/s640\/blogger-image--895607873.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-tDvI2fnOFjM\/VFKE3CP11XI\/AAAAAAAAC2U\/7XWltGGGHJw\/s640\/blogger-image--895607873.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KrXtq7flsIw\/VFKE0RxL-DI\/AAAAAAAAC2M\/ECuT9nDBDD4\/s640\/blogger-image--1655815819.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-KrXtq7flsIw\/VFKE0RxL-DI\/AAAAAAAAC2M\/ECuT9nDBDD4\/s640\/blogger-image--1655815819.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-xrv2w2wsdt0\/VFKE_IP0i9I\/AAAAAAAAC2s\/5ImjgPw5e4c\/s640\/blogger-image--1732107493.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-xrv2w2wsdt0\/VFKE_IP0i9I\/AAAAAAAAC2s\/5ImjgPw5e4c\/s640\/blogger-image--1732107493.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-X05AlNFc1kI\/VFKdustNYtI\/AAAAAAAAC3k\/-sRZ6ZxdkFY\/s640\/blogger-image-1864986460.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-X05AlNFc1kI\/VFKdustNYtI\/AAAAAAAAC3k\/-sRZ6ZxdkFY\/s640\/blogger-image-1864986460.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-OyuHWqmsBzc\/VFKFE9HYhcI\/AAAAAAAAC28\/vy7-E4ngm8k\/s640\/blogger-image--776136027.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-OyuHWqmsBzc\/VFKFE9HYhcI\/AAAAAAAAC28\/vy7-E4ngm8k\/s640\/blogger-image--776136027.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-fpwGXx5m4x4\/VFKFHbtx5XI\/AAAAAAAAC3E\/KGthm9xSjHw\/s640\/blogger-image--59309325.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-fpwGXx5m4x4\/VFKFHbtx5XI\/AAAAAAAAC3E\/KGthm9xSjHw\/s640\/blogger-image--59309325.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1983331441051795445\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/10\/cranberry-velvet-scarf.html#comment-form","title":"17 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1983331441051795445"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1983331441051795445"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/10\/cranberry-velvet-scarf.html","title":"Cranberry Velvet Scarf"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-SKYIyzR2zHo\/VFKdqb4Qi4I\/AAAAAAAAC3U\/N6hKSpJIvo0\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1769944129.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"17"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-5854088192049774542"},"published":{"$t":"2014-10-26T16:57:00.001+00:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-10-31T20:56:00.152+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"autumn"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"craft"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Autumn Leaves"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ld0uwn5Eq8E\/VE0nnKXVKlI\/AAAAAAAAC0c\/ChhvgIJrJo4\/s640\/blogger-image-298553384.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ld0uwn5Eq8E\/VE0nnKXVKlI\/AAAAAAAAC0c\/ChhvgIJrJo4\/s640\/blogger-image-298553384.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIsn't it funny how things come about, and often how one thing leads to another ?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-QphxqVorDUo\/VE0njTo1ByI\/AAAAAAAAC0M\/o2Ho5lsY3SE\/s640\/blogger-image--434396327.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-QphxqVorDUo\/VE0njTo1ByI\/AAAAAAAAC0M\/o2Ho5lsY3SE\/s640\/blogger-image--434396327.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI'd finished Littke Tomboy's Creeper Face Hallowe'en mitts that she'd put in an order for, and wanted some leafy embellishments for the photo - the leaves I had left from my last photo-shoot were a bit shrunken and starting to look somewhat insignificant.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-28V-9BedI3c\/VE0nhveQhyI\/AAAAAAAAC0E\/scKIYhw6xVI\/s640\/blogger-image-4898817.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-28V-9BedI3c\/VE0nhveQhyI\/AAAAAAAAC0E\/scKIYhw6xVI\/s640\/blogger-image-4898817.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ELittle Tomboy and I ventured forth onto the field to search for more leaves. She's being an aeroplane. Well, why not I suppose.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kvDz710-UgA\/VE0nldMsaWI\/AAAAAAAAC0U\/nWlgfQ3o88Y\/s640\/blogger-image--926232197.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kvDz710-UgA\/VE0nldMsaWI\/AAAAAAAAC0U\/nWlgfQ3o88Y\/s640\/blogger-image--926232197.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWe gathered lots of leaves ... beautiful earthy tones of red, brown, yellow, orange, and fabulous mixtures of colour in individual leaves going on as well. And of course there were lots of stones, feathers, and snail-shells to be collected. And to her delight we discovered pine-cones ... \"I didn't know we had a pine-cone-tree!!\" :D She is so sweet :) And I can't wait to bling up the pine cones with glitter for Christmas \u0026nbsp;....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-GKbeGGcExfU\/VE0n547nYVI\/AAAAAAAAC1c\/HRaKxgZf1nU\/s640\/blogger-image-1785833583.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-GKbeGGcExfU\/VE0n547nYVI\/AAAAAAAAC1c\/HRaKxgZf1nU\/s640\/blogger-image-1785833583.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-8SV_9wjQynw\/VE0n37st88I\/AAAAAAAAC1U\/Ts9bNXaBTU4\/s640\/blogger-image-412451686.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-8SV_9wjQynw\/VE0n37st88I\/AAAAAAAAC1U\/Ts9bNXaBTU4\/s640\/blogger-image-412451686.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-0KsTjX4tXdQ\/VE0nUfEqklI\/AAAAAAAACzM\/8RmU7FzjuSs\/s640\/blogger-image-40489503.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-0KsTjX4tXdQ\/VE0nUfEqklI\/AAAAAAAACzM\/8RmU7FzjuSs\/s640\/blogger-image-40489503.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EStill plenty of colour to be found, and we even shared a blackberry. \"It's a bit soury Mummy\" ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-s7oSG1mnY84\/VE0nK-47vAI\/AAAAAAAACyk\/rU37YwmLOU0\/s640\/blogger-image-1469186378.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-s7oSG1mnY84\/VE0nK-47vAI\/AAAAAAAACyk\/rU37YwmLOU0\/s640\/blogger-image-1469186378.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-SA38PDR26po\/VE0nYQ-Hd5I\/AAAAAAAACzc\/Rsi5Z3SWlP8\/s640\/blogger-image-312456117.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-SA38PDR26po\/VE0nYQ-Hd5I\/AAAAAAAACzc\/Rsi5Z3SWlP8\/s640\/blogger-image-312456117.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-5-2pcIJ9184\/VE0nWSM1_eI\/AAAAAAAACzU\/g_SXNq0jKNE\/s640\/blogger-image-437817493.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-5-2pcIJ9184\/VE0nWSM1_eI\/AAAAAAAACzU\/g_SXNq0jKNE\/s640\/blogger-image-437817493.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-WJMTIs_Y6bY\/VE0nt04RfVI\/AAAAAAAAC0s\/EmOVX38N-yk\/s640\/blogger-image-822532015.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-WJMTIs_Y6bY\/VE0nt04RfVI\/AAAAAAAAC0s\/EmOVX38N-yk\/s640\/blogger-image-822532015.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAfter a brief stop at the park to play on the slide, we headed for home, and laid out our autumnal treasures on the table, in order to re-shoot the creeper mitts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThere. That's more interesting now :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-wR-P7M5uPRw\/VE0ndynFrpI\/AAAAAAAACz0\/f-UqzxI7GjI\/s640\/blogger-image--2069024376.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-wR-P7M5uPRw\/VE0ndynFrpI\/AAAAAAAACz0\/f-UqzxI7GjI\/s640\/blogger-image--2069024376.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ENot wishing to be left out, Little Miss appeared and asked if we could do some leaf-rubbing. Great idea! First job - rip the paper-covering off some crayons and leave it strewn about the place for your parent to clean up later :-| Then select a nice veiny leaf, lay a sheet of paper over, and gently rub crayon (on its side) over the paper.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-g16hif_V_YQ\/VE0nMwN7J1I\/AAAAAAAACys\/T3mkFgg3Vfg\/s640\/blogger-image--503289637.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-g16hif_V_YQ\/VE0nMwN7J1I\/AAAAAAAACys\/T3mkFgg3Vfg\/s640\/blogger-image--503289637.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-NINlifXaOLE\/VE0nyDO84TI\/AAAAAAAAC08\/3SWoiAvQ-9w\/s640\/blogger-image-668773069.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-NINlifXaOLE\/VE0nyDO84TI\/AAAAAAAAC08\/3SWoiAvQ-9w\/s640\/blogger-image-668773069.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-lZD4TedOwXg\/VE0nz7QIvCI\/AAAAAAAAC1E\/ks-wUHPP5vM\/s640\/blogger-image--497970986.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-lZD4TedOwXg\/VE0nz7QIvCI\/AAAAAAAAC1E\/ks-wUHPP5vM\/s640\/blogger-image--497970986.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-VU_Yrc4EDvg\/VE0n1iqqcgI\/AAAAAAAAC1M\/pSDl5qwSRhM\/s640\/blogger-image-736500089.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-VU_Yrc4EDvg\/VE0n1iqqcgI\/AAAAAAAAC1M\/pSDl5qwSRhM\/s640\/blogger-image-736500089.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-LvOXbarxW7Q\/VE0naJle4jI\/AAAAAAAACzk\/5ZJd_EJF_3U\/s640\/blogger-image-154863011.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-LvOXbarxW7Q\/VE0naJle4jI\/AAAAAAAACzk\/5ZJd_EJF_3U\/s640\/blogger-image-154863011.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWhat to do with all these lovely leaves ? Why, make bunting of course! I'd seen this on another blog, and it really wanted to link to it here. But, try as I might, I can't find it anywhere. Don't you hate that ? So to whomever thought of this before, I thank you.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7bkwhh77tjs\/VE0nwDVpzrI\/AAAAAAAAC00\/7_RG7AVc-_4\/s640\/blogger-image--607107832.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-7bkwhh77tjs\/VE0nwDVpzrI\/AAAAAAAAC00\/7_RG7AVc-_4\/s640\/blogger-image--607107832.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWe cut the leaves out, used a hole punch to make a small hole in the top (bottom?) of each leaf, and stranded them into a piece of string, arranged so they were pointing downwards. And then we hung the finished bunting across our bookshelves in the playroom.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-wQlALMnm5nQ\/VE0nfn5hn0I\/AAAAAAAACz8\/qF0Hx-yPR2o\/s640\/blogger-image--1517922429.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-wQlALMnm5nQ\/VE0nfn5hn0I\/AAAAAAAACz8\/qF0Hx-yPR2o\/s640\/blogger-image--1517922429.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wqziN7TVWQI\/VE0nro9j2YI\/AAAAAAAAC0k\/0Nqj2QVHpes\/s640\/blogger-image-658364509.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wqziN7TVWQI\/VE0nro9j2YI\/AAAAAAAAC0k\/0Nqj2QVHpes\/s640\/blogger-image-658364509.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-OBJEZN2oxM8\/VE0nO7Qtq7I\/AAAAAAAACy0\/_6w1vcte1w4\/s640\/blogger-image--50723204.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-OBJEZN2oxM8\/VE0nO7Qtq7I\/AAAAAAAACy0\/_6w1vcte1w4\/s640\/blogger-image--50723204.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-s4UHUS-6Qp8\/VE0nScA0iiI\/AAAAAAAACzE\/pXOrHRy7Dy4\/s640\/blogger-image-1540691121.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-s4UHUS-6Qp8\/VE0nScA0iiI\/AAAAAAAACzE\/pXOrHRy7Dy4\/s640\/blogger-image-1540691121.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-BoZen6dCaO8\/VE0nb1hjsGI\/AAAAAAAACzs\/MHIRoc4PcMg\/s640\/blogger-image-1260013614.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-BoZen6dCaO8\/VE0nb1hjsGI\/AAAAAAAACzs\/MHIRoc4PcMg\/s640\/blogger-image-1260013614.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd we love the end result :) So pretty and such an easy (and relatively un-messy) craft activity.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI love how the photographing-requirements of one craft project - the creeper mitts - led to another really enjoyable and totally unplanned craft session with my girls :) But let's just have another look at the mitts shall we .... I can't get enough of that crazy colour :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-RQvKbSoBDNY\/VE0nQrORALI\/AAAAAAAACy8\/SFCPRouIxus\/s640\/blogger-image--274162217.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-RQvKbSoBDNY\/VE0nQrORALI\/AAAAAAAACy8\/SFCPRouIxus\/s640\/blogger-image--274162217.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5854088192049774542\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/10\/autumn-leaves.html#comment-form","title":"13 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5854088192049774542"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5854088192049774542"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/10\/autumn-leaves.html","title":"Autumn Leaves"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ld0uwn5Eq8E\/VE0nnKXVKlI\/AAAAAAAAC0c\/ChhvgIJrJo4\/s72-c\/blogger-image-298553384.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"13"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6364510005206938434"},"published":{"$t":"2014-10-22T15:20:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-10-31T20:59:30.645+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"autumn"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"home"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Hallowe'en Hands"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-x_FoX2sL2n0\/VEe9JHo02UI\/AAAAAAAACwc\/8vDhHoJaU6w\/s640\/blogger-image--414200657.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-x_FoX2sL2n0\/VEe9JHo02UI\/AAAAAAAACwc\/8vDhHoJaU6w\/s640\/blogger-image--414200657.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EChristmas is coming and the goose is getting fat,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EPlease put a penny in the old man's hat.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIf you haven't got a penny then a ha'penny will do,\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd if you haven't got a ha'penny, God bless you!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThat's the rhyme we used to chant at Hallowe'en when I was a lass, we didn't have trick or treating back then, and the braver children (of which I was not one) would go round the doors chanting the rhyme, essentially asking for money! The cheek!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIn fact we had trick or treaters call at our door here LAST WEEK!!!! 2 whole weeks early, and I'm pretty sure they were chancing their arm for some cash, not just for chocolate or sweets. I gave them short shrift, I can tell you.\u0026nbsp;To be fair though I had just bought pumpkins and had them on display in the porch, so perhaps they thought it was worth a try. It wasn't.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-mnSHvqHZid8\/VEe9LhkQuUI\/AAAAAAAACwk\/tru6LSjXtaI\/s640\/blogger-image--1781937465.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-mnSHvqHZid8\/VEe9LhkQuUI\/AAAAAAAACwk\/tru6LSjXtaI\/s640\/blogger-image--1781937465.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GJSobtNnshg\/VEgGAfv9HVI\/AAAAAAAACxE\/LRtUXXxLvVM\/s640\/blogger-image-1938170387.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GJSobtNnshg\/VEgGAfv9HVI\/AAAAAAAACxE\/LRtUXXxLvVM\/s640\/blogger-image-1938170387.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI usually buy 3 pumpkins - one for each Little Person - at the last minute, carve them hastily, shove them in the window on the 31st, then take them away the next day, and chuck them out. All that effort for one evening. This year I decided to buy them well in advance so I can really enjoy their vibrant colour on the front porch. A Good Move - I'm loving the cheery welcome every time I arrive home. My pyracanthas and cotoneaster are in full berry-bloom too, gorgeous autumnal reds, oranges, and golds.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Km1adUpDyoY\/VEgGO6KoW0I\/AAAAAAAACx0\/oKIDMX4facs\/s640\/blogger-image--735898131.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Km1adUpDyoY\/VEgGO6KoW0I\/AAAAAAAACx0\/oKIDMX4facs\/s640\/blogger-image--735898131.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-lyDMtL9mISI\/VEgGTHTOKRI\/AAAAAAAACyE\/yvPiTgE9_FA\/s640\/blogger-image-738669687.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-lyDMtL9mISI\/VEgGTHTOKRI\/AAAAAAAACyE\/yvPiTgE9_FA\/s640\/blogger-image-738669687.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-OogdXbuF8QY\/VEgGC_0AVsI\/AAAAAAAACxM\/2ZrpUwG3FNc\/s640\/blogger-image-616371944.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-OogdXbuF8QY\/VEgGC_0AVsI\/AAAAAAAACxM\/2ZrpUwG3FNc\/s640\/blogger-image-616371944.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--EylwQQ8mrA\/VEgGJf0pAnI\/AAAAAAAACxk\/c78KTvscf9g\/s640\/blogger-image-310998377.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/--EylwQQ8mrA\/VEgGJf0pAnI\/AAAAAAAACxk\/c78KTvscf9g\/s640\/blogger-image-310998377.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-aNZ2Ht_w4I4\/VEgF8C_VVuI\/AAAAAAAACw0\/No57TtRnXSA\/s640\/blogger-image-460192838.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-aNZ2Ht_w4I4\/VEgF8C_VVuI\/AAAAAAAACw0\/No57TtRnXSA\/s640\/blogger-image-460192838.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnyway, back to Hallowe'en..... \u0026nbsp;in preparation for next week's (correct day of) trick-or-treating there has been much discussion about costume choices. I have mixed feelings about the whole trick-or-treating thing but that's a subject for another day. Mummy's thoughts on the matter aside,\u0026nbsp;the Little People all LOVE the dressing up that is required for the occasion. There do seem to be a lot of suggestions on the table at present. But Little Miss has decided For Definite that she is going to be \"Draculaura\" - a cartoon character who is basically a pink-clothed girl vampire. To go with her costume I made her some long fingerless bright pink gloves.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-HEnTlUTWqq8\/VEgGE840xdI\/AAAAAAAACxU\/H-OQM36CB8k\/s640\/blogger-image-27570280.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-HEnTlUTWqq8\/VEgGE840xdI\/AAAAAAAACxU\/H-OQM36CB8k\/s640\/blogger-image-27570280.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-1Nc0-t5ujCI\/VEgGHfTr8vI\/AAAAAAAACxc\/7_oaKTNz-P8\/s640\/blogger-image--997171428.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-1Nc0-t5ujCI\/VEgGHfTr8vI\/AAAAAAAACxc\/7_oaKTNz-P8\/s640\/blogger-image--997171428.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI worked out my own pattern - which I'll share when I've written it up properly - and embroidered the spider-webs on once the gloves were complete. The diagonal ridge you can see on the left hand one is because I crochet in the round with an invisible seam - ok so it's not invisible but it isnt't loose and hole-y which is what I find happens if I don't do it this way. It's a technique I learned for making hats, but I'm not sure it translates as well to gloves. But hey-ho, I still love how they turned out:)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-x52f26Plq6g\/VEgGVoqnV6I\/AAAAAAAACyM\/_NzfCIgZVYA\/s640\/blogger-image--723760242.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-x52f26Plq6g\/VEgGVoqnV6I\/AAAAAAAACyM\/_NzfCIgZVYA\/s640\/blogger-image--723760242.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ELittle Tomboy got in on the act and asked for orange ones with spiders .... I was happy to oblige ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-BVdWrihiluE\/VEgF-T1e1bI\/AAAAAAAACw8\/DwH5eEJS6Qs\/s640\/blogger-image--1200238528.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-BVdWrihiluE\/VEgF-T1e1bI\/AAAAAAAACw8\/DwH5eEJS6Qs\/s640\/blogger-image--1200238528.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-9qM5uZxbyhA\/VEgGRKPywlI\/AAAAAAAACx8\/49iX7KeBY5A\/s640\/blogger-image-1061009309.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-9qM5uZxbyhA\/VEgGRKPywlI\/AAAAAAAACx8\/49iX7KeBY5A\/s640\/blogger-image-1061009309.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThey were really quick and easy to do, and a real crowd-pleaser. Also a great way to use up some rather gaudy yarn that a friend had donated to my stash a while ago. I'm definitely going to make some for myself as well, to coordinate with my many scarves :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GsEJytUmn78\/VEgGYhdodEI\/AAAAAAAACyU\/p3ydYelEFy4\/s640\/blogger-image-1706052899.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-GsEJytUmn78\/VEgGYhdodEI\/AAAAAAAACyU\/p3ydYelEFy4\/s640\/blogger-image-1706052899.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/--BJwmEZSTGc\/VEgGL39sCoI\/AAAAAAAACxs\/kVcUe2YmKi0\/s640\/blogger-image-766608336.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/--BJwmEZSTGc\/VEgGL39sCoI\/AAAAAAAACxs\/kVcUe2YmKi0\/s640\/blogger-image-766608336.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThere has also been a request for a green pair with creeper faces on (you mine-crafter-peeps-or-parents will know what that is!), so guess what I'm doing in front of the telly tonight :)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6364510005206938434\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/10\/hallowe-hands.html#comment-form","title":"18 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6364510005206938434"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6364510005206938434"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/10\/hallowe-hands.html","title":"Hallowe\u0026#39;en Hands"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-x_FoX2sL2n0\/VEe9JHo02UI\/AAAAAAAACwc\/8vDhHoJaU6w\/s72-c\/blogger-image--414200657.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"18"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-3025812758761529352"},"published":{"$t":"2014-10-16T21:37:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-10-16T22:31:22.297+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Journey Scarf"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ENow that I write the title for the post about this project - the Journey Scarf - I can't tell you how much I wish I could tell you how I started and finished it on a train, or spent hours working on it whilst flying over the Atlantic, or, at the very least, how I have come so far on my personal journey whilst creating it.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Q7GaBWJthQ0\/VEAsQ83ASJI\/AAAAAAAACvg\/zPC-W2Awp50\/s640\/blogger-image-1161379386.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Q7GaBWJthQ0\/VEAsQ83ASJI\/AAAAAAAACvg\/zPC-W2Awp50\/s640\/blogger-image-1161379386.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EBut I can't tell you any of those because in actual fact I just worked on it over various evenings slobbed out in front of the telly, it didn't even leave the house to be hooked on waiting for the Little People to come out of school or ANYTHING. Nope, just plain old living-room crochet-ness.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-QSkdu9E8dJA\/VEAsMqNb9qI\/AAAAAAAACvQ\/BAChJ2xtQWY\/s640\/blogger-image-923201946.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-QSkdu9E8dJA\/VEAsMqNb9qI\/AAAAAAAACvQ\/BAChJ2xtQWY\/s640\/blogger-image-923201946.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-92tsby8smC0\/VEAsWlbo4AI\/AAAAAAAACv4\/rdRrLGpaeQk\/s640\/blogger-image--1223734727.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-92tsby8smC0\/VEAsWlbo4AI\/AAAAAAAACv4\/rdRrLGpaeQk\/s640\/blogger-image--1223734727.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3X3YOsA1B1Y\/VEAsYsEE6vI\/AAAAAAAACwA\/_wHR0tJpsNs\/s640\/blogger-image--318513759.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3X3YOsA1B1Y\/VEAsYsEE6vI\/AAAAAAAACwA\/_wHR0tJpsNs\/s640\/blogger-image--318513759.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ECrochet really is magical isn't it ? It never fails to amaze me how creating little loops and pulling more loops through can create such an intricate design. Out of basically a ball of string comes a thing of beauty - if I may say so myself :) It's wizardry :)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI'm really chuffed with this scarf, I love the colour, the pattern, the texture. For a lacy scarf it's got a lovely weightiness and solidity about it. No getting wafted about in the wind for this one.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-M_UU9QzVEoY\/VEAsasNfH1I\/AAAAAAAACwI\/geKNv7qfiNg\/s640\/blogger-image--743019098.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-M_UU9QzVEoY\/VEAsasNfH1I\/AAAAAAAACwI\/geKNv7qfiNg\/s640\/blogger-image--743019098.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-g7BXpUlnaN8\/VEAsIxM5N0I\/AAAAAAAACvA\/pvA2iwdri60\/s640\/blogger-image-868201054.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-g7BXpUlnaN8\/VEAsIxM5N0I\/AAAAAAAACvA\/pvA2iwdri60\/s640\/blogger-image-868201054.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI found the pattern on ravelry, you can find it \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.ravelry.com\/patterns\/library\/journey-scarf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EMy Journey Scarf measures 150cm long, by 20cm wide, after steam blocking. It's made up of 28 motifs joined using the join-as-you-go method, and has a border round the edge. I used nearly one full \u0026nbsp;skein (170g) of Caron Simply Soft in Plum Wine. I bought this yarn in the US (oh Florida! How I miss you!), and according to the label it is yarn weight 4: in UK terms I'd call it a slightly heavy DK although one site I looked at classes it as Aran. So I guess it's sort of in between. And joyously, since buying it, I've discovered it for sale online in the UK, yippee!! (Or should that be oh dear ...)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-EmLQGdvIh-Q\/VEAsSlW3EMI\/AAAAAAAACvo\/N2Me1uKxBnk\/s640\/blogger-image-418133995.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-EmLQGdvIh-Q\/VEAsSlW3EMI\/AAAAAAAACvo\/N2Me1uKxBnk\/s640\/blogger-image-418133995.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-V7cgGnZVsEA\/VEAsGsdL_aI\/AAAAAAAACu4\/Eh60ysJJyVQ\/s640\/blogger-image--59374678.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-V7cgGnZVsEA\/VEAsGsdL_aI\/AAAAAAAACu4\/Eh60ysJJyVQ\/s640\/blogger-image--59374678.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-meEkjmSZ-0Y\/VEAsK0ae-NI\/AAAAAAAACvI\/C8tzzC4YRv0\/s640\/blogger-image-81162577.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-meEkjmSZ-0Y\/VEAsK0ae-NI\/AAAAAAAACvI\/C8tzzC4YRv0\/s640\/blogger-image-81162577.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI'm fortunate enough to have a very beautiful and willing model to hand to help display the scarf .... here she is .... gorgeous don't you think ? Scarf and model of course :)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E♥♥♥♥♥\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ytDRv1c2mIQ\/VEAsOispTNI\/AAAAAAAACvY\/fjHAPGiDU6M\/s640\/blogger-image--1731069864.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ytDRv1c2mIQ\/VEAsOispTNI\/AAAAAAAACvY\/fjHAPGiDU6M\/s640\/blogger-image--1731069864.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ELittle Miss was more than happy to help out, not least because after school today there was a Book Fair which we all - except her - dropped into. She couldn't join us as she has Sewing Club (envious? Moi? Hell yes! Never had Sewing Club when I was at school) so anyway I said I'd get her a book, \"Anything in particular\" I asked ? \"Surprise me\" she said, so I did - bought her a new loom band book. She was Very Happy with that :) And scampered off to make me a new loom band bracelet .... with embellishments .... whaddya think ?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-ApTMNpXXZ24\/VEAsUvTqf6I\/AAAAAAAACvw\/F0DxhnOxBpY\/s640\/blogger-image--966503942.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-ApTMNpXXZ24\/VEAsUvTqf6I\/AAAAAAAACvw\/F0DxhnOxBpY\/s640\/blogger-image--966503942.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3025812758761529352\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/10\/journey-scarf.html#comment-form","title":"17 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3025812758761529352"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3025812758761529352"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/10\/journey-scarf.html","title":"Journey Scarf"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Q7GaBWJthQ0\/VEAsQ83ASJI\/AAAAAAAACvg\/zPC-W2Awp50\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1161379386.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"17"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-5877039824825390612"},"published":{"$t":"2014-10-14T22:41:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-10-14T22:52:38.622+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"craft"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"home"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Crochet in Colour"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zEqDGDSpWkw\/VD2YflXfcgI\/AAAAAAAACuI\/VK9OgzNa1pI\/s640\/blogger-image-619623424.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zEqDGDSpWkw\/VD2YflXfcgI\/AAAAAAAACuI\/VK9OgzNa1pI\/s640\/blogger-image-619623424.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAutumn is well and truly here. Actually it might even be winter. Suddenly it feels cold all day, the greyness doesn't lift and the drizzley mizzley rain just keeps coming. Yes, yes, I know I shouldn't complain, and I don't really mind the rain or the cold, it's the grey dreariness that I Do Not Like. At. All.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI spend a lot of my time being a Mum-Taxi so when the Little People are at school, and it's grey and rainy out, I choose to stay in and surround myself with colour to counteract the blah-ness outside.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-mzrBcOl5iPQ\/VD2YZw8QeqI\/AAAAAAAACtw\/6fsxZi930cE\/s640\/blogger-image--1350352056.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-mzrBcOl5iPQ\/VD2YZw8QeqI\/AAAAAAAACtw\/6fsxZi930cE\/s640\/blogger-image--1350352056.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI've been working on a few scarves this week, Christmas presents for various teachers, helpers and friends. I'm using a pattern called Blue Velvet, it's from issue 18 of Simply Crochet from this summer I think. The pattern is brilliantly simple and yet gives a really lovely effect that looks far more impressive than it actually is. If you see what I mean.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wpOYNUgQjGk\/VD2YhTcktiI\/AAAAAAAACuQ\/ot_TmiP7BEQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1783570569.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wpOYNUgQjGk\/VD2YhTcktiI\/AAAAAAAACuQ\/ot_TmiP7BEQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1783570569.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-csGKxHeHr7w\/VD2YlA3_b5I\/AAAAAAAACug\/Ar6Zl-Cf9ic\/s640\/blogger-image-1594010664.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-csGKxHeHr7w\/VD2YlA3_b5I\/AAAAAAAACug\/Ar6Zl-Cf9ic\/s640\/blogger-image-1594010664.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1VrnVr-CmEA\/VD2YjXkEw3I\/AAAAAAAACuY\/xLyoI4EkBrA\/s640\/blogger-image-1535153924.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-1VrnVr-CmEA\/VD2YjXkEw3I\/AAAAAAAACuY\/xLyoI4EkBrA\/s640\/blogger-image-1535153924.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-xENwVnitoWw\/VD2YMkAqNzI\/AAAAAAAACs4\/Ul86SGYKIsM\/s640\/blogger-image-1776749222.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-xENwVnitoWw\/VD2YMkAqNzI\/AAAAAAAACs4\/Ul86SGYKIsM\/s640\/blogger-image-1776749222.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe blue one - I'm calling it Midnight Velvet - is for our Brownies leader, Brown Owl. \"Why isn't it brown then ?\" I hear you cry. Well, I've been noticing, Brown Owl's leader-y outfit is largely Girl Guides blue, so I decided on blue. Plus I like blue better than brown. Coincidentally, Little Tomboy accompanied her big sister to Brownies for the first time this evening. And she enjoyed it. Even though it was only girls. Bless her cotton (boys') socks.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnyway back to the crochet. Do you like the bluey-greeny yarn below ? Do you think it's gorgeous ? Well, looks can be deceptive, it's good old James C Brett Marble Chunky. Easy as it is on the eye, I don't find it as easy on the hook. I bought it ages ago to make a cushion cover with because easy to hook with or not, the colours are divine. But I need to psych myself up for it first. And I'm not ready yet.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-NgJLb8ftk38\/VD2YdiFQOAI\/AAAAAAAACuA\/2LCHBMyIFW8\/s640\/blogger-image--291854712.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-NgJLb8ftk38\/VD2YdiFQOAI\/AAAAAAAACuA\/2LCHBMyIFW8\/s640\/blogger-image--291854712.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe red version of the Blue Velvet scarf - I'm calling it Cranberry Velvet - is for my friend's birthday. I'm using King Cole Bonus DK, 100% acrylic, and a bargainous £2.99 for 100g, which is just the right amount for a scarf. It's divine to crochet with, glides off the hook, is soooo soft, and a gorgeous colour to boot.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-6CetaCmxA1Q\/VD2YnBXS2NI\/AAAAAAAACuo\/_Ke3-5q_E0E\/s640\/blogger-image--1886847826.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-6CetaCmxA1Q\/VD2YnBXS2NI\/AAAAAAAACuo\/_Ke3-5q_E0E\/s640\/blogger-image--1886847826.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8Qcp5N7867o\/VD2YQdk4DHI\/AAAAAAAACtI\/bg5eblPCIGQ\/s640\/blogger-image--198630407.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8Qcp5N7867o\/VD2YQdk4DHI\/AAAAAAAACtI\/bg5eblPCIGQ\/s640\/blogger-image--198630407.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rgANtJz2sI4\/VD2YbguLvcI\/AAAAAAAACt4\/6uGEndDt_vk\/s640\/blogger-image--1303045246.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-rgANtJz2sI4\/VD2YbguLvcI\/AAAAAAAACt4\/6uGEndDt_vk\/s640\/blogger-image--1303045246.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI Adore that colour :) Just like a red carpet on my kitchen table. Heavenly :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd the colour doesn't stop there, the red squares for the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/10\/poppy-pixel-art.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPoppy Pixel Art\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;are all done, ends darned, and I delivered them to the assembly team today. Can't wait to see them all joined up, it's going to be amazing!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-GmILX-rN9wk\/VD2YSQEFbSI\/AAAAAAAACtQ\/xOf72bjbeCY\/s640\/blogger-image--119429901.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-GmILX-rN9wk\/VD2YSQEFbSI\/AAAAAAAACtQ\/xOf72bjbeCY\/s640\/blogger-image--119429901.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EMeanwhile, in other news, Little Miss has been doing some French knitting on her knitting dolly. Initially she was making some sort of hair braid thingies for her Halloween costume (some kind of pink girl vampire I believe), but judging by what's lying on the table, I'd say she got bored and turned it into a bracelet :) Going with the creative flow, adapting as she goes, that's my girl :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ku-3XPoVy-k\/VD2YWCRKYNI\/AAAAAAAACtg\/mCyY9OMLHp0\/s640\/blogger-image-1008781634.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ku-3XPoVy-k\/VD2YWCRKYNI\/AAAAAAAACtg\/mCyY9OMLHp0\/s640\/blogger-image-1008781634.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI love love love my crochet, but I do flirt a bit with other crafts too. I seem to have a gazillions things I'd like to do, but somehow crochet always comes to the fore. However I was reading through my bloglist last night and I visited the lovely Kate at \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/justpootling.blogspot.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJust Pootling\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;who has made some really sweet table arrangements. You can read about them, and see some great photos, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/justpootling.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/10\/ticking-off-those-things-on-list.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI had some rather scraggy looking wine-coloured chrysanths which I thought I could eke out for another couple of days, but only if they were in a jar that took one's attention away from the slightly wilty petals. And so I totally shamelessly pinched Kate's idea. Thank you Kate!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-b6UK0Yi1Pkc\/VD2YOcXRLmI\/AAAAAAAACtA\/0CNuDwV1yYI\/s640\/blogger-image-641449080.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-b6UK0Yi1Pkc\/VD2YOcXRLmI\/AAAAAAAACtA\/0CNuDwV1yYI\/s640\/blogger-image-641449080.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI fancied trimming my jar with red gingham ribbon. Had a rummage in my stash and found 5m of ribbon I'd bought last year, wrapped on a piece of card. Really Really Annoyingly the ribbon had been folded end to end and then wound onto the card, so that both ends ended up under the rest of the ribbon! Argh! So I had to unravel the whole lot! (Does that make sense ?) But never mind, it makes a pretty picture :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-FNZ9R40BFEU\/VD2YXyTRLnI\/AAAAAAAACto\/C9HSDjaoagY\/s640\/blogger-image--350353418.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-FNZ9R40BFEU\/VD2YXyTRLnI\/AAAAAAAACto\/C9HSDjaoagY\/s640\/blogger-image--350353418.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIt's a really simple idea. Gather a few nice dry autumn leaves. Either go out on a dry day a-gathering your leaves, or go to your porch which you haven't swept for ages so there's a big pile of dry leaves which is lucky because it's pouring with rain outside beyond said porch. Make some holes in the top of the leaves, thread onto thread or string, and tie around jar, then tie ribbon around jar overlapping thread and top of leaves. \u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrike\u003EStuff in\u003C\/strike\u003E\u0026nbsp;Arrange, some half-dead flowers that you're too stingey to chuck out just yet. Add some foliage from your garden unless it's raining in which case I'll let you off. And Ta-dah! You have a pretty and rustic table arrangement:) And thank you Kate for the inspiration :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-DpDYW_AHx08\/VD2YUCqI4tI\/AAAAAAAACtY\/rL0pwzqQ2RY\/s640\/blogger-image--390166606.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-DpDYW_AHx08\/VD2YUCqI4tI\/AAAAAAAACtY\/rL0pwzqQ2RY\/s640\/blogger-image--390166606.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E(ps it was only when I revisited Kate's page to link to it tonight that I realised we have used very similar flowers - except Kate's are in a slightly more healthy state :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd somehow this has brought me back to Brownies again - Little Miss came home with a letter saying next week she is going for her Hostess Badge (blast from the past! I had that one) .... and she has to make a table decoration .... so Kate you are inspiring her as well :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Exxxxxxxxx\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5877039824825390612\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/10\/crochet-in-colour.html#comment-form","title":"20 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5877039824825390612"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5877039824825390612"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/10\/crochet-in-colour.html","title":"Crochet in Colour"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-zEqDGDSpWkw\/VD2YflXfcgI\/AAAAAAAACuI\/VK9OgzNa1pI\/s72-c\/blogger-image-619623424.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"20"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-7018217620244704450"},"published":{"$t":"2014-10-06T23:13:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-10-08T19:02:02.183+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Eden Cowl"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wWRG4rhXyP0\/VDMT0iSJOqI\/AAAAAAAACr8\/ZcMsyiLyIxA\/s640\/blogger-image--606970733.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wWRG4rhXyP0\/VDMT0iSJOqI\/AAAAAAAACr8\/ZcMsyiLyIxA\/s640\/blogger-image--606970733.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EHubby came in the door this evening with this massive bouquet of flowers for me. \"Er, what have you done ....?\" I immediately said, followed quickly by \"they're gorgeous, I love them, thank you :)\" and a big soppy kiss. Little Man was horrified !! Apparently they were bought for no particular reason, other than that I do a good job with the Little People. Altogether now, aaaaahhhhh :) Love my hubs so much, he is my rock :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-tSPdt2UIRAg\/VDMTpKHi9nI\/AAAAAAAACrM\/zAT0W1c3yXc\/s640\/blogger-image--175764005.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-tSPdt2UIRAg\/VDMTpKHi9nI\/AAAAAAAACrM\/zAT0W1c3yXc\/s640\/blogger-image--175764005.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EMeanwhile in crochet-land, I seem to have loads of blankety projects on the go, in various stages of progress. There's Connie's Pink Rose Blanket (well on its way - and gosh doesn't it remind you of my bouquet?!), my 365 Blank (woefully behind), and of course my Autumn Blanket (not yet started). And I've got a nagging feeling that I've forgotten one.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-NqdzZr0ABrs\/VDMTyq5bDrI\/AAAAAAAACr0\/nqGKEwqZ8sw\/s640\/blogger-image--1615700794.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-NqdzZr0ABrs\/VDMTyq5bDrI\/AAAAAAAACr0\/nqGKEwqZ8sw\/s640\/blogger-image--1615700794.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-KlKHojidNzU\/VDMT4knXh6I\/AAAAAAAACsM\/s0O9iQ-iOi4\/s640\/blogger-image-328833928.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-KlKHojidNzU\/VDMT4knXh6I\/AAAAAAAACsM\/s0O9iQ-iOi4\/s640\/blogger-image-328833928.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yOeuvMZGXTw\/VDMT2r9ZSiI\/AAAAAAAACsE\/4ELDMWhIeSI\/s640\/blogger-image--1906917432.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-yOeuvMZGXTw\/VDMT2r9ZSiI\/AAAAAAAACsE\/4ELDMWhIeSI\/s640\/blogger-image--1906917432.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EGreat excuse to get in another scrummy autumny yarn picture. It makes me s.m.i.l.e \u0026nbsp;:)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe multi-blanket scenario is great for mindless hooking of an evening, \u0026nbsp;all cosied up with a cappuccino, a blanket slowly growing on my lap without me paying attention, very little thought required, all very relaxing. But not really condusive to a sense of achievement. Sometimes I long to switch my attention to a short sharp snappy project. But for now, I decided to be a good hooker and start on another Christmas present instead. In search of inspiration, out came the magazines ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-MhHDibevvGI\/VDMTs549gfI\/AAAAAAAACrc\/Oi5YiCpV4Aw\/s640\/blogger-image-1865963383.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-MhHDibevvGI\/VDMTs549gfI\/AAAAAAAACrc\/Oi5YiCpV4Aw\/s640\/blogger-image-1865963383.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd then I got distracted by a really sweet little pattern for a very simple cowl for Little Miss. Honestly, I should not be allowed anywhere near a collection of crochet patterns whether in printed form or electronic. I need to be working on Christmas things, not random winter-wear for small girls. But it was too late, so Little Miss and I had a rummage for some suitable yarn. We discussed colours and she chose Stylecraft Special DK in Grape. A gorgrously soft yarn in a gorgeously soft purple, good choice Little Miss :) The pattern is from the Autumn 2014 issue of Crochet! \u0026nbsp;magazine, which hubby brought back from his latest US trip.\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UIOGF1Gb2zo\/VDMTrGJfVyI\/AAAAAAAACrU\/Ra-haEeOw2A\/s640\/blogger-image-560413830.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UIOGF1Gb2zo\/VDMTrGJfVyI\/AAAAAAAACrU\/Ra-haEeOw2A\/s640\/blogger-image-560413830.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI know I said in a different post that I wasn't overly impressed with US crochet magazines. Um, HELLO JILL, what planet were you on ? The US crochet magazines are great! Must've got out of the wrong side of the bed that day ...\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EBack to the Eden Cowl as it's called in the magazine. The pattern is\u0026nbsp;basically rows of trebles (UK) alternating with rows of little clustery bobbles, with a row of dc (UK) in between. The pattern specified 2 rows of bobbles but it was a bit skinny, so I increased it to 3 rows of bobbles.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-f1Av1dd3_Hs\/VDMTu6WURDI\/AAAAAAAACrk\/9004XjqU3mI\/s640\/blogger-image--929289102.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-f1Av1dd3_Hs\/VDMTu6WURDI\/AAAAAAAACrk\/9004XjqU3mI\/s640\/blogger-image--929289102.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ELast winter I'd made fingerless mitts for myself and both my girls. Little Miss' mitts have little owls on them ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-hSRJKd0jMVE\/VDMT6QJJtZI\/AAAAAAAACsU\/NyqJBuJ_a8w\/s640\/blogger-image-1606860117.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-hSRJKd0jMVE\/VDMT6QJJtZI\/AAAAAAAACsU\/NyqJBuJ_a8w\/s640\/blogger-image-1606860117.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E.... and we think they look fab with the new cowl ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3kjyrjhm8Cs\/VDMT8VJuoCI\/AAAAAAAACsc\/WYSpPhNG7_U\/s640\/blogger-image-549856093.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-3kjyrjhm8Cs\/VDMT8VJuoCI\/AAAAAAAACsc\/WYSpPhNG7_U\/s640\/blogger-image-549856093.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd here is the new owner modeling her new cowl for me this evening ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8XzUEnNg0SM\/VDMTwqLJWYI\/AAAAAAAACrs\/1gKsbXFsfII\/s640\/blogger-image--1152703367.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8XzUEnNg0SM\/VDMTwqLJWYI\/AAAAAAAACrs\/1gKsbXFsfII\/s640\/blogger-image--1152703367.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EGosh that was certainly a quick little project ! Very satisfying!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-3Lg76D8bAYk\/VDMTnYmHZrI\/AAAAAAAACrE\/ycJXGMJimmA\/s640\/blogger-image-1316811797.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-3Lg76D8bAYk\/VDMTnYmHZrI\/AAAAAAAACrE\/ycJXGMJimmA\/s640\/blogger-image-1316811797.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAll folded and ready to wear tomorrow to school :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-b_OB3LxfinM\/VDMTlYZSU2I\/AAAAAAAACq8\/OYGKxQ-LTAk\/s640\/blogger-image--1523602.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-b_OB3LxfinM\/VDMTlYZSU2I\/AAAAAAAACq8\/OYGKxQ-LTAk\/s640\/blogger-image--1523602.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWinter, we are ready! Bring it on!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Exxxxxxxxx\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7018217620244704450\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/10\/eden-cowl.html#comment-form","title":"18 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7018217620244704450"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7018217620244704450"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/10\/eden-cowl.html","title":"Eden Cowl"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wWRG4rhXyP0\/VDMT0iSJOqI\/AAAAAAAACr8\/ZcMsyiLyIxA\/s72-c\/blogger-image--606970733.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"18"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2666373260386839852"},"published":{"$t":"2014-10-05T22:45:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:25:33.524+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"random"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"yarn"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Autumn Shades"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ENow that school is in full swing and Little Man has settled in better, I've started running again in the mornings. I LOVE running. I'm not fast, and it isn't pretty, but it's wonderfully liberating, and I find it clears my head and sets me up for the rest of the day.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Z6VcqKziCDE\/VDG7yMG4rOI\/AAAAAAAACp4\/0BCWSPoZ8vg\/s640\/blogger-image-785325541.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Z6VcqKziCDE\/VDG7yMG4rOI\/AAAAAAAACp4\/0BCWSPoZ8vg\/s640\/blogger-image-785325541.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAt the end of my run on Friday morning I took some pictures, with my phone, so they're not that great, but running with a digital SLR round your neck is not advisable.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWe are so lucky, we live in suburbia but have loads of green space around too. My run took me down leafy paths alongside the river.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-0GYTimevaqA\/VDG7qkluscI\/AAAAAAAACpY\/zKGqlJbzF8s\/s640\/blogger-image-1352817660.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-0GYTimevaqA\/VDG7qkluscI\/AAAAAAAACpY\/zKGqlJbzF8s\/s640\/blogger-image-1352817660.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAutumn was in evidence all around: berries, seed-heads, crispy crunchy leaves. Gorgeous gorgeous colours.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-coi8H0v6itg\/VDG784u2DVI\/AAAAAAAACqo\/5f1f54_IOOI\/s640\/blogger-image--1814196287.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-coi8H0v6itg\/VDG784u2DVI\/AAAAAAAACqo\/5f1f54_IOOI\/s640\/blogger-image--1814196287.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-w4nb5PnmlCw\/VDG75a1uHyI\/AAAAAAAACqY\/Vq7NPeHvHNw\/s640\/blogger-image--590499736.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-w4nb5PnmlCw\/VDG75a1uHyI\/AAAAAAAACqY\/Vq7NPeHvHNw\/s640\/blogger-image--590499736.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CDGNwYBX92U\/VDG77Gw192I\/AAAAAAAACqg\/UQFILrfoVOU\/s640\/blogger-image--1263522701.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-CDGNwYBX92U\/VDG77Gw192I\/AAAAAAAACqg\/UQFILrfoVOU\/s640\/blogger-image--1263522701.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-caolGx2GK0U\/VDG7o-rTtdI\/AAAAAAAACpQ\/1b7MFK57JfE\/s640\/blogger-image-255573388.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-caolGx2GK0U\/VDG7o-rTtdI\/AAAAAAAACpQ\/1b7MFK57JfE\/s640\/blogger-image-255573388.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-xhU0wsh9ws4\/VDG7uaG7RSI\/AAAAAAAACpo\/GOk6thuEMBY\/s640\/blogger-image--11885533.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-xhU0wsh9ws4\/VDG7uaG7RSI\/AAAAAAAACpo\/GOk6thuEMBY\/s640\/blogger-image--11885533.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-ajLkOq1hjig\/VDG7wMMcTqI\/AAAAAAAACpw\/wSD_2NnI4Do\/s640\/blogger-image-1155968267.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-ajLkOq1hjig\/VDG7wMMcTqI\/AAAAAAAACpw\/wSD_2NnI4Do\/s640\/blogger-image-1155968267.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EOh dear the sky is looking a bit gloomy now .....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4TdDGyjEWnQ\/VDG70LU9UWI\/AAAAAAAACqA\/0bnxq0sk6Lo\/s640\/blogger-image--749695384.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-4TdDGyjEWnQ\/VDG70LU9UWI\/AAAAAAAACqA\/0bnxq0sk6Lo\/s640\/blogger-image--749695384.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EBest head for the path where the sun is still shining ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nuhhkk8MntU\/VDG73iefWeI\/AAAAAAAACqQ\/PgYRZoHFAME\/s640\/blogger-image-2110707960.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nuhhkk8MntU\/VDG73iefWeI\/AAAAAAAACqQ\/PgYRZoHFAME\/s640\/blogger-image-2110707960.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EBack at home, feeling inspired by all the autumn-colour-gorgeous-ness, I finally made a decision on the yarns to use for my autumn blanket. Back in August in Florida (bear with me, I know it sounds random) I bought a load of lovely scrummy yummy new yarn in loads of lovely scrummy yummy colours. Most of which were bizarrely autumny. I mean, why would I be choosing autumn colours when it was flipping BOILing ?! \u0026nbsp;Since we got back I've been trying really hard to finish off some other bits and pieces before embarking on a new project. But sod that :) I can't wait any longer :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-tL28RLM4gFc\/VDG71hX5QtI\/AAAAAAAACqI\/Uk96R6r36uE\/s640\/blogger-image--1970246476.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-tL28RLM4gFc\/VDG71hX5QtI\/AAAAAAAACqI\/Uk96R6r36uE\/s640\/blogger-image--1970246476.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ELook look look look look !!!!! Gorgeous or what!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-V-SO3GIAkRY\/VDG7nNX7nSI\/AAAAAAAACpI\/PVNc8lVH6Z0\/s640\/blogger-image-304034563.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-V-SO3GIAkRY\/VDG7nNX7nSI\/AAAAAAAACpI\/PVNc8lVH6Z0\/s640\/blogger-image-304034563.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI tell you, I might not even bother to do the blanket, I might just leave the basket sitting about looking all colorful and amazing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-4LfCKlIB1pM\/VDG7lL3AjeI\/AAAAAAAACpA\/q3v2ZwNgjGU\/s640\/blogger-image-69410191.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-4LfCKlIB1pM\/VDG7lL3AjeI\/AAAAAAAACpA\/q3v2ZwNgjGU\/s640\/blogger-image-69410191.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd I did manage to finish one other project, a scarf that's a Christmas present. It's currently half-blocked so I can't do a proper ta-da yet, but here's a little preview ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-shnsJ8CqdU4\/VDG7sW1MefI\/AAAAAAAACpg\/_VL2aiYZnD0\/s640\/blogger-image--474871864.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-shnsJ8CqdU4\/VDG7sW1MefI\/AAAAAAAACpg\/_VL2aiYZnD0\/s640\/blogger-image--474871864.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ERepeat after me .....\u003C\/div\u003EI must not start new blanket until pink scarf is done and poppy squares are finished.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EI must not start new blanket until pink scarf is done and poppy squares are finished.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EI must not start new blanket until pink scarf is done and poppy squares are finished.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003EI must not start new blanket until pink scarf is done and poppy squares are finished.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E......\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003Exxxx\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2666373260386839852\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/10\/autumn-shades.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2666373260386839852"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2666373260386839852"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/10\/autumn-shades.html","title":"Autumn Shades"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Z6VcqKziCDE\/VDG7yMG4rOI\/AAAAAAAACp4\/0BCWSPoZ8vg\/s72-c\/blogger-image-785325541.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-8207704888556351170"},"published":{"$t":"2014-10-02T23:38:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-10-14T22:53:00.126+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Poppy Pixel-Art"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EEvery few weeks I go along to a local crochet group, The Barkham Hookers, run by the brilliant Gaynor White - you can find Gaynor's musings on her blog \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/gaynorwhite.blogspot.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EConfessions of a Barkham Hooker\u003C\/a\u003E. One of the members of the group had a fabulous idea - for us to crochet small granny squares which, when put together, will form a giant image of a poppy.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tg0vc2Smmgg\/VC3TtnHHZtI\/AAAAAAAACmw\/p32nVVbX3QI\/s640\/blogger-image--1375940351.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tg0vc2Smmgg\/VC3TtnHHZtI\/AAAAAAAACmw\/p32nVVbX3QI\/s640\/blogger-image--1375940351.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EThe finished piece will be displayed at a local art festival next year, and auctioned off for a very worthwhile cause - \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.britishlegion.org.uk\/about-us\/what-we-do\/poppy-appeal\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Poppy Appeal\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI've been allocated \"30 - red\".\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Dlkw0fV-5kQ\/VC3T0zahSTI\/AAAAAAAACnQ\/jwosYpGbvAU\/s640\/blogger-image-1777256874.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Dlkw0fV-5kQ\/VC3T0zahSTI\/AAAAAAAACnQ\/jwosYpGbvAU\/s640\/blogger-image-1777256874.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAll the squares are a 3 round traditional granny square, or a 3 round solid granny square. I decided to make mine in the traditional style. We are using 4ply mercerized cotton for a lovely sheen, and a 3.5mm hook. This gives a square of around 4.5cm wide.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-NCvK8LRxS7Y\/VC3TveJviVI\/AAAAAAAACm4\/DKmtGe72q_M\/s640\/blogger-image--1611361466.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-NCvK8LRxS7Y\/VC3TveJviVI\/AAAAAAAACm4\/DKmtGe72q_M\/s640\/blogger-image--1611361466.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ECrocheting in red is an absolute pleasure: red is my favourite colour, I find it very uplifting and happy :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-71PYplUBUiQ\/VC3T2ZPmtDI\/AAAAAAAACnY\/Hu7Sr_vxT8E\/s640\/blogger-image--768310152.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-71PYplUBUiQ\/VC3T2ZPmtDI\/AAAAAAAACnY\/Hu7Sr_vxT8E\/s640\/blogger-image--768310152.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EDo you like my little storage box ? I bought it a few years ago in 2011 - hubby and I went on a chocolate shop tour (I know! Fabulous, right?!) and I bought this box as a momento...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-c-d6lnHvZxE\/VC3TxYE7S0I\/AAAAAAAACnA\/bKVxpxJrzt8\/s640\/blogger-image--1966680128.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-c-d6lnHvZxE\/VC3TxYE7S0I\/AAAAAAAACnA\/bKVxpxJrzt8\/s640\/blogger-image--1966680128.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI am an average Royal Family fan, I think they're great, but not in a stalker-ish way! But I couldn't resist this box as a reminder not only of the trip but also of the Royal Wedding. It was a great year, lots of commemorative things went on at school and we had a wonderful street party. Maybe I will do a post about that sometime .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-xCbCEFrCT0g\/VC3T6DSFM2I\/AAAAAAAACno\/Q5mE6xFH4vU\/s640\/blogger-image--516541114.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-xCbCEFrCT0g\/VC3T6DSFM2I\/AAAAAAAACno\/Q5mE6xFH4vU\/s640\/blogger-image--516541114.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnyway, back to the squares. I think I've done about 25, I've been taking my little project bag with me when I go to pick up Little Man from school, I like to get there 20 minutes early, mainly to get parked in the same place so he can find me and not panic, but also because it's so relaxing sitting in the car with the radio on, doing a bit of crochet and a lot of people-watching :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-ic2lcpeoYWc\/VC3T4AzLW6I\/AAAAAAAACng\/pToV8jhhSqw\/s640\/blogger-image--1647471322.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-ic2lcpeoYWc\/VC3T4AzLW6I\/AAAAAAAACng\/pToV8jhhSqw\/s640\/blogger-image--1647471322.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EOnce I have made my last 5 squares, and tidied up the ends, then I can hand mine in. Then of course they will all need joining together by someone .... I think there's about 1600 squares being crocheted. That's a LOT of joining!!!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-texTpjIS8cs\/VC3TzDDZw2I\/AAAAAAAACnI\/ILFPzDTvChw\/s640\/blogger-image-2079904635.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-texTpjIS8cs\/VC3TzDDZw2I\/AAAAAAAACnI\/ILFPzDTvChw\/s640\/blogger-image-2079904635.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8207704888556351170\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/10\/poppy-pixel-art.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8207704888556351170"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8207704888556351170"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/10\/poppy-pixel-art.html","title":"Poppy Pixel-Art"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-tg0vc2Smmgg\/VC3TtnHHZtI\/AAAAAAAACmw\/p32nVVbX3QI\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1375940351.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2734613271483608191"},"published":{"$t":"2014-09-27T10:58:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-09-27T11:05:56.549+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"house"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Ordinary Day"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥ The view from my kitchen window\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-H5UVdCbiIAo\/VCaH2vNMYOI\/AAAAAAAACmM\/T_DoDjQT_lo\/s1600\/IMG_4872.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-H5UVdCbiIAo\/VCaH2vNMYOI\/AAAAAAAACmM\/T_DoDjQT_lo\/s1600\/IMG_4872.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E♥ My pyracantha which was planted years ago FINALLY has some berries\u0026nbsp;♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-763Xs4wB6gs\/VCaHxsGcj-I\/AAAAAAAACls\/Etd-6g1zAvo\/s1600\/IMG_4844.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-763Xs4wB6gs\/VCaHxsGcj-I\/AAAAAAAACls\/Etd-6g1zAvo\/s1600\/IMG_4844.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E♥ Little daisies pushing up despite the autumn chill\u0026nbsp;♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-pvBahdqg_mI\/VCaHxYMUsFI\/AAAAAAAAClk\/uO6VCX7Ku4E\/s1600\/IMG_4851.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-pvBahdqg_mI\/VCaHxYMUsFI\/AAAAAAAAClk\/uO6VCX7Ku4E\/s1600\/IMG_4851.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E♥ A geranium in the garden defying the seasons\u0026nbsp;♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-vQZj_3tsJ3E\/VCaHxYQRVzI\/AAAAAAAAClo\/uULEHMf7MGQ\/s1600\/IMG_4854.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-vQZj_3tsJ3E\/VCaHxYQRVzI\/AAAAAAAAClo\/uULEHMf7MGQ\/s1600\/IMG_4854.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E♥ Fresh flowers from the supermarket\u0026nbsp;♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-_4u_5uu6CP8\/VCaH2AXXaII\/AAAAAAAACl8\/5ljjYi8PBu8\/s1600\/IMG_4856.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-_4u_5uu6CP8\/VCaH2AXXaII\/AAAAAAAACl8\/5ljjYi8PBu8\/s1600\/IMG_4856.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E♥ Gloriously shiny conkers\u0026nbsp;♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-3yt3ycq34v8\/VCaH2pKGaVI\/AAAAAAAACmA\/U5yxSZmZYls\/s1600\/IMG_4859.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-3yt3ycq34v8\/VCaH2pKGaVI\/AAAAAAAACmA\/U5yxSZmZYls\/s1600\/IMG_4859.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E♥ New crochet magazines \u0026lt;swoon\u0026gt;\u0026nbsp;♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ROoE-Mcv2uw\/VCaIAN4PK6I\/AAAAAAAACmU\/TZVZ2-c1YL0\/s1600\/IMG_4873.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ROoE-Mcv2uw\/VCaIAN4PK6I\/AAAAAAAACmU\/TZVZ2-c1YL0\/s1600\/IMG_4873.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E♥ Perfect little posy from the garden\u0026nbsp;♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ak4SE-A8GLY\/VCaIAY7t-LI\/AAAAAAAACmY\/UJjkhe040Mg\/s1600\/IMG_4876.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ak4SE-A8GLY\/VCaIAY7t-LI\/AAAAAAAACmY\/UJjkhe040Mg\/s1600\/IMG_4876.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E♥ Calming crochet to end the day\u0026nbsp;♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-thCQtCIMse4\/VCaHkjICS1I\/AAAAAAAAClM\/wk3wX0E8Nis\/s1600\/IMG_4841.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-thCQtCIMse4\/VCaHkjICS1I\/AAAAAAAAClM\/wk3wX0E8Nis\/s1600\/IMG_4841.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E♥ And a cappuccino in my new mug\u0026nbsp;♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-FmlDCeka78M\/VCaHp8KSkrI\/AAAAAAAAClY\/nUcpkOjqAbE\/s1600\/IMG_4883.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-FmlDCeka78M\/VCaHp8KSkrI\/AAAAAAAAClY\/nUcpkOjqAbE\/s1600\/IMG_4883.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003EI love days like yesterday. Nothing special planned, just the school-run, some errands, bit of housework, the usual. No expectations, no goals, no over-ambitious to-do list.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003EJust safe, soothing and comforting :)\u0026nbsp;♥♥♥\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003EHave lovely weekends y'all :)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003Exxxxxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2734613271483608191\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/09\/ordinary-day.html#comment-form","title":"14 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2734613271483608191"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2734613271483608191"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/09\/ordinary-day.html","title":"Ordinary Day"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-H5UVdCbiIAo\/VCaH2vNMYOI\/AAAAAAAACmM\/T_DoDjQT_lo\/s72-c\/IMG_4872.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"14"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1156012195328957061"},"published":{"$t":"2014-09-24T23:28:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:26:24.980+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"craft"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sewing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Ted's Bag"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-TmbLpoU_P6s\/VCNFcttDiJI\/AAAAAAAACjg\/z3koYwHbB9A\/s640\/blogger-image--2143717884.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-TmbLpoU_P6s\/VCNFcttDiJI\/AAAAAAAACjg\/z3koYwHbB9A\/s640\/blogger-image--2143717884.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003EWhen we go on holiday, Ted comes too. He is Little Tomboy's faithful friend, and where we go, he goes. Before our last trip he set out what he wanted to bring - clothes, hat and pyjamas neatly folded and ready to pack. What's that Ted ? You have no bag for your stuff ? That will never do! We will have to make you one :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wYrjFUdtq6M\/VCNFeaie8hI\/AAAAAAAACjo\/0J22qG3YEUo\/s640\/blogger-image--1641330270.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wYrjFUdtq6M\/VCNFeaie8hI\/AAAAAAAACjo\/0J22qG3YEUo\/s640\/blogger-image--1641330270.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003EA quick rummage in my stash yielded this perfect dinosaur fabric for the outer of Ted's bag, and a plain green for the lining.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-MiAOezSnL-E\/VCNFVmf6YeI\/AAAAAAAACjA\/Zit0WEdoT2E\/s640\/blogger-image-1939130284.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-MiAOezSnL-E\/VCNFVmf6YeI\/AAAAAAAACjA\/Zit0WEdoT2E\/s640\/blogger-image-1939130284.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003EI made some bias tape and top-stitched it together, to make little loops to thread the straps through.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-h1VnlUXWnlE\/VCNDx2s1CHI\/AAAAAAAACiY\/WINSj9Sn8Cg\/s640\/blogger-image-1682131675.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-h1VnlUXWnlE\/VCNDx2s1CHI\/AAAAAAAACiY\/WINSj9Sn8Cg\/s640\/blogger-image-1682131675.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003ENext I constructed the outer of the bag. The loops for the lower ends of the straps are pinned in, and you can see the two pairs of pins at the top which mark the channel where the straps will go through. When sewing the sides closed, I need to leave a gap for the straps to be threaded in.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-QkrRsRu3wWQ\/VCNDdyn7icI\/AAAAAAAAChw\/Pix2WO7sAvE\/s640\/blogger-image-1426220800.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-QkrRsRu3wWQ\/VCNDdyn7icI\/AAAAAAAAChw\/Pix2WO7sAvE\/s640\/blogger-image-1426220800.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003EThe lining was very simple, turn a hem then sew up the sides.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-pzxW3uXpg14\/VCNFalGe-vI\/AAAAAAAACjY\/Pe56uWFo8jk\/s640\/blogger-image--1681405324.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-pzxW3uXpg14\/VCNFalGe-vI\/AAAAAAAACjY\/Pe56uWFo8jk\/s640\/blogger-image--1681405324.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003EThe outer was turned right-side out, and the lining was left right-side in. Then I popped the lining inside the outer, top-stitched around the top edge, and also stitched 2 parallel lines to create the channel for the straps.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dHu2kInPPpw\/VCNDZHwnmqI\/AAAAAAAAChg\/EPPHRlCATRE\/s640\/blogger-image-651201444.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dHu2kInPPpw\/VCNDZHwnmqI\/AAAAAAAAChg\/EPPHRlCATRE\/s640\/blogger-image-651201444.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003EI had some lime-green bias tape that was a charity shop find for about 20p. Bargain! I cut two lengths for the straps, stitched it closed, then used a safety pin to thread the straps through.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ju08gqMHUmA\/VCNFXJbQscI\/AAAAAAAACjI\/Q8okYrUeqP0\/s640\/blogger-image--902349451.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ju08gqMHUmA\/VCNFXJbQscI\/AAAAAAAACjI\/Q8okYrUeqP0\/s640\/blogger-image--902349451.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003EAnd that was it, Ted now has a really cool dinosaur backpack.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-mdWnG82R5GI\/VCNDbexyLmI\/AAAAAAAACho\/WNX0wkXA2bc\/s640\/blogger-image-740998640.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-mdWnG82R5GI\/VCNDbexyLmI\/AAAAAAAACho\/WNX0wkXA2bc\/s640\/blogger-image-740998640.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003EWell done on packing your bag Ted! You're all ready to go now!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-RJCk1e_yUXQ\/VCNFY6bv68I\/AAAAAAAACjQ\/sGigANUY8EA\/s640\/blogger-image--1555853006.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-RJCk1e_yUXQ\/VCNFY6bv68I\/AAAAAAAACjQ\/sGigANUY8EA\/s640\/blogger-image--1555853006.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003EI wonder what adventures you will have :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-pnP6zs_dcjg\/VCNEaFRm2nI\/AAAAAAAACiw\/eLkr1wnOLBE\/s640\/blogger-image--409653534.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-pnP6zs_dcjg\/VCNEaFRm2nI\/AAAAAAAACiw\/eLkr1wnOLBE\/s640\/blogger-image--409653534.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1156012195328957061\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/09\/ted-bag.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1156012195328957061"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1156012195328957061"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/09\/ted-bag.html","title":"Ted\u0026#39;s Bag"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-TmbLpoU_P6s\/VCNFcttDiJI\/AAAAAAAACjg\/z3koYwHbB9A\/s72-c\/blogger-image--2143717884.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-4719294722803214153"},"published":{"$t":"2014-09-20T21:09:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-09-27T11:06:47.212+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"birthday"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cooking"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"home"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Not So Simple Saturday"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003ESo there I was, feet up after a long day, writing a blog post named \"Simple Saturday\", when suddenly there was lots of crying and fretting from upstairs. Hubby was supervising bath-time and with a heavy SIGH I traipsed upstairs - to find that Little Miss had shampoo in her eyes. She has a touch of the Boy Who Cried Wolf about her anyway, so I just got with drying her hair. She turned to face me - and Oh Dear Lord, her eyes had massively swollen up, raised red lumps all over her face, eyes, eyelids, she looked terrible and it was getting worse quite fast. She had obviously had an allergic reaction to something. We gave her an antihistamine, and phoned the out of hours GP. Next thing an ambulance turns up! Anyway, long story short, she is fine, the swelling has gone down, no further action required. Phew!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-xbeK7baUNcc\/VB3d4DEa-6I\/AAAAAAAACes\/oD8LflzZf3o\/s640\/blogger-image-1959240399.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-xbeK7baUNcc\/VB3d4DEa-6I\/AAAAAAAACes\/oD8LflzZf3o\/s640\/blogger-image-1959240399.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESo back to my blog-post-proper.\u003C\/div\u003EMy week has been quite quiet really, but I think I'm still feeling the effects of the new school stress. It is calming down slightly, Little Man has been a trooper. He's going in despite his nerves, trying to be positive, tackling the homework, and putting up with the discomfort of stiff shirts and a tie, and the misery of a shouty PE teacher. It's hard work keeping the calm: I am a frazzled sort myself, so toning it down doesn't come easy. What with that and Little Tomboy's Birthday, Little Miss has been feeling left out. And what do children do when they feel left out ? Yes! They misbehave, whinge, moan and generally be demanding (and then you think they are crying over nothing and in fact their eyes are swollen up :-\/ ). Add to the mix a poorly husband and it's been a right old barrel of laughs this week. Not.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-vAcYk1GT29w\/VB3emT0L4BI\/AAAAAAAACgQ\/lPhUD64Vzpg\/s640\/blogger-image--1653670574.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-vAcYk1GT29w\/VB3emT0L4BI\/AAAAAAAACgQ\/lPhUD64Vzpg\/s640\/blogger-image--1653670574.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EBy Friday I was ready for a large glass of wine and a big bar of chocolate, but I had to make do with diet coke and some cake at Little Tomboy's birthday party. Obviously no princess or pony parties for her, no, she wanted LaserQuest and only invited boys. Love her to bits :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-oOLi5IyjusM\/VB3d5z7U__I\/AAAAAAAACe0\/W1KXebdxNYY\/s640\/blogger-image-1996522822.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-oOLi5IyjusM\/VB3d5z7U__I\/AAAAAAAACe0\/W1KXebdxNYY\/s640\/blogger-image-1996522822.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHer presents were suitably non-girly too. All her friends' Mums know her only too well :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-2DueUidqKgc\/VB3d2F7ki6I\/AAAAAAAACek\/g5fhZDqmd88\/s640\/blogger-image-1093389350.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-2DueUidqKgc\/VB3d2F7ki6I\/AAAAAAAACek\/g5fhZDqmd88\/s640\/blogger-image-1093389350.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EEasy and relaxing was the order of the day then today. Homework, baking and crochet. Little Lady goes to homework club - so her homework gets done there - result! Little Man needs 1:1 supervision when doing his, but one thing that I can do whilst helping him is crochet! Yay!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-IpdV30rrUOg\/VB3eHzNX8xI\/AAAAAAAACf0\/M0Brun1gl-M\/s640\/blogger-image--2063538644.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-IpdV30rrUOg\/VB3eHzNX8xI\/AAAAAAAACf0\/M0Brun1gl-M\/s640\/blogger-image--2063538644.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EThis afternoon was 4 hours (I know, ages, yes), of his homework but the last bit was Art, which doesn't really count as work does it?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-UJxf5t8RQ5A\/VB3euw-kZ2I\/AAAAAAAACgw\/HK8QIiek46k\/s640\/blogger-image-70820659.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-UJxf5t8RQ5A\/VB3euw-kZ2I\/AAAAAAAACgw\/HK8QIiek46k\/s640\/blogger-image-70820659.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EDecorating selfies, brilliant fun!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWhile this masterpiece was under construction, Little Miss wanted to do some baking. She made some really lovely cupcakes all by herself, I only got involved for the oven bit.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-LljJvcZt5Ow\/VB3e6q6MacI\/AAAAAAAAChI\/TWpkep95xrE\/s640\/blogger-image--1800701144.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-LljJvcZt5Ow\/VB3e6q6MacI\/AAAAAAAAChI\/TWpkep95xrE\/s640\/blogger-image--1800701144.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-irzDZTA9kBA\/VB3d73SA1cI\/AAAAAAAACe8\/4LC1bCWra6g\/s640\/blogger-image-292361152.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-irzDZTA9kBA\/VB3d73SA1cI\/AAAAAAAACe8\/4LC1bCWra6g\/s640\/blogger-image-292361152.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-VfpiwRwz8Mg\/VB3eszz0MkI\/AAAAAAAACgo\/ACVg8GkyWc4\/s640\/blogger-image-1601268826.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-VfpiwRwz8Mg\/VB3eszz0MkI\/AAAAAAAACgo\/ACVg8GkyWc4\/s640\/blogger-image-1601268826.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-zOAQESxkU2o\/VB3dy4lYunI\/AAAAAAAACeU\/YYZnalqr0GI\/s640\/blogger-image--1276381437.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-zOAQESxkU2o\/VB3dy4lYunI\/AAAAAAAACeU\/YYZnalqr0GI\/s640\/blogger-image--1276381437.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-28y4naXtzR8\/VB3d9mBIhxI\/AAAAAAAACfE\/q-2QumgUozo\/s640\/blogger-image--1126284757.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-28y4naXtzR8\/VB3d9mBIhxI\/AAAAAAAACfE\/q-2QumgUozo\/s640\/blogger-image--1126284757.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-7TAOpjffAbs\/VB3eGNUfxgI\/AAAAAAAACfs\/RtplFJOJ2IU\/s640\/blogger-image--1904424239.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-7TAOpjffAbs\/VB3eGNUfxgI\/AAAAAAAACfs\/RtplFJOJ2IU\/s640\/blogger-image--1904424239.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-kIXAogg6E64\/VB3e2ySnjBI\/AAAAAAAAChA\/H_1E_JW-O5U\/s640\/blogger-image-662603899.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-kIXAogg6E64\/VB3e2ySnjBI\/AAAAAAAAChA\/H_1E_JW-O5U\/s640\/blogger-image-662603899.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-E76QemXd76o\/VB3exaDdRgI\/AAAAAAAACg4\/OQ_2OZqjMmE\/s640\/blogger-image-1765303677.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-E76QemXd76o\/VB3exaDdRgI\/AAAAAAAACg4\/OQ_2OZqjMmE\/s640\/blogger-image-1765303677.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-fQhnbMRZy-I\/VB3eqkpOfTI\/AAAAAAAACgg\/FpsL9WJUvN4\/s640\/blogger-image--574716666.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-fQhnbMRZy-I\/VB3eqkpOfTI\/AAAAAAAACgg\/FpsL9WJUvN4\/s640\/blogger-image--574716666.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-rdhuLayHTKQ\/VB3d_YndgvI\/AAAAAAAACfM\/Q61u-uFV_l8\/s640\/blogger-image-751395442.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-rdhuLayHTKQ\/VB3d_YndgvI\/AAAAAAAACfM\/Q61u-uFV_l8\/s640\/blogger-image-751395442.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-KWfl3GoYIYw\/VB3eEp04YwI\/AAAAAAAACfk\/_nRe5o9WNsA\/s640\/blogger-image-539051981.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-KWfl3GoYIYw\/VB3eEp04YwI\/AAAAAAAACfk\/_nRe5o9WNsA\/s640\/blogger-image-539051981.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-A7_IGWHnKUg\/VB3eCzhToLI\/AAAAAAAACfc\/DLOwrpLmolY\/s640\/blogger-image--1310956160.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-A7_IGWHnKUg\/VB3eCzhToLI\/AAAAAAAACfc\/DLOwrpLmolY\/s640\/blogger-image--1310956160.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EDon't they look fab ? and they tasted pretty wonderful too :) Look, even Spider-Man likes a good cupcake :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Jn2vwb6LvD4\/VB3eLjoMrII\/AAAAAAAACgE\/p3HD63ciETE\/s640\/blogger-image--658401119.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Jn2vwb6LvD4\/VB3eLjoMrII\/AAAAAAAACgE\/p3HD63ciETE\/s640\/blogger-image--658401119.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ECrochet-wise I'm working on Connie's Baby Blanket, it's been in progress for ages, so is already very late (nothing new there then), but I'm loving the colours.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-PUnM98shO7M\/VB3eoZY-TTI\/AAAAAAAACgY\/kuzI_FEf50A\/s640\/blogger-image-2096611879.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-PUnM98shO7M\/VB3eoZY-TTI\/AAAAAAAACgY\/kuzI_FEf50A\/s640\/blogger-image-2096611879.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI'm employing my usual method of all the centers, then all the round 2's and so on.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-PsihzFGYPgc\/VB3eJt8wp5I\/AAAAAAAACf8\/xHFJouHQWYU\/s640\/blogger-image-1845973938.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-PsihzFGYPgc\/VB3eJt8wp5I\/AAAAAAAACf8\/xHFJouHQWYU\/s640\/blogger-image-1845973938.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThis afternoon I finished all the green bits, just the white to go now. Nearly, so nearly there :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EDoesn't it look so pretty though, I'll say it again, I am LOVing the colours. Delicious :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-yjBwu0orZ44\/VB3d0Y4qJCI\/AAAAAAAACec\/kcX29Qf4wuc\/s640\/blogger-image--987564876.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-yjBwu0orZ44\/VB3d0Y4qJCI\/AAAAAAAACec\/kcX29Qf4wuc\/s640\/blogger-image--987564876.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4719294722803214153\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/09\/not-so-simple-saturday.html#comment-form","title":"12 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4719294722803214153"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4719294722803214153"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/09\/not-so-simple-saturday.html","title":"Not So Simple Saturday"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-xbeK7baUNcc\/VB3d4DEa-6I\/AAAAAAAACes\/oD8LflzZf3o\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1959240399.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"12"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-82492855234630435"},"published":{"$t":"2014-09-18T19:48:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-09-27T11:13:00.716+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Rhapsody Infinity Scarf"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-gSa_0Jo91Wo\/VBtCDKRAFuI\/AAAAAAAACdk\/FF-H7_V0u1w\/s640\/blogger-image-1882610674.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-gSa_0Jo91Wo\/VBtCDKRAFuI\/AAAAAAAACdk\/FF-H7_V0u1w\/s640\/blogger-image-1882610674.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EYesterday I promised to do a Show and Tell of my catchily named\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Egranny-stripe-come-simple-filet-crochet-scarf-cowl-thingy, or to give it it's new (and thankfully shorter) name, the Rhapsody Infinity Scarf.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-888ssbBqSE4\/VBtCG0Rlt2I\/AAAAAAAACd0\/LWGLo44BWis\/s640\/blogger-image--1561350644.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-888ssbBqSE4\/VBtCG0Rlt2I\/AAAAAAAACd0\/LWGLo44BWis\/s640\/blogger-image--1561350644.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EDue to my tiff with Olive (\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003Ehttp:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/09\/falling-out-with-olive.html) I had\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;some King Cole Riot DK that needed using up on the flight home from holidays. I fancied making a scarf - my favourite thing to crochet - but nothing on pinterest, ravelry, drops or in any magazine (or book for that matter) seemed simple enough.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/--LikgPdO4VA\/VBtB-Fet9fI\/AAAAAAAACdM\/a7n7uU5XQIM\/s640\/blogger-image-1922279101.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/--LikgPdO4VA\/VBtB-Fet9fI\/AAAAAAAACdM\/a7n7uU5XQIM\/s640\/blogger-image-1922279101.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EKing Cole Riot is self-striping, and I didn't want anything too tricky in case the self-striping didn't do it justice. So I thought - sod it, I'll just make a pattern up. Having never used filet crochet before, I was tempted to give it a go, however I wondered if that was a bit ambitious for the cramped flight home, and reluctantly I decided to leave fancy filet until we were back on solid ground. (Hubby and I have just debated whether or not \"back on solid ground\" is a saying. We've decided we don't know. And now it just sounds weird. So hopefully you'll know what I mean!)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Jpnz7yLppN4\/VBtCFJasixI\/AAAAAAAACds\/NWctS1H6ZDY\/s640\/blogger-image-2100930585.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Jpnz7yLppN4\/VBtCFJasixI\/AAAAAAAACds\/NWctS1H6ZDY\/s640\/blogger-image-2100930585.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI fiddled around a bit with spacing, and dithered about\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Ethe rhythm of the repeat.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WXO3jgYb1hs\/VBtCBu-lpnI\/AAAAAAAACdc\/MpNgz1boFkw\/s640\/blogger-image--1125179484.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-WXO3jgYb1hs\/VBtCBu-lpnI\/AAAAAAAACdc\/MpNgz1boFkw\/s640\/blogger-image--1125179484.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EDeveloping one's own pattern, no matter how simple, and providing you like it (unlike my Olive interpretation :-\/ ) is very liberating. You can't really go wrong! You just tweak the pattern! Ok, so it's not quite that straightforward, but I did really enjoy the different part of the creative process.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-LLFomPs5keg\/VBtB6u9QvDI\/AAAAAAAACc8\/-c7ljSXPLEg\/s640\/blogger-image-923332730.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-LLFomPs5keg\/VBtB6u9QvDI\/AAAAAAAACc8\/-c7ljSXPLEg\/s640\/blogger-image-923332730.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe pattern really was as easy as I hoped, and I churned out the rows on the plane (between sorting out children's drinks and meals, discussing plot twists in the children's movies, taking children to the toilet, convincing children\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Ethey didn't have appendicitis - yes, really...)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-YzPhAfcglJM\/VBtB8VTwxEI\/AAAAAAAACdE\/ojqHKXG4wa8\/s640\/blogger-image--1665814793.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-YzPhAfcglJM\/VBtB8VTwxEI\/AAAAAAAACdE\/ojqHKXG4wa8\/s640\/blogger-image--1665814793.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EFinally I deemed the scarf long enough and I joined the ends together to form a moebius strip.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EDid it need an edging ? I didn't think so, after all it's meant to be simple, remember, and the self-stripy-ness wouldn't work that well, at least that's what I think :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ZoMlrUWlsqA\/VBtB_hb55vI\/AAAAAAAACdU\/4ShZS1JwpDY\/s640\/blogger-image-1029767522.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ZoMlrUWlsqA\/VBtB_hb55vI\/AAAAAAAACdU\/4ShZS1JwpDY\/s640\/blogger-image-1029767522.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003EAnyway to get back to the actual pattern. I drew out a little grid thingy (of course I can't find it now to show you) and then realized it's very granny-stripe-ish, but hey, it's mine, and it's a wee bit different (ok not much) and it's my first pattern so I'm very proud of it :) Feel free to use it, post it, whatever but it would be really great if you mentioned me when you do so.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd here it is being modeled by its maker :) (In the absence of convenient dress-form thingamy. Hmm \u0026nbsp;wonder if I should add that to my Christmas list...)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-YhIhIPOonbo\/VBtQOpJq32I\/AAAAAAAACeE\/DDr7rxCvePw\/s640\/blogger-image--911336578.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-YhIhIPOonbo\/VBtQOpJq32I\/AAAAAAAACeE\/DDr7rxCvePw\/s640\/blogger-image--911336578.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cu\u003ERhapsody Infinity Scarf\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMaterials:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E2 x 100g balls King Cole a Riot DK (I used Rhapsody - hence the name :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E5.5mm crochet hook\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EYarn needle\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EInstructions:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Enb: p\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Eattern is all in UK crochet terms (a UK tr is a US dc)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003E1. Chain 40. Turn.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003E2. Ch3 (counts as 1tr), tr in 4th ch from hook, then 1tr in every ch to end. (40 tr). Turn.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003E3. 3ch, tr in next 3tr, *ch2, skip 2tr, tr in next 4tr*, repeat from * to * across. (4tr, then 6 2ch-4tr groups). Turn.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003E4. 5ch (counts as 1tr, 2ch), *skip 2tr, tr in next tr, 2tr in 2-ch ch-space, tr in next tr, 2ch*, repeat from * to * another 5 times, sk2, 1tr in next tr. (1tr, then 6 2ch-4tr groups, 2ch, 1tr). Turn.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003E5.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);\"\u003E3ch, 2tr in ch2 ch-space, tr in next tr, *ch2, skip 2tr, tr in next tr, 2tr in ch2ch-space, tr in next tr*, repeat from * to * across. (4tr, then 6 2ch-4tr groups). Turn.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003ERepeat rows 2-5 until scarf is desired length.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003E(My scarf was a total of 38 pattern repeats, or 144 rows).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003EDo not fasten off after final row.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003ETo make up:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETwist starting row of scarf and line up to last row. The twist makes the scarf into a moebius strip, but it is totally optional.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Esl-st across, attaching each ch of first row to each tr of final row.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EFasten off.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003ESew in pesky ends.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Eps: please let me know if I missed anything :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/82492855234630435\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/09\/rhapsody-infinity-scarf.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/82492855234630435"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/82492855234630435"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/09\/rhapsody-infinity-scarf.html","title":"Rhapsody Infinity Scarf"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-gSa_0Jo91Wo\/VBtCDKRAFuI\/AAAAAAAACdk\/FF-H7_V0u1w\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1882610674.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-8483291402196747894"},"published":{"$t":"2014-09-17T21:40:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-10-26T22:21:23.505+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holidays"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Falling Out With Olive"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Bov-qWu20YA\/VBnxvv_cpoI\/AAAAAAAACck\/6X6MNtfKiCU\/s640\/blogger-image--2067000981.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Bov-qWu20YA\/VBnxvv_cpoI\/AAAAAAAACck\/6X6MNtfKiCU\/s640\/blogger-image--2067000981.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI took 4 balls of KingCole Riot DK with me on holidays, and, having searched for a simple pattern before we left, I'd decided to start an Olive Twist Shawl, inspired by the lovely lovely Meredith of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/mereknits-mereknits.blogspot.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emereknits\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-0hzwcjlNtL8\/VBnxg44g4kI\/AAAAAAAACbc\/c4lNhRn67JU\/s640\/blogger-image--1490594293.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-0hzwcjlNtL8\/VBnxg44g4kI\/AAAAAAAACbc\/c4lNhRn67JU\/s640\/blogger-image--1490594293.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI looked up the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.ravelry.com\/patterns\/library\/olive-twist-shawl\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EOlive Twist pattern\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ravelry.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eravelry\u003C\/a\u003E, saved it on my phone, packed up my yarn, hooks and an empty dental floss box, and boarded the plane. What? Don't you always pack an empty dental floss box when you fly ? You mean it's not on your essentials-in-hand-luggage list ? Nop, me neither, until my local crochet group pointed out that whilst crochet hooks are allowed on planes, scissors aren't. Their suggested solution - should you need to cut your yarn at 30,000 feet (is that how high a plane is ? No idea, but it sounds good :) -\u0026nbsp;use the little metal thingy on the dental floss box. Genius!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd so I joined the mile-high-crochet-club! Rock and roll baby! Yeahhhh!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-2JrylZ1Y3sA\/VBnxi7rpAsI\/AAAAAAAACbk\/Yen0CTKNY2A\/s640\/blogger-image--355707440.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-2JrylZ1Y3sA\/VBnxi7rpAsI\/AAAAAAAACbk\/Yen0CTKNY2A\/s640\/blogger-image--355707440.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI wish I could say that whilst on holiday I spent many a happy hour hooking by the pool. I did spend quite a bit of time doing just that, but it wasn't happy. Let's just say Olive and I did not get along. Determined though, I had lengthy email conversations with Meredith (who by a bizarre twist of fate actually only lives about 20 miles from where we were staying) and still the pattern somehow evaded me. Stubborn as a mule, I persevered.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Yy1rtqOqdGc\/VBnxmcDWucI\/AAAAAAAACb0\/ZLRFPPIrQ-I\/s640\/blogger-image--284161066.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Yy1rtqOqdGc\/VBnxmcDWucI\/AAAAAAAACb0\/ZLRFPPIrQ-I\/s640\/blogger-image--284161066.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAfter over 2 weeks of crocheting, frogging, crocheting, frogging, frogging more , shrieking, frogging more, crocheting, swearing, frogging again, crying ( ok so I didn't actually cry) and then finally realizing that I had actually invented my own pattern - which I didn't even like - I gave in. Yes, I admitted defeat.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kib46JzgGjw\/VBnxdrH3l_I\/AAAAAAAACbM\/A7Xy4YS3cnA\/s640\/blogger-image-521726653.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-kib46JzgGjw\/VBnxdrH3l_I\/AAAAAAAACbM\/A7Xy4YS3cnA\/s640\/blogger-image-521726653.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI couldn't bare to rip the whole thing back though, (in fact what I wanted to do was burn the wretched thing) but I was very sensible and calm (unusual) and finished off the row I was on, and then gave it to Little Miss for her new doll.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-occUV5qKd9c\/VBnxsrYCGLI\/AAAAAAAACcU\/8ee173F6ozw\/s640\/blogger-image-1730818530.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-occUV5qKd9c\/VBnxsrYCGLI\/AAAAAAAACcU\/8ee173F6ozw\/s640\/blogger-image-1730818530.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI wasn't very much in love with King Cole Riot at this point either, but had three and a half balls\u0026nbsp;to use up, so I had a flick through one of my new books, One Skein Wonders\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2jklXb46lvM\/VBnxfP_9RzI\/AAAAAAAACbU\/ThoVlp3XtEE\/s640\/blogger-image-950592188.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2jklXb46lvM\/VBnxfP_9RzI\/AAAAAAAACbU\/ThoVlp3XtEE\/s640\/blogger-image-950592188.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe eagle-eyed among you will remember I blogged about it before \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-17-bookshelf.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E. I really really love this book. My crochet book collection is quite extensive, I am a bit addicted to buying crochet books (nearly as much as buying yarn), but this one ranks up there with my favourites. I had a flick through and found a great pattern for some doll clothes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Pqn27mn32tI\/VBnxbnabGbI\/AAAAAAAACbE\/8a-1WGewGcU\/s640\/blogger-image-1631115281.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Pqn27mn32tI\/VBnxbnabGbI\/AAAAAAAACbE\/8a-1WGewGcU\/s640\/blogger-image-1631115281.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI made the jacket of the Rainbow Doll ensemble, but left the sleeves off to make it a sleeveless cardigan. It was a bit big for dolly - she was being cuddled in bed by Little Miss at the time and so wasn't available for a fitting.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UaCGnnaVzo8\/VBnxuHzxv-I\/AAAAAAAACcc\/zpsTuYeHOKc\/s640\/blogger-image-71396738.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-UaCGnnaVzo8\/VBnxuHzxv-I\/AAAAAAAACcc\/zpsTuYeHOKc\/s640\/blogger-image-71396738.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ESo I made into a sort of double-breasted-wrap-sleeveless cardy, complete with button and loop fastening.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/--PvyKezo198\/VBnxrJOuSHI\/AAAAAAAACcM\/e52StiS0Nbo\/s640\/blogger-image--553132724.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/--PvyKezo198\/VBnxrJOuSHI\/AAAAAAAACcM\/e52StiS0Nbo\/s640\/blogger-image--553132724.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ELittle Miss finger-crocheted some bobbles for Dolly's hair, and a bracelet. We like the finished outfit, what do you think ?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HpiopUmyQl8\/VBnxkCul3PI\/AAAAAAAACbs\/qLQKhdjMzDc\/s640\/blogger-image-838513418.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-HpiopUmyQl8\/VBnxkCul3PI\/AAAAAAAACbs\/qLQKhdjMzDc\/s640\/blogger-image-838513418.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EOne other twist of fate - I bought a magazine whilst away, which turned out to have the Olive Twist pattern in it! Total accident!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-gy98vPegm5c\/VBnxn285U6I\/AAAAAAAACb8\/qB5f34iFN_A\/s640\/blogger-image--890590379.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-gy98vPegm5c\/VBnxn285U6I\/AAAAAAAACb8\/qB5f34iFN_A\/s640\/blogger-image--890590379.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI\u0026nbsp;still haven't made up with Olive, however\u0026nbsp;now I was back on speaking terms with the King Cole Riot, but I needed a project for the flight home. It had to be really simple, an overnight flight with 3 children and the hope of maybe watching a movie doesn't leave much brain capacity for complicated crocheting .\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EBeing unable to\u0026nbsp;find anything that seemed simple enough I decided to do a sort of granny stripe-come-simple-filet-crochet scarf-cowl thingy (catchy, huh), of my own design. For now I will leave you with a sneak peek, and I'll post more pictures, and the pattern, another time :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-rHP62iW6Ny4\/VBnxpnf8c9I\/AAAAAAAACcE\/plX1VLCAdDk\/s640\/blogger-image-559069358.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-rHP62iW6Ny4\/VBnxpnf8c9I\/AAAAAAAACcE\/plX1VLCAdDk\/s640\/blogger-image-559069358.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8483291402196747894\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/09\/falling-out-with-olive.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8483291402196747894"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8483291402196747894"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/09\/falling-out-with-olive.html","title":"Falling Out With Olive"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Bov-qWu20YA\/VBnxvv_cpoI\/AAAAAAAACck\/6X6MNtfKiCU\/s72-c\/blogger-image--2067000981.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-8644197531552999257"},"published":{"$t":"2014-09-16T22:29:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-10-31T20:55:39.777+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"autumn"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holidays"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"home"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"random"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Home Sweet Home"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EHello bloggy friends, remember me ?! We are home from Florida safe and sound, and have come back to earth with a big bump :-\/ Back to the drudge of housework and laundry but also to the crazy colours of loom bands, sticking, marker-ing, and, with autumn in the air, leaf collecting has commenced, and the fingerless mittens have put in an appearance.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-DcenHujKuZw\/VBird2UUeNI\/AAAAAAAACaA\/BfjTadbnbpc\/s640\/blogger-image-119343704.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-DcenHujKuZw\/VBird2UUeNI\/AAAAAAAACaA\/BfjTadbnbpc\/s640\/blogger-image-119343704.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EIt's been over 2 weeks since I posted and such a lot has happened. I'll try and keep it brief : we enjoyed the remainder of our Florida holiday - the highlight being swimming with dolphins. Wow, that was such an amazing experience, we felt very privileged to have had them let us get so close, and even be taken for a ride! They truly are gorgeous, so strong and powerful and yet graceful and gentle at the same time. We have no photos except official ones of us looking fetching - NOT (in my case anyway) wetsuits and I am NOT sharing that picture with anyone !!! So here's a lovely last pool shot instead .....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ao8dr9XpPJ4\/VBirgggA9UI\/AAAAAAAACaQ\/e6rCcA1AXUU\/s640\/blogger-image-927022760.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ao8dr9XpPJ4\/VBirgggA9UI\/AAAAAAAACaQ\/e6rCcA1AXUU\/s640\/blogger-image-927022760.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnother highlight for me was having a ride in a hot air balloon :D That's another one ticked off my bucket list :) Disney have a very tame, tethered hot air balloon and you can take a quick 20 minute ride in it (straight up, hang around admiring the view for 15 minutes, straight back down).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-nr8pFer6RE8\/VBiq76Rxk-I\/AAAAAAAACZI\/eTd39h96f64\/s640\/blogger-image--1601703355.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-nr8pFer6RE8\/VBiq76Rxk-I\/AAAAAAAACZI\/eTd39h96f64\/s640\/blogger-image--1601703355.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI would love to experience a \"proper\" hot air balloon sometime, but this was a really great surprise, I hadn't expected to fit it in, it seemed a bit self-indulgent seeing as hubby had to stay on the ground with the Little People: they didn't want to do it (and 20 minutes to myself was heaven, I don't mind admitting). Look, there they are right in the middle, looking up. Little Man is in a green shirt leaning over the fence along the promenade thingy.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-LG698FRXdTM\/VBirj9mO_hI\/AAAAAAAACag\/k9IXTwoI064\/s640\/blogger-image--1560316109.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-LG698FRXdTM\/VBirj9mO_hI\/AAAAAAAACag\/k9IXTwoI064\/s640\/blogger-image--1560316109.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWe had a day at the Magic Kingdom .....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/--wy0Knx5JMI\/VBiqiJx01LI\/AAAAAAAACZA\/4MwlgDGbfbo\/s640\/blogger-image--674725657.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/--wy0Knx5JMI\/VBiqiJx01LI\/AAAAAAAACZA\/4MwlgDGbfbo\/s640\/blogger-image--674725657.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EColour everywhere ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-2p1oBrUuhvA\/VBirY6sxHzI\/AAAAAAAACZo\/5LjcHYJPF7g\/s640\/blogger-image--1923919303.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-2p1oBrUuhvA\/VBirY6sxHzI\/AAAAAAAACZo\/5LjcHYJPF7g\/s640\/blogger-image--1923919303.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-B3pTCb80XaY\/VBirV3Kk09I\/AAAAAAAACZY\/Do3okRZ4iK8\/s640\/blogger-image--1955381403.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-B3pTCb80XaY\/VBirV3Kk09I\/AAAAAAAACZY\/Do3okRZ4iK8\/s640\/blogger-image--1955381403.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-7FzlQYu4FIY\/VBirnE9Do4I\/AAAAAAAACaw\/037G3qYBTF4\/s640\/blogger-image--1284867501.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-7FzlQYu4FIY\/VBirnE9Do4I\/AAAAAAAACaw\/037G3qYBTF4\/s640\/blogger-image--1284867501.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd of course fireworks at night ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Yl-T_EKxcIA\/VBirfNCkLfI\/AAAAAAAACaI\/tlF3X-Lur5o\/s640\/blogger-image-1925816538.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Yl-T_EKxcIA\/VBirfNCkLfI\/AAAAAAAACaI\/tlF3X-Lur5o\/s640\/blogger-image-1925816538.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd so with heavy hearts (and heavier suitcases) we said goodbye to Florida :(\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-sLh_c90EJIs\/VBirXVbscKI\/AAAAAAAACZg\/cg9J0dJsviY\/s640\/blogger-image--301341990.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-sLh_c90EJIs\/VBirXVbscKI\/AAAAAAAACZg\/cg9J0dJsviY\/s640\/blogger-image--301341990.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe journey home was draining, lots of sensory overload for Little Man - cue lots of tantrums, crying and refusing to get up from being in a ball on the floor, and then some really spectacular vomiting (sorry!) from him (poor soul) when we finally arrived home.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWe had 2 days to recover from the jetlag and unpacking chaos before the Little People went back to school. Little Man has started at Secondary school. It's been pretty horrendous, he's really unsettled, not coping at all. We've had to enlist loads of help, make lots of phone calls, and I've been into school soooooo many times. One day last week I kept him at home for a day so he could take a breather and calm down. We went on a lovely bike-ride-come-nature-ramble. Autumn is nearly upon us, the days are still warm but the leaves are turning and there's that early morning chill.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-_gCtHw3jwvA\/VBirllWpbWI\/AAAAAAAACao\/BAFEp66CJEM\/s640\/blogger-image--1025214758.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-_gCtHw3jwvA\/VBirllWpbWI\/AAAAAAAACao\/BAFEp66CJEM\/s640\/blogger-image--1025214758.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EWe gathered loads of lovely autumny treasures Including this wonderful\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Eteasel ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-BuwXMCRaN-Q\/VBiricJNwPI\/AAAAAAAACaY\/i0iD-wC_lVI\/s640\/blogger-image-932126129.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-BuwXMCRaN-Q\/VBiricJNwPI\/AAAAAAAACaY\/i0iD-wC_lVI\/s640\/blogger-image-932126129.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EThe whole school thing has been very hard and it's been an incredibly stressful couple of weeks.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EHowever, I think today we turned a corner and he had an o-k-a-y day. And okay is good enough for me. I'm pretty sure that this is why I've felt like starting blogging again, I couldn't be positive about anything and didn't really want to blog whilst feeling so negative. But now there is light at the end of the tunnel :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-KaP-AwS-Q1g\/VBiq-asKJ3I\/AAAAAAAACZQ\/7VQ_EQ8uQyY\/s640\/blogger-image--792969662.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-KaP-AwS-Q1g\/VBiq-asKJ3I\/AAAAAAAACZQ\/7VQ_EQ8uQyY\/s640\/blogger-image--792969662.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ESince coming back Little Tomboy has celebrated her 7th birthday. 7??? My littlest Little Person is 7. Really ? It doesn't seem possible.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-BeGsJ6M2OWE\/VBiraUDWDyI\/AAAAAAAACZw\/CFmPbPE19BE\/s640\/blogger-image-269424031.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-BeGsJ6M2OWE\/VBiraUDWDyI\/AAAAAAAACZw\/CFmPbPE19BE\/s640\/blogger-image-269424031.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EAnd so I'm settling into my new routine of school runs, school runs, and more school runs :) I'm getting some crochet done - hurrah - I have a couple of little ta-dahs to share soon, and my current project is very exciting!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-fNMkTmj3h2I\/VBircIW4VFI\/AAAAAAAACZ4\/A2-j23jM6wM\/s640\/blogger-image--121190028.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-fNMkTmj3h2I\/VBircIW4VFI\/AAAAAAAACZ4\/A2-j23jM6wM\/s640\/blogger-image--121190028.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EBut it's late now so I need to log off for the evening, I'll be back with more tomorrow:)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003Exxxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8644197531552999257\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/09\/home-sweet-home.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8644197531552999257"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8644197531552999257"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/09\/home-sweet-home.html","title":"Home Sweet Home"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-DcenHujKuZw\/VBird2UUeNI\/AAAAAAAACaA\/BfjTadbnbpc\/s72-c\/blogger-image-119343704.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1897207101019695182"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-27T04:19:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-11-02T20:23:39.081+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holidays"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 20 : Peaceful"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EHello, and welcome to Day 20 of the August Break.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EToday's theme is \"Peaceful\". Wow, Day 20! Awesome!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wEqhz-1J1eM\/U_1HnazEfnI\/AAAAAAAACXA\/D8FXHAdPA6E\/s640\/blogger-image--1147823235.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wEqhz-1J1eM\/U_1HnazEfnI\/AAAAAAAACXA\/D8FXHAdPA6E\/s640\/blogger-image--1147823235.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EI am not, by nature, a peaceful person. Mind always on the go, brain always busy, hands never still. I do almost feel a sense of calm though when I'm looking through my camera lens at flowers and foliage. \u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EPerhaps it's a sense of being in that moment, focusing on the framing of the image, just for a second\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Eshutting out the mayhem that usually surrounds me.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EThese pictures were all taken on our holiday these last couple of weeks. I\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E'm surprised, pleasantly so, at the richness of plant-life around us in Florida. With 3 Little People in tow I wasn't at my most peaceful whilst snapping these pictures, however they do evoke a certain contentment whilst reviewing them :) Hope you enjoy them too :) And if anyone would like to attach names to any varieties, please feel free to inform me!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YvC51nxGhmk\/U_1HlVPozbI\/AAAAAAAACW4\/yrKbEXge-w8\/s640\/blogger-image-501927958.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-YvC51nxGhmk\/U_1HlVPozbI\/AAAAAAAACW4\/yrKbEXge-w8\/s640\/blogger-image-501927958.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-AUUgsBs6RJw\/U_1HpZ-mUVI\/AAAAAAAACXI\/OEP7hwjRB-w\/s640\/blogger-image--1667223325.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-AUUgsBs6RJw\/U_1HpZ-mUVI\/AAAAAAAACXI\/OEP7hwjRB-w\/s640\/blogger-image--1667223325.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-6aNbW28UfR8\/U_1HtWmqAcI\/AAAAAAAACXY\/ZLxaEjz7ML4\/s640\/blogger-image--1414032730.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-6aNbW28UfR8\/U_1HtWmqAcI\/AAAAAAAACXY\/ZLxaEjz7ML4\/s640\/blogger-image--1414032730.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003ESo many wonderful colours and textures ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-cAoukgJ_FSE\/U_1HhXOuJsI\/AAAAAAAACWo\/-aNbwzDA4-E\/s640\/blogger-image-144042538.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-cAoukgJ_FSE\/U_1HhXOuJsI\/AAAAAAAACWo\/-aNbwzDA4-E\/s640\/blogger-image-144042538.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-GLYAgxA6aFA\/U_1OT1j0e4I\/AAAAAAAACYg\/7bA7w_99l5g\/s640\/blogger-image-1137906481.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-GLYAgxA6aFA\/U_1OT1j0e4I\/AAAAAAAACYg\/7bA7w_99l5g\/s640\/blogger-image-1137906481.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-mQthl0qJiAI\/U_1OSLNCh-I\/AAAAAAAACYY\/jwPuYU3GPoA\/s640\/blogger-image--603576625.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-mQthl0qJiAI\/U_1OSLNCh-I\/AAAAAAAACYY\/jwPuYU3GPoA\/s640\/blogger-image--603576625.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-4DV4QWx7UME\/U_1H2ZNFk9I\/AAAAAAAACYA\/n9fyDnM-mds\/s640\/blogger-image--587533267.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-4DV4QWx7UME\/U_1H2ZNFk9I\/AAAAAAAACYA\/n9fyDnM-mds\/s640\/blogger-image--587533267.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-RpoBw59pcag\/U_1HrXYf9_I\/AAAAAAAACXQ\/Rd1A2nKpQC0\/s640\/blogger-image-1059095388.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-RpoBw59pcag\/U_1HrXYf9_I\/AAAAAAAACXQ\/Rd1A2nKpQC0\/s640\/blogger-image-1059095388.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-NDZJWeqNPkU\/U_1HvB66DBI\/AAAAAAAACXg\/Q5teW4dEgik\/s640\/blogger-image-611089010.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-NDZJWeqNPkU\/U_1HvB66DBI\/AAAAAAAACXg\/Q5teW4dEgik\/s640\/blogger-image-611089010.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-k5Rauqv9w3g\/U_1HwwTT6WI\/AAAAAAAACXo\/SJHWHluWvxE\/s640\/blogger-image-1170969610.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-k5Rauqv9w3g\/U_1HwwTT6WI\/AAAAAAAACXo\/SJHWHluWvxE\/s640\/blogger-image-1170969610.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-bp2S6UjQivc\/U_1Hy1n0pYI\/AAAAAAAACXw\/LZRF9se2b6I\/s640\/blogger-image-1491123429.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-bp2S6UjQivc\/U_1Hy1n0pYI\/AAAAAAAACXw\/LZRF9se2b6I\/s640\/blogger-image-1491123429.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-T1-xgwM4WqI\/U_1OWfjArsI\/AAAAAAAACYo\/EVr3PFH27KA\/s640\/blogger-image--2134703841.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-T1-xgwM4WqI\/U_1OWfjArsI\/AAAAAAAACYo\/EVr3PFH27KA\/s640\/blogger-image--2134703841.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-EofBgz9_xX8\/U_1H0rPWPxI\/AAAAAAAACX4\/mlfKh-uPBr0\/s640\/blogger-image-742342623.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-EofBgz9_xX8\/U_1H0rPWPxI\/AAAAAAAACX4\/mlfKh-uPBr0\/s640\/blogger-image-742342623.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-JdfSpeuNlvw\/U_1Hjr3cmXI\/AAAAAAAACWw\/0JWjBQchdcY\/s640\/blogger-image--1072311642.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-JdfSpeuNlvw\/U_1Hjr3cmXI\/AAAAAAAACWw\/0JWjBQchdcY\/s640\/blogger-image--1072311642.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1897207101019695182\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-20-peaceful.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1897207101019695182"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1897207101019695182"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-20-peaceful.html","title":"August Break Day 20 : Peaceful"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-wEqhz-1J1eM\/U_1HnazEfnI\/AAAAAAAACXA\/D8FXHAdPA6E\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1147823235.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6878294831393055948"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-27T02:54:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-12-22T22:07:08.847+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 18: Jump"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EWelcome to Day 18 of the August Break.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EToday's theme is \"Jump\". Golly gosh really nearly caught up, only a few more days of multi-posting!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI've been REAALLLLY looking forward to this post :) All week I've been messing about with my fancy-pants camera and it's various fancy-pants settings. One such setting is a sort of \"Action mode\" where you hold down the clicky button thing and the camera takes a series of shots, paparazzi style, for as long as the button is held down. You get loads of action shots that would be really hard to get with a one-click setting (well, for me, anyway). I've taken loads of the Little People jumping into the pool. The pictures speak for themselves. Enjoy!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-_GOhbNryECI\/U_06Js70R8I\/AAAAAAAACVo\/zLGo7GM-RUU\/s640\/blogger-image--1310360152.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-_GOhbNryECI\/U_06Js70R8I\/AAAAAAAACVo\/zLGo7GM-RUU\/s640\/blogger-image--1310360152.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-e0WQyZxZxmA\/U_06Nezl0HI\/AAAAAAAACV4\/v6kwj3p6FSo\/s640\/blogger-image-1756181424.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-e0WQyZxZxmA\/U_06Nezl0HI\/AAAAAAAACV4\/v6kwj3p6FSo\/s640\/blogger-image-1756181424.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pNGm9owgsug\/U_06OxCa44I\/AAAAAAAACWA\/Xn5y8mnQAms\/s640\/blogger-image-486400800.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pNGm9owgsug\/U_06OxCa44I\/AAAAAAAACWA\/Xn5y8mnQAms\/s640\/blogger-image-486400800.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vv0Vc9TA1e4\/U_06UH-V0KI\/AAAAAAAACWY\/nkiEoBolUYg\/s640\/blogger-image--1055649220.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vv0Vc9TA1e4\/U_06UH-V0KI\/AAAAAAAACWY\/nkiEoBolUYg\/s640\/blogger-image--1055649220.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-SDO6t24tXTs\/U_06SW2fyCI\/AAAAAAAACWQ\/RC-N_spROas\/s640\/blogger-image-248340424.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-SDO6t24tXTs\/U_06SW2fyCI\/AAAAAAAACWQ\/RC-N_spROas\/s640\/blogger-image-248340424.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Ez9NcgVgRXA\/U_06QlRua6I\/AAAAAAAACWI\/pIh_8NbybmU\/s640\/blogger-image--1007205950.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Ez9NcgVgRXA\/U_06QlRua6I\/AAAAAAAACWI\/pIh_8NbybmU\/s640\/blogger-image--1007205950.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-PRVa_AGRVlU\/U_06Hy0xfdI\/AAAAAAAACVg\/duDJUiwE_OY\/s640\/blogger-image-779854101.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-PRVa_AGRVlU\/U_06Hy0xfdI\/AAAAAAAACVg\/duDJUiwE_OY\/s640\/blogger-image-779854101.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-RzpVEO0hFcA\/U_06LoFWgFI\/AAAAAAAACVw\/QkU8f8uRApI\/s640\/blogger-image--254731250.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-RzpVEO0hFcA\/U_06LoFWgFI\/AAAAAAAACVw\/QkU8f8uRApI\/s640\/blogger-image--254731250.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere :) Doesn't that just make you smile :D\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Exxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6878294831393055948\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-18-jump.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6878294831393055948"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6878294831393055948"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-18-jump.html","title":"August Break Day 18: Jump"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-_GOhbNryECI\/U_06Js70R8I\/AAAAAAAACVo\/zLGo7GM-RUU\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1310360152.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1948125674047460393"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-27T02:53:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-12-22T22:09:59.232+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holidays"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 19 : Black and White"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello, and welcome to Day 19 of the August Break.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EToday's theme is \" Black and White\". Still with me ? Good-o :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EBlack and white. That's actually, for me, really hard as a theme. I've had a virtual flick through my photographs to find something black and white - but with extremely limited success. I thought about playing around with settings on my iPad and presenting some pictures in monochrome or sepia-tone, but, well, it's just Not Me. Okay so it might've been intriguing to see what photo-editing could do to some gloriously colorful photos, maybe they would evoke a different feeling ? Well, we'll never know. At least not now. Cos I just didn't really want to mess with my already lovely pictures.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-NRr6Eh14LJM\/U_06B0v3CDI\/AAAAAAAACVI\/9P7DrbISwwE\/s640\/blogger-image-1926367124.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-NRr6Eh14LJM\/U_06B0v3CDI\/AAAAAAAACVI\/9P7DrbISwwE\/s640\/blogger-image-1926367124.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI did however find a couple of photos that were neeeeearly black and white that I'd taken around our holiday villa. It's owned by my lovely friend Carla of\u0026nbsp;http:\/\/www.disneyretreatvilla.co.uk. Carla and I met 12 years ago in our ante-natal classes, my Little Man and her Little Lady have known each other since they were babies (well since they were bumps technically lol), they've been at the same primary school for 7 years and are shortly off to the big adventure of secondary school together. Most of the other children from their year are going to the nearest school but our two have not followed the herd, they have struck out on a different path to the majority, and are starting another school together. And excitingly, they will be in the same tutor group together for at least 5 years. A\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003End I'm thrilled that Carla and I are continuing down the path of parenthood together :) I've used that word \"together\" a lot there - but I don't care! Together together together :D\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnyway. To get back to the villa. It really is a home from home. This is our second visit, and there are so many lovely touches around the place.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EFor a start there are plants everywhere. They're imitation but it doesn't matter, they look fabulously lush, real ones aren't appropriate in a holiday home, and they really add to the homeliness :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-MI2zIlMG598\/U_058V4SIaI\/AAAAAAAACUw\/dyvlA6p6Iy0\/s640\/blogger-image-1593252989.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-MI2zIlMG598\/U_058V4SIaI\/AAAAAAAACUw\/dyvlA6p6Iy0\/s640\/blogger-image-1593252989.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ELet's takes a closer look at those wine glasses shall we .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-NNTv2cUKtGg\/U_06Dss8q-I\/AAAAAAAACVQ\/TQF0BQCLL6A\/s640\/blogger-image-1748450646.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-NNTv2cUKtGg\/U_06Dss8q-I\/AAAAAAAACVQ\/TQF0BQCLL6A\/s640\/blogger-image-1748450646.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESo pretty! Upon arrival the dining table is properly set with red mats, a table runner and white crockery. Oh and the wine glasses of course. And I forgot - again - to take a photo of the table all set when we arrived - maybe next time :) NB take note of black and white table runner fulfilling today's theme :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hPyXHKwvCr0\/U_05vKst1mI\/AAAAAAAACT4\/Cu3Y87q72lw\/s640\/blogger-image-928395417.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-hPyXHKwvCr0\/U_05vKst1mI\/AAAAAAAACT4\/Cu3Y87q72lw\/s640\/blogger-image-928395417.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe kitchen table has Rennie Mackintosh designs on the mats. I ADORE Rennie Mackintosh, especially the rose. Beautiful. (And red just happens to be my favorite colour :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-K6st-xIvmxo\/U_05tEerveI\/AAAAAAAACTw\/l71PxEgpLMA\/s640\/blogger-image-1249555364.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-K6st-xIvmxo\/U_05tEerveI\/AAAAAAAACTw\/l71PxEgpLMA\/s640\/blogger-image-1249555364.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd in the guest bathroom more touches of black and white .... love these! I'd like them at home actually!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-uvjirUA_gZQ\/U_054II6BxI\/AAAAAAAACUg\/uWbRrPzyEQE\/s640\/blogger-image--251842468.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-uvjirUA_gZQ\/U_054II6BxI\/AAAAAAAACUg\/uWbRrPzyEQE\/s640\/blogger-image--251842468.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E..... and check out the towels - adorable!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-t9mDBHHgxiE\/U_05rAze-jI\/AAAAAAAACTo\/jSezW--dUP4\/s640\/blogger-image-1049639950.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-t9mDBHHgxiE\/U_05rAze-jI\/AAAAAAAACTo\/jSezW--dUP4\/s640\/blogger-image-1049639950.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd even the shower curtain matches! Brilliant! (don't think I've ever taken a photo of a shower curtain before - that's the holiday vibe for you :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-_3c2x8IbfLU\/U_05xNbbjwI\/AAAAAAAACUA\/vIU1FeXe-jc\/s640\/blogger-image--1995376765.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-_3c2x8IbfLU\/U_05xNbbjwI\/AAAAAAAACUA\/vIU1FeXe-jc\/s640\/blogger-image--1995376765.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOur en-suite is MASSIVE with some great beachy scenes .....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-xhfqncgohik\/U_050yaKy1I\/AAAAAAAACUQ\/C18MsjD3TiU\/s640\/blogger-image--571470995.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-xhfqncgohik\/U_050yaKy1I\/AAAAAAAACUQ\/C18MsjD3TiU\/s640\/blogger-image--571470995.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E.... and more fab towels .... now, when at home would I have a towel with an embroidered palm tree .... hmm getting that creative sparkle again .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-gvzw8q4jUIw\/U_0561qDWLI\/AAAAAAAACUo\/ASWW5L5QenU\/s640\/blogger-image--744780158.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-gvzw8q4jUIw\/U_0561qDWLI\/AAAAAAAACUo\/ASWW5L5QenU\/s640\/blogger-image--744780158.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESpeaking of towels, my absolute favorite are the pool towels ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-S77MDsRY8sc\/U_05-P9GmwI\/AAAAAAAACU4\/bKffGvhrsz0\/s640\/blogger-image--1159043409.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-S77MDsRY8sc\/U_05-P9GmwI\/AAAAAAAACU4\/bKffGvhrsz0\/s640\/blogger-image--1159043409.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EYes you're right, I have included this picture in a previous post, but the towels deserve a special mention - I happen to know they were purchased in a supermarket not a mile from our house back home LOL\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe sofas are mega comfy. I have a bit of an OCD thing about sofas, comes from having to sit on so many truly hideous ones during the student years I reckon. To say that these sofas are even acceptable is a b-i-g compliment, so to say mega-comfy ? Well let's just say I think I prefer them to our brand new recliny ones at home (ssshhhhh don't tell hubby :-\/ ). And they have very funky cushions too.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-U8Vj3MbpIhg\/U_05y4TUMyI\/AAAAAAAACUI\/qG--121zDY8\/s640\/blogger-image--85977631.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-U8Vj3MbpIhg\/U_05y4TUMyI\/AAAAAAAACUI\/qG--121zDY8\/s640\/blogger-image--85977631.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd finally, the Little People's bedrooms have loads of fun Disney features on the walls and bedding. Although it's *only* our second visit, our Little People felt instantly at home. A bit too much at home if the discarded clothes, teddies, books etc are anything to go by ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-NAeNc8hCsyI\/U_06FRV7_GI\/AAAAAAAACVY\/_ubTVVtn7u8\/s640\/blogger-image-1236853080.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-NAeNc8hCsyI\/U_06FRV7_GI\/AAAAAAAACVY\/_ubTVVtn7u8\/s640\/blogger-image-1236853080.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OyjY-_weUu8\/U_052ZNQB2I\/AAAAAAAACUY\/1-MowyozwzM\/s640\/blogger-image--259945197.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-OyjY-_weUu8\/U_052ZNQB2I\/AAAAAAAACUY\/1-MowyozwzM\/s640\/blogger-image--259945197.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-5oZptkDxROs\/U_06APQHnyI\/AAAAAAAACVA\/c6tmbCD6S58\/s640\/blogger-image-2086288557.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-5oZptkDxROs\/U_06APQHnyI\/AAAAAAAACVA\/c6tmbCD6S58\/s640\/blogger-image-2086288557.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EOk, so there wasn't that much black and white but it did get this post off to a flying start, and that's good enough for me :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Exxxxxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1948125674047460393\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-19-black-and-white.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1948125674047460393"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1948125674047460393"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-19-black-and-white.html","title":"August Break Day 19 : Black and White"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-NRr6Eh14LJM\/U_06B0v3CDI\/AAAAAAAACVI\/9P7DrbISwwE\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1926367124.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-8236328802385498875"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-26T03:55:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-12-22T22:12:56.860+00:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"books"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holidays"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 17 : Bookshelf"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EHello, and welcome to Day 17 of the August Break.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EToday's theme is \"Bookshelf\". Well done for sticking with me as I catch up!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIn case you hadn't worked it out by now, I'm still on holibobs (or vacation as the locals would say :) My travel bookshelf is my kindle, but I didn't want to witter on about that. Instead, I thought 'd witter on about the new crochet books I've bought whilst here, and share with you some lovely pictures :) New crochet books! Yippee! Very very very nearly as exciting as new yarn (but not quite).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-_rC7OPQaf-Y\/U_v3JExGbWI\/AAAAAAAACTQ\/jl2heogaCXM\/s640\/blogger-image-871792964.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-_rC7OPQaf-Y\/U_v3JExGbWI\/AAAAAAAACTQ\/jl2heogaCXM\/s640\/blogger-image-871792964.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI do love a bookshop. Whilst yarn shops make my heart beat a little faster and my head goes a bit giddy, when I'm in a bookshop I go into a bit of a Zen-mode. Actually, libraries have the same effect. There's something so calming about all those wonderful, delicious books. Almost soon as you cross the threshold, and the door closes with a soft swish behind you, a stillness happens. Problems and worries are left behind with the noise and busy-ness outside. Row after row, shelf after shelf, book after book. Pictures. Images. Sketches. Words. Stories. Descriptions. Lists. Instructions. Who needs the internet ? Everything you ever needed is right here, only you are so calm you don't actually need anything, except to wander up and down the rows, tilting your head to read the titles, occasionally selecting a book to open, and peruse, before gently placing it back in its rightful little slot.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-s-ECBJpB36k\/U_v3BYVpbWI\/AAAAAAAACSw\/ELP_EuwKDDw\/s640\/blogger-image-1798504744.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-s-ECBJpB36k\/U_v3BYVpbWI\/AAAAAAAACSw\/ELP_EuwKDDw\/s640\/blogger-image-1798504744.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd so I found myself, in my happy place, the nearest bookshop. At this stage I must confess I didn't experience my usual calmness but this is because it was An American Bookshop and so by definition is bigger than your average purveyor of literature (no offence Americans, but you do BIG Very Well). Instead I had the giddiness and really wanted to run around shrieking with hysterical excitement over all those lovely books :) But I was very sensible and headed for the books-on-craft section. How restrained.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-DEpXd3jL1kM\/U_v3FPqt1YI\/AAAAAAAACTA\/VIb6wp3GB3U\/s640\/blogger-image-995829284.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-DEpXd3jL1kM\/U_v3FPqt1YI\/AAAAAAAACTA\/VIb6wp3GB3U\/s640\/blogger-image-995829284.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThis first book In bought is Crochet Garden by Suzann Thompson.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Crochet-Garden-Bunches-Flowers-Delights\/dp\/1600599273\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-bqnPuJS1oBY\/U_v28XqD-1I\/AAAAAAAACSY\/ivVS8WLFv5k\/s640\/blogger-image-1432880890.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-bqnPuJS1oBY\/U_v28XqD-1I\/AAAAAAAACSY\/ivVS8WLFv5k\/s640\/blogger-image-1432880890.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIt's beautifully illustrated with vibrant pictures in gorgeous colours.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-k5AebMWHsGA\/U_v2phRLc_I\/AAAAAAAACRI\/yQzk0iMcewo\/s640\/blogger-image--1327430404.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-k5AebMWHsGA\/U_v2phRLc_I\/AAAAAAAACRI\/yQzk0iMcewo\/s640\/blogger-image--1327430404.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EPatterns for all sorts of flowers can be found inside, like forget-me-nots and roses.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-oGWNcS0FlO4\/U_v2d7gbs5I\/AAAAAAAACQ4\/ZtfY0kuLECo\/s640\/blogger-image--1326322925.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-oGWNcS0FlO4\/U_v2d7gbs5I\/AAAAAAAACQ4\/ZtfY0kuLECo\/s640\/blogger-image--1326322925.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThere's even a pattern for a poinsettia. But ssshhhhhhh no one mention the \"C\" word yet ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-4gyTUpuF16I\/U_v260Cn4RI\/AAAAAAAACSQ\/p7ycTAqdMuk\/s640\/blogger-image--1529351449.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-4gyTUpuF16I\/U_v260Cn4RI\/AAAAAAAACSQ\/p7ycTAqdMuk\/s640\/blogger-image--1529351449.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThere are als\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Eo some leaf patterns, like these maples. And I KNOW I have the colours of yarn for these, I bought them yesterday!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ZsJjhMlGftU\/U_v2_yK5hRI\/AAAAAAAACSo\/T0yynEn6_Io\/s640\/blogger-image-729112500.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ZsJjhMlGftU\/U_v2_yK5hRI\/AAAAAAAACSo\/T0yynEn6_Io\/s640\/blogger-image-729112500.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd also some little creatures to keep the flowers company.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Z81konoPU_c\/U_v3HGjQmpI\/AAAAAAAACTI\/OhjYuWgrmXk\/s640\/blogger-image--350003725.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-Z81konoPU_c\/U_v3HGjQmpI\/AAAAAAAACTI\/OhjYuWgrmXk\/s640\/blogger-image--350003725.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThere are also some really sweet little flowery scenes dotted throughout, I'm very inspired to make some with a mix of crochet and embroidery.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-frU8oLPrsb4\/U_v2-KjwnMI\/AAAAAAAACSc\/QqjvQ94fxrw\/s640\/blogger-image--1065758045.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-frU8oLPrsb4\/U_v2-KjwnMI\/AAAAAAAACSc\/QqjvQ94fxrw\/s640\/blogger-image--1065758045.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-JdeQMI3cgXk\/U_v2rWFFY1I\/AAAAAAAACRQ\/J8th7PQamaM\/s640\/blogger-image-2037623138.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-JdeQMI3cgXk\/U_v2rWFFY1I\/AAAAAAAACRQ\/J8th7PQamaM\/s640\/blogger-image-2037623138.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;Aren't they adorable ? Aaaah my creative spark is sparkling right now let me tell you!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ENext up is this little beauty, \"How to Show \u0026amp; Sell Your Crafts, by Torie Jayne\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/How-Show-Sell-Your-Crafts\/dp\/1250044723\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-roJBYFqN7mA\/U_v2xDcopUI\/AAAAAAAACRk\/4bSORW3BG_k\/s640\/blogger-image-514689674.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-roJBYFqN7mA\/U_v2xDcopUI\/AAAAAAAACRk\/4bSORW3BG_k\/s640\/blogger-image-514689674.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI haven't taken many pictures of the interior because, honestly, they are all so gorgeous I'd have to show you every page. What's that you say ? You do really want to see a picture ? Oh, okay then, just the one though ...\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-GbYO9p4BdOY\/U_v2y3HKbKI\/AAAAAAAACRs\/2ITL-uKulH8\/s640\/blogger-image-1643940287.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-GbYO9p4BdOY\/U_v2y3HKbKI\/AAAAAAAACRs\/2ITL-uKulH8\/s640\/blogger-image-1643940287.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI've justified the purchase because it's, er, for research purposes. For advice on selling my own stuff you see, an investment if you will. Yes, that's it, an investment :) There are sections on branding, online selling, photographing your work, pricing, marketing, and so on, but I'm not sure I can concentrate on the words due to the really beautiful photos. All it's done so far is give me a serious case of craft room envy. Oh alright, one more picture ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-m2bO-TVPd34\/U_v20kXFSPI\/AAAAAAAACR0\/NqWBMj1Xqzw\/s640\/blogger-image-1235064952.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-m2bO-TVPd34\/U_v20kXFSPI\/AAAAAAAACR0\/NqWBMj1Xqzw\/s640\/blogger-image-1235064952.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EThird on my list of newly-acquired books is this fabulous collection of projects.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-nKH3XtJmSDc\/U_v249FFJLI\/AAAAAAAACSI\/RTkWsUXVBKo\/s640\/blogger-image-1235511196.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-nKH3XtJmSDc\/U_v249FFJLI\/AAAAAAAACSI\/RTkWsUXVBKo\/s640\/blogger-image-1235511196.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EMost crochet books try to teach crochet for absolute beginners as well as provide interesting patterns to follow. That's great and all, but more and more I find myself a bit miffed that the first 20 pages of a 90 page book is just a repeat of the first 20 pages of the last book I bought. So I was really happy when I flicked through Crochet One-Skein Wonders.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-tR_PfrpsoWs\/U_v23PBCdMI\/AAAAAAAACSA\/6nWU6kYOrHw\/s640\/blogger-image-34081709.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-tR_PfrpsoWs\/U_v23PBCdMI\/AAAAAAAACSA\/6nWU6kYOrHw\/s640\/blogger-image-34081709.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EThe book dives straight into a project on the first page (well, page 9, after the index and other blurb). There then follows 256 pages choc-full of patterns and illustrations. Bags, scarves, socks, coasters, mitts, jewellery, baskets, it's got the lot.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nXerRhID3lI\/U_v2tHljHGI\/AAAAAAAACRY\/45f-2EhXG-I\/s640\/blogger-image-1032825586.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-nXerRhID3lI\/U_v2tHljHGI\/AAAAAAAACRY\/45f-2EhXG-I\/s640\/blogger-image-1032825586.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe projects are arranged by yarn weight. I LOVE this approach. It's really very sensible. I rarely find a pattern then choose the yarn for it, instead I almost always go \"oooooo loooooook!!!!!!!! New yarn!!!!!! Must buy it !!!!!\" and then I have to find something to do with it...... I'm sure you all understand, cos it's not just me is it. \u0026nbsp;And once you decide which pattern to make with your new yarn, there is also a handy chart to assist you. Well for most patterns anyway. We hookers are a visual crew are we not.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-SNP7EbVBX8g\/U_v3LApZ74I\/AAAAAAAACTY\/mGyAg740V4c\/s640\/blogger-image-214722654.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-SNP7EbVBX8g\/U_v3LApZ74I\/AAAAAAAACTY\/mGyAg740V4c\/s640\/blogger-image-214722654.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI have already made something out of this book, but I'll keep you in suspense for another day :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe last \"book\" isn't actually a book, it's a magazine, but it still contains lots of lovely crochet-goodness. There you go, look, it even says on the cover \"27 Sizzling(!) Summer Patterns\" !!! Sizzlin' !!!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-yK9TFZWqt9A\/U_v2uyOW1xI\/AAAAAAAACRc\/HZWGyPnQgRs\/s640\/blogger-image--1945914549.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-yK9TFZWqt9A\/U_v2uyOW1xI\/AAAAAAAACRc\/HZWGyPnQgRs\/s640\/blogger-image--1945914549.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ENow. Dear readers. Dear American readers. I must confess that when I was browsing the crochet section of the magazine aisle in the bookshop (and quite impressive an aisle it was too), I started to get really rather stressed. There were loads of crochet magazines, but nothing was grabbing me. Surely there must be some mistake ? Not grabbed by a magazine ? Does not compute. I leafed through loads, getting a bit frazzled, trying to find something to give me that \"oooooh! I need to buy you NOW!!\" Feeling. But nothing. Are American magazines just not as exciting ? Or was I having a bad day? Please dear American readers, feel free to let me know! Maybe I need to try again. Or try a different bookshop. Ooooooh! A visit to another bookshop!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnyway, I did buy the latest issue \"Love of Crochet\". And actually it has really really grown on me. Maybe not quite \"sizzling\" but warming up very nicely.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;I know a Little Miss who would love this Peony Purse (that's a \"bag\" all you Brits out there).\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-zNvjxIf989A\/U_v3DNoWAkI\/AAAAAAAACS4\/tzeaQrUJTns\/s640\/blogger-image--1997657548.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-zNvjxIf989A\/U_v3DNoWAkI\/AAAAAAAACS4\/tzeaQrUJTns\/s640\/blogger-image--1997657548.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EI particularly like this \"Climbing Wisteria\" wrap thingy. That's definitely on my (ridiculously long) must-do-sometime list. Now, I wonder if I have any yarn or do I need to go shopping again ...?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-zcwlx49-f6g\/U_v2gEy1eXI\/AAAAAAAACRA\/ot-OaE7PGD8\/s640\/blogger-image--95395412.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-zcwlx49-f6g\/U_v2gEy1eXI\/AAAAAAAACRA\/ot-OaE7PGD8\/s640\/blogger-image--95395412.jpg\"  width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Exxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8236328802385498875\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-17-bookshelf.html#comment-form","title":"13 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8236328802385498875"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8236328802385498875"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-17-bookshelf.html","title":"August Break Day 17 : Bookshelf"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-_rC7OPQaf-Y\/U_v3JExGbWI\/AAAAAAAACTQ\/jl2heogaCXM\/s72-c\/blogger-image-871792964.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"13"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-4963188830901924297"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-25T21:36:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:28:27.021+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holidays"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 16 : Look down"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello, and welcome to day 16 of the August Break.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cdiv\u003EToday's theme is \"Look down\". whoop, over halfway!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-glodSEmoTtw\/U_ueVv3PwuI\/AAAAAAAACQo\/LjtFMd6AutY\/s640\/blogger-image--1975050431.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-glodSEmoTtw\/U_ueVv3PwuI\/AAAAAAAACQo\/LjtFMd6AutY\/s640\/blogger-image--1975050431.jpg\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThere are many images that capture the essence of family life, and a pile of footwear is a great example. At home we have shoe boxes in the hall by the front door, so the chaos of shoes, slippers, sandals, trainers, flip-flops, crocs, boots and school-shoes is contained. Or at least that's the theory.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIn our holiday villa they are all just sort of dumped on the floor in a heap. And for once, I don't mind the mess :)\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4963188830901924297\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-16-look-down.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4963188830901924297"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4963188830901924297"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-16-look-down.html","title":"August Break Day 16 : Look down"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-glodSEmoTtw\/U_ueVv3PwuI\/AAAAAAAACQo\/LjtFMd6AutY\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1975050431.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-5179169281774185334"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-24T03:56:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:29:27.206+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 15 : Blue"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello and welcome to Day 15 of the August Break.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cdiv\u003EToday's theme is \"Blue\". Last post for today, I promise!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-L5EXmE1Tg4o\/U_lUYSOlHlI\/AAAAAAAACQY\/pZ1kmzJ-HjQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1118782778.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-L5EXmE1Tg4o\/U_lUYSOlHlI\/AAAAAAAACQY\/pZ1kmzJ-HjQ\/s640\/blogger-image-1118782778.jpg\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELook, Little Miss got her Blue Peter badge! Hip hip hurray!! It arrived a few weeks ago, really not long after she sent her letter. You may remember that I posted about it at\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-3-window-lavender-bears.html?m=1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003Ehttp:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-3-window-lavender-bears.html?m=1\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EShe sent off a letter and a picture she had done ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Al-UoUmIghM\/U_lUWqlvo5I\/AAAAAAAACQQ\/FZQE0LMAtgg\/s640\/blogger-image--924172964.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Al-UoUmIghM\/U_lUWqlvo5I\/AAAAAAAACQQ\/FZQE0LMAtgg\/s640\/blogger-image--924172964.jpg\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E... and she received a letter and badge in the mail the following week! I can't tell you how excited she was! And me too! And very proud of her as well ... and a tiny bit proud of myself too for getting our collective acts together to actually apply for it. Go us!!\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5179169281774185334\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-15-blue.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5179169281774185334"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5179169281774185334"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-15-blue.html","title":"August Break Day 15 : Blue"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-L5EXmE1Tg4o\/U_lUYSOlHlI\/AAAAAAAACQY\/pZ1kmzJ-HjQ\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1118782778.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-7778262516257098223"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-24T03:44:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:29:58.875+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 14 : Hands"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EHello, and welcome to Day 14 of the August Break.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EToday's theme is \"Hands\".\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAs a Mum, my hands are always busy - washing dishes, wiping surfaces, folding laundry, picking up toys, fetching drinks, preparing food, tying shoelaces, brushing hair, applying bandages, wiping tears, tucking in .... the list goes on and on and on .... and holding their hands too. Oh their hands. Always busy, as busy as their Mum's.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EPicking fruit\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-bSRiHkuHcqA\/U_lRXXsOekI\/AAAAAAAACPs\/t42uAySREVo\/s640\/blogger-image-271108307.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-bSRiHkuHcqA\/U_lRXXsOekI\/AAAAAAAACPs\/t42uAySREVo\/s640\/blogger-image-271108307.jpg\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EDoing puzzles\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Yq5k6Owpb2I\/U_lRdRgfhrI\/AAAAAAAACQE\/5qGylyqvwdA\/s640\/blogger-image-2120271882.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Yq5k6Owpb2I\/U_lRdRgfhrI\/AAAAAAAACQE\/5qGylyqvwdA\/s640\/blogger-image-2120271882.jpg\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWriting and coloring\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-xMYeAjjNc84\/U_lRVPCdctI\/AAAAAAAACPk\/5tIHyMjJl7Y\/s640\/blogger-image-1042221087.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-xMYeAjjNc84\/U_lRVPCdctI\/AAAAAAAACPk\/5tIHyMjJl7Y\/s640\/blogger-image-1042221087.jpg\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ECuddling teddies\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-4Cib9mt_qwI\/U_lRbcEiK5I\/AAAAAAAACP8\/8gWmj8DXzBk\/s640\/blogger-image--838606684.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-4Cib9mt_qwI\/U_lRbcEiK5I\/AAAAAAAACP8\/8gWmj8DXzBk\/s640\/blogger-image--838606684.jpg\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EGetting food\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-rMCNOtFLhKs\/U_lRQr20dcI\/AAAAAAAACPU\/GzDa5ucGgH0\/s640\/blogger-image--1668814172.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-rMCNOtFLhKs\/U_lRQr20dcI\/AAAAAAAACPU\/GzDa5ucGgH0\/s640\/blogger-image--1668814172.jpg\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EPainting\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dqQ2WzFj8SU\/U_lRZdHo0XI\/AAAAAAAACP0\/di1ufvbQQXo\/s640\/blogger-image--863867854.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dqQ2WzFj8SU\/U_lRZdHo0XI\/AAAAAAAACP0\/di1ufvbQQXo\/s640\/blogger-image--863867854.jpg\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESculpting\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-la6-yzA2FQs\/U_lRTJ_a3zI\/AAAAAAAACPc\/0RKJk2pck-o\/s640\/blogger-image-586128825.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-la6-yzA2FQs\/U_lRTJ_a3zI\/AAAAAAAACPc\/0RKJk2pck-o\/s640\/blogger-image-586128825.jpg\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETheir beautiful, perfect hands. I know the day when they no longer want to hold my hand is coming way too fast, so I will just keep holding, holding, holding ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7778262516257098223\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-14-hands.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7778262516257098223"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7778262516257098223"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-14-hands.html","title":"August Break Day 14 : Hands"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-bSRiHkuHcqA\/U_lRXXsOekI\/AAAAAAAACPs\/t42uAySREVo\/s72-c\/blogger-image-271108307.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-4983843891570659200"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-24T03:10:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:30:44.948+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holidays"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"yarn"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 13 : My Guilty Pleasure"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EHello, and welcome to Day 13 of the August Break.\u003Cdiv\u003EToday's theme is \"My Guilty Pleasure\". \u0026nbsp;Nearly halfway!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWell that's easy, it's yarn-buying. Here's the pile I've bought on this holiday.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-gPbniqd5kUE\/U_lJqemzaBI\/AAAAAAAACPA\/4y1FhCzZwBA\/s640\/blogger-image--528140737.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-gPbniqd5kUE\/U_lJqemzaBI\/AAAAAAAACPA\/4y1FhCzZwBA\/s640\/blogger-image--528140737.jpg\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI've always like shopping, and enjoy home-ware shopping, shoe shopping, office-supply shopping, shopping for kids stuff, I even enjoy doing the weekly food shopping. I thought I had discovered all the joy that shopping could bring.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAnd then, about 18 months ago I discovered Yarn Shopping. Hurrah!!!! A whole new depth of shopping-passion was discovered. I loooooove buying yarn, love Love LOVE it. I have to do it own my own, or at least with no Little People with me. I have to buy the actual thing in an actual shop, it's not nearly as satisfying as being able to gaze longingly at shelf after shelf, row after row of gorgeous squashy balls of yarn. I love seeing them all neatly arranged, ordered and in line with labels facing the right way, and straggly ends tucked in. I love running my fingers over the fibers and then having a good old feel and a squidge. I love the sheer potential of it all. With a bit of crafty-wizardry it can be made into anything - clothing, homewares, decorations, accessories, toys - the possibilities are endless. Ooooo that pink would make a lovely shawl, aaaah that green is just what I need to edge a cushion, aha that's just the blue I need for my blanket.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI can't possibly craft fast enough such that my yarn consumption anywhere near matches my purchasing rate. Unless I make a gigantic art installation by sticking on entire balls of yarn at a time. The other issue is storage. It's ridiculous, I could open a shop of my own. But then I'd have to part with my yarn, and that I can never do, unless it's been crafted, lovingly by me into a gift for someone. And that is just what's so great.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI love to gaze at the yarn.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI love to choose the yarn.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI love to buy the yarn.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI really love to craft with the yarn, especially crochet of course.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EBut most of all I love to give the lovingly crafted gift made with the lovingly chosen and purchased yarn to its intended recipient so they too can share in the yarny love :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003Exxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4983843891570659200\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-13-my-guilty-pleasure.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4983843891570659200"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4983843891570659200"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-13-my-guilty-pleasure.html","title":"August Break Day 13 : My Guilty Pleasure"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-gPbniqd5kUE\/U_lJqemzaBI\/AAAAAAAACPA\/4y1FhCzZwBA\/s72-c\/blogger-image--528140737.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1650287833271022624"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-24T02:40:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:48:30.024+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holidays"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 12 : On The Table"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EHello, and welcome to Day 12 of the August Break.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EToday's theme is \"On the table\". Feel like I'm making headway!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2QBdEv6IoGU\/U_lCaATx-7I\/AAAAAAAACOY\/itai3fZVhyM\/s640\/blogger-image--1372671103.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2QBdEv6IoGU\/U_lCaATx-7I\/AAAAAAAACOY\/itai3fZVhyM\/s640\/blogger-image--1372671103.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EA coffee outside in a quiet moment. Hubby, Little Miss and Little Tomboy are gasping at the prices in the Hello Kitty shop, and Little Man is reading his book : extremely rare. The act of reading, not the book itself.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EHere's how we got to there .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAfter a morning pottering about at the villa, we left, quite late, to have lunch out. Little Tomboy was practically eating her own arm with hunger (oops forgot to check she'd had breakfast), and the other two weren't much better. We went to a nearby town called Celebration, I won't go on about it now as I'm hoping to go back for a wander again and take more pictures before we leave, but it's so pretty - very art-deco-ey and reminiscent of the 50's or thereabouts. Here are a few sneaky peaks.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThe approach .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-IERbOeQJlOg\/U_lCYRvzJ3I\/AAAAAAAACOQ\/YCeei34Ydzk\/s640\/blogger-image-1224334724.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-IERbOeQJlOg\/U_lCYRvzJ3I\/AAAAAAAACOQ\/YCeei34Ydzk\/s640\/blogger-image-1224334724.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EA map of the town in the town square.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-QMp8woP9hVs\/U_lCLnG-51I\/AAAAAAAACNY\/vviJVShjSGw\/s640\/blogger-image-577234116.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-QMp8woP9hVs\/U_lCLnG-51I\/AAAAAAAACNY\/vviJVShjSGw\/s640\/blogger-image-577234116.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAn example of the fab street-signs ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-tmRkFamjEbs\/U_lCW-bdXXI\/AAAAAAAACOI\/1m7dp-cXt9Q\/s640\/blogger-image-1471985654.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-tmRkFamjEbs\/U_lCW-bdXXI\/AAAAAAAACOI\/1m7dp-cXt9Q\/s640\/blogger-image-1471985654.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EEven the Starbucks has a funky piece of artwork on its wall ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-iMnvZ8sHl3g\/U_lCPvHUrZI\/AAAAAAAACNo\/ONMggbIM8jg\/s640\/blogger-image-353799433.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-iMnvZ8sHl3g\/U_lCPvHUrZI\/AAAAAAAACNo\/ONMggbIM8jg\/s640\/blogger-image-353799433.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EThere is a very pretty lake, that has a walking trail around its perimeter.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Yf0guKh7qKk\/U_lCSw92O3I\/AAAAAAAACN4\/fNcv-Cbk7Z4\/s640\/blogger-image--662994356.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Yf0guKh7qKk\/U_lCSw92O3I\/AAAAAAAACN4\/fNcv-Cbk7Z4\/s640\/blogger-image--662994356.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/--Ghi0AQiV9w\/U_lChTqRJlI\/AAAAAAAACOw\/50xUuKXjdyI\/s640\/blogger-image-1326700188.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/--Ghi0AQiV9w\/U_lChTqRJlI\/AAAAAAAACOw\/50xUuKXjdyI\/s640\/blogger-image-1326700188.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EPerfect for a post-lunch family stroll.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EWe found a table outside at a really lovely bistro style restaurant. The sun was out, the fans were keeping us cool, the birds were singing and this was our view.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pceNLdPDYKI\/U_lCedRs-BI\/AAAAAAAACOo\/Jq7FimZyjTo\/s640\/blogger-image--1349565148.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-pceNLdPDYKI\/U_lCedRs-BI\/AAAAAAAACOo\/Jq7FimZyjTo\/s640\/blogger-image--1349565148.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003ESome very welcome - and colourful - drinks were served. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ZxkaR2Mu4ys\/U_lCUlnAn6I\/AAAAAAAACOA\/a0SMYn3jENM\/s640\/blogger-image-1293507586.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-ZxkaR2Mu4ys\/U_lCUlnAn6I\/AAAAAAAACOA\/a0SMYn3jENM\/s640\/blogger-image-1293507586.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe food arrived, looked great and tasted delicious. There was something for everyone - pasta for me, veggie burger for hubby, steak for Little Man and pancakes for Little Miss. With maple butter. And maple syrup. And nothing else. For lunch. That girl has such a sweet tooth. Hmmm.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESeeing as Little Tomboy was soooooooooo hungry, we allowed her to order the pancake AND a BLT sandwich with mashed potato on the side - she doesn't like chips (or fries, depending on your nationality :). Her sandwich was a stonker ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-x8TSb8I9X6U\/U_lCN1r53EI\/AAAAAAAACNg\/WhFwkT61AmQ\/s640\/blogger-image--317888583.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-x8TSb8I9X6U\/U_lCN1r53EI\/AAAAAAAACNg\/WhFwkT61AmQ\/s640\/blogger-image--317888583.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELook can you see Little Man reading in the background ? And Little Miss' pencil case ? And here's one of the straw wrapper wrist-band I made for Little Tomboy ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-v31OT7fJBuA\/U_lCRS0SYHI\/AAAAAAAACNw\/EABwuNgsQdc\/s640\/blogger-image-1840762232.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-v31OT7fJBuA\/U_lCRS0SYHI\/AAAAAAAACNw\/EABwuNgsQdc\/s640\/blogger-image-1840762232.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy shrimp pasta (I'm a fish-eating vegetarian, a vegaquarian my friend calls me) was excellent, and ooooo look at them tucking in :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-LXCApTHywk8\/U_lCJinQdTI\/AAAAAAAACNQ\/hjFT5pohU40\/s640\/blogger-image-1742678401.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-LXCApTHywk8\/U_lCJinQdTI\/AAAAAAAACNQ\/hjFT5pohU40\/s640\/blogger-image-1742678401.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EAt this point you'd be forgiven for thinking it was the perfect day out. Well  not quite.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EIt had taken ages to find table as Little Man is very OCD about these things.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EWe find a table and then it's like musical chairs, various seating plans being wrong for various reasons.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ELittle Miss was in a sulk and refused to speak to the waitress.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ELittle Tomboy whinged that she didn't like her drink.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI made a straw wrapper wristband to try and snap Little Tomboy out of it.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ELittle Miss got all stroppy that I hadn't made her one.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ELittle Tomboy took one bite of her food. Despite being sooooo hungry, she refused to eat any more.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ELittle Miss went all shrieky and squealy about the birds flapping around.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EHubby got up to shoo away the birds but then they just tried to eat his food.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESo we moved all the drinks, food, cutlery, sauces etc inside.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EWe were seated in a booth. Big stressor for Little Man and his OCD. He doesn't like cushiony seats.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EMore musical chairs.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ELittle Tomboy was very moany, saying she was too hot. We got her a damp towel but it was too cold.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ELittle Man had a tummy ache from eating too quickly.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EI ordered a coffee then they all whinged that they wanted to leave.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESo I got the coffee to go, and we abandoned the plan of the lovely-round-the-lake-stroll. The girls really wanted to visit the Hello Kitty shop, but Little Man couldn't face it (I know how he felt). So here he is reading at that lovely quiet spot by the lake.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-RaP3tPgWUe8\/U_lCcmZxlnI\/AAAAAAAACOg\/i9zSUiQWBZU\/s640\/blogger-image-1546570991.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-RaP3tPgWUe8\/U_lCcmZxlnI\/AAAAAAAACOg\/i9zSUiQWBZU\/s640\/blogger-image-1546570991.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ESo that was our \"lovely\" lunch out. Oh well, there's always tomorrow :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1650287833271022624\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-12-on-table.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1650287833271022624"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1650287833271022624"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-12-on-table.html","title":"August Break Day 12 : On The Table"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-2QBdEv6IoGU\/U_lCaATx-7I\/AAAAAAAACOY\/itai3fZVhyM\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1372671103.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-4959870994393902307"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-23T03:19:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:49:46.091+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 11 : Handwriting"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello, and welcome to Day 11 of the August Break.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EToday's theme is \" Handwriting\". Have I caught up yet ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-7mSMaQCn5ww\/U_f6J1S9VaI\/AAAAAAAACNA\/PYvXS__sffI\/s640\/blogger-image-1324041964.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-7mSMaQCn5ww\/U_f6J1S9VaI\/AAAAAAAACNA\/PYvXS__sffI\/s640\/blogger-image-1324041964.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI was so happy to have an excuse to show you this masterpiece. It's drawn by Little Tomboy, and she has it taped to her bedroom door back home. I'm not sure who the person is meant to be, but the writing says ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\"Please, no coming in !!! (unless you're staff.)\"\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIsn't it fab ? All that correct use of punctuation. I'm guessing that the \"staff\" is me ....?!\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4959870994393902307\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-11-handwriting.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4959870994393902307"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4959870994393902307"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-11-handwriting.html","title":"August Break Day 11 : Handwriting"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-7mSMaQCn5ww\/U_f6J1S9VaI\/AAAAAAAACNA\/PYvXS__sffI\/s72-c\/blogger-image-1324041964.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-7360730593380441466"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-23T03:12:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:53:54.027+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holidays"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 10 : Drink"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello and welcome to Day 10 of the August Break.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EToday's theme is \"Drink\". Still catching up :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Y85QZoOqzJY\/U_f4iFg2ERI\/AAAAAAAACM0\/Xp1knfRgojs\/s640\/blogger-image-339970030.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Y85QZoOqzJY\/U_f4iFg2ERI\/AAAAAAAACM0\/Xp1knfRgojs\/s640\/blogger-image-339970030.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EDrink makes me think of water, which, for various reasons, is a bit of a theme for our holiday (in Florida, in case I hadn't already mentioned it ;) I thought I'd share a few water-related pictures with you. The one above is of Little Man who has just leapt into the pool :D\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EA colorful assortment of swim toys ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-LI_sIU8R7NU\/U_f4MwqrOtI\/AAAAAAAACME\/uuLmQmQ3BgU\/s640\/blogger-image-1765837616.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-LI_sIU8R7NU\/U_f4MwqrOtI\/AAAAAAAACME\/uuLmQmQ3BgU\/s640\/blogger-image-1765837616.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EA pile of soft fluffy towels by the pool ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-B4y9Gm8ddSk\/U_f4HfWHiqI\/AAAAAAAACLs\/pVHfUdoIdqs\/s640\/blogger-image-2057177919.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-B4y9Gm8ddSk\/U_f4HfWHiqI\/AAAAAAAACLs\/pVHfUdoIdqs\/s640\/blogger-image-2057177919.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELittle Tomboy playing in the water jets ....\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/--DAABKrPZ4s\/U_f4cxNpyII\/AAAAAAAACMk\/L2ngMI8peQE\/s640\/blogger-image-11152083.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/--DAABKrPZ4s\/U_f4cxNpyII\/AAAAAAAACMk\/L2ngMI8peQE\/s640\/blogger-image-11152083.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe one below was taken just as the MASSive water flume ride at Universal came crashing down. That is Little Man in the blue t-shirt just right of centre. Hubby, Little Miss and Little Tomboy are on the ride.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-oQZS0t8RK6A\/U_f4DRvz8uI\/AAAAAAAACLc\/l8461iW4a7I\/s640\/blogger-image--301053892.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-oQZS0t8RK6A\/U_f4DRvz8uI\/AAAAAAAACLc\/l8461iW4a7I\/s640\/blogger-image--301053892.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd this next one is Little Man about a second later getting utterly drenched!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-PpptJ84EhSg\/U_f4gbxI0yI\/AAAAAAAACMs\/T1Lon2cwL9I\/s640\/blogger-image--423336243.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-PpptJ84EhSg\/U_f4gbxI0yI\/AAAAAAAACMs\/T1Lon2cwL9I\/s640\/blogger-image--423336243.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ENow. A few words before the next few pictures, as they may be a bit controversial. We went to SeaWorld today, and had a great time. I have read the bad press about SeaWorld, and as an animal-loving vegetarian, I have my own opinions. If you disagree with us going there, I respect that and ask that you respect our decision to go. Important bit over. On we go with the pictures.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFountain over the lake at SeaWorld ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-FsUlfRLZ0ME\/U_f4FjybklI\/AAAAAAAACLk\/4KkdNOduj-w\/s640\/blogger-image-41099224.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-FsUlfRLZ0ME\/U_f4FjybklI\/AAAAAAAACLk\/4KkdNOduj-w\/s640\/blogger-image-41099224.jpg\" width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EPretty waterfall feature at SeaWorld ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-gCmsSsT5cdw\/U_f4Zf69NcI\/AAAAAAAACMU\/_5B2RetAYSU\/s640\/blogger-image--447325104.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-gCmsSsT5cdw\/U_f4Zf69NcI\/AAAAAAAACMU\/_5B2RetAYSU\/s640\/blogger-image--447325104.jpg\"width=550 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ELooking up through the aquarium from the lower level of the penguin area ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-9vkOsE4l6sA\/U_f4LP7jecI\/AAAAAAAACL8\/p-OGv9qTv38\/s640\/blogger-image--501414047.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-9vkOsE4l6sA\/U_f4LP7jecI\/AAAAAAAACL8\/p-OGv9qTv38\/s640\/blogger-image--501414047.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EDinner in the Shark Tank! (We all agreed it was very insensitive to be eating fish next to the fish in the aquarium...)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-cTvnj79oCHE\/U_f4JPz8VxI\/AAAAAAAACL0\/wTTK4OWFPXs\/s640\/blogger-image--223404658.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-cTvnj79oCHE\/U_f4JPz8VxI\/AAAAAAAACL0\/wTTK4OWFPXs\/s640\/blogger-image--223404658.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe beautiful, clever, amazing dolphins ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8-spZgeWsQ8\/U_f4PE0nWwI\/AAAAAAAACMM\/bajBRErKW1I\/s640\/blogger-image--103779859.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-8-spZgeWsQ8\/U_f4PE0nWwI\/AAAAAAAACMM\/bajBRErKW1I\/s640\/blogger-image--103779859.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd the awesome killer whale ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aDh3swpTtQE\/U_f4bKxPY4I\/AAAAAAAACMc\/DzTdKkgwInw\/s640\/blogger-image-1395423347.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-aDh3swpTtQE\/U_f4bKxPY4I\/AAAAAAAACMc\/DzTdKkgwInw\/s640\/blogger-image-1395423347.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd a final picture. Refillable drinks cup from a Disney Water park.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-AnoBSj-vxpI\/U_f4BCXklFI\/AAAAAAAACLU\/CAao3fIQejQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1904199870.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-AnoBSj-vxpI\/U_f4BCXklFI\/AAAAAAAACLU\/CAao3fIQejQ\/s640\/blogger-image--1904199870.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ENo matter how much we refill them, there's just something we can't get enough of this holiday - drink.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7360730593380441466\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-10-drink.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7360730593380441466"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7360730593380441466"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-10-drink.html","title":"August Break Day 10 : Drink"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-Y85QZoOqzJY\/U_f4iFg2ERI\/AAAAAAAACM0\/Xp1knfRgojs\/s72-c\/blogger-image-339970030.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-4742025537812211329"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-23T02:24:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-10T00:01:13.901+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holidays"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August a Break Day 9 : In My Bag"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello and welcome to Day 9 of the August Break.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EToday's theme is \"In my bag\". And I'm still playing catch-up :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-NeBd9L-Zqn0\/U_ftS8SdnqI\/AAAAAAAACLE\/omd0JBePZWA\/s640\/blogger-image--560975649.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-NeBd9L-Zqn0\/U_ftS8SdnqI\/AAAAAAAACLE\/omd0JBePZWA\/s640\/blogger-image--560975649.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy camera bag is the one I'm using each day while on holidays. It's brand new, I bought it at the airport on our way here :) Hubby sent me off to buy one (he was secretly buying the iPad, the crafty devil), but I really wasn't in the mood, I just wanted to get to the gate so we could board early (autistic son etc). So I pretty much grabbed the most simple unflashy camera bag possible. It's supposed to be just camera sized, so I was slightly concerned as to how I'd fit in my glasses case. I have prescription normal glasses AND prescription sunglasses, and I constantly switch them over when we go in and out of places. Sounds super annoying, but providing The Glasses Case is within easy access, it's fine. Asking hubby to store it in his backpack is NOT an option, he is of the stride-ahead-purposefully-leaving-wife-and-at-least-one-child-straggling-behind mould. The Glasses Case simply HAD to fit in The Camera Bag.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIt turns out that The Camera Bag is really rather perfect. It has a zippy pocket thing in the top, not sure what for but I'm storing my lipsalve and phone in there. It also has a waterproof cover stowed away up the side, and of course it's padded, thereby protecting camera, glasses case and phone! Fab!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI can get a couple of other essentials in there too, and after a few packs and re-packs I have it Just Right.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAnd so, each day I leave the villa with -\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- camera in its bag\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- purple glasses case, holding the glasses or sunglasses that I'm not wearing at that moment (my lovely Cath Kidston one has been squashed and covered in ink. Kids, pah)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- fold-up hairbrush (handy for sweaty hair moments)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- lipsalve (mostly for Little Man, bizarrely enough)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- lip gloss (I can kid myself that after 6 hours in a theme park I still look human)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E- mobile phone (not in picture as it is taking picture. Should've used hubby's. Doh)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThere you go! Impressed with my amazing minimalism ???\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWell, don't be. My poor husband has to carry a rucksack carrying 5 ponchos, assortment of children's hats and sunglasses and fans, bottle of water, sun cream, first aid kit, more water, Disney autograph books and pens, snacks, yet more water, and whatever random stuff the Little People bring out that day. Poor hubby. Altogether now .......aaaaaaaawwwwww\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4742025537812211329\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-9-in-my-bag.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4742025537812211329"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4742025537812211329"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-9-in-my-bag.html","title":"August a Break Day 9 : In My Bag"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-NeBd9L-Zqn0\/U_ftS8SdnqI\/AAAAAAAACLE\/omd0JBePZWA\/s72-c\/blogger-image--560975649.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-7188209953108476613"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-21T13:45:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-10T00:03:16.356+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holidays"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 8 : Selfie"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello, and welcome to (the-yes-I-know-it's-late) Day 8 of the August Break.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EToday's theme is Selfie.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-lTlHpVht53s\/U_Xp_Qv3HjI\/AAAAAAAACK0\/V_Cfo-gDzco\/s640\/blogger-image--384626820.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-lTlHpVht53s\/U_Xp_Qv3HjI\/AAAAAAAACK0\/V_Cfo-gDzco\/s640\/blogger-image--384626820.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI quite like the anonymity that blogging affords, but I'll make an exception today.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThis is my hubby and me, we celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary whilst here in Florida.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-ODBWUX17M7Y\/U_VKUET4JCI\/AAAAAAAACKk\/mszGYlOoD6Y\/s640\/blogger-image-985446660.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-ODBWUX17M7Y\/U_VKUET4JCI\/AAAAAAAACKk\/mszGYlOoD6Y\/s640\/blogger-image-985446660.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWhen filling in the date on something at one of the Disney parks, I mentioned that I knew the date because it was our anniversary. The Disney person (sorry, Cast Member), fished about behind the desk and produced these badges for us :) Nice! All day people were calling out to us. I have never had so many different people wishing us \"Happy Anniversary!\", it was really lovely :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe made reservations at one of the more fancy Disney restaurants, and at dessert time our waiter brought out this really cute little pudding with candle and chocolate message .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-gvqjd376ZIw\/U_VKPMM36bI\/AAAAAAAACKc\/TAbTKLDSDZU\/s640\/blogger-image-1558207368.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-gvqjd376ZIw\/U_VKPMM36bI\/AAAAAAAACKc\/TAbTKLDSDZU\/s640\/blogger-image-1558207368.jpg\" width=\"550\/\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003ECute AND delicious :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7188209953108476613\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-8-selfie.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7188209953108476613"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7188209953108476613"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-8-selfie.html","title":"August Break Day 8 : Selfie"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-lTlHpVht53s\/U_Xp_Qv3HjI\/AAAAAAAACK0\/V_Cfo-gDzco\/s72-c\/blogger-image--384626820.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-3634101620209313652"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-20T19:50:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-10T00:04:12.506+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holidays"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 7 : Today Is ..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello and welcome to Day 7 of the August Break.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EDay 7's theme is \"Today is...\".\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-tDAGaOYKpnY\/U_Tt5YqvuzI\/AAAAAAAACKM\/ZGWdAHasYQs\/s640\/blogger-image--1632997287.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-tDAGaOYKpnY\/U_Tt5YqvuzI\/AAAAAAAACKM\/ZGWdAHasYQs\/s640\/blogger-image--1632997287.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EToday is ... a day by the pool.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EBottled water - trying to keep Little People from dehydrating\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESunblock - why have we never used an aerosol before - way easier to spray Little People\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EDiet coke - to keep Mummy and Daddy from dehydrating (don't worry, we are having water too)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EBowl - of tortilla chips to munch on, all that swimming makes you hungry\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EPlastic bag - un-classy way to store your crochet whilst traveling\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EPurple glasses case - I constantly switch between regular specs and prescription sunglasses\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EBig red thing - iPad which hubby bought me (at the airport) and surprised me with on our anniversary :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Eps: still making up the August Break rules as I go .... :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3634101620209313652\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-7-today-is.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3634101620209313652"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3634101620209313652"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-7-today-is.html","title":"August Break Day 7 : Today Is ..."}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-tDAGaOYKpnY\/U_Tt5YqvuzI\/AAAAAAAACKM\/ZGWdAHasYQs\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1632997287.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-7436088247844002325"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-20T19:40:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-10T00:05:22.093+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holidays"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 6 : Reflection"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello, and welcome to Day 6 of The August Break. Day 6's theme is Reflection.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Hk_-lfA2HrM\/U_Trk_J7uLI\/AAAAAAAACKA\/jDKXRF2cOTE\/s640\/blogger-image--194330972.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Hk_-lfA2HrM\/U_Trk_J7uLI\/AAAAAAAACKA\/jDKXRF2cOTE\/s640\/blogger-image--194330972.jpg\" width=550\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHot Florida sunshine glinting off the deliciously refreshing pool at our holiday villa :) Bliss :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Eps: Yes yes, I know it's the 20th, but there are no rules so I'm making it up as I go along :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7436088247844002325\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-6-reflection.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7436088247844002325"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/7436088247844002325"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-6-reflection.html","title":"August Break Day 6 : Reflection"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Hk_-lfA2HrM\/U_Trk_J7uLI\/AAAAAAAACKA\/jDKXRF2cOTE\/s72-c\/blogger-image--194330972.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6430780581174705876"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-16T17:53:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-09-26T10:31:39.829+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"holidays"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Happy Holidays Part 1"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EHave you missed me? We are on our sunny holidays this week, I won't tell you where, but feel free to have a guess :)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-d7q6DuBwKuw\/U--MXKo3vmI\/AAAAAAAACI4\/P4Vy-IfEB8k\/s640\/blogger-image--1469848558.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-d7q6DuBwKuw\/U--MXKo3vmI\/AAAAAAAACI4\/P4Vy-IfEB8k\/s640\/blogger-image--1469848558.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EWe had to catch a plane - and I joined the mile-high-crochet-club ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EYWYrdh3vw4\/U--MjGxvNFI\/AAAAAAAACJw\/8RGKrHgoThY\/s640\/blogger-image-161708769.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-EYWYrdh3vw4\/U--MjGxvNFI\/AAAAAAAACJw\/8RGKrHgoThY\/s640\/blogger-image-161708769.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EThe yarn is King Cole Riot in Rhapsody ...\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-R0AEiqKulHg\/U--Mdzhr1bI\/AAAAAAAACJY\/24DEgJSVkXs\/s640\/blogger-image--1154659962.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-R0AEiqKulHg\/U--Mdzhr1bI\/AAAAAAAACJY\/24DEgJSVkXs\/s640\/blogger-image--1154659962.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EIt's a DK weight yarn, you can also buy it in chunky. But I love this DK version, it's a very light double-knit yarn. The only problem is, in the heat, what with sun cream, pool splashes, and general hot hand-ness, I've had to adjust the way I hold the yarn to make it flow more smoothly. It's a hard life ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EYes, a hard life indeed - a moment ago I was gazing at the sun glinting off the turquoise waters of the pool ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-N9Yk3loY68I\/U--MauO_3ZI\/AAAAAAAACJI\/hR1NgC_GM6s\/s640\/blogger-image--1779616279.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-N9Yk3loY68I\/U--MauO_3ZI\/AAAAAAAACJI\/hR1NgC_GM6s\/s640\/blogger-image--1779616279.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E.... as the Little People have SUCH fun in water ....\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_vn5EQlKA9U\/U--McKyf8JI\/AAAAAAAACJQ\/KsfEJP2XlOw\/s640\/blogger-image-118899632.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-_vn5EQlKA9U\/U--McKyf8JI\/AAAAAAAACJQ\/KsfEJP2XlOw\/s640\/blogger-image-118899632.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-sqHPUeFXw3w\/U--MhUvH5OI\/AAAAAAAACJo\/yZKJHCWLNVw\/s640\/blogger-image-500560722.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/-sqHPUeFXw3w\/U--MhUvH5OI\/AAAAAAAACJo\/yZKJHCWLNVw\/s640\/blogger-image-500560722.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-vrApWPULfPg\/U--MTkA0LLI\/AAAAAAAACIo\/S5h9HNj70FM\/s640\/blogger-image--2110184444.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-vrApWPULfPg\/U--MTkA0LLI\/AAAAAAAACIo\/S5h9HNj70FM\/s640\/blogger-image--2110184444.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EBut then, quick as a flash, the clouds roll in, and the water changes to flatter and less sparkly ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Bt4ThsZQy5U\/U--MflwxHZI\/AAAAAAAACJg\/yAJs3fEb4ns\/s640\/blogger-image--505398794.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-Bt4ThsZQy5U\/U--MflwxHZI\/AAAAAAAACJg\/yAJs3fEb4ns\/s640\/blogger-image--505398794.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Ri8Ll8kclEI\/U--MVQzU_rI\/AAAAAAAACIw\/HG8tKaQOv20\/s640\/blogger-image--1227047781.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-Ri8Ll8kclEI\/U--MVQzU_rI\/AAAAAAAACIw\/HG8tKaQOv20\/s640\/blogger-image--1227047781.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E.... and then to this blurry rainy mess ....\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-gG4hLzQyc4U\/U--MY4lmsnI\/AAAAAAAACJA\/y6FOz-62N28\/s640\/blogger-image--482429072.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" width=\"550\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-gG4hLzQyc4U\/U--MY4lmsnI\/AAAAAAAACJA\/y6FOz-62N28\/s640\/blogger-image--482429072.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E.... signaling the arrival of the regular midday torrential rain with accompanying deafening cracks of thunder and bright forks of lightning. I love the rain here. It's proper serious Rain. Rain with a purpose. Rain that means business. It doesn't last long though, and soon enough we'll be back round the pool.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003EToday we are planning a bit of shopping including the VAST craft superstore down the road. Good job I left room in my case to bring back yarn - yippee!!!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6430780581174705876\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/happy-holidays-part-1.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6430780581174705876"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6430780581174705876"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/happy-holidays-part-1.html","title":"Happy Holidays Part 1"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-d7q6DuBwKuw\/U--MXKo3vmI\/AAAAAAAACI4\/P4Vy-IfEB8k\/s72-c\/blogger-image--1469848558.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-825572100067031753"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-09T00:03:00.002+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-10T00:06:18.714+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Bicycle Bunting"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-fGKvS_nlK88\/U-VQzeDI60I\/AAAAAAAACHg\/v40Gp-H55es\/s1600\/IMG_3064.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-fGKvS_nlK88\/U-VQzeDI60I\/AAAAAAAACHg\/v40Gp-H55es\/s1600\/IMG_3064.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EA while ago I posted about the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/06\/british-bunting.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBritish Bunting\u003C\/a\u003E that I'd made. Around the same time I had started some bunting for my bike. Well, it turned out to be one of those annoying little WIP's that you know will take 15 minutes to finish up if-only-you-would-just-get-on-with-it but somehow you never do.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-x_NQCPsZZtw\/U-VQwKm944I\/AAAAAAAACHE\/brq2o1e0xxk\/s1600\/IMG_2001.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-x_NQCPsZZtw\/U-VQwKm944I\/AAAAAAAACHE\/brq2o1e0xxk\/s1600\/IMG_2001.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EToday I finally got fed up of looking at the unfinished triangles sat there all high and mighty in their little bowl, taunting me and daring me to actually complete them. Well, I was having none of that, so out came the hook, and I beat that bunting into shape in no time.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-lRcqgvizRlI\/U-VQzOw7LtI\/AAAAAAAACHc\/zvlV3eBI-Wc\/s1600\/IMG_3061.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-lRcqgvizRlI\/U-VQzOw7LtI\/AAAAAAAACHc\/zvlV3eBI-Wc\/s1600\/IMG_3061.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI completed the final round of a few triangles, and dealt with the pesky ends.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hq-pj3qjJw8\/U-VQwE4bVjI\/AAAAAAAACHM\/rIvKVOea3mk\/s1600\/IMG_3060.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hq-pj3qjJw8\/U-VQwE4bVjI\/AAAAAAAACHM\/rIvKVOea3mk\/s1600\/IMG_3060.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe triangles were then crocheted together by slip-stitch-crocheting all along the top edges, leaving no spaces in between. Oooooo look. very pleasing, isn't it :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-tM7gUbga8fw\/U-VQwdgSR3I\/AAAAAAAACHI\/xNLRWYWl3AA\/s1600\/IMG_3058.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-tM7gUbga8fw\/U-VQwdgSR3I\/AAAAAAAACHI\/xNLRWYWl3AA\/s1600\/IMG_3058.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBy accident (ie because I am disorganised and never write things down) I used too small a crochet hook for the final rounds, however once attached to my bike basket there is a rather plush 3-D effect to it, which I quite like. And as I was attaching it directly onto the bike at the top edge and the bottom point, \u0026nbsp;I didn't bother with any blocking (GASP).... so ... what do you think ... ?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-a4uazeMj-_Y\/U-VRIAbMQOI\/AAAAAAAACHw\/PZCriLHywAM\/s1600\/IMG_3076.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-a4uazeMj-_Y\/U-VRIAbMQOI\/AAAAAAAACHw\/PZCriLHywAM\/s1600\/IMG_3076.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy bike is boring old \"mountain-bike\", about 20 years old, with no suspension and the gears are a bit shoddy. But I do so love it. The newish basket is boring black metal, not a lovely retro-ish wicker one, so the whole ensemble really does need all the help it can get. And I'm really quite pleased with the completed effect :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-O-iU3LGhlWQ\/U-VRIPaGJJI\/AAAAAAAACHs\/NYTTWnVzcKs\/s1600\/IMG_3077.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-O-iU3LGhlWQ\/U-VRIPaGJJI\/AAAAAAAACHs\/NYTTWnVzcKs\/s1600\/IMG_3077.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZhVMkNVTyOg\/U-VRMTh28RI\/AAAAAAAACIM\/HcmLeCxTwAc\/s1600\/IMG_3083.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZhVMkNVTyOg\/U-VRMTh28RI\/AAAAAAAACIM\/HcmLeCxTwAc\/s1600\/IMG_3083.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-FAvxU4FJFYs\/U-VRK32JgbI\/AAAAAAAACIE\/J9xGjHfCS-Q\/s1600\/IMG_3081.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-FAvxU4FJFYs\/U-VRK32JgbI\/AAAAAAAACIE\/J9xGjHfCS-Q\/s1600\/IMG_3081.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wO5xSV7yONU\/U-VRMn_UJYI\/AAAAAAAACIQ\/hDFX-DtUv74\/s1600\/IMG_3082.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wO5xSV7yONU\/U-VRMn_UJYI\/AAAAAAAACIQ\/hDFX-DtUv74\/s1600\/IMG_3082.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere. Doesn't that jolly bunting just make you Happy :)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/825572100067031753\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/bicycle-bunting.html#comment-form","title":"15 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/825572100067031753"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/825572100067031753"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/bicycle-bunting.html","title":"Bicycle Bunting"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-fGKvS_nlK88\/U-VQzeDI60I\/AAAAAAAACHg\/v40Gp-H55es\/s72-c\/IMG_3064.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"15"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-658702852056308684"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-07T23:21:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-08-07T23:21:51.624+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 5 : Three"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;\"\u003EHello, and welcome to Day 3 of my participation in Susannah Conway's project,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.susannahconway.com\/the-august-break-2014\/\" style=\"color: #888888; text-decoration: none;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe August Break\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;\"\u003EToday's theme is Three.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KUaQAq3UB_U\/U-P6wH4vHfI\/AAAAAAAACG0\/b9S8KBYFr4g\/s1600\/IMG_3173.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KUaQAq3UB_U\/U-P6wH4vHfI\/AAAAAAAACG0\/b9S8KBYFr4g\/s1600\/IMG_3173.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThree colours of yarn.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-NDNIerGAo-E\/U-P3hijtHUI\/AAAAAAAACGg\/8BG43qXE4hQ\/s1600\/IMG_3131.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-NDNIerGAo-E\/U-P3hijtHUI\/AAAAAAAACGg\/8BG43qXE4hQ\/s1600\/IMG_3131.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThree rows per stripe and three stripes for the jar cosy for my little pot of dried lavender.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-9W931zHOQ0c\/U-P30mLHaGI\/AAAAAAAACGo\/Nw8n0OsR0PA\/s1600\/IMG_3140.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-9W931zHOQ0c\/U-P30mLHaGI\/AAAAAAAACGo\/Nw8n0OsR0PA\/s1600\/IMG_3140.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThree jars. One for my posy, one for my dried lavender, and one for the lavender-cutter's wife :)\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/658702852056308684\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-5-three.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/658702852056308684"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/658702852056308684"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-5-three.html","title":"August Break Day 5 : Three"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KUaQAq3UB_U\/U-P6wH4vHfI\/AAAAAAAACG0\/b9S8KBYFr4g\/s72-c\/IMG_3173.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1160409122893286719"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-06T00:30:00.002+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2015-05-09T23:02:16.104+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cooking"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"days out"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 4 : Orange"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;\"\u003EHello, and welcome to Day 3 of my participation in Susannah Conway's project,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.susannahconway.com\/the-august-break-2014\/\" style=\"color: #888888; text-decoration: none;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe August Break\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;\" \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;\"\u003EToday's theme is Orange.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9A9rr_ltXvE\/U-CAkhe5CtI\/AAAAAAAAB-Y\/6rzQ4nPV7DI\/s1600\/IMG_2810.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9A9rr_ltXvE\/U-CAkhe5CtI\/AAAAAAAAB-Y\/6rzQ4nPV7DI\/s320\/IMG_2810.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EOrange was in fact yesterday's theme, but I was just too tired to blog last night. When I'd seen the theme \"orange\" on the list I really had no idea what I could blog about. I don't especially like orange and couldn't think of anything orange at home really.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EI thought of a few orange things we have, like Little Man's newest as-yet-unopened loom band packs ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-XC9tUdqxyOw\/U-CLrwIScHI\/AAAAAAAACDQ\/3vxJVGHqyP0\/s1600\/IMG_3021.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-XC9tUdqxyOw\/U-CLrwIScHI\/AAAAAAAACDQ\/3vxJVGHqyP0\/s1600\/IMG_3021.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E... some bargaintastic flowers I had picked up for 61p. Yes! 61p!!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9hopHctShLQ\/U-CN6gY4bhI\/AAAAAAAACFE\/nrmgOjtz9Gg\/s1600\/IMG_3006.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9hopHctShLQ\/U-CN6gY4bhI\/AAAAAAAACFE\/nrmgOjtz9Gg\/s1600\/IMG_3006.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... a fox hat that I had crocheted for Little Miss when she had to go to Brownies dressed as a woodland animal ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-TjCTlp-7pEE\/U-CN0D7mElI\/AAAAAAAACEc\/bMJ2eLBDniQ\/s1600\/IMG_2992.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-TjCTlp-7pEE\/U-CN0D7mElI\/AAAAAAAACEc\/bMJ2eLBDniQ\/s1600\/IMG_2992.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EBut it was all a bit random, which is fine, just not what I wanted,\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EThe Little People had announced that they would like do baking please, and go strawberry picking as well please - and inspiration struck - as well as picking strawberries we could pick carrots too, and then make carrot cake. And carrots are Orange - hurrah !\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-iYhRS8zMT8c\/U-FM3bRY51I\/AAAAAAAACFo\/WOZo-_WGeos\/s1600\/IMG_2805.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-iYhRS8zMT8c\/U-FM3bRY51I\/AAAAAAAACFo\/WOZo-_WGeos\/s1600\/IMG_2805.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EWe picked absolutely LOADS of carrots. We'll be eating carrots for years ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-hPYQUn5uogs\/U-CN4pYfMvI\/AAAAAAAACE4\/-cc43zmMMEg\/s1600\/IMG_3004.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-hPYQUn5uogs\/U-CN4pYfMvI\/AAAAAAAACE4\/-cc43zmMMEg\/s1600\/IMG_3004.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EThe strawberries were amazing, so soft and sweet and juicy .... somehow they taste so much nicer like this, warmed by the sun instead of chilled by the fridge. They just sort of squidge in your mouth and all that juicy strawberryness make your taste buds tingle ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ao6tWExzwCE\/U-CAkFMbm3I\/AAAAAAAAB-M\/aj1ThQoNHto\/s1600\/IMG_2835.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ao6tWExzwCE\/U-CAkFMbm3I\/AAAAAAAAB-M\/aj1ThQoNHto\/s320\/IMG_2835.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EI've blogged about this Pick Your Own place before, you can read about it \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/06\/strawberry-fields.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E, but I fear that this may be the last time I post about it. The owners are selling it and the site is earmarked for housing. I totally get it, that it may not be the most profitable business, and maybe the owner wants to retire, but it will be a sad loss for our community, and for the wildlife that the area supports.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-SxtFZDyv99E\/U-CDGbaRIQI\/AAAAAAAAB-8\/lPTY83DAiLQ\/s1600\/IMG_2852.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-SxtFZDyv99E\/U-CDGbaRIQI\/AAAAAAAAB-8\/lPTY83DAiLQ\/s320\/IMG_2852.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-_E5oXSyqu0I\/U-CBlKgMlWI\/AAAAAAAAB-k\/7A0YuQ2pu7k\/s1600\/IMG_2841.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-_E5oXSyqu0I\/U-CBlKgMlWI\/AAAAAAAAB-k\/7A0YuQ2pu7k\/s320\/IMG_2841.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-T8SuRPSCADE\/U-CDF1wqd8I\/AAAAAAAAB-0\/-c4dkd9oyUA\/s1600\/Bee.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-T8SuRPSCADE\/U-CDF1wqd8I\/AAAAAAAAB-0\/-c4dkd9oyUA\/s320\/Bee.png\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-s80VeAkATkw\/U-CDbhKmfnI\/AAAAAAAAB_k\/Wl926qHHFfg\/s1600\/IMG_2869.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-s80VeAkATkw\/U-CDbhKmfnI\/AAAAAAAAB_k\/Wl926qHHFfg\/s320\/IMG_2869.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-t2ScUZZwz9w\/U-CDFnwok-I\/AAAAAAAAB-w\/Jd2ySQcYvkA\/s1600\/Butterfly1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-t2ScUZZwz9w\/U-CDFnwok-I\/AAAAAAAAB-w\/Jd2ySQcYvkA\/s320\/Butterfly1.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EHowever I am really thankful that my children did get to have such fun times here, and they are of an age where they will remember it too. When I see them blowing dandelion clocks, eating strawberries straight from the plant, playing hide and seek in the cornfields, I feel like all is good with my world.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wHwmiBwXGvA\/U-CDbn-Tf9I\/AAAAAAAAB_g\/4O-W_mzo0VQ\/s1600\/IMG_2872.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wHwmiBwXGvA\/U-CDbn-Tf9I\/AAAAAAAAB_g\/4O-W_mzo0VQ\/s320\/IMG_2872.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EI see them scampering through long grass and strolling past rows of fruit and vegetables in abundance, all healthful and natural, I have the theme tunes of The Waltons or Little House on the Prairie going through my head :) Look at them. Best buddies. Nope, they never argue or bicker or shout at each other, nope, not at all, never ever ..... ;)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-QSg-4VY_8ys\/U-CR8kmbYQI\/AAAAAAAACFY\/EdN0KafhBCY\/s1600\/IMG_2823.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-QSg-4VY_8ys\/U-CR8kmbYQI\/AAAAAAAACFY\/EdN0KafhBCY\/s1600\/IMG_2823.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EOne of their favourite parts of going strawberry picking is that this particular farm has a giGANTic tyre swing which is of course a must-do activity for any self-respecting Little Person. Yesterday the tree from which it hangs was creaking, and groaning, and making the most alarming snapping sounds.... perhaps it's nearing the end of its natural life as a tyre-swing-holder-upper, for no doubt it will soon be gone :(\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ErQ1gO9sd0A\/U-CD3NftotI\/AAAAAAAAB_w\/14YaVJifIv4\/s1600\/IMG_2882.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ErQ1gO9sd0A\/U-CD3NftotI\/AAAAAAAAB_w\/14YaVJifIv4\/s320\/IMG_2882.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EWe paid up for our haul (possibly the largest amount of money ever spent on carrots in one go by anybody anywhere) and popped across the road to Holme Grange, the craft village that we so love. Again, I blogged about Holme Grange before \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/04\/bellissima-part-1.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/04\/bellissima-part-2.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-nTekC3xwyIk\/U-CGyQI5c-I\/AAAAAAAACCM\/HolKeXAb2qg\/s1600\/IMG_2959.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-nTekC3xwyIk\/U-CGyQI5c-I\/AAAAAAAACCM\/HolKeXAb2qg\/s1600\/IMG_2959.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDuring the summer months they do this scarecrow trail..... the shopkeepers each decorate a scarecrow and also display, somewhere inside or in the window of their shop, a picture of a scarecrow with a name. The children get a quiz sheet and have to visit every shop and match the shop with their scarecrow's name.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-5xS4sN0tByo\/U-FSm1N6eBI\/AAAAAAAACF4\/3ERO9rMCQHc\/s1600\/IMG_5190.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-5xS4sN0tByo\/U-FSm1N6eBI\/AAAAAAAACF4\/3ERO9rMCQHc\/s1600\/IMG_5190.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... and at the end they get a really big sweetie lolly ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZdcMvnEn80s\/U-FSm5n3ReI\/AAAAAAAACF8\/aB6kfBvYaUs\/s1600\/IMG_5196.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZdcMvnEn80s\/U-FSm5n3ReI\/AAAAAAAACF8\/aB6kfBvYaUs\/s1600\/IMG_5196.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EIt's a great idea as obviously you have to visit (and thereby get to know about) every single little shop. Some shops were a bit scary - full of ceramics and glassware and really not the sort of place you want to be with your children running about .... but then, as a bonus, we found this little courtyard that had hitherto remained unnoticed by us .... it was decked out in lovely bunting and had lots of benches for weary parents, and little play-houses for Tiny Little People, as well as massive chalkboards for noughts and crosses ....\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9elYR7facyc\/U-CGtadjp4I\/AAAAAAAACBs\/0QU2wc_hhe4\/s1600\/IMG_2952.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9elYR7facyc\/U-CGtadjp4I\/AAAAAAAACBs\/0QU2wc_hhe4\/s1600\/IMG_2952.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EAnyway, back to the scarecrow trail. The scarecrows were all based on Disney characters. Do you want to build a snowman .....?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-R_99zimToTg\/U-CGszHOAgI\/AAAAAAAACBg\/gTlANWnJpd4\/s1600\/IMG_2955.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-R_99zimToTg\/U-CGszHOAgI\/AAAAAAAACBg\/gTlANWnJpd4\/s1600\/IMG_2955.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESnow White .... slightly mad face ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-YYXWP1UeZoU\/U-CLt7W_bbI\/AAAAAAAACDw\/3i3PiYf96-o\/s1600\/snowwhite.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-YYXWP1UeZoU\/U-CLt7W_bbI\/AAAAAAAACDw\/3i3PiYf96-o\/s1600\/snowwhite.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... and Cinderella - wearing loom bands!\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-A3ksc7zi-bI\/U-CGfWrUgKI\/AAAAAAAACAE\/JIyO1JOKnRg\/s1600\/IMG_2917.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-A3ksc7zi-bI\/U-CGfWrUgKI\/AAAAAAAACAE\/JIyO1JOKnRg\/s1600\/IMG_2917.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003ETwo Woodys .... the weird looking one ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-xv_Jj4_cB-c\/U-CGe2rYbzI\/AAAAAAAAB_8\/jA1ji6TzR6c\/s1600\/IMG_2924.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-xv_Jj4_cB-c\/U-CGe2rYbzI\/AAAAAAAAB_8\/jA1ji6TzR6c\/s1600\/IMG_2924.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... and the slightly less weird looking one ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MC2M78vzPn0\/U-CG1S6fpnI\/AAAAAAAACCg\/2TPYQWZHHbg\/s1600\/IMG_2963.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MC2M78vzPn0\/U-CG1S6fpnI\/AAAAAAAACCg\/2TPYQWZHHbg\/s1600\/IMG_2963.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... Spiderman scaling the wall ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Z_jIPMBub2Y\/U-CGxLOzuoI\/AAAAAAAACCA\/EM87jprvK1k\/s1600\/IMG_2958.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Z_jIPMBub2Y\/U-CGxLOzuoI\/AAAAAAAACCA\/EM87jprvK1k\/s1600\/IMG_2958.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-E3IuhQRap6g\/U-CGpi7iGoI\/AAAAAAAACBM\/pI2CIpYK9yA\/s1600\/IMG_2949.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-E3IuhQRap6g\/U-CGpi7iGoI\/AAAAAAAACBM\/pI2CIpYK9yA\/s1600\/IMG_2949.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... Pinocchio ......\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-1PNAKB8-nT8\/U-CLtTE58mI\/AAAAAAAACDo\/QSPneCn3nJE\/s1600\/pinocchio.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-1PNAKB8-nT8\/U-CLtTE58mI\/AAAAAAAACDo\/QSPneCn3nJE\/s1600\/pinocchio.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E.... Jake, of Jake and the Neverland Pirates (yes, this was new to me too but I was reliably informed) .... Little Man managed to pull Jake's hair off. Slight embarrassment and much hilarity ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-EyfIzHCryWE\/U-CGiMOXoJI\/AAAAAAAACAU\/-4MKMsJbpbk\/s1600\/IMG_2925.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-EyfIzHCryWE\/U-CGiMOXoJI\/AAAAAAAACAU\/-4MKMsJbpbk\/s1600\/IMG_2925.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... Peter Pan .... yes, Little Man is pulling the straw out, I am shrieking \"leave it alone\" ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-JijxkwZbH7A\/U-CLtL2KyRI\/AAAAAAAACD4\/CyyzsciiTww\/s1600\/peterpan.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-JijxkwZbH7A\/U-CLtL2KyRI\/AAAAAAAACD4\/CyyzsciiTww\/s1600\/peterpan.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E.... Maleficent, clearly the most ambitious and therefore the worst for breakage potential, Little Man was making her papier-mache arm wave her papier-mache stick around. It remained intact. Just ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-n7lPVd6tQCc\/U-CG28JhisI\/AAAAAAAACCs\/qVvQdHsmSYw\/s1600\/IMG_2970.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-n7lPVd6tQCc\/U-CG28JhisI\/AAAAAAAACCs\/qVvQdHsmSYw\/s1600\/IMG_2970.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... we awarded the prize for the most odd looking to Cruella de Ville. That one was just Weird ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-5ukkKxqpGSw\/U-CLrFTN7aI\/AAAAAAAACDI\/Ou7CiA7BOYw\/s1600\/Cruella.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-5ukkKxqpGSw\/U-CLrFTN7aI\/AAAAAAAACDI\/Ou7CiA7BOYw\/s1600\/Cruella.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... Minnie Mouse holding Little Tomboy's hand ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_6FVGf4nNUk\/U-CGiTff-yI\/AAAAAAAACAY\/m31w3bhp-wA\/s1600\/IMG_2932.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_6FVGf4nNUk\/U-CGiTff-yI\/AAAAAAAACAY\/m31w3bhp-wA\/s1600\/IMG_2932.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... and last but not least, Mickey Mouse himself ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-MJucJesU7UI\/U-CLsjTBkMI\/AAAAAAAACDg\/XtwxjMwEjAs\/s1600\/mickey.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-MJucJesU7UI\/U-CLsjTBkMI\/AAAAAAAACDg\/XtwxjMwEjAs\/s1600\/mickey.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI took loads of pictures of their summer blooms, everything looks so lush and rich with colour, unlike my garden which is slowly withering away.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-841Flhr0mhg\/U-CG1AW19eI\/AAAAAAAACCY\/eqxodh-U9R0\/s1600\/IMG_2960.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-841Flhr0mhg\/U-CG1AW19eI\/AAAAAAAACCY\/eqxodh-U9R0\/s1600\/IMG_2960.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ipLbxDsvN-Y\/U-CGmnPsp_I\/AAAAAAAACA0\/qXLZCq3eV90\/s1600\/IMG_2942.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ipLbxDsvN-Y\/U-CGmnPsp_I\/AAAAAAAACA0\/qXLZCq3eV90\/s1600\/IMG_2942.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ClNlnr-aX1g\/U-CGmPsn2PI\/AAAAAAAACAs\/GPhFhCzD2OE\/s1600\/IMG_2944.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ClNlnr-aX1g\/U-CGmPsn2PI\/AAAAAAAACAs\/GPhFhCzD2OE\/s1600\/IMG_2944.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-_gRIuyAjgdk\/U-CGmg_U31I\/AAAAAAAACAw\/t0Oq9GLmC68\/s1600\/IMG_2945.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-_gRIuyAjgdk\/U-CGmg_U31I\/AAAAAAAACAw\/t0Oq9GLmC68\/s1600\/IMG_2945.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_MmYD4osY2U\/U-CGpY5gJRI\/AAAAAAAACBI\/uQXDACukmmk\/s1600\/IMG_2946.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_MmYD4osY2U\/U-CGpY5gJRI\/AAAAAAAACBI\/uQXDACukmmk\/s1600\/IMG_2946.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-BGDWSzT1ZS8\/U-CGpfMSlwI\/AAAAAAAACBE\/4URjmeok2xI\/s1600\/IMG_2947.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-BGDWSzT1ZS8\/U-CGpfMSlwI\/AAAAAAAACBE\/4URjmeok2xI\/s1600\/IMG_2947.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Px7k-F_h35o\/U-CGwte2wDI\/AAAAAAAACB8\/WLEZMxG9h5s\/s1600\/IMG_2957.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Px7k-F_h35o\/U-CGwte2wDI\/AAAAAAAACB8\/WLEZMxG9h5s\/s1600\/IMG_2957.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWow, aren't the colours fabulous :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELooking back at the pictures of the scarecrows, most of them, with possibly the exception of Mickey Mouse, look a bit (very) creepy to me, but the Little People had great fun. Little Man actually thanked me a for a lovely day out, yay! And he was right, it had been really lovely, in that way that some days catch you unawares and go far better than you could ever have planned,\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhen we'd been paying for our fruit and veg, I had spotted a very dusty pile of boxes behind the counter, all full of used empty jars. They were 10p each, with money going to charity. 10p each! 10 of them for £1! Total bargain! When we got home Little Tomboy set to sprucing them up a bit with a good wash ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-pJxI3ysmo7U\/U-CN0BsgbPI\/AAAAAAAACEY\/WJXZ_YiuXls\/s1600\/IMG_2978.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-pJxI3ysmo7U\/U-CN0BsgbPI\/AAAAAAAACEY\/WJXZ_YiuXls\/s1600\/IMG_2978.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHere they are all sparkly and clean ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HhEmfaOWjnc\/U-CN0DdXsoI\/AAAAAAAACEU\/t_mnfr-dXzk\/s1600\/IMG_2995.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HhEmfaOWjnc\/U-CN0DdXsoI\/AAAAAAAACEU\/t_mnfr-dXzk\/s1600\/IMG_2995.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E.... there are 4 really unusual square shaped ones ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-BW2qUDCMXl4\/U-CN3hwylPI\/AAAAAAAACEs\/6GARLzyrTvY\/s1600\/IMG_2997.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-BW2qUDCMXl4\/U-CN3hwylPI\/AAAAAAAACEs\/6GARLzyrTvY\/s1600\/IMG_2997.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... \u0026nbsp;and some that have an interesting tapered shape ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/--ADvC6NrELA\/U-CN4Hbk6nI\/AAAAAAAACEw\/hNwoayBMXAA\/s1600\/IMG_3000.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/--ADvC6NrELA\/U-CN4Hbk6nI\/AAAAAAAACEw\/hNwoayBMXAA\/s1600\/IMG_3000.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOne of them is having a cosy cover made tomorrow for the lavendar posy for the lavendar-cutter's wife :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe final job for the day then, was to use our orange carrots to make some orange carrot-cake. I'd never made carrot cake before, and used \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bbcgoodfood.com\/recipes\/3229\/yummy-scrummy-carrot-cake\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethis recipe\u003C\/a\u003E. Well, what can I say. Total 110% success. It tasted aMAZing.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-rfKwsqQw2S8\/U-FoUvnq7kI\/AAAAAAAACGQ\/Zoai6KhA8-0\/s1600\/IMG_3036.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-rfKwsqQw2S8\/U-FoUvnq7kI\/AAAAAAAACGQ\/Zoai6KhA8-0\/s1600\/IMG_3036.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo there you have it. Lots that was not orange, but lots that was :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-rU5vKhFkSv4\/U-CN668JIYI\/AAAAAAAACFI\/-gg_mi5Kfd0\/s1600\/IMG_3007.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-rU5vKhFkSv4\/U-CN668JIYI\/AAAAAAAACFI\/-gg_mi5Kfd0\/s1600\/IMG_3007.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1160409122893286719\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-4-orange.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1160409122893286719"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1160409122893286719"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-4-orange.html","title":"August Break Day 4 : Orange"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9A9rr_ltXvE\/U-CAkhe5CtI\/AAAAAAAAB-Y\/6rzQ4nPV7DI\/s72-c\/IMG_2810.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-4230001098308999"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-04T01:43:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-08-05T07:44:15.478+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"craft"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 3 : Window - Lavender Bears"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;\"\u003EHello, and welcome to Day 3 of my participation in Susannah Conway's project,\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.susannahconway.com\/the-august-break-2014\/\" style=\"background-color: white; color: #888888; line-height: 18.479999542236328px; text-decoration: none;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe August Break\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;\"\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.479999542236328px;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: inherit;\"\u003EToday's theme is Window.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis morning I was pootling about up in the Little People's playfort today (as you do) and this is what I spied through the fort window .... can you spot the smaller two tea-party guests ? No, the smaller two ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-44USd-NO7Jc\/U9663lThc2I\/AAAAAAAAB6A\/2RTCvZrYb7M\/s1600\/IMG_2726.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-44USd-NO7Jc\/U9663lThc2I\/AAAAAAAAB6A\/2RTCvZrYb7M\/s1600\/IMG_2726.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETwo very special guests arrived in the house today in the form of fur and stuffing in a box ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-TtGjy7XMqMY\/U967x98njnI\/AAAAAAAAB6I\/BCZXvSwssk8\/s1600\/IMG_2647.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-TtGjy7XMqMY\/U967x98njnI\/AAAAAAAAB6I\/BCZXvSwssk8\/s1600\/IMG_2647.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EThe girls had been saving their pocket money for ages for these, and yesterday we went to the shop to make the big purchase! They got their own bags, receipts and everything - all Very Exciting :) However due to lack of room-tidying compliance they had to wait til today to do the fun part. Mean Mummy.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EFirst the bears needed stuffing ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MjedbPn6lnw\/U969FyWB1FI\/AAAAAAAAB6o\/HEhI76K0SAQ\/s1600\/IMG_2668.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MjedbPn6lnw\/U969FyWB1FI\/AAAAAAAAB6o\/HEhI76K0SAQ\/s1600\/IMG_2668.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EEach bear came with a heart ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-2QNwBH41kfI\/U968XYIghOI\/AAAAAAAAB6Y\/x0khFmNmlfo\/s1600\/IMG_2649.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-2QNwBH41kfI\/U968XYIghOI\/AAAAAAAAB6Y\/x0khFmNmlfo\/s1600\/IMG_2649.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... and a pen with which to inscribe a message on the heart ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-GVIHxSsTSpY\/U968jWK9FhI\/AAAAAAAAB6g\/pJ6QbCZFnzg\/s1600\/IMG_2655.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-GVIHxSsTSpY\/U968jWK9FhI\/AAAAAAAAB6g\/pJ6QbCZFnzg\/s1600\/IMG_2655.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... then lots of \"Rub the bear on your ears so he can hear, on your nose so he can smell\" etc etc and of course \"Rub the heart on your heart so the bear knows he is loved\" .... aaaaaah ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-D5V98AxQnQw\/U969rXmhqQI\/AAAAAAAAB64\/wbuBl2-9uF8\/s1600\/IMG_2677.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-D5V98AxQnQw\/U969rXmhqQI\/AAAAAAAAB64\/wbuBl2-9uF8\/s1600\/IMG_2677.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... now to put the heart in the bear. (OMG this was a bit like reverse childbirth. Gap far too small. Thing to go through gap far too big. Lots of huffing and child-friendly swearing. Got there in the end though.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ug9VMhiKNlQ\/U969zLwziII\/AAAAAAAAB7I\/PJsKMYpR6pE\/s1600\/IMG_2681.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ug9VMhiKNlQ\/U969zLwziII\/AAAAAAAAB7I\/PJsKMYpR6pE\/s1600\/IMG_2681.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E.... and then the introductions were made. Perfect Panda meet Georgina. Georgina, Perfect Panda.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Unz4Qu0O7Iw\/U968LFP2ePI\/AAAAAAAAB6Q\/jfOaIgyH6q4\/s1600\/IMG_2688.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Unz4Qu0O7Iw\/U968LFP2ePI\/AAAAAAAAB6Q\/jfOaIgyH6q4\/s1600\/IMG_2688.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... what a lovely couple .... look like they have been married for years ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-6RjwpzuQtJA\/U96_FRbLvDI\/AAAAAAAAB7g\/UAYl2muUcTk\/s1600\/IMG_2689.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-6RjwpzuQtJA\/U96_FRbLvDI\/AAAAAAAAB7g\/UAYl2muUcTk\/s1600\/IMG_2689.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-lNy7Y5Hem20\/U96_ExjsREI\/AAAAAAAAB7U\/1_RkEcsm_Gc\/s1600\/IMG_2691.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-lNy7Y5Hem20\/U96_ExjsREI\/AAAAAAAAB7U\/1_RkEcsm_Gc\/s1600\/IMG_2691.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Hq2OADm7hdI\/U96_Fg6QCxI\/AAAAAAAAB7c\/QcEwk_8tEh8\/s1600\/IMG_2696.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Hq2OADm7hdI\/U96_Fg6QCxI\/AAAAAAAAB7c\/QcEwk_8tEh8\/s1600\/IMG_2696.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-OF8NUOYoHhQ\/U96_Gt_wvGI\/AAAAAAAAB7s\/cmN_uG6YTVg\/s1600\/IMG_2698.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-OF8NUOYoHhQ\/U96_Gt_wvGI\/AAAAAAAAB7s\/cmN_uG6YTVg\/s1600\/IMG_2698.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... bit of fun in the sun ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1E8S3vgH6fQ\/U96_JCudL6I\/AAAAAAAAB70\/_KhhvTBvLVs\/s1600\/IMG_2702.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1E8S3vgH6fQ\/U96_JCudL6I\/AAAAAAAAB70\/_KhhvTBvLVs\/s1600\/IMG_2702.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-mYg_sX95UB0\/U96_Jdnim5I\/AAAAAAAAB74\/COrh4-7vPwA\/s1600\/IMG_2705.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-mYg_sX95UB0\/U96_Jdnim5I\/AAAAAAAAB74\/COrh4-7vPwA\/s1600\/IMG_2705.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... and out on a date ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-s82AiLfQo5c\/U96_JjgHYZI\/AAAAAAAAB78\/1Kxh-PyEcJ8\/s1600\/IMG_2712.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-s82AiLfQo5c\/U96_JjgHYZI\/AAAAAAAAB78\/1Kxh-PyEcJ8\/s1600\/IMG_2712.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAfter the excitement of the new teddies, and much tea-partying (with real squash and breadsticks, they were VERY excited :) Little Miss set her art things out and got all creative. She has these blowpen things that sort of spray out a misting of ink, and she uses them with various stencils. \u0026nbsp;Looky look, don't they create a great effect ?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-aGj370Q30iA\/U97B8DvFtEI\/AAAAAAAAB8Q\/uuhPXfEzc_M\/s1600\/IMG_2638.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-aGj370Q30iA\/U97B8DvFtEI\/AAAAAAAAB8Q\/uuhPXfEzc_M\/s1600\/IMG_2638.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhen we were first got them years ago, as a Christmas present from a friend, I was aghast. Pens. With Ink. Liquidy ink. That you blow out everywhere. Seriously ? But you know what - they really are fun. And no mess. It doesn't go everywhere and it does wipe off really easily. Hurrah :)\u003Cbr \/\u003EHer picture was so lovely, and she described it so excitedly and with such enthusiasm that we quickly agreed that this picture was The One. The One we had been searching for, waiting for, longing for. The One that we feared might never come. The One that we would send off for a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/cbbc\/articles\/about-blue-peter-badges\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBlue Peter Badge\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;:) We will be posting her letter tomorrow, so can you please keep your fingers crossed for her :) ♥\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hZvKUvgBccs\/U97B8HBZTwI\/AAAAAAAAB8U\/G_Lx8uDjoPM\/s1600\/IMG_2633.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hZvKUvgBccs\/U97B8HBZTwI\/AAAAAAAAB8U\/G_Lx8uDjoPM\/s1600\/IMG_2633.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAll that child related activity made me yearn for something to do for myself .... I'd been out along our road earlier and a neighbour was \"trimming\" his hedge with a gigantic chainsaw, and the hedge included a couple of lavender bushes which were also getting scalped. The lavender was lying in heaps on the pavement, so after asking, and getting a mildly amused look from him, I scooped the whole lot up and walked home with armfuls of delicious-smelling lavender :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-PYTS8Ag_5OE\/U97Hz9DVdxI\/AAAAAAAAB8o\/cytkeHxP86I\/s1600\/IMG_2745.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-PYTS8Ag_5OE\/U97Hz9DVdxI\/AAAAAAAAB8o\/cytkeHxP86I\/s1600\/IMG_2745.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOnly last night I had been reading Cathy's lovely blog \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe House With The Blue Door\u003C\/a\u003E and had stumbled upon her post entitled \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/07\/things-i-make-with-lavender.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThings I Make With Lavender\u003C\/a\u003E. Go and read it. Go on, right now. It's a gorgeous post. In fact go and get some lavender, sit and breathe it in whilst reading Cathy's post. Mmmm, heavenly :) Clearly fate was telling me to do something with all that lovely lavender. I gathered some supplies ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-AXAg8CGRRY8\/U97Jh0X-cVI\/AAAAAAAAB88\/7U4O3dUhcPQ\/s1600\/IMG_2738.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-AXAg8CGRRY8\/U97Jh0X-cVI\/AAAAAAAAB88\/7U4O3dUhcPQ\/s1600\/IMG_2738.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... ooooh look how they all match! Amazing coincidence (ahem)...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-c8If2Vw81KM\/U97JhxSHY1I\/AAAAAAAAB84\/eNNEVdQg1N8\/s1600\/IMG_2742.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-c8If2Vw81KM\/U97JhxSHY1I\/AAAAAAAAB84\/eNNEVdQg1N8\/s1600\/IMG_2742.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... whilst I was busy with the hook, Little Man helped me sort out the wheat from the chaff, as it were. Long stems went in my square glass vase, leftover green bits to one side, and purpley bits in our sweetie bowl. No, we don't serve sweets IN it, it has sweets ON it. Worst thing I ever bought. Put grapes in it, and they just ask for sweets. Argh. Here is Little Man in action. Spot the loom bands. Yes, even 11 year old boys wear them. I think he carries it off really rather well :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-_fMXrsGqZL8\/U97JpRlZm_I\/AAAAAAAAB90\/s9OhHy4Mw5k\/s1600\/IMG_2758.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-_fMXrsGqZL8\/U97JpRlZm_I\/AAAAAAAAB90\/s9OhHy4Mw5k\/s1600\/IMG_2758.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... a wee while later (and a lot of fiddling about with stones for propping up and ribbon for prettifying) and ta-daaaa - a sweet little jar cosy for my lovely lush lavender :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-6j7iSinnTRg\/U97Jhd7mEEI\/AAAAAAAAB80\/lrqkeprghUM\/s1600\/IMG_2748.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-6j7iSinnTRg\/U97Jhd7mEEI\/AAAAAAAAB80\/lrqkeprghUM\/s1600\/IMG_2748.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI ran out of time today but there is heaps left, so I'm going to make another one tomorrow for the neighbour that gave me the lavender - well - his wife more probably ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-oQu7ocIHD6k\/U97JjzOzf4I\/AAAAAAAAB9M\/j4M8dWAifDM\/s1600\/IMG_2749.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-oQu7ocIHD6k\/U97JjzOzf4I\/AAAAAAAAB9M\/j4M8dWAifDM\/s1600\/IMG_2749.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs for Little Man, he, boy-who-has-loads-of-sensory-difficulties-and-hates-all-smells-and-does-lots-of-over-dramatic-throat-clutching-wretching-and-gagging, declared that he loves the smell of lavender and yes please Mum I would like a (covered in manly fabric) sachet of it to hang on my bed to help me sleep :) Aaaaah I cannot express to you how that has made my heart swell with joy, love and pride :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-VyNSiHOLOiE\/U97JloRsfPI\/AAAAAAAAB9Y\/daJQB6PjOLw\/s1600\/IMG_2750.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-VyNSiHOLOiE\/U97JloRsfPI\/AAAAAAAAB9Y\/daJQB6PjOLw\/s1600\/IMG_2750.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECan you smell it ? Take a good deep sniff, go on, that's it .... mmmmmm ..... delicious .......\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-7M7BbK4Ga6o\/U97JlZUQIjI\/AAAAAAAAB9U\/muVy3REaKLo\/s1600\/IMG_2751.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-7M7BbK4Ga6o\/U97JlZUQIjI\/AAAAAAAAB9U\/muVy3REaKLo\/s1600\/IMG_2751.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... and here it is in its little home on my desk :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-IdSeOVy8VZM\/U97Jp4jSA5I\/AAAAAAAAB94\/pAF7MRwf1mQ\/s1600\/IMG_2786.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-IdSeOVy8VZM\/U97Jp4jSA5I\/AAAAAAAAB94\/pAF7MRwf1mQ\/s1600\/IMG_2786.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4230001098308999\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-3-window-lavender-bears.html#comment-form","title":"11 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4230001098308999"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/4230001098308999"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-3-window-lavender-bears.html","title":"August Break Day 3 : Window - Lavender Bears"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-44USd-NO7Jc\/U9663lThc2I\/AAAAAAAAB6A\/2RTCvZrYb7M\/s72-c\/IMG_2726.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"11"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1210486057503632948"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-02T23:14:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-08-02T23:14:52.198+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"craft"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sewing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 2 : Pattern"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hello, and welcome to Day 2 of my participation in Susannah Conway's project, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.susannahconway.com\/the-august-break-2014\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe August Break\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003EToday's theme is Pattern.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TQosX7Qq74A\/U91SvKYBx5I\/AAAAAAAAB38\/Mbt4IjxrfJg\/s1600\/IMG_2611.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TQosX7Qq74A\/U91SvKYBx5I\/AAAAAAAAB38\/Mbt4IjxrfJg\/s1600\/IMG_2611.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy plans for today were to sew and to crochet. Bliss.\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhat actually happened was laundry, food shopping, lunch, filing and last, but most dramatically, glass splinter extraction from Little Tomboy's foot!! The little darling had smashed a picture frame and the glass in it in her bedroom a few weeks ago, by kicking a football at it. It was on the wall at about 6 feet high at the time, she is not called Little Tomboy for nothing. Despite my vacuuming her room several times since, she obviously managed to find a splinter I had missed.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOnce foot surgery was completed, I did manage one fairly significant task today, and that was the cleaning and oiling of my sewing machine. Look, I was brave and opened it up ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-tKDGYB6B8vM\/U91UBSs7cTI\/AAAAAAAAB4E\/441waIOt4gE\/s1600\/IMG_2589.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-tKDGYB6B8vM\/U91UBSs7cTI\/AAAAAAAAB4E\/441waIOt4gE\/s1600\/IMG_2589.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe tension had been playing up, but it seems to be rather better now, I'm feeling very pleased with myself :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-moLpDDfWQlc\/U91WKKcg7_I\/AAAAAAAAB4Q\/pK9AwGKGo6o\/s1600\/IMG_2625.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-moLpDDfWQlc\/U91WKKcg7_I\/AAAAAAAAB4Q\/pK9AwGKGo6o\/s1600\/IMG_2625.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOnce the machine was all back together and feeling better, and I had had a celebratory cappuccino, I had time for a very quick project. Little Miss is very slim, and has an assortment of dresses that still fit but are far too short. Upcycling them into simple skirts has been on my to-do list for some time. Er, I forgot any \"before\" pictures, so just use your imagination, okay ?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-lXJoTJVLywI\/U91WK5elrqI\/AAAAAAAAB4c\/81Qec6mS9fg\/s1600\/IMG_2610.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-lXJoTJVLywI\/U91WK5elrqI\/AAAAAAAAB4c\/81Qec6mS9fg\/s1600\/IMG_2610.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe first one I tackled used to be a little strappy sundress with a ruched bodice. I cut off the straps, and some of the ruching, but leaving some along the top to become the waist. I hemmed it, stretching it out as I went (it was ruched remember), and used regular thread. The resulting waistband was a little loose so it's just threaded with elastic to pull it in slightly. Easy peasy!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-_uiFNvUy6F0\/U91ZvPrScnI\/AAAAAAAAB4w\/RohxI3I6Css\/s1600\/Skirt1.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-_uiFNvUy6F0\/U91ZvPrScnI\/AAAAAAAAB4w\/RohxI3I6Css\/s1600\/Skirt1.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENext for the chop was one of my favourites of Little Miss' dresses. It was a royal blue jersey sleeveless bodice, and then this pretty cerise, white and blue floral skirt. The skirt and bodice were joined together at a sort of empire line level, with a wide band of cerise elastic.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rI1kyuDnpp8\/U91WK795dlI\/AAAAAAAAB4U\/Xc5eYXLuBqM\/s1600\/IMG_2609.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rI1kyuDnpp8\/U91WK795dlI\/AAAAAAAAB4U\/Xc5eYXLuBqM\/s1600\/IMG_2609.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis project didn't even require any sewing - I detached the bodice from the elastic waist\/empire-line band using my trusty seam ripper. The band then became the waistband - and ta-daaaaaa ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-myXWKIcBsLo\/U91ZvCAgmmI\/AAAAAAAAB4s\/E0aSsn-TnZc\/s1600\/Skirt2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-myXWKIcBsLo\/U91ZvCAgmmI\/AAAAAAAAB4s\/E0aSsn-TnZc\/s1600\/Skirt2.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI \u0026nbsp;♥-LOVE-♥ \u0026nbsp;how it turned out, The skirt is lined too, so it's lovely and swingy and full. And I totally adore the fabric, I've often thought that it would make a wonderful adult's dress for a wedding or a summer party.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pdl4Tzu6-aY\/U91cJk-XjTI\/AAAAAAAAB5A\/WZEa-ZDa8FM\/s1600\/IMG_2622.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pdl4Tzu6-aY\/U91cJk-XjTI\/AAAAAAAAB5A\/WZEa-ZDa8FM\/s1600\/IMG_2622.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere they are together ........ aaaaah lovely \u0026nbsp;:)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENow, just in case you think it's all hearts and flowers round here, tomorrow's upcycling project will be for someone else. Can you guess who ? Here are a few clues ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-4RIGBSW3dDU\/U91e9Edu1PI\/AAAAAAAAB5w\/pPVxjSoNNIc\/s1600\/CamoCollage.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-4RIGBSW3dDU\/U91e9Edu1PI\/AAAAAAAAB5w\/pPVxjSoNNIc\/s1600\/CamoCollage.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYes, it's for Little Tomboy of course! Queen of camouflage (don't tell her I called her the queen).\u003Cbr \/\u003EDid you guess right ? I'm going to make her some (more) army camouflage shorts out of some of her too-short trousers :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/--foruheXnDA\/U91dPAdtduI\/AAAAAAAAB5U\/1CdyG9d8fbI\/s1600\/IMG_2628.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/--foruheXnDA\/U91dPAdtduI\/AAAAAAAAB5U\/1CdyG9d8fbI\/s1600\/IMG_2628.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1210486057503632948\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-2-pattern.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1210486057503632948"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1210486057503632948"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-day-2-pattern.html","title":"August Break Day 2 : Pattern"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TQosX7Qq74A\/U91SvKYBx5I\/AAAAAAAAB38\/Mbt4IjxrfJg\/s72-c\/IMG_2611.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1764558972253304914"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-01T22:09:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-08-02T23:16:54.146+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"August Break"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"August Break Day 1 : Outside"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"So I'm plonked on the sofa, feet up (its a recliner - heaven) just doing my regular blog perusal. I love doing this, I don't manage it every day, but I do love hearing what everyone across the globe has been up to recently.\u003Cbr \/\u003EToday's blog survey quickly brought me to the lovely Penny's blog\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thehomemadeheart.typepad.com\/thehomemadeheart\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Homemade Heart\u003C\/a\u003E, and more specifically her post\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/thehomemadeheart.typepad.com\/thehomemadeheart\/2014\/08\/the-august-break-lunch.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe August Break Lunch\u003C\/a\u003E. Penny explained that she is participating in\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.susannahconway.com\/the-august-break-2014\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe August Break 2014\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;, set up by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.susannahconway.com\/about-contact\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESusannah Conway\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-BvfOZk7Ig7E\/U9vpul5ezhI\/AAAAAAAAB2o\/X66ivw4PZAk\/s1600\/theaugustbreak6.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-BvfOZk7Ig7E\/U9vpul5ezhI\/AAAAAAAAB2o\/X66ivw4PZAk\/s1600\/theaugustbreak6.jpg\" height=\"400\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe concept is that during August, for as many days as you want to, or can manage, you post a photograph, and some accompanying text. Simples. Susannah has also set up a list of subjects for inspiration.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-QyQ5X75taJk\/U9vpuoJE-vI\/AAAAAAAAB2s\/rs9HWreeAM0\/s1600\/augustbreaklist.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-QyQ5X75taJk\/U9vpuoJE-vI\/AAAAAAAAB2s\/rs9HWreeAM0\/s1600\/augustbreaklist.jpg\" height=\"400\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe are going away for a bit in August and I didn't want to not blog at all but equally wasn't exactly sure if I would really want to either. A flexible project such as this is perfect.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOff we go then.... Susannah's suggested topic for today is Lunch. Well that would be a very boring photo from me for today as I've been laid up in bed all day with a really bad migraine so lunch was a big fat nothing! Instead (sorry Susannah) I've decided that today's subject for me is \"Outside\".\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-jfUN1kPEIv8\/U9vsaGezJcI\/AAAAAAAAB28\/gCj7_4OxH8U\/s1600\/IMG_5171.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-jfUN1kPEIv8\/U9vsaGezJcI\/AAAAAAAAB28\/gCj7_4OxH8U\/s1600\/IMG_5171.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOutside in my garden is our trusty picnic blanket, draped over the side of our swing-set drying from yesterday's\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/07\/fun-in-sun.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EFun in the Sun\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/\"\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy Mum bought me this blanket for my 29th birthday and said \"Everyone needs a travel rug\". I have to admit I was horrified! Vouchers for clothes, a CD or cinema tickets would have been far more my thing back then. The \"travel rug\" stayed all nicely folded in its cellophane wrapping for years and years.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFast for ward to now and this blanket has become a firm family favourite. Its been to Holland, Belgium, France, Spain, Wales, Scotland and of course back to the home it came from, Northern Ireland. It's been in grassy fields, beaches, parks, National Trust properties and gardens. It's been used for picnics, sunbathing, drying off and making dens. It never seems to get especially dirty and, though often sodden with sand or bits of grass, a good old shake seems to bring it back to full health.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy Mum and Dad have basically the same blanket so I feel like it's always been with me.\u003Cbr \/\u003EDespite my initial reservations, I love this blanket.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMum you were right, everyone DOES need a travel rug ♥"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1764558972253304914\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-outside.html#comment-form","title":"17 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1764558972253304914"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1764558972253304914"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/august-break-outside.html","title":"August Break Day 1 : Outside"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-BvfOZk7Ig7E\/U9vpul5ezhI\/AAAAAAAAB2o\/X66ivw4PZAk\/s72-c\/theaugustbreak6.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"17"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-3271196295187704779"},"published":{"$t":"2014-08-01T00:04:00.001+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-08-01T00:05:02.161+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Fun in the Sun"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-0Kk2PjSNi4g\/U9qtGSfjsyI\/AAAAAAAABzA\/04Q3aVm5nPo\/s1600\/IMG_2536.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-0Kk2PjSNi4g\/U9qtGSfjsyI\/AAAAAAAABzA\/04Q3aVm5nPo\/s1600\/IMG_2536.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe heatwave continues. Here in the South of England we've had temperatures in the mid to high 20's for weeks and weeks now, and it's been fantastic. Sunny weather makes the school holidays So. Much. Easier. The backdoor is open, the Little People are in and out of the garden, on the trampoline, the swing, making dens, playing football, building mini assault courses.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-qeyBy6U6rJc\/U9qu7DERa9I\/AAAAAAAABzM\/GFdeM5uiicA\/s1600\/IMG_2553.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-qeyBy6U6rJc\/U9qu7DERa9I\/AAAAAAAABzM\/GFdeM5uiicA\/s1600\/IMG_2553.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe doorbell is going every 10 minutes \"Can so-and-so come out to play ......\", they are having an absolute blast. There are nerf gun wars, capture the flag, water-bomb fights, and a more sedate pavement artistry.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-07hDWRp__Ag\/U9q8TOQeefI\/AAAAAAAABzk\/SK_K7m_sXXw\/s1600\/IMG_2546.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-07hDWRp__Ag\/U9q8TOQeefI\/AAAAAAAABzk\/SK_K7m_sXXw\/s1600\/IMG_2546.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Utrl7NnH5x8\/U9q8u5j5rbI\/AAAAAAAABzs\/O6ru1BQKCL0\/s1600\/IMG_2575.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Utrl7NnH5x8\/U9q8u5j5rbI\/AAAAAAAABzs\/O6ru1BQKCL0\/s1600\/IMG_2575.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYesterday was, if you ask me, the perfect day. Little Miss had 2 friends round all afternoon, they brought their swimming togs, and they, plus Little Tomboy, played in the paddling pool for aaaaages. I have some really gorgeous pictures of the 4 of them , but it's not for me to be posting photos of other people's children, even just the backs of their heads, but here is one with Little Miss splashing .....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-zW5pDu08hGY\/U9q9PEUD5wI\/AAAAAAAAB0A\/V9Q7Li2a3_M\/s1600\/IMG_2373.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-zW5pDu08hGY\/U9q9PEUD5wI\/AAAAAAAAB0A\/V9Q7Li2a3_M\/s1600\/IMG_2373.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELots of soaking each other with the hose, shrieking, squeals of joy, that uninhibitied joy that children display with such ease.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rp1k8ocWESw\/U9q9OHwqToI\/AAAAAAAABz0\/zofpVsy7_iQ\/s1600\/IMG_2521.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rp1k8ocWESw\/U9q9OHwqToI\/AAAAAAAABz0\/zofpVsy7_iQ\/s1600\/IMG_2521.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-DLUVh0LbyUQ\/U9rBHLY3mgI\/AAAAAAAAB08\/RvAU-m334jE\/s1600\/IMG_2531.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-DLUVh0LbyUQ\/U9rBHLY3mgI\/AAAAAAAAB08\/RvAU-m334jE\/s1600\/IMG_2531.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThey had a break mid afternoon for lollies on the blanket in the sun ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MwnVtl6-vcY\/U9q9TIBP8_I\/AAAAAAAAB0Y\/bqyKJBXgtBQ\/s1600\/IMG_2535.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MwnVtl6-vcY\/U9q9TIBP8_I\/AAAAAAAAB0Y\/bqyKJBXgtBQ\/s1600\/IMG_2535.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... and loom bands. Always loom bands ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Eez_EAVfqUE\/U9q9OpyTmfI\/AAAAAAAABz4\/PmNVBFZJx3E\/s1600\/IMG_2311.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Eez_EAVfqUE\/U9q9OpyTmfI\/AAAAAAAABz4\/PmNVBFZJx3E\/s1600\/IMG_2311.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp;... plus notebooks .. for loom band designs and planning I'd guess ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ebr3bfUhBlE\/U9q9Ry5gWVI\/AAAAAAAAB0M\/6N_-qeNyWh0\/s1600\/IMG_2533.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ebr3bfUhBlE\/U9q9Ry5gWVI\/AAAAAAAAB0M\/6N_-qeNyWh0\/s1600\/IMG_2533.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003EA bit later it was dinnertime. Fish-finger butties, salad (oops camera on b\u0026amp;w),\u0026nbsp;jammie dodgers, watermelon and fairy cakes, all served in the fort, drying off on the blanket :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-qqMA95tBynA\/U9rDm7M9M3I\/AAAAAAAAB1w\/NWEP-6YMfvk\/s1600\/IMG_2499.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-qqMA95tBynA\/U9rDm7M9M3I\/AAAAAAAAB1w\/NWEP-6YMfvk\/s1600\/IMG_2499.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-XTO3GAb4z3I\/U9rFMCR2miI\/AAAAAAAAB2A\/zxmDJCW4UE0\/s1600\/IMG_2472.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-XTO3GAb4z3I\/U9rFMCR2miI\/AAAAAAAAB2A\/zxmDJCW4UE0\/s1600\/IMG_2472.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-8dR9jh4c1IM\/U9rDmxOobuI\/AAAAAAAAB1s\/tHT8P7Pmf2w\/s1600\/IMG_2505.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-8dR9jh4c1IM\/U9rDmxOobuI\/AAAAAAAAB1s\/tHT8P7Pmf2w\/s1600\/IMG_2505.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-L6aO9VCCZXU\/U9rFMt92yfI\/AAAAAAAAB2E\/HO_LfmHgldw\/s1600\/IMG_2555.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-L6aO9VCCZXU\/U9rFMt92yfI\/AAAAAAAAB2E\/HO_LfmHgldw\/s1600\/IMG_2555.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-2PZrpXb2SGw\/U9q9TQbu5YI\/AAAAAAAAB0U\/dWmHTRaG8vE\/s1600\/IMG_2563.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-2PZrpXb2SGw\/U9q9TQbu5YI\/AAAAAAAAB0U\/dWmHTRaG8vE\/s1600\/IMG_2563.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EIn fantasty-world I spent the whole afternoon watching them adoringly while crocheting at lightning speed. In reality, I sat still for about 5 minutes in between nursing grazed knees, fiddling with the hose attachment, reinflating the paddling pool (wretched thing burst AGAIN), fetching drinks and snacks, and generally providing crowd control.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EBut here are a few pictures from fantasy-land ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-E1jEEu6tySo\/U9rBG4ThEUI\/AAAAAAAAB00\/8emWVVNs2zA\/s1600\/IMG_2552.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-E1jEEu6tySo\/U9rBG4ThEUI\/AAAAAAAAB00\/8emWVVNs2zA\/s1600\/IMG_2552.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-xt6xxMotGlM\/U9q_3FUSDQI\/AAAAAAAAB0o\/GcWWKAFHp84\/s1600\/IMG_2383.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-xt6xxMotGlM\/U9q_3FUSDQI\/AAAAAAAAB0o\/GcWWKAFHp84\/s1600\/IMG_2383.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-msGZGpMm5ck\/U9rBIY-5pFI\/AAAAAAAAB1I\/sHqMctG0JZM\/s1600\/IMG_2577.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-msGZGpMm5ck\/U9rBIY-5pFI\/AAAAAAAAB1I\/sHqMctG0JZM\/s1600\/IMG_2577.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp;Did you spot little pink project on the left in the above picture ? A little stuffed owl keyring, using the pattern in this month's Simply Crochet magazine. Fun to do and quick to produce. In fantasy-land I have made about a hundred in differing colourways, all amazing, and which I am selling like hot-cakes. Reality land WILL be similar, just take a bit longer! Here is is again, look....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-sxGZ3kQFXzQ\/U9rBKFC_VzI\/AAAAAAAAB1Q\/mqrlceK9iMg\/s1600\/IMG_2579.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-sxGZ3kQFXzQ\/U9rBKFC_VzI\/AAAAAAAAB1Q\/mqrlceK9iMg\/s1600\/IMG_2579.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... ooo loook at his label .....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-8PkBaLVPSok\/U9rBLXvZLfI\/AAAAAAAAB1Y\/6bh8EdNRKlw\/s1600\/IMG_2580.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-8PkBaLVPSok\/U9rBLXvZLfI\/AAAAAAAAB1Y\/6bh8EdNRKlw\/s1600\/IMG_2580.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... whooppeeeee..... I have my own labels now .... soooooooo exciting ........\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-tqrRoex7ykI\/U9rIFyo8_DI\/AAAAAAAAB2U\/teIea_w8TnE\/s1600\/IMG_5059.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-tqrRoex7ykI\/U9rIFyo8_DI\/AAAAAAAAB2U\/teIea_w8TnE\/s1600\/IMG_5059.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'm going to keep him as he's my first. He looks a bit shy and lonely bless him, shall be rustling up a few mates for him tomorrow :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-551nNINpuzc\/U9rBLCHLXdI\/AAAAAAAAB1c\/pQj78AF_lYE\/s1600\/IMG_2581.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-551nNINpuzc\/U9rBLCHLXdI\/AAAAAAAAB1c\/pQj78AF_lYE\/s1600\/IMG_2581.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EHope you are enjoying the weather in your corner of the world :) \u0026nbsp;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3271196295187704779\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/07\/fun-in-sun.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3271196295187704779"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3271196295187704779"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/07\/fun-in-sun.html","title":"Fun in the Sun"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-0Kk2PjSNi4g\/U9qtGSfjsyI\/AAAAAAAABzA\/04Q3aVm5nPo\/s72-c\/IMG_2536.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1078863994588108006"},"published":{"$t":"2014-07-25T21:47:00.003+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-08-01T00:05:39.556+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sewing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Park Life"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MFFrJ8Yj8hI\/U9K1k7ku0mI\/AAAAAAAABxQ\/npzPf7K5Nx4\/s1600\/IMG_2264.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MFFrJ8Yj8hI\/U9K1k7ku0mI\/AAAAAAAABxQ\/npzPf7K5Nx4\/s1600\/IMG_2264.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EJobs for today were a) have a fun day and b) get a new paddling pool...... if you're keeping up you'll be saying \"but you only bought a new one just yesterday\", and you'd be right. The flippin' thing only went and burst along one of the side seams two hours into the fun. Arrghhhh!!!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe decided to do the \"have fun\"part first. McDonalds pancakes for breakfast - yummy (and a bit messy) ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1YTRY0ENMHs\/U9K2Wdw4BhI\/AAAAAAAABx4\/oi6vDBzZZ54\/s1600\/IMG_5085.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1YTRY0ENMHs\/U9K2Wdw4BhI\/AAAAAAAABx4\/oi6vDBzZZ54\/s1600\/IMG_5085.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E.... followed by a trip to the park. We're really lucky that within about 15 minutes from home there are loads of really brilliant parks. We could easily go to a different one every day of the week, all with loads to do for different age groups, and most with a cafe close by for yours truly.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-U1la7OBvAiY\/U9K25n0-_hI\/AAAAAAAAByA\/MZo88AEAQww\/s1600\/IMG_2272.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-U1la7OBvAiY\/U9K25n0-_hI\/AAAAAAAAByA\/MZo88AEAQww\/s1600\/IMG_2272.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe have a bag that lives in the car with blankets and a frisbee, pens, paper, all ready for impromptu trips, and today we chucked in the loom bands too (of course!).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-SAaYxfPKC9Q\/U9K4M6MFfjI\/AAAAAAAAByc\/Fp1NLIkm6YE\/s1600\/IMG_2293.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-SAaYxfPKC9Q\/U9K4M6MFfjI\/AAAAAAAAByc\/Fp1NLIkm6YE\/s1600\/IMG_2293.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EToday's park, Palmer Park, has sooo much for the Little People to do - climbing frames (wow they weren't that funky in my day), trampoline, massive multi-person swings, big sand pit area, even ping pong tables (must bring bats next time - another addition for the car-bag)...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-eRGsyE6RPSU\/U9K4NEfS5rI\/AAAAAAAAByY\/JRzLPYY9SE8\/s1600\/IMG_2287.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-eRGsyE6RPSU\/U9K4NEfS5rI\/AAAAAAAAByY\/JRzLPYY9SE8\/s1600\/IMG_2287.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Df0oGBnC0EA\/U9K4Pn7qIZI\/AAAAAAAAByw\/_YApgVzKSIM\/s1600\/IMG_2298.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Df0oGBnC0EA\/U9K4Pn7qIZI\/AAAAAAAAByw\/_YApgVzKSIM\/s1600\/IMG_2298.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-TTKAEow-jbU\/U9K1vdbydtI\/AAAAAAAABxY\/z_qMDEECKjQ\/s1600\/IMG_2248.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-TTKAEow-jbU\/U9K1vdbydtI\/AAAAAAAABxY\/z_qMDEECKjQ\/s1600\/IMG_2248.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELittle Man got busy with his loom bands, quite content to sit with me - very unusual and most enjoyable...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NPfyG86fS84\/U9K4LxM9YyI\/AAAAAAAAByQ\/UI-iU_JhNhg\/s1600\/IMG_2279.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NPfyG86fS84\/U9K4LxM9YyI\/AAAAAAAAByQ\/UI-iU_JhNhg\/s1600\/IMG_2279.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... and I progressed my crochet roses ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-1IlEWddqFow\/U9K4KzmJ_lI\/AAAAAAAAByI\/H9TpydOKYN4\/s1600\/IMG_2282.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-1IlEWddqFow\/U9K4KzmJ_lI\/AAAAAAAAByI\/H9TpydOKYN4\/s1600\/IMG_2282.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;..... there is a community not-for-profit cafe, it doesn't sell the average run-of-the-mill drinks, instead has these organic ones .... ice-cold fizzy elderflower ..... mmmmmm ...... and lemonade for the Little People .... cheers ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-od06EuRupH8\/U9K4NpqZRCI\/AAAAAAAAByg\/fyhKJQ8ELeQ\/s1600\/IMG_2296.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-od06EuRupH8\/U9K4NpqZRCI\/AAAAAAAAByg\/fyhKJQ8ELeQ\/s1600\/IMG_2296.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt turns out we planned our impromptu day really rather well because the heavens opened as we arrived home for a quick lunch. I'd love to take picnics out with us, but I know that Little Man rarely wants to stay out this long and I've learned not to fight it, and to make sure we quit while we're ahead.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe other job for the day was to get a replacement for the paddling pool. The paddling pool shop is next to our local Hobbycraft, which I'd noticed last week runs free children's craft sessions every day in the holidays, so we decided to drop-in and have a go. Today they were making hand-sewn pin-cushions.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Xx2YeWa9L5k\/U9K16FTtdzI\/AAAAAAAABxg\/R4OF1R2F4JI\/s1600\/IMG_5093.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Xx2YeWa9L5k\/U9K16FTtdzI\/AAAAAAAABxg\/R4OF1R2F4JI\/s1600\/IMG_5093.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-exvUj2g6tew\/U9K2EzsiMOI\/AAAAAAAABxo\/i6PNHqd6OJw\/s1600\/IMG_5089.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-exvUj2g6tew\/U9K2EzsiMOI\/AAAAAAAABxo\/i6PNHqd6OJw\/s1600\/IMG_5089.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DCm_SlT96xI\/U9K2O8h9L4I\/AAAAAAAABxw\/wNzaP-NtdXM\/s1600\/IMG_5091.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DCm_SlT96xI\/U9K2O8h9L4I\/AAAAAAAABxw\/wNzaP-NtdXM\/s1600\/IMG_5091.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe lighting was appalling p sorry! And we didn't quite finish - pictures tomorrow maybe - but the girls had a great time, and I got to see how a die-cutting machine works. Ooooooooo!!! Fun!!!!! One for the (shhhhh whisper it) \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003EChristmas\u003C\/span\u003E list I think!"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1078863994588108006\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/07\/park-life.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1078863994588108006"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1078863994588108006"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/07\/park-life.html","title":"Park Life"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MFFrJ8Yj8hI\/U9K1k7ku0mI\/AAAAAAAABxQ\/npzPf7K5Nx4\/s72-c\/IMG_2264.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-3654393430684197416"},"published":{"$t":"2014-07-24T22:30:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-07-24T23:05:35.596+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"home"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Lazy Days"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q_1urq0vNC8\/U9FtrFvFKGI\/AAAAAAAABv4\/oCoJmhd1mHY\/s1600\/IMG_2087.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q_1urq0vNC8\/U9FtrFvFKGI\/AAAAAAAABv4\/oCoJmhd1mHY\/s1600\/IMG_2087.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHello bloggy friends :) Sorry for the short absence, just family life taking over for a while, but school holidays started today and the madness has stopped. True, there may now reign a different type of madness, but hey, a change is as good as a rest, right ??!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt has to be said though that this first day of the holidays has been really really lovely - slow and relaxing, hot and sunny. I started the day with a bit of breakfast in the garden, always the best start to the day, especially when you know you have nothing special to do, and no particular place to be.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KKG2BTjBqwg\/U9Ft7WxsaoI\/AAAAAAAABwA\/SsOvzNQ5Bo8\/s1600\/IMG_2162.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KKG2BTjBqwg\/U9Ft7WxsaoI\/AAAAAAAABwA\/SsOvzNQ5Bo8\/s1600\/IMG_2162.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDuring the morning I spent some hooky time catching up with my rose-blanket, an activity thinly disguised as child-supervision :) Loving this colour combo though ..... fresh and springy .....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ImcUI8jGK5E\/U9FvokwUKKI\/AAAAAAAABwk\/mLUOoSbTNhU\/s1600\/IMG_2169.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ImcUI8jGK5E\/U9FvokwUKKI\/AAAAAAAABwk\/mLUOoSbTNhU\/s1600\/IMG_2169.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELittle Man spent pretty much the entire day planted in front of the xbox. He always does this almost exclusively for the first few days of the holidays, before realising that it IS okay to do other things too :) Meanwhile, the girls got busy at the garden table with the loom bands. As well as the usual wrist bands, they've made all sort of wonderful and wacky creations - little people, key-fobs, skipping ropes, hairbands, the list goes on.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-TDOcksYEOSk\/U9FuL_73S6I\/AAAAAAAABwQ\/C6pbuyRzYIg\/s1600\/IMG_2173.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-TDOcksYEOSk\/U9FuL_73S6I\/AAAAAAAABwQ\/C6pbuyRzYIg\/s1600\/IMG_2173.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI might post some photos of the various works of art tomorrow :)\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe loom bands were getting dangerously depleted so we made a trip out to stock up. The girls were in Seventh Heaven choosing from this lot ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-erN_LkjlWYk\/U9GC9M_ilfI\/AAAAAAAABw0\/D8fyhj_6-pE\/s1600\/IMG_5061.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-erN_LkjlWYk\/U9GC9M_ilfI\/AAAAAAAABw0\/D8fyhj_6-pE\/s1600\/IMG_5061.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... and then somehow ended up buying a new paddling pool as well :) The weather as been so amazing, and our only paddling pool was titchy, and had been outside full of rainwater (and goodness knows what other gunge) all winter, so we splashed out (see what I did there :) on a new one.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-OwcmSZ6YLuo\/U9FuRxa2NFI\/AAAAAAAABwY\/XG8lQNhr4BI\/s1600\/IMG_2243.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-OwcmSZ6YLuo\/U9FuRxa2NFI\/AAAAAAAABwY\/XG8lQNhr4BI\/s1600\/IMG_2243.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt cooled me down just even watching them in it. Loads of fun, the stuff that memories are made of. There's nothing quite like shrieking and splashing around in the sprinkler, then snuggling up in warm towels with lollies and squash (and even a bit of Mummy's diet coke as a treat). I remember exactly this from my childhood. Water fights in the garden with the kids next door, then wrapping up in towels to eat choc-ices on a big blanket on the grass.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI have a few other exciting things going on, but that will have to wait for another day. In the meantime, check out this totally LusciouS yarn that I treated myself to last week. It's Smiley Stripes from Sirdar, I really Really REALLY love this colour, I think its called Honolulu :) I *think* it will be made into a scarf or shawl or similar, but at the moment I am happy just to gaze upon it :) Here it is .....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-amu-vC164CE\/U9FuGPl3H4I\/AAAAAAAABwI\/PDfYFshzbrw\/s1600\/IMG_2100.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-amu-vC164CE\/U9FuGPl3H4I\/AAAAAAAABwI\/PDfYFshzbrw\/s1600\/IMG_2100.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3654393430684197416\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/07\/lazy-days.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3654393430684197416"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/3654393430684197416"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/07\/lazy-days.html","title":"Lazy Days"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q_1urq0vNC8\/U9FtrFvFKGI\/AAAAAAAABv4\/oCoJmhd1mHY\/s72-c\/IMG_2087.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-2228589633152106797"},"published":{"$t":"2014-07-12T21:51:00.002+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-07-12T21:55:09.889+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"home"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Bonny Pink Bunting"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-6776NF68Hps\/U8GW5paA0mI\/AAAAAAAABtM\/ogIv3GNwAlE\/s1600\/IMG_2047.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-6776NF68Hps\/U8GW5paA0mI\/AAAAAAAABtM\/ogIv3GNwAlE\/s1600\/IMG_2047.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe loom band obsession continues. Little Miss making watch straps, hairbands and bracelets ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7T_mWkKR6P4\/U8GZqNeZZSI\/AAAAAAAABtg\/storNXt3z3M\/s1600\/IMG_2055.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7T_mWkKR6P4\/U8GZqNeZZSI\/AAAAAAAABtg\/storNXt3z3M\/s1600\/IMG_2055.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... and Little Tomboy making wrist-bands (NOT bracelets, ok??)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-6btAxgzcdEM\/U8GZQ2UXfkI\/AAAAAAAABtY\/9PO6IVvq52s\/s1600\/IMG_5020.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-6btAxgzcdEM\/U8GZQ2UXfkI\/AAAAAAAABtY\/9PO6IVvq52s\/s1600\/IMG_5020.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI unashamedly bribed Little Miss today that if she tidied her room (a task of gargantuan proportions let me tell you) then I would buy her some more bands. I also promised her the finished pink bunting that I've been working on.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Aoqt0AcOk_c\/U8GaNxF3UVI\/AAAAAAAABto\/c7XHfKomDiY\/s1600\/IMG_2035.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Aoqt0AcOk_c\/U8GaNxF3UVI\/AAAAAAAABto\/c7XHfKomDiY\/s1600\/IMG_2035.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'd finished the triangles, and joined them with some banding and buttons, yesterday. Just a bit of a blocking miracle to apply ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-PbYNCNn-nvg\/U8GaVJT7xaI\/AAAAAAAABtw\/-OBqpnYe930\/s1600\/IMG_2036.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-PbYNCNn-nvg\/U8GaVJT7xaI\/AAAAAAAABtw\/-OBqpnYe930\/s1600\/IMG_2036.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... do you like my new ironing board cover ?? Quite funky, no ?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-uo0Dd7Ye31w\/U8GaZH7UsQI\/AAAAAAAABt4\/6EVjibhfBrw\/s1600\/IMG_2037.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-uo0Dd7Ye31w\/U8GaZH7UsQI\/AAAAAAAABt4\/6EVjibhfBrw\/s1600\/IMG_2037.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI let Little Miss loose in the button tin. If the job had been left to me, I'd have chosen pink and white buttons, and alternated them. Little Miss was far more adventurous. When I saw her choices my heart sank, especially at the red heart. I mean red with all that pink ? Seriously ?? But you know what, it really really works and finishes it off Just Right. Good choice Little Miss.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Nvjb88c-P4Y\/U8GagusD7hI\/AAAAAAAABuA\/xN2aZDLFdO0\/s1600\/IMG_2043.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Nvjb88c-P4Y\/U8GagusD7hI\/AAAAAAAABuA\/xN2aZDLFdO0\/s1600\/IMG_2043.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAaah a tower of triangles ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-E94WmstkVsM\/U8GakYgMsII\/AAAAAAAABuI\/oGnjgFbUzOg\/s1600\/IMG_2044.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-E94WmstkVsM\/U8GakYgMsII\/AAAAAAAABuI\/oGnjgFbUzOg\/s1600\/IMG_2044.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... all laid out ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KgVMusSXNPw\/U8Ga81iOiUI\/AAAAAAAABuQ\/ThWrmXwccIE\/s1600\/IMG_2039.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KgVMusSXNPw\/U8Ga81iOiUI\/AAAAAAAABuQ\/ThWrmXwccIE\/s1600\/IMG_2039.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-SWfJFycsOvk\/U8GbKl0FvMI\/AAAAAAAABuY\/80NpnxVmvGg\/s1600\/IMG_2041.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-SWfJFycsOvk\/U8GbKl0FvMI\/AAAAAAAABuY\/80NpnxVmvGg\/s1600\/IMG_2041.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... and in the recipient's hands :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1uMx-7QGuok\/U8GbfosnuII\/AAAAAAAABug\/BlMlEXnPJ20\/s1600\/IMG_2061.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1uMx-7QGuok\/U8GbfosnuII\/AAAAAAAABug\/BlMlEXnPJ20\/s1600\/IMG_2061.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... and here it is strung along the side of her cabin bed. Excuse the slightly scary clown in the background: she won it at Brownies. It totally gives me the creeps but she doesn't seem to mind him ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-AZpnsEBfVnY\/U8GbolkntpI\/AAAAAAAABuo\/IbupHUbqSHk\/s1600\/IMG_2062.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-AZpnsEBfVnY\/U8GbolkntpI\/AAAAAAAABuo\/IbupHUbqSHk\/s1600\/IMG_2062.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... I think I may have underdone the blocking but it's all good ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-18xWezByLSQ\/U8Gb1bgrg9I\/AAAAAAAABuw\/7EtAkqaVtfw\/s1600\/IMG_2070.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-18xWezByLSQ\/U8Gb1bgrg9I\/AAAAAAAABuw\/7EtAkqaVtfw\/s1600\/IMG_2070.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo there you have it. Bonny Bunting for a Bonny Lass. And look, here is the red heart button again.\u003Cbr \/\u003EJust Right :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-83ybIN443bM\/U8Gb9Tx-w3I\/AAAAAAAABu4\/X6PlqMiIwYE\/s1600\/IMG_2073.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-83ybIN443bM\/U8Gb9Tx-w3I\/AAAAAAAABu4\/X6PlqMiIwYE\/s1600\/IMG_2073.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2228589633152106797\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/07\/bonny-bunting.html#comment-form","title":"14 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2228589633152106797"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/2228589633152106797"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/07\/bonny-bunting.html","title":"Bonny Pink Bunting"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-6776NF68Hps\/U8GW5paA0mI\/AAAAAAAABtM\/ogIv3GNwAlE\/s72-c\/IMG_2047.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"14"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-5801459579673777753"},"published":{"$t":"2014-07-08T23:00:00.003+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-07-08T23:01:07.320+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Project Progress June 2014"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-OmG1xC3D4TU\/U7xhYZ5dA_I\/AAAAAAAABrM\/WVpfxcwlPKk\/s1600\/IMG_1972.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-OmG1xC3D4TU\/U7xhYZ5dA_I\/AAAAAAAABrM\/WVpfxcwlPKk\/s1600\/IMG_1972.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'd love to do a monthly post on things I've completed, but life is a bit mad at the moment and a post on things in progress is a rather more attainable goal. I warn you now, its a long list. I am a serial starter. So without further ado I give you In Progress June 2014 (yes I know its July. Just ignore that please :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... most recently started is this granny square bag ... started last weekend ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-B73eo2WLnP4\/U7xh0zEVPYI\/AAAAAAAABrU\/yJLbaBA_nGo\/s1600\/IMG_2000.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-B73eo2WLnP4\/U7xh0zEVPYI\/AAAAAAAABrU\/yJLbaBA_nGo\/s1600\/IMG_2000.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... bike bunting ... not much left on this now ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/--xUciauGSbs\/U7xh-IVQMLI\/AAAAAAAABrc\/yT_H3vrfCd8\/s1600\/IMG_2004.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/--xUciauGSbs\/U7xh-IVQMLI\/AAAAAAAABrc\/yT_H3vrfCd8\/s1600\/IMG_2004.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... Clara's baby blanket ... cripes better get moving on this one .... Clara is about 2 months old now ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-cUE2El05y_w\/U7xi3e5OtZI\/AAAAAAAABrs\/FmnjYvZISZc\/s1600\/IMG_2006.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-cUE2El05y_w\/U7xi3e5OtZI\/AAAAAAAABrs\/FmnjYvZISZc\/s1600\/IMG_2006.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... lightweight pink scarf ... love the hot pink, this one's super quick to work up so there's no excuse! ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-6IsB2b7N-3Q\/U7xi3TxE7RI\/AAAAAAAABro\/SIvoDdRNtLc\/s1600\/IMG_2009.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-6IsB2b7N-3Q\/U7xi3TxE7RI\/AAAAAAAABro\/SIvoDdRNtLc\/s1600\/IMG_2009.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... poinsettia cushion cover ... started last December, may get it done for this Christmas ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-bGPno9rcYgI\/U7xi3R63wVI\/AAAAAAAABrw\/LirCX9t7PXI\/s1600\/IMG_2011.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-bGPno9rcYgI\/U7xi3R63wVI\/AAAAAAAABrw\/LirCX9t7PXI\/s1600\/IMG_2011.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... minecraft blanket ... design is in flux because Little Man has decided on normal granny squares ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ki0kfB1PtOk\/U7xi5pEFdQI\/AAAAAAAABsA\/wNGT8azMdQA\/s1600\/IMG_2014.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ki0kfB1PtOk\/U7xi5pEFdQI\/AAAAAAAABsA\/wNGT8azMdQA\/s1600\/IMG_2014.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... muted colours blanket in a sort of slight bobble cluster pattern ... can't remember what it was now ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-wrXEWg2F9H4\/U7xi7nwGOwI\/AAAAAAAABsI\/CZVgUHxgRHw\/s1600\/IMG_2015.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-wrXEWg2F9H4\/U7xi7nwGOwI\/AAAAAAAABsI\/CZVgUHxgRHw\/s1600\/IMG_2015.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... 365 blanket - this is my favourite piece. I Loooooove the colours ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wGPSht-wuRg\/U7xi925qpGI\/AAAAAAAABsY\/F2jNlvTz9Ec\/s1600\/IMG_2023.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wGPSht-wuRg\/U7xi925qpGI\/AAAAAAAABsY\/F2jNlvTz9Ec\/s1600\/IMG_2023.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... autumn granny poncho .... another one that's almost finished ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-1YWkpJB5mIw\/U7xjAbFigPI\/AAAAAAAABsg\/n6XRniVCc_U\/s1600\/IMG_2025.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-1YWkpJB5mIw\/U7xjAbFigPI\/AAAAAAAABsg\/n6XRniVCc_U\/s1600\/IMG_2025.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... woodland scarf ... this one can wait until the end of summer I think ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q-HxNsCR288\/U7xjBAMbfnI\/AAAAAAAABso\/h9DeLPNRpjk\/s1600\/IMG_2032.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Q-HxNsCR288\/U7xjBAMbfnI\/AAAAAAAABso\/h9DeLPNRpjk\/s1600\/IMG_2032.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... I started this as a kindle cover, but really don't like it, so it will become a jar cosy or something ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-gtAUVBRbMEs\/U7xjB_jgfiI\/AAAAAAAABsw\/oeEz-UtC10s\/s1600\/IMG_2033.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-gtAUVBRbMEs\/U7xjB_jgfiI\/AAAAAAAABsw\/oeEz-UtC10s\/s1600\/IMG_2033.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... and last but not least ... some pink bunting for Little Miss' bedroom ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-RujKb4sYou4\/U7xjDDG47OI\/AAAAAAAABs4\/kq419d-ODn8\/s1600\/IMG_2035.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-RujKb4sYou4\/U7xjDDG47OI\/AAAAAAAABs4\/kq419d-ODn8\/s1600\/IMG_2035.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EPhew! Waaaaaaay nore than I was expecting, I'm not sure getting these all out at once was such a good idea :-\/ Better get cracking then so that there is actually some progress this month :)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EHappy hooking everyone :)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003Exxxx\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5801459579673777753\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/07\/project-progress-june-2014.html#comment-form","title":"22 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5801459579673777753"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5801459579673777753"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/07\/project-progress-june-2014.html","title":"Project Progress June 2014"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-OmG1xC3D4TU\/U7xhYZ5dA_I\/AAAAAAAABrM\/WVpfxcwlPKk\/s72-c\/IMG_1972.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"22"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-491431522913903840"},"published":{"$t":"2014-06-30T22:54:00.002+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-07-08T23:01:37.867+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sewing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Next Steps"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-pF5RNZk2ufg\/U6cxl-lulqI\/AAAAAAAABkw\/5sY0IWJd7H8\/s1600\/IMG_1892.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-pF5RNZk2ufg\/U6cxl-lulqI\/AAAAAAAABkw\/5sY0IWJd7H8\/s1600\/IMG_1892.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe last week has been full of the usual ups and downs of family life. Thinking about it, I can't actually remember much of it, except for A Lot of Extra Things to do with the fact that Little Man's off to Secondary School in September. There have been forms, more forms, emails, trial mornings, trial days, meetings, more meetings, uniform buying, and even uniform labelling - go me! organised! His transition, as a child on the autistic-spectrum has been very well managed, I really can't fault either school, but boy is it time-consuming! Despite all this Big School related activity I still simply cannot believe that my boy, my baby, my first-born, is about to finish his time at Primary School. It can't be possible. Surely it was only yesterday that he was dragged forth, 15 days late, into this world, with the hugest widest eyes I have ever seen, eyes that flitted back and forth between his Daddy and I, back and forth, back and forth, for an eternity it seemed, taking it all in, committing every little detail to his amazing brainier-than-brainy brain. He is ready, I know he is, even with the Asperger's and the anxiety, I know he has grown out of Primary School. I know he is ready for this next step. But still ........\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd so, I find myself having not blogged for over a week now. Tut tut, that will not do, no not at all. Pull yourself together woman and get blogging!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-y9Htyp0ob5Y\/U7HY1Hw4IWI\/AAAAAAAABqs\/oFn0eoJeSBQ\/s1600\/IMG_1887.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-y9Htyp0ob5Y\/U7HY1Hw4IWI\/AAAAAAAABqs\/oFn0eoJeSBQ\/s1600\/IMG_1887.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe only way I can remember what else I've actually done with my week (apart from watch Wimbledon that is ....) \u0026nbsp;is to look at the stuff lying around the house, and the photos on my camera :) So without further ado, here's what I've been up to in the last week....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI've started a poncho from the Drops Design \u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.garnstudio.com\/lang\/us\/pattern.php?id=5488\u0026amp;lang=us\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERaspberry Smoothie pattern\u003C\/a\u003E (its free, thankyou Drops Design :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-MtQd8xTdqRo\/U7G4W1pDgMI\/AAAAAAAABpU\/tNfSNft33os\/s1600\/IMG_1884.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-MtQd8xTdqRo\/U7G4W1pDgMI\/AAAAAAAABpU\/tNfSNft33os\/s1600\/IMG_1884.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut I'm very sorry Drops, I am not using your recommended yarn, because I bought some James C Brett marble chunky ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-kiRB7WxpVc8\/U7G4XCWRVyI\/AAAAAAAABpY\/RmT6Zb0TN-M\/s1600\/IMG_1901.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-kiRB7WxpVc8\/U7G4XCWRVyI\/AAAAAAAABpY\/RmT6Zb0TN-M\/s1600\/IMG_1901.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... which is gorgeous colours, but, try as I might, I cannot make myself love it. Serves me right I suppose. The colour changing of this yarn is so clever, it's done (I think) by twisting two biggish strands of differing colours, each of which changes colour at a separate point, and gradually. Maybe that's how all colour-changing\/self-striping yarn works, but the two strand business confuses me. I struggle to see the stitch definition and just end up in a huffy puffy fuzzy mess.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI do love the colours though ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_6fLyHOQfeU\/U7G4W2qiHHI\/AAAAAAAABpc\/Frx3_-Ba0_c\/s1600\/IMG_1903.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_6fLyHOQfeU\/U7G4W2qiHHI\/AAAAAAAABpc\/Frx3_-Ba0_c\/s1600\/IMG_1903.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt has worked up brilliantly quickly, I was thinking \"autumn\" when I started it - hence the colour choice - but for once I may finish something early, miracles really do happen :) I'll blog about it again come autumn, hopefully you'll all have forgotten about it by then, and I can pretend to be fabulously ready for the start of a new season ;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo what else.... I've been running up a quick pencil case type thingy whilst flicking through my new Simply Crochet magazine. Well, the pattern was a sort of made up one, not from the magazine, and the two activities of crocheting and magazine-flicking-through were not exactly simultaneous (or simultaneous at all in fact), but the photo of it all together looked rather lovely I thought..... cover-girl-lady looks very happy, doesn't she - that's how crochet makes me feel too :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MDjpFJEiTd8\/U7G4ckmq-hI\/AAAAAAAABps\/BzJxDDbhIPs\/s1600\/IMG_1878.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MDjpFJEiTd8\/U7G4ckmq-hI\/AAAAAAAABps\/BzJxDDbhIPs\/s1600\/IMG_1878.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe pencil case thingy (very vague, I know) is for a stationery swap that I'm participating in. I've made it to fit a set of lovely colouring pencils, but whilst it looks rather lovely (if I do say so myself) it's totally impractical due its flap closing design, all the pencils can easily fall out. However tarting it up any more than I already have (photos coming to a blog post near you soon) will make it be sent out eeeeeeven later than it already is. And I'm guessing that the recipient won't exactly be stuffing it in a school-bag or similar, so maybe it will actually be quite perfect :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd whilst on the subject of stationery swap, I've also made a fabric cover for a notebook. Here are a couple of photos of it so far .... laying out supplies .... ooh goody I do like choosing fabric, with buttons and ribbons to match .......\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-z_3mKpKRSys\/U7G48m0YQNI\/AAAAAAAABp4\/oJUPRM09ABA\/s1600\/IMG_1668.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-z_3mKpKRSys\/U7G48m0YQNI\/AAAAAAAABp4\/oJUPRM09ABA\/s1600\/IMG_1668.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E..... making a little patch pocket for the front ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-LDV4_CzMiMQ\/U7HTiOiX0OI\/AAAAAAAABqc\/kKt0Wtj4290\/s1600\/IMG_1674.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-LDV4_CzMiMQ\/U7HTiOiX0OI\/AAAAAAAABqc\/kKt0Wtj4290\/s1600\/IMG_1674.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026nbsp;... attaching the pocket to the unfinished sleeve ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-urw9II1lQMM\/U7G5C82lNuI\/AAAAAAAABqM\/ZwHBZ_0hF9A\/s1600\/IMG_1677.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-urw9II1lQMM\/U7G5C82lNuI\/AAAAAAAABqM\/ZwHBZ_0hF9A\/s1600\/IMG_1677.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... again completion photos coming soon! These fabric covers are fairly sraightforward to make, a great use of smallish pieces of fabric, and they make a simple notebook look really really special. I'll be making some as teacher presents for the end of term I think.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd finally. I really hope you're still reading as I have some \u003Ci\u003EVery Exciting News\u003C\/i\u003E ..... I've decided to bite the bullet and see if I can sell some of my craft stuff. This idea has been knocking round my head for a while now, and in the last couple of weeks two different people have suggested it to me in all seriousness. Honestly my head is buzzing with ideas, I am having to do a brain-dump each night to get any sleep at all! So exciting! I know it'll be hard work, I'm not in it to make mega-bucks, but even just making enough to fund my craft-supply-addiction (most-notably yarn it has to be said) would be just fine by me.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf anyone has any advice or tips, dos or don'ts, please feel free to share :) And I'll raise a glass to our collective success - cheers!!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Auo5NSczvuw\/U7G48uAZ4II\/AAAAAAAABp0\/XbXanid1N7M\/s1600\/IMG_1461.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Auo5NSczvuw\/U7G48uAZ4II\/AAAAAAAABp0\/XbXanid1N7M\/s1600\/IMG_1461.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/491431522913903840\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/06\/next-steps.html#comment-form","title":"19 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/491431522913903840"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/491431522913903840"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/06\/next-steps.html","title":"Next Steps"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-pF5RNZk2ufg\/U6cxl-lulqI\/AAAAAAAABkw\/5sY0IWJd7H8\/s72-c\/IMG_1892.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"19"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-1492056471404942035"},"published":{"$t":"2014-06-22T22:34:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-08-06T01:02:02.366+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"days out"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Strawberry Fields"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-b7WNRTn45vE\/U6dEiBb1ZlI\/AAAAAAAABnE\/CegRgzIe1Jk\/s1600\/IMG_4880.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-b7WNRTn45vE\/U6dEiBb1ZlI\/AAAAAAAABnE\/CegRgzIe1Jk\/s1600\/IMG_4880.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnother weekend has come and gone. I'm sure they get faster as I get older. This one has been full of fun as usual, lots of little bits and bobs combined to make a lovely weekend.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYesterday Little Man was computering as normal, and Little Miss was at a Big Brownie Birthday Bash (or something) all day, an event celebrating the 100 years of the Brownies.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yNFzpzo8tHU\/U6cxSljw5DI\/AAAAAAAABkk\/5IxwRzSAxUs\/s1600\/IMG_1900.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yNFzpzo8tHU\/U6cxSljw5DI\/AAAAAAAABkk\/5IxwRzSAxUs\/s1600\/IMG_1900.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELittle Tomboy and I decided to have an afternoon together, just the two of us, something that rarely happens. She was more or less in charge of the afternoon, and the first thing she asked to do was for us to go on a wander with my new camera so she could learn how to use it. I must say, I am really really impressed with the photos she took. She's only 6, and although there were a few problems with her use of the focusing button, she took some really great pictures. We went around the field and the wildflower area for a bit, and she took all of these brilliant photos all by herself ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-k7SSiGmED7s\/U6c5pCTrFZI\/AAAAAAAABmI\/aM7k0Q-0lbg\/s1600\/KWildflowerCollage.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-k7SSiGmED7s\/U6c5pCTrFZI\/AAAAAAAABmI\/aM7k0Q-0lbg\/s1600\/KWildflowerCollage.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EWhen we got home she wandered round the house taking random pictures .....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-J890O0JKyog\/U6c8tLIxA2I\/AAAAAAAABmU\/wkf_MzWRuY4\/s1600\/KHomeCollage.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-J890O0JKyog\/U6c8tLIxA2I\/AAAAAAAABmU\/wkf_MzWRuY4\/s1600\/KHomeCollage.jpg\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EAren't they great ? Considering she can hardly hold the camera, despite it being small for an SLR it's pretty heavy - at least for a 6 year old. And I really think she has framed them all quite well (in my totally novice opinion).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut my favourite one that she took is this one .....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ku7bpRD2Oy0\/U6c8w3qU1CI\/AAAAAAAABmc\/zfN2Pt4VeEQ\/s1600\/IMG_1851.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ku7bpRD2Oy0\/U6c8w3qU1CI\/AAAAAAAABmc\/zfN2Pt4VeEQ\/s1600\/IMG_1851.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... isn't it a great snapshot of day to day life ... can you see the Jif and the sun-screen and the lunchboxes ?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENext thing to do on our day was go to the cafe for juice and cake ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MBhGVoJ4Mvg\/U6dASFVOh8I\/AAAAAAAABmo\/SQ8NokNBjgI\/s1600\/IMG_4890.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-MBhGVoJ4Mvg\/U6dASFVOh8I\/AAAAAAAABmo\/SQ8NokNBjgI\/s1600\/IMG_4890.png\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd then we somehow ended up in a wool shop !?! How surprising !! I was requested to buy this monstrosity to make into gloves for her ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-3aKI1ouqtHg\/U6dBIEKiwkI\/AAAAAAAABm4\/JgNV7nH_uH8\/s1600\/IMG_1874.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-3aKI1ouqtHg\/U6dBIEKiwkI\/AAAAAAAABm4\/JgNV7nH_uH8\/s1600\/IMG_1874.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EIf you're thinking \"oh that doesn't look that bad\", well trust me, it is. The picture does not nearly reflect the garish neon glow-in-the-dark orangeyness properly. But I suppose at the end of the day its still wool, right ?? I did buy some other wool that actually is Nice, but more about that another time.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EJust over the road from the cafe and woolshop is a really rather fabulous Pick-Your-Own place called Gray's Farm. They have acres and acres and acres of all sorts of fruit and veg - broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, spinach, sweetcorn, raspberries, redcurrants .... the list goes on and on ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-IyWygSH1TJk\/U6dEmQqNUwI\/AAAAAAAABnc\/mErqeLFHeEQ\/s1600\/IMG_4897.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-IyWygSH1TJk\/U6dEmQqNUwI\/AAAAAAAABnc\/mErqeLFHeEQ\/s1600\/IMG_4897.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... and yet more wildflowers (yes, I am totally addicted to photos of wildflowers) ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ox_wqoUnB9w\/U6dEw6XbKsI\/AAAAAAAABoE\/7TuWvEHIgvk\/s1600\/IMG_4930.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Ox_wqoUnB9w\/U6dEw6XbKsI\/AAAAAAAABoE\/7TuWvEHIgvk\/s1600\/IMG_4930.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-T5xGNZ3O2tM\/U6dExbD89tI\/AAAAAAAABoM\/-7foyKWBMM0\/s1600\/IMG_4932.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-T5xGNZ3O2tM\/U6dExbD89tI\/AAAAAAAABoM\/-7foyKWBMM0\/s1600\/IMG_4932.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NoImvzfY2Bk\/U6dE0Xy9-cI\/AAAAAAAABoU\/DOQAKbL32Z4\/s1600\/IMG_4938.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NoImvzfY2Bk\/U6dE0Xy9-cI\/AAAAAAAABoU\/DOQAKbL32Z4\/s1600\/IMG_4938.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd of course they grow strawberries. Flipping billions of them it seems. Strawberry picking is practically mandatory when you are there already and its a hot sunny day, don't you think ? We picked up a punnet ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DAm8wP5Oc50\/U6dEjU5eW_I\/AAAAAAAABnQ\/BfENWQPurQ0\/s1600\/IMG_4894.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-DAm8wP5Oc50\/U6dEjU5eW_I\/AAAAAAAABnQ\/BfENWQPurQ0\/s1600\/IMG_4894.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... looked for the strawberry patch (that makes it sound small, it's huuuuuuuuuge) ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-U4hfB7y5cnY\/U6dEqIPTngI\/AAAAAAAABns\/fTmb_F6titA\/s1600\/IMG_4905.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-U4hfB7y5cnY\/U6dEqIPTngI\/AAAAAAAABns\/fTmb_F6titA\/s1600\/IMG_4905.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... oooooo look! Can you see them! I can see them! .....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-HJViPHb0maY\/U6dEsEFYcxI\/AAAAAAAABn0\/XLYRNmaXmW8\/s1600\/IMG_4906.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-HJViPHb0maY\/U6dEsEFYcxI\/AAAAAAAABn0\/XLYRNmaXmW8\/s1600\/IMG_4906.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-BPUDwkJ2uwA\/U6dEuWTZkaI\/AAAAAAAABn8\/2MiYKR8dpWM\/s1600\/IMG_4908.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-BPUDwkJ2uwA\/U6dEuWTZkaI\/AAAAAAAABn8\/2MiYKR8dpWM\/s1600\/IMG_4908.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\"Can I eat one Mummy ?\" ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-bnqfy5kGGJ0\/U6dEpLupHqI\/AAAAAAAABnk\/L4Eb03jJXIs\/s1600\/IMG_4901.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-bnqfy5kGGJ0\/U6dEpLupHqI\/AAAAAAAABnk\/L4Eb03jJXIs\/s1600\/IMG_4901.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOf course you can Little Tomboy! We did sample a few - just to make sure they tasted ok you see...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Dr435krur3M\/U6dE56AjO7I\/AAAAAAAABos\/nfGPRglTUxw\/s1600\/IMG_4942.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Dr435krur3M\/U6dE56AjO7I\/AAAAAAAABos\/nfGPRglTUxw\/s1600\/IMG_4942.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe got a great haul to take home for tea.... and don't forget the cream .....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-RcCE2IJMEik\/U6dE2qMDggI\/AAAAAAAABoc\/YCob9kGJgqI\/s1600\/IMG_4940.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-RcCE2IJMEik\/U6dE2qMDggI\/AAAAAAAABoc\/YCob9kGJgqI\/s1600\/IMG_4940.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EStrawberry picking was something I always wanted to do when I was little, it seemed like something the Famous Five or the Secret Seven would do, and I was Desperate to be just like them. I soooooo love it that I can finally get to do it, and give my children (hopefully) happy memories of strawberry-picking in the sun :)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1492056471404942035\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/06\/strawberry-fields.html#comment-form","title":"14 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1492056471404942035"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/1492056471404942035"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/06\/strawberry-fields.html","title":"Strawberry Fields"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-b7WNRTn45vE\/U6dEiBb1ZlI\/AAAAAAAABnE\/CegRgzIe1Jk\/s72-c\/IMG_4880.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"14"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-8024088886034129260"},"published":{"$t":"2014-06-20T23:41:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-06-20T23:42:31.022+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Mostly Mini Mandalas"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-arZgpuoz91c\/U6SQbmpRl8I\/AAAAAAAABhg\/M4mxpska-xw\/s1600\/IMG_1759.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-arZgpuoz91c\/U6SQbmpRl8I\/AAAAAAAABhg\/M4mxpska-xw\/s1600\/IMG_1759.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECrochetland and Blogland are both alive with the sound of crocheters hooking mandalas, it seems to be utterly infectious, and I too have been caught up in the madness.   My first mandala was made from one of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/winkieflash.nl\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWink\u003C\/a\u003E's patterns featured in \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.simplycrochetmag.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESimply Crochet\u003C\/a\u003E last year. The link to buy the pattern, \"Petals to Picots Mandala\" is \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/winkieflash.nl\/2014\/04\/22\/picots-petals-mandala-pattern\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E. Like many, I'd never even heard of mandalas back then, but now every self-respecting hooker has made one, or at least thought about making one :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-AWkZeBNIhMo\/U6Sef88tHaI\/AAAAAAAABhw\/OdEKekKqh0A\/s1600\/IMG_1756.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-AWkZeBNIhMo\/U6Sef88tHaI\/AAAAAAAABhw\/OdEKekKqh0A\/s1600\/IMG_1756.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy colour choices weren't the best but I had zero stash. (How in heaven's name has my stash grown so big since then ???) Anyway. Of course once you have made a mandala there is then a minor mystery - what do you do with it ? Well, let's face it, they're just doilies with a superiority complex, and this mandala now sits on my wicker table with a bowl of crochet \"stuff\" on top of it....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ibj047X9bYE\/U6SfbJFvOaI\/AAAAAAAABh4\/cprsahxn8_A\/s1600\/IMG_1767.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ibj047X9bYE\/U6SfbJFvOaI\/AAAAAAAABh4\/cprsahxn8_A\/s1600\/IMG_1767.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI did at some point make another one of Wink's mandalas, again from an issue of Simply Crochet, but - the poor thing - I had completely forgotten about it until today when I was rummaging around for something else, and out it popped. When I made it I hated the colours. But looking at it now I have no idea why I didn't like it. The colours are flippin brilliant - fiery and fiesta-ish .......\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-D9kzaRdMZks\/U6SgF78Z4cI\/AAAAAAAABiM\/w4PQ-Xj4OtM\/s1600\/IMG_1755.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-D9kzaRdMZks\/U6SgF78Z4cI\/AAAAAAAABiM\/w4PQ-Xj4OtM\/s1600\/IMG_1755.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYes, yes, I know its not a mandala in the traditional sense (is there a traditional sense ?) but it really was described as a mandala. Honestly.\u003Cbr \/\u003EAfter making those two mandalas, life continued in its normal mandala-free way, until recently when Lucy of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/attic24.typepad.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAttic24\u003C\/a\u003E blogged her request for mandalas for \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/yarndale.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYarndale\u003C\/a\u003E. You can read Lucy's post \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/attic24.typepad.com\/weblog\/2014\/05\/mandalas-for-yarndale.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E. Once again I was in the mandala-zone and HAD to make a mandala to send off to Lucy - I mean it would have been rude not to.\u003Cbr \/\u003EI used \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/attic24.typepad.com\/weblog\/attic24-mandala-wheel.html%20\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELucy's own mandala pattern\u003C\/a\u003E, and I deliberately used totally random bits from my oddments stash, you know those really teeny weeny balls of wool that are really only good for one round of one small granny or flower. I keep mine all on clothes pegs to prevent carnage in the oddment bowl.....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-WPRHjsecmpc\/U6Sih9QUDtI\/AAAAAAAABiY\/Cc2T9UgZs_0\/s1600\/IMG_1768.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-WPRHjsecmpc\/U6Sih9QUDtI\/AAAAAAAABiY\/Cc2T9UgZs_0\/s1600\/IMG_1768.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs I was saying my Yarndale mandala is really random colour-wise, and has turned out super-zingy and I LOVE it!!!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HD73CYKdV6E\/U6Sl1i1G_2I\/AAAAAAAABis\/bXhwo_SM84c\/s1600\/yarndale+mandala.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HD73CYKdV6E\/U6Sl1i1G_2I\/AAAAAAAABis\/bXhwo_SM84c\/s1600\/yarndale+mandala.png\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E.... I know it isn't a perfect circle, but that's just fine with me, I am just soooo happy with the colours, nothing could make me not LOVE this mandala :) \u0026nbsp; After that there was no going back and my hooky fingers were itching to make some more.....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/--8Ty63Szuc8\/U6SxlJzD6hI\/AAAAAAAABkY\/bBTwiA-frUM\/s1600\/IMG_1750.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/--8Ty63Szuc8\/U6SxlJzD6hI\/AAAAAAAABkY\/bBTwiA-frUM\/s1600\/IMG_1750.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd so I give you my genius idea of making mini mandalas to remind me of the projects I've finished.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-HGeMd9hZTw8\/U6SwaNG9dAI\/AAAAAAAABkM\/2HVf1c_4MZc\/s1600\/mini+mandala+stack.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-HGeMd9hZTw8\/U6SwaNG9dAI\/AAAAAAAABkM\/2HVf1c_4MZc\/s1600\/mini+mandala+stack.png\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI used \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/attic24.typepad.com\/weblog\/attic24-mandala-wheel.html%20\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELucy's mandala pattern\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;again,\u0026nbsp;but stopped after 7 rounds, thereby keeping my mandalas mini-sized :) Here are the ones I've made so far ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-nS4AJI5dZSQ\/U6SsWP0oU0I\/AAAAAAAABj0\/kEHgUpwTUmA\/s1600\/IMG_1751.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-nS4AJI5dZSQ\/U6SsWP0oU0I\/AAAAAAAABj0\/kEHgUpwTUmA\/s1600\/IMG_1751.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECan you spot which projects they're for ?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-C7iMsNh4KdY\/U6SnuXvcpSI\/AAAAAAAABi4\/BLnVfcJjaXo\/s1600\/IMG_1737.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-C7iMsNh4KdY\/U6SnuXvcpSI\/AAAAAAAABi4\/BLnVfcJjaXo\/s1600\/IMG_1737.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo far there are mini-mandalas for the three baby blankets - \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/04\/harrisons-baby-blanket.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHarrison's Baby Blanket\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/05\/jacobs-simply-stripey-baby-blanket.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJacob's Baby Blanket\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/05\/jaspers-baby-blanket.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJasper's Baby Blanket\u003C\/a\u003E....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wQPbO3dkW6c\/U6So0NIb_lI\/AAAAAAAABjA\/OP9EFWzwX84\/s1600\/IMG_1732.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wQPbO3dkW6c\/U6So0NIb_lI\/AAAAAAAABjA\/OP9EFWzwX84\/s1600\/IMG_1732.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... for two lots of bunting - \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/06\/blue-birthday-bunting.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBlue Birthday Bunting\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/06\/british-bunting.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBritish Bunting\u003C\/a\u003E ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-dtsZdUnLIFA\/U6So2Fa9AFI\/AAAAAAAABjM\/Chh_IzfvTQc\/s1600\/IMG_1735.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-dtsZdUnLIFA\/U6So2Fa9AFI\/AAAAAAAABjM\/Chh_IzfvTQc\/s1600\/IMG_1735.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... and for\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/05\/little-miss-beautiful-bright-bag.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELittle Miss' Bright Bag\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/04\/my-mums-monochrome-cushion.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMum's Monochrome Cushion\u003C\/a\u003E ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-J-Uw7MZxqzU\/U6So12PFCMI\/AAAAAAAABjI\/Z-my58sVceQ\/s1600\/IMG_1734.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-J-Uw7MZxqzU\/U6So12PFCMI\/AAAAAAAABjI\/Z-my58sVceQ\/s1600\/IMG_1734.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI could just look at all this colour all day long, I'm love Love LOVING it .....\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-gicngBUMV7Y\/U6SrznP1dAI\/AAAAAAAABjo\/jwWNjlFyB20\/s1600\/IMG_1754.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-gicngBUMV7Y\/U6SrznP1dAI\/AAAAAAAABjo\/jwWNjlFyB20\/s1600\/IMG_1754.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-MruLMu4MfLQ\/U6Sry2AuiBI\/AAAAAAAABjk\/fE_mWZwYAwE\/s1600\/IMG_1757.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-MruLMu4MfLQ\/U6Sry2AuiBI\/AAAAAAAABjk\/fE_mWZwYAwE\/s1600\/IMG_1757.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-bgraDo7Tq7A\/U6SrkfYJiiI\/AAAAAAAABjc\/_ZFQ48cUnJU\/s1600\/IMG_1761.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-bgraDo7Tq7A\/U6SrkfYJiiI\/AAAAAAAABjc\/_ZFQ48cUnJU\/s1600\/IMG_1761.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIsn't it just FAB-U-LOUS .... :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EEvery time I finish a project, I'll make a mini-mandala, in the colours that I used for that project. Next job is to make a display board for them. Busy busy busy :)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8024088886034129260\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/06\/mostly-mini-mandalas.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8024088886034129260"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/8024088886034129260"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/06\/mostly-mini-mandalas.html","title":"Mostly Mini Mandalas"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-arZgpuoz91c\/U6SQbmpRl8I\/AAAAAAAABhg\/M4mxpska-xw\/s72-c\/IMG_1759.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-5152876213574296342"},"published":{"$t":"2014-06-17T00:35:00.002+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-06-17T00:35:30.970+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"days out"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A Visit to the Vyne"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-uWJYll3nQoc\/U59meFAUjnI\/AAAAAAAABcE\/HFUiWHEYj3g\/s1600\/IMG_1649.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-uWJYll3nQoc\/U59meFAUjnI\/AAAAAAAABcE\/HFUiWHEYj3g\/s1600\/IMG_1649.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOur National Trust passes really are a gift that keep on giving. We receive them every Christmas from my parents, and as its usually too cold and dark for long days out at that time of year, the passes sit in the kitchen promising lots of adventures just as soon as the days get a bit brighter and the sun a little warmer.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENot only that, every 3 months a National Trust magazine plops through my letterbox......\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Tw6Obbp0iJE\/U59qMHlUfOI\/AAAAAAAABc0\/A1sD3Q6q7kI\/s1600\/IMG_4867.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Tw6Obbp0iJE\/U59qMHlUfOI\/AAAAAAAABc0\/A1sD3Q6q7kI\/s1600\/IMG_4867.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... lots of lovely pictures to look at, and the most recent one had a great feature on one of my favourite NT properties - Mount Stewart, in N. Ireland ... I grew up close by, visited a lot as a child, and take my own Little People there when we visit on holidays. It makes me sooooo happy to see them doing exactly what I did as a child :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-kAXxDTeJJhA\/U59qL0eCLDI\/AAAAAAAABcw\/gpeH-bbd9Ak\/s1600\/IMG_4866.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-kAXxDTeJJhA\/U59qL0eCLDI\/AAAAAAAABcw\/gpeH-bbd9Ak\/s1600\/IMG_4866.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOnce April has passed, and the weather is a bit more friendly, most properties are properly open and we can use the passes quite regularly, each time remembering back to opening the card containing them on Christmas Day.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-m21z_SBMKxE\/U59m3qq-3_I\/AAAAAAAABcM\/UyGTrPMFRbc\/s1600\/IMG_1647.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-m21z_SBMKxE\/U59m3qq-3_I\/AAAAAAAABcM\/UyGTrPMFRbc\/s1600\/IMG_1647.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor Father's Day we decided to use our passes to visit The Vyne, which is a fairly small NT property about 30 minutes drive away, which, for some reason we rarely visit. I don't really know why we don't go more often, as we do really enjoy our visits there. Or maybe that's exactly why we enjoy it so much ? Who knows.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ewlNLnrsnIo\/U59nEhl3-pI\/AAAAAAAABcU\/n6J1UzUDiPQ\/s1600\/IMG_1650.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ewlNLnrsnIo\/U59nEhl3-pI\/AAAAAAAABcU\/n6J1UzUDiPQ\/s1600\/IMG_1650.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe weather was rather pleasant - a lot cooler than the hot humid days we've had of late, but perfect for tree climbing, scenic-view viewing, nature-discovering and general running about.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe NT do this great thing where they encourage children to do outdoorsy stuff - \"50 Things to do before you are 11 3\/4\". Its been on the go for several years now, but every year we have to get new booklets and start ticking things off all over again :)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-QCiOzg3LZeY\/U59nQzYKw2I\/AAAAAAAABck\/f2zeIkO1qgc\/s1600\/IMG_1501.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-QCiOzg3LZeY\/U59nQzYKw2I\/AAAAAAAABck\/f2zeIkO1qgc\/s1600\/IMG_1501.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EToday's main objective was to do Number 1 - \"Climb a tree\". Now I think about it we never really get much past number 1 as they love to climb trees so much .... Little Tomboy is the best at this, she is fearless and determined ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-XlfZBa86cg8\/U59skgD-jDI\/AAAAAAAABdE\/6r02E9GGxnA\/s1600\/IMG_1551.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-XlfZBa86cg8\/U59skgD-jDI\/AAAAAAAABdE\/6r02E9GGxnA\/s1600\/IMG_1551.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Vyne has a lovely little orchard and vegetable garden, along with a chicken run ..... \u0026nbsp;this one was digging for victory. Or maybe just worms ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-MRKhbESwKFg\/U59uBz40BUI\/AAAAAAAABdU\/44upfOTYgAg\/s1600\/IMG_1479.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-MRKhbESwKFg\/U59uBz40BUI\/AAAAAAAABdU\/44upfOTYgAg\/s1600\/IMG_1479.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELittle Man and I did a bit of vegetable spotting ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KOfb03hdRs8\/U59uBmX1UII\/AAAAAAAABdQ\/3B3DL7pBTNE\/s1600\/IMG_1484.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-KOfb03hdRs8\/U59uBmX1UII\/AAAAAAAABdQ\/3B3DL7pBTNE\/s1600\/IMG_1484.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;.... and fruit spotting ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-DdnuFfk5iv4\/U59uJ2DhuyI\/AAAAAAAABdw\/MOhjl9kb8VU\/s1600\/IMG_1502.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-DdnuFfk5iv4\/U59uJ2DhuyI\/AAAAAAAABdw\/MOhjl9kb8VU\/s1600\/IMG_1502.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... under this chap's watchful eye ... love those socks ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HCw5nMH_n0Q\/U59uCWfFNHI\/AAAAAAAABdc\/HIPU6AZ7lmw\/s1600\/IMG_1481.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-HCw5nMH_n0Q\/U59uCWfFNHI\/AAAAAAAABdc\/HIPU6AZ7lmw\/s1600\/IMG_1481.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELittle Man has a bit of a thing for snail shells - look at this beauty ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-3TY9lalaWA8\/U59uIGUb3nI\/AAAAAAAABdo\/UB-319abEyY\/s1600\/IMG_1486.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-3TY9lalaWA8\/U59uIGUb3nI\/AAAAAAAABdo\/UB-319abEyY\/s1600\/IMG_1486.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMuch hilarity as Little Miss has a go pedalling on a tractor waaaaay too small for her long legs ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Lqr2wRizLrE\/U59whk-s81I\/AAAAAAAABeE\/d3NtDGi9IHE\/s1600\/IMG_1504.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Lqr2wRizLrE\/U59whk-s81I\/AAAAAAAABeE\/d3NtDGi9IHE\/s1600\/IMG_1504.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA dazzling array of wonderful flowers .....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-_kJPo8Jgl54\/U59whd8yJwI\/AAAAAAAABeA\/65ldjZ1fx88\/s1600\/IMG_1489.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-_kJPo8Jgl54\/U59whd8yJwI\/AAAAAAAABeA\/65ldjZ1fx88\/s1600\/IMG_1489.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-tMK2i3-d4D4\/U59wg0xzSNI\/AAAAAAAABd8\/5qSlHbS_UHE\/s1600\/IMG_1490.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-tMK2i3-d4D4\/U59wg0xzSNI\/AAAAAAAABd8\/5qSlHbS_UHE\/s1600\/IMG_1490.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-UrV2wokmKLQ\/U59wmOSLDfI\/AAAAAAAABeU\/s5MvcE9zNag\/s1600\/IMG_1541.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-UrV2wokmKLQ\/U59wmOSLDfI\/AAAAAAAABeU\/s5MvcE9zNag\/s1600\/IMG_1541.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-GbHuUw-t6QU\/U59wwR9VjSI\/AAAAAAAABec\/3zo2P6LhU90\/s1600\/IMG_1545.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-GbHuUw-t6QU\/U59wwR9VjSI\/AAAAAAAABec\/3zo2P6LhU90\/s1600\/IMG_1545.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003EAll that fresh air seems to draw the Little People to the sweety stand ..... and how sweet it was ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-a9kdGK9a64U\/U59xQNI5BgI\/AAAAAAAABek\/ahCO2H4LvwI\/s1600\/candyflossstand.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-a9kdGK9a64U\/U59xQNI5BgI\/AAAAAAAABek\/ahCO2H4LvwI\/s1600\/candyflossstand.png\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECandy Floss on a stick! Please Mummy please can we have some ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7BVUfqZ2I1M\/U59yfm7KmUI\/AAAAAAAABe0\/YuzHPa3Ztz4\/s1600\/IMG_1559.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7BVUfqZ2I1M\/U59yfm7KmUI\/AAAAAAAABe0\/YuzHPa3Ztz4\/s1600\/IMG_1559.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... look, it was bigger than their heads ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-CoguyuSfbqA\/U59ygF8sN8I\/AAAAAAAABe4\/l0G6LvVb7gA\/s1600\/IMG_1565.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-CoguyuSfbqA\/U59ygF8sN8I\/AAAAAAAABe4\/l0G6LvVb7gA\/s1600\/IMG_1565.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESomewhat less messy carrot cake and tea for the Big People .....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pTPh0-muhn8\/U59yfRmv0CI\/AAAAAAAABew\/HskZEIb2OTA\/s1600\/IMG_1566.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pTPh0-muhn8\/U59yfRmv0CI\/AAAAAAAABew\/HskZEIb2OTA\/s1600\/IMG_1566.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd a rather fabulous natural play area for the Little People ..... tunnels, hillocks, bamboos ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ndX6t15aJPc\/U59zn0zV6GI\/AAAAAAAABfI\/c3sPpML1wDY\/s1600\/IMG_1548.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ndX6t15aJPc\/U59zn0zV6GI\/AAAAAAAABfI\/c3sPpML1wDY\/s1600\/IMG_1548.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ErrO6Kg3978\/U59zrdx8sUI\/AAAAAAAABfQ\/la2O4tASApM\/s1600\/IMG_1549.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ErrO6Kg3978\/U59zrdx8sUI\/AAAAAAAABfQ\/la2O4tASApM\/s1600\/IMG_1549.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-It9hiGrUzm8\/U59zrjb1hqI\/AAAAAAAABfU\/gZQ4SCyT4LY\/s1600\/IMG_1553.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-It9hiGrUzm8\/U59zrjb1hqI\/AAAAAAAABfU\/gZQ4SCyT4LY\/s1600\/IMG_1553.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... and some unusual sculptures .... is it a bird? a kettle ? a Viking hat ? Viking Hat we decided.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UVeI-N_azuE\/U59zyzjIYjI\/AAAAAAAABfg\/9A_UWicMCrE\/s1600\/IMG_1556.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-UVeI-N_azuE\/U59zyzjIYjI\/AAAAAAAABfg\/9A_UWicMCrE\/s1600\/IMG_1556.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe ambled on and did some random nature-spotting ..... Little Man spotted the mushrooms ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-V0D-q-DmbPQ\/U5902MeerFI\/AAAAAAAABfo\/XMyy4h8f2FQ\/s1600\/IMG_1592.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-V0D-q-DmbPQ\/U5902MeerFI\/AAAAAAAABfo\/XMyy4h8f2FQ\/s1600\/IMG_1592.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... and he spotted this furry little guy ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/--fes7Ex1gFw\/U5909Fg_x-I\/AAAAAAAABfw\/Rry5IMIv9Nw\/s1600\/IMG_1601.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/--fes7Ex1gFw\/U5909Fg_x-I\/AAAAAAAABfw\/Rry5IMIv9Nw\/s1600\/IMG_1601.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... and just what are these two up to ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-2xHUrGXIZuo\/U591KAe-CZI\/AAAAAAAABf4\/MIDvUmKThpE\/s1600\/IMG_1604.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-2xHUrGXIZuo\/U591KAe-CZI\/AAAAAAAABf4\/MIDvUmKThpE\/s1600\/IMG_1604.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... sycamore helicopters ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-rO0DQgARLV8\/U591QXzEF_I\/AAAAAAAABgA\/PcJVBDcYva4\/s1600\/IMG_1621.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-rO0DQgARLV8\/U591QXzEF_I\/AAAAAAAABgA\/PcJVBDcYva4\/s1600\/IMG_1621.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere's a beautiful lake ........\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZQ64T5NqSkY\/U592zV9O_yI\/AAAAAAAABgM\/31nLgFZXkwg\/s1600\/IMG_1597.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZQ64T5NqSkY\/U592zV9O_yI\/AAAAAAAABgM\/31nLgFZXkwg\/s1600\/IMG_1597.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... with some amazing weeping willows on its banks ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-_6aumLZoVYs\/U593oM6P5EI\/AAAAAAAABgU\/jx1wmU0ncsw\/s1600\/IMG_1622.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-_6aumLZoVYs\/U593oM6P5EI\/AAAAAAAABgU\/jx1wmU0ncsw\/s1600\/IMG_1622.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe especially liked this one as the path went under its canopy so we could see the reflection on the water ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-0hdEypEk2Y8\/U593y1CzpWI\/AAAAAAAABgc\/SOdM4xETgGk\/s1600\/IMG_1623.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-0hdEypEk2Y8\/U593y1CzpWI\/AAAAAAAABgc\/SOdM4xETgGk\/s1600\/IMG_1623.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere were some rather wacky trees ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-zDhT6yzcnmU\/U595KF372iI\/AAAAAAAABg0\/qCgsGh4vOB4\/s1600\/IMG_1585.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-zDhT6yzcnmU\/U595KF372iI\/AAAAAAAABg0\/qCgsGh4vOB4\/s1600\/IMG_1585.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-eSbNurd0zGk\/U595HimVYdI\/AAAAAAAABgs\/plc0ZKrmXoE\/s1600\/IMG_1628.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-eSbNurd0zGk\/U595HimVYdI\/AAAAAAAABgs\/plc0ZKrmXoE\/s1600\/IMG_1628.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... and lovely spots to sit down and rest awhile...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-nXw-LuXQV88\/U594ie-b_uI\/AAAAAAAABgk\/j5lRyC93qd4\/s1600\/IMG_1589.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-nXw-LuXQV88\/U594ie-b_uI\/AAAAAAAABgk\/j5lRyC93qd4\/s1600\/IMG_1589.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;..... finally it was back to the entrance where we noticed the artwork that we hadn't spotted earlier .....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-IsOrRbm-kbs\/U5950yFxYJI\/AAAAAAAABg8\/3DeEo_bHDWY\/s1600\/IMG_1633.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-IsOrRbm-kbs\/U5950yFxYJI\/AAAAAAAABg8\/3DeEo_bHDWY\/s1600\/IMG_1633.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZfIkVzTh-i8\/U596CZS_b4I\/AAAAAAAABhE\/thh-0mrqwKo\/s1600\/IMG_1637.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZfIkVzTh-i8\/U596CZS_b4I\/AAAAAAAABhE\/thh-0mrqwKo\/s1600\/IMG_1637.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... and the plants for sale that had also gone unnoticed ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7d7giUfzfIg\/U596IO4aSjI\/AAAAAAAABhM\/BwcZotDDdqY\/s1600\/IMG_1652.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7d7giUfzfIg\/U596IO4aSjI\/AAAAAAAABhM\/BwcZotDDdqY\/s1600\/IMG_1652.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... but, luckily for my bank account, the \"Garden Shed\" where you pay was closed already. And so it was off to the car to head home.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI've said it before, I know, but I do love that a simple walk in the fresh air, absorbing all the wonders of nature, can be enough for my Little People. To see them running about, exclaiming at new discoveries, using their imaginations and playing together makes me so happy :)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5152876213574296342\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/06\/a-visit-to-vyne.html#comment-form","title":"20 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5152876213574296342"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5152876213574296342"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/06\/a-visit-to-vyne.html","title":"A Visit to the Vyne"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-uWJYll3nQoc\/U59meFAUjnI\/AAAAAAAABcE\/HFUiWHEYj3g\/s72-c\/IMG_1649.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"20"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-5030762956779111777"},"published":{"$t":"2014-06-13T23:14:00.000+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-06-13T23:14:45.496+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"crochet"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"British Bunting"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7ReNMcyNPUI\/U5tlThb2zXI\/AAAAAAAABZ8\/svW6_XxXa24\/s1600\/IMG_1394.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7ReNMcyNPUI\/U5tlThb2zXI\/AAAAAAAABZ8\/svW6_XxXa24\/s1600\/IMG_1394.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI think I might be \u003Cstrike\u003Ea tiny bit\u003C\/strike\u003E a lot addicted to making bunting. You might remember the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.co.uk\/2014\/06\/blue-birthday-bunting.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBlue Birthday Bunting\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp; that I made for my Little Man - it was only last week:) I loved making it, and I had hoped to have loads more in different colour-ways made since then. That wasn't to be though - it's been a busy week - but in between haircuts, tummy bugs, secondary school visits, washing machine floods, homework traumas, children falling off bikes, and building a new swing set thingy in the garden, I did manage to make two 12-flag strings of bunting for my friend's daughter's fundraising stall at the local fair tomorrow.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7UB_w4lkWWw\/U5tl_8RyPYI\/AAAAAAAABaE\/a5gUQXO2qd8\/s1600\/IMG_1227.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7UB_w4lkWWw\/U5tl_8RyPYI\/AAAAAAAABaE\/a5gUQXO2qd8\/s1600\/IMG_1227.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith any motif-based pattern I like to do all the round 1's first, then all the round 2's and so on.\u003Cbr \/\u003EAt the end of round 1 I had a decision to make - a sort of solid motif like the Birthday Bunting, or a granny square design. I made a 3 round motif of each to help the decision-making ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-y5a5NKxqgq0\/U5tpHwz4IlI\/AAAAAAAABaQ\/-Qyp3xCdK3I\/s1600\/IMG_1228.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-y5a5NKxqgq0\/U5tpHwz4IlI\/AAAAAAAABaQ\/-Qyp3xCdK3I\/s1600\/IMG_1228.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... so hard to choose! In the end I went for the solid design for my friend, and the granny design for my bike :) Hurrah, everyone's a winner! I spent as much time as I could working on the bunting in the garden .....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Bvax2klNWGM\/U5tsRD73mFI\/AAAAAAAABac\/g20F8d-P7PM\/s1600\/IMG_4839.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Bvax2klNWGM\/U5tsRD73mFI\/AAAAAAAABac\/g20F8d-P7PM\/s1600\/IMG_4839.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... and it didn't take long to have a couple of dozen little triangles completed....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-hzre4NFIKyI\/U5tsy5xf8ZI\/AAAAAAAABak\/Fp705eAY5G8\/s1600\/IMG_1396.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-hzre4NFIKyI\/U5tsy5xf8ZI\/AAAAAAAABak\/Fp705eAY5G8\/s1600\/IMG_1396.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... then of course I had to deal with the ends, join the triangles together and apply the blocking magic .... and ta-daaaa ..... here's a finished string of bunting decorating my herb planter ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-JLHsGO7PJvg\/U5tuEeFfFLI\/AAAAAAAABaw\/z1NBASsgxPM\/s1600\/IMG_1402.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-JLHsGO7PJvg\/U5tuEeFfFLI\/AAAAAAAABaw\/z1NBASsgxPM\/s1600\/IMG_1402.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ft7MtGpz9Ro\/U5tuM889ovI\/AAAAAAAABa4\/ob1gYZTqpLA\/s1600\/IMG_1403.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-ft7MtGpz9Ro\/U5tuM889ovI\/AAAAAAAABa4\/ob1gYZTqpLA\/s1600\/IMG_1403.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-AbDjhTZ8oJo\/U5tuZA-O6pI\/AAAAAAAABbA\/6_TUlP9jS3E\/s1600\/IMG_1405.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-AbDjhTZ8oJo\/U5tuZA-O6pI\/AAAAAAAABbA\/6_TUlP9jS3E\/s1600\/IMG_1405.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... and on the new wooden fort and swing set we built in the garden this week ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-tF8hXnDbUik\/U5tuktTevQI\/AAAAAAAABbI\/VmQCHVfGiOk\/s1600\/IMG_1407.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-tF8hXnDbUik\/U5tuktTevQI\/AAAAAAAABbI\/VmQCHVfGiOk\/s1600\/IMG_1407.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Gl1qAUTBOf8\/U5tvA96waEI\/AAAAAAAABbQ\/G_eyJjnKgyE\/s1600\/IMG_1409.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Gl1qAUTBOf8\/U5tvA96waEI\/AAAAAAAABbQ\/G_eyJjnKgyE\/s1600\/IMG_1409.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E.... and tied with pretty ribbon ready to give to the recipient ....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-a9SHdtWR3OI\/U5tvQuyKUvI\/AAAAAAAABbY\/Ch4ulrWTUdA\/s1600\/IMG_1412.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-a9SHdtWR3OI\/U5tvQuyKUvI\/AAAAAAAABbY\/Ch4ulrWTUdA\/s1600\/IMG_1412.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-lgSWjP6Wm6M\/U5tvb3_PauI\/AAAAAAAABbg\/f3Y1lvK7vgE\/s1600\/IMG_1419.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-lgSWjP6Wm6M\/U5tvb3_PauI\/AAAAAAAABbg\/f3Y1lvK7vgE\/s1600\/IMG_1419.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-cH5uBtwP5pI\/U5tvnGvsg_I\/AAAAAAAABbo\/p8FOPPUH9Jc\/s1600\/IMG_1421.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-cH5uBtwP5pI\/U5tvnGvsg_I\/AAAAAAAABbo\/p8FOPPUH9Jc\/s1600\/IMG_1421.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... and so on to the next lot, for my bike ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-GLfdMWHvHHs\/U5tvwoY_RGI\/AAAAAAAABbw\/kHeYCCPhVbE\/s1600\/IMG_1424.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-GLfdMWHvHHs\/U5tvwoY_RGI\/AAAAAAAABbw\/kHeYCCPhVbE\/s1600\/IMG_1424.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'm so looking forward to the weekend ahead - hopefully it will be dry, we are off the the fair tomorrow (looking forward to seeing my bunting for sale!) and this will be the Little People's first weekend with their new play equipment in the garden. I'm going to sit outside and crochet whilst watching them playing lots of their \"pretend\" games - houses, defend-the-fort, schools, obstacle courses ..... I love seeing their imaginations run wild :) It truly makes me completely content and happy :)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5030762956779111777\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/06\/british-bunting.html#comment-form","title":"14 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5030762956779111777"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/5030762956779111777"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/06\/british-bunting.html","title":"British Bunting"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-7ReNMcyNPUI\/U5tlThb2zXI\/AAAAAAAABZ8\/svW6_XxXa24\/s72-c\/IMG_1394.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"14"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8020871316401082930.post-6327991670648640365"},"published":{"$t":"2014-06-09T01:03:00.002+01:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-06-09T01:03:52.479+01:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"children"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"flowers"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Colours of Summer"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-FaX9LO7PuJo\/U5TjuecvTQI\/AAAAAAAABWc\/0tKgn8GqtQk\/s1600\/IMG_1215.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-FaX9LO7PuJo\/U5TjuecvTQI\/AAAAAAAABWc\/0tKgn8GqtQk\/s1600\/IMG_1215.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe weather this weekend has been totally bizarre. On Saturday morning there was really really heavy rain, I mean SERious amounts of rain. Which doesn't show at all in that picture of my brekkie, but trust me, it was torrential. So it was an indoorsy sort of day, and I allowed myself quite a lot of hooky time, messing about with more bunting.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-vdURq7vgcqk\/U5TkAxE3fCI\/AAAAAAAABWk\/um-vrthe8K8\/s1600\/IMG_1228.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-vdURq7vgcqk\/U5TkAxE3fCI\/AAAAAAAABWk\/um-vrthe8K8\/s1600\/IMG_1228.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EBut today, Sunday, it's been roasting hot: such complete contrast! \u0026nbsp;We all spent the day in the garden ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-sBr2MZk9iVk\/U5TzObo6OiI\/AAAAAAAABYo\/4ozpQ4VrlfA\/s1600\/IMG_1263.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-sBr2MZk9iVk\/U5TzObo6OiI\/AAAAAAAABYo\/4ozpQ4VrlfA\/s1600\/IMG_1263.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... which is a riot of vibrant colour\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-XSVDQcl-_-I\/U5Tz5wPc4PI\/AAAAAAAABYw\/j00Cax5CvW8\/s1600\/IMG_1249.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-XSVDQcl-_-I\/U5Tz5wPc4PI\/AAAAAAAABYw\/j00Cax5CvW8\/s1600\/IMG_1249.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-hPQ3_0sQ3O4\/U5T0AtJ9yII\/AAAAAAAABY4\/W176OaaM2I4\/s1600\/IMG_1250.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-hPQ3_0sQ3O4\/U5T0AtJ9yII\/AAAAAAAABY4\/W176OaaM2I4\/s1600\/IMG_1250.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NqOos4o3gL0\/U5T0JFTn6NI\/AAAAAAAABZA\/xzO00fTM8Ws\/s1600\/IMG_1256.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-NqOos4o3gL0\/U5T0JFTn6NI\/AAAAAAAABZA\/xzO00fTM8Ws\/s1600\/IMG_1256.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Z2_3yMDgkJs\/U5T0W5uU6nI\/AAAAAAAABZI\/A_NShKkdLZk\/s1600\/IMG_1276.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Z2_3yMDgkJs\/U5T0W5uU6nI\/AAAAAAAABZI\/A_NShKkdLZk\/s1600\/IMG_1276.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E.... rather unusually Little Miss and Little Tomboy played together ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_jfvVdTQS9Q\/U5TkZzVZVQI\/AAAAAAAABWs\/GlbD3s08Wp0\/s1600\/IMG_1246.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_jfvVdTQS9Q\/U5TkZzVZVQI\/AAAAAAAABWs\/GlbD3s08Wp0\/s1600\/IMG_1246.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... they sat on the trampoline for aaaaaages making rainbow loom bracelets....\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4_RvtF6-vCM\/U5ToKy57NdI\/AAAAAAAABXk\/EpqKN4fgTug\/s1600\/IMG_1385.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4_RvtF6-vCM\/U5ToKy57NdI\/AAAAAAAABXk\/EpqKN4fgTug\/s1600\/IMG_1385.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E.... Little Miss popped on her new crocs - aren't they fabulous ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-_voyIkMqdmA\/U5TmjkjQg2I\/AAAAAAAABW4\/usdItqYvNQk\/s1600\/IMG_1388.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-_voyIkMqdmA\/U5TmjkjQg2I\/AAAAAAAABW4\/usdItqYvNQk\/s1600\/IMG_1388.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... I wonder if I could get away with a pair of those ?\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe went for a wander on the field .... we are standing about 15 metres from our front door. How lucky are we \u0026nbsp;:)\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-V-U3KEIBIcM\/U5TmtmqFpGI\/AAAAAAAABXI\/MWBKY4-yeb8\/s1600\/IMG_1281.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-V-U3KEIBIcM\/U5TmtmqFpGI\/AAAAAAAABXI\/MWBKY4-yeb8\/s1600\/IMG_1281.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... wonderfully blue sky ...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-_SLS6x4rpEg\/U5Tms5L-5YI\/AAAAAAAABXA\/tj9iTHb07-g\/s1600\/IMG_1282.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-_SLS6x4rpEg\/U5Tms5L-5YI\/AAAAAAAABXA\/tj9iTHb07-g\/s1600\/IMG_1282.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... \u0026nbsp;the amazing wildflower area ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-14Il6zDI0Nk\/U5TsZoqWIVI\/AAAAAAAABXw\/LWSS-iUHLwg\/s1600\/IMG_1339.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-14Il6zDI0Nk\/U5TsZoqWIVI\/AAAAAAAABXw\/LWSS-iUHLwg\/s1600\/IMG_1339.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pnQCzN0puVk\/U5TsxzhqqOI\/AAAAAAAABX4\/kCFRONgiXQ8\/s1600\/IMG_1332.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pnQCzN0puVk\/U5TsxzhqqOI\/AAAAAAAABX4\/kCFRONgiXQ8\/s1600\/IMG_1332.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... we took loooooads of photos, I'll share more of them another time :) ... but here's another couple ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-02NK6z2I8aI\/U5TtGRl4lDI\/AAAAAAAABYA\/qZQXBzi1jsM\/s1600\/IMG_1307.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-02NK6z2I8aI\/U5TtGRl4lDI\/AAAAAAAABYA\/qZQXBzi1jsM\/s1600\/IMG_1307.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-l1UafxTMksQ\/U5TtS5ynTyI\/AAAAAAAABYI\/QHsLvi_48Rc\/s1600\/IMG_1302.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-l1UafxTMksQ\/U5TtS5ynTyI\/AAAAAAAABYI\/QHsLvi_48Rc\/s1600\/IMG_1302.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E... a quick bit of outdoor gymnastics (by Little Miss, not me, I hasten to add)...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-btJuk5tTBcg\/U5TvqOoInNI\/AAAAAAAABYU\/J9weRTY-Wzs\/s1600\/IMG_1359.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-btJuk5tTBcg\/U5TvqOoInNI\/AAAAAAAABYU\/J9weRTY-Wzs\/s1600\/IMG_1359.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-BMNIUdrjGeI\/U5Tv8AoXbCI\/AAAAAAAABYc\/L6kaJ1hvUKY\/s1600\/IMG_1378.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-BMNIUdrjGeI\/U5Tv8AoXbCI\/AAAAAAAABYc\/L6kaJ1hvUKY\/s1600\/IMG_1378.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E.... and a slow amble home ....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-B1p7QSrwe-4\/U5Tn8KkHyTI\/AAAAAAAABXc\/yHFuGr42MeI\/s1600\/IMG_1341.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-B1p7QSrwe-4\/U5Tn8KkHyTI\/AAAAAAAABXc\/yHFuGr42MeI\/s1600\/IMG_1341.JPG\" width=\"550\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAll in all rather lovely :) The weekend has gone far too fast, but no matter - I have lots of exciting things going on this week to keep me busy - and busy is just how I like it :)"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6327991670648640365\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/06\/colours-of-summer.html#comment-form","title":"23 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6327991670648640365"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8020871316401082930\/posts\/default\/6327991670648640365"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/emeraldcottage.blogspot.com\/2014\/06\/colours-of-summer.html","title":"Colours of Summer"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":" Jill at emeraldcottage"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08971442891183180993"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lixog3bQskQ\/VgMJkGluETI\/AAAAAAAAFCc\/zbRp31dC1bs\/s138\/image.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-FaX9LO7PuJo\/U5TjuecvTQI\/AAAAAAAABWc\/0tKgn8GqtQk\/s72-c\/IMG_1215.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"23"}}]}});