tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39285028299059252492024-03-17T04:13:40.171+00:00Too Many Hobbies, Not Enough TimeWhere once I struggled to fit my crafting in around work, I am now retired. <br>
But I still have too many hobbies. ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.comBlogger489125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-46001724930700086952024-03-16T07:39:00.000+00:002024-03-16T07:39:15.539+00:00New Zealand - week 1<p> I arrived into Auckland almost a week ago. I've got about 10 days on my own and then I join a small group tour for three weeks. So far NZ is really reminding me of the west coast of Canada where I grew up before I emigrated to England - all the greenery and water and the low rise timber buildings.</p><p><br /></p><p>In Auckland I caught the train to the suburb of Penrose to visit the Ribbon Rose sewing centre that I had seen recommended online. By UK standards this is an enormous three storey craft shop that sells various needlecraft supplies including a wide range of knitting wool, art supplies, and a floor of fabric mostly for quilting. They have all the big names from the UK and America/Europe like Rowan for yarn, and Kaffe Fassett and Tilda for fabric. Once I had ascertained that they would be willing to ship to the UK for me, I was looking out for NZ souvenirs. I got a couple of balls of 70% merino/ 30% possum fur - possum is a pest here that they are trying to eradicate and apparently its fur is really warm and cosy. I found a couple of NZ themed cross stitch bookmarks as well. I had mostly come to see their Kiwiana - NZ themed quilt fabric range. They had just restocked so there was a </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSRMbWZl_AT-U7oD4yghDOfpCahdKy5bIezGg7rPXsjLZfwHcT5P0q2I5KbDsl1tJ-p3LzBenCkXsF_SS9bK4Ki6gXfdqQ2xs6UHa6Y2f2saMke3GR9yB9uUgIPVcjdojv2BN_AVep-mXRkrqC8sLgi9kv-5-bAWNWFTCHPDkTRtFGJx09MR2_Q7eiwk/s4624/20240313_111609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSRMbWZl_AT-U7oD4yghDOfpCahdKy5bIezGg7rPXsjLZfwHcT5P0q2I5KbDsl1tJ-p3LzBenCkXsF_SS9bK4Ki6gXfdqQ2xs6UHa6Y2f2saMke3GR9yB9uUgIPVcjdojv2BN_AVep-mXRkrqC8sLgi9kv-5-bAWNWFTCHPDkTRtFGJx09MR2_Q7eiwk/w245-h320/20240313_111609.jpg" width="245" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCyCN8CqXxUNjFr0_H2T39PzSioLHDjtKSxxyIe0hDA1QpKpf1lTI4zUFrMJbLJnTMADw0TD4m-LuArmhuF_fgBFogZRdzlmd5CBWrWNmAAT3uauz8rNZUEWmN1SaXIFCBUYMpj_bGrR60FnXOqsq1z1VSaLu1N-XgCc8PW8JZf9FV4WvZj6C2WIljG0/s4624/20240313_110337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCyCN8CqXxUNjFr0_H2T39PzSioLHDjtKSxxyIe0hDA1QpKpf1lTI4zUFrMJbLJnTMADw0TD4m-LuArmhuF_fgBFogZRdzlmd5CBWrWNmAAT3uauz8rNZUEWmN1SaXIFCBUYMpj_bGrR60FnXOqsq1z1VSaLu1N-XgCc8PW8JZf9FV4WvZj6C2WIljG0/s320/20240313_110337.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPah1n45WxbZ6our9WaWKDxS8AUcCmmkGCm8FLqDNo9lWSfYGHE2SFhYLln19ONgemGs2t7RIVT9QA1RlZfgRFAkc7jEu_iTuhAluuq8wVs5EipPmG6F0JzxOIFZpIqlVRZSSRbfgDSpoutm6z_ngAUebvaBU72u8Q4tbCVVcBTvJzicTCJWR2OGn3Kc/s4624/20240313_101804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPah1n45WxbZ6our9WaWKDxS8AUcCmmkGCm8FLqDNo9lWSfYGHE2SFhYLln19ONgemGs2t7RIVT9QA1RlZfgRFAkc7jEu_iTuhAluuq8wVs5EipPmG6F0JzxOIFZpIqlVRZSSRbfgDSpoutm6z_ngAUebvaBU72u8Q4tbCVVcBTvJzicTCJWR2OGn3Kc/s320/20240313_101804.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_Ru_NwzjKKaUT9n5mURw51QT3G_R_-5dYz9r77aPhRCAx6zriR0MMzEuhHtpofPOljtd_z-2_WtTUyKvLeEXd_azEjNppBC1OQgYn9We99GfYpubRmzTOztZtDB-Yv-9bDFNQu3mORBK7j4BSATRr5KyXdvwUU3_5HIlFhhhTqDkKbzT_K5jxPoNYzE/s4624/20240313_095427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_Ru_NwzjKKaUT9n5mURw51QT3G_R_-5dYz9r77aPhRCAx6zriR0MMzEuhHtpofPOljtd_z-2_WtTUyKvLeEXd_azEjNppBC1OQgYn9We99GfYpubRmzTOztZtDB-Yv-9bDFNQu3mORBK7j4BSATRr5KyXdvwUU3_5HIlFhhhTqDkKbzT_K5jxPoNYzE/s320/20240313_095427.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFPDvU6AlgLe1yqQSXXJP1ct-vVc2DjVZwq4gjP2t9zjUA3Hjh8xfyctRZC_prmxucP7iMNEotcA9GOMLxQqZTZ1iS_5L3Vh4FmqS37l7au7gkYJeVyOzomQizebFSmrGtd3nK6wNlaUcKof3oxPx4MXP3eXJUU3PYLQhVMfAZTBW6-ofUuZvQe29fMM/s4624/20240313_095332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFPDvU6AlgLe1yqQSXXJP1ct-vVc2DjVZwq4gjP2t9zjUA3Hjh8xfyctRZC_prmxucP7iMNEotcA9GOMLxQqZTZ1iS_5L3Vh4FmqS37l7au7gkYJeVyOzomQizebFSmrGtd3nK6wNlaUcKof3oxPx4MXP3eXJUU3PYLQhVMfAZTBW6-ofUuZvQe29fMM/s320/20240313_095332.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />shelf full of Maori designs, kiwi symbols like the fruit and the bird, bird designs, ferns etc. I got a long quarter cut of most of them, with some extra of the fern fabric to use possibly as the border for a scrappy memory quilt of NZ. Super friendly and helpful staff and so much to choose from, a fun shop. It's all on its way back to the UK now.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>The same day I was walking through the pretty shopping street in Parnell and came across another yarn shop on Parnell Road. This one stocked more hand-dyed yarn, fun to look but I didn't buy anything.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50QjPfIt93aGgGpMEvrdJeIOSjhfvh4DKtk8nCtKCGmi-vZOGJf2qHwGuHndrHzhK2Eq_JcmF827T84N2WvvquET-x3FbXqGpOp_0PSTthyphenhyphencvxvwuW_7V_3NToZtSa0Mw5jAhIa4Ou_1PIF9pYZ_jfuw51vjcygM3Q8lIVoak-IedKqEV9sLLtuJFetc/s4624/20240313_125912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50QjPfIt93aGgGpMEvrdJeIOSjhfvh4DKtk8nCtKCGmi-vZOGJf2qHwGuHndrHzhK2Eq_JcmF827T84N2WvvquET-x3FbXqGpOp_0PSTthyphenhyphencvxvwuW_7V_3NToZtSa0Mw5jAhIa4Ou_1PIF9pYZ_jfuw51vjcygM3Q8lIVoak-IedKqEV9sLLtuJFetc/s320/20240313_125912.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>From Auckland, I flew here to Napier which is a smaller town famous for its collection of Art Deco buildings. Randomly, there is a well stocked Japan goods store in the centre called Raku with all kinds of wonderful Japanese and kawaii goods including many bolts of fabric. I found some sumo fabric I don't have, and a fabric of Japanese woodcut pictures, and a couple of other pretty ones. I think I am going to have to try to post a box from Auckland before the tour starts.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhO_-pMGCBWlxwC_uOsV16dvRW8fvMIGejONRE3SdiQ4HHjrIr81YwgePCbDMlJc2yz7GPW0I1FYBRKJQrVNHh9yo8ZUgrQ78BLQWW6cpkKDa4r2iUC0-TKpRFE56aaR58bZLD8GqwWl1D0bIouTQaZoGaWgRDI4Jnik9DdrfzvhzsbCsgHH11Q0Q1vk/s4624/20240316_190331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhO_-pMGCBWlxwC_uOsV16dvRW8fvMIGejONRE3SdiQ4HHjrIr81YwgePCbDMlJc2yz7GPW0I1FYBRKJQrVNHh9yo8ZUgrQ78BLQWW6cpkKDa4r2iUC0-TKpRFE56aaR58bZLD8GqwWl1D0bIouTQaZoGaWgRDI4Jnik9DdrfzvhzsbCsgHH11Q0Q1vk/s320/20240316_190331.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The Art Deco Trust maintains an attractive shop selling various vintage and repro goods, and I found a darling handpainted porcelain Nodder doll made by Colleen Crooks in Palmerston North. It's like a little Frozen Charlotte doll except the head is separate and attached by elastic so it can move. I took a walking tour run by the Trust to see many of the wonderful Art Deco buildings in the town centre.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIgBbQegyJJCeSFnXu9QsTOkD01UDpNjWQQw_kBQ2Bb21DUupVa7UeN2fzmFbQ2ehRjrfj_dyL154ELwoj1CmoRceKvVFPZ0aLrCv4dqETo9nso5ARrYRNzKzsZj8qGtIhgbmCEs7NFUisog27FODKWOMAd_WI72JQoDfL8_vhp7H9spBliJw9LkXxkg/s4624/20240316_190546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIgBbQegyJJCeSFnXu9QsTOkD01UDpNjWQQw_kBQ2Bb21DUupVa7UeN2fzmFbQ2ehRjrfj_dyL154ELwoj1CmoRceKvVFPZ0aLrCv4dqETo9nso5ARrYRNzKzsZj8qGtIhgbmCEs7NFUisog27FODKWOMAd_WI72JQoDfL8_vhp7H9spBliJw9LkXxkg/s320/20240316_190546.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-35242854831541229102024-03-10T08:18:00.003+00:002024-03-10T08:18:52.407+00:00Hong Kong<p> I've actually just arrived in Auckland today, having left Hong Kong yesterday. I had an evening, two full days, and 2/3rds of the final day in Hong Kong, so could only get a brief taste of what the city has to offer. I wasn't sure what to expect, between the vloggers rhapsodizing about HK on Youtube, to a couple of acquaintances who hadn't cared for HK at all. It is certainly a hugely urban, hugely crowded city that goes 24/7 - so if you don't like crowds, constant road noise, and having to continually take evasive action for roadworks, scaffolding, shop goods spilling out on the pavement, trucks parked on the pavement, unsavoury messes etc. then you aren't going to like it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfbOIYeXkLYIdGofHfyDyGBA9tn1yGkp2_fX2W-7G5I1HVaAKFUPJ7yflLRb2HF-pusiZLf2ojtpIfW8n8s1TceaOS6EmMRftLtDCOgqLnO2K70AV3qnbvxzKsE_FGnKAq4-wEMQp4niFASxhB8e1RY0V3HrFPvQb7NMxaIk0HYGRy02BuydPZPmuTGw/s4624/20240308_090747.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfbOIYeXkLYIdGofHfyDyGBA9tn1yGkp2_fX2W-7G5I1HVaAKFUPJ7yflLRb2HF-pusiZLf2ojtpIfW8n8s1TceaOS6EmMRftLtDCOgqLnO2K70AV3qnbvxzKsE_FGnKAq4-wEMQp4niFASxhB8e1RY0V3HrFPvQb7NMxaIk0HYGRy02BuydPZPmuTGw/s320/20240308_090747.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Having said that, everybody was very quiet and polite, no shoving or shouting, the underground stations were busy but quite quiet, and most people I interacted with were friendly and spoke at least some English if not fluent English. Rundown dirty old buildings are right next to stark modern architecture, luxury good stores just around the corner from ragged street markets under tarpaulins stretched across the alley for shade, gorgeous tropical parks are an oasis amongst the relentless urban sprawl. A city of contradictions I guess. I got on fine and enjoyed looking around.</p><p><br /></p><p>I did do a bit of crafty exploration, although I don't dare buy much because I'm only allowed one suitcase on my NZ tour. In the Sham Shui Po area on the Kowloon side, there are a cluster of streets known for their gathering of related shops. On Bead Street, there were several small shops just crammed with beads, jewellery findings, trims, ribbons, embroidered appliques, tassels - like little Aladdins Caves. I picked up a couple of pieces of Hong Kong related fabric for .80p each. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgo56ukDsar3gFQd_guYihzZYxtoqLQ28HqnZBjOnD_3ZMqrl7eYe4adPvm-nJKKTSovcHtan128o27CwX9gBd6zAX2qflGf_XGYWhTEB9MeESOD-yVjw1UIElNoV_flUoDVyDd6AOr2nA8EJevB9LKtqBmB1KJETGZvJLeSt99AbYOSdlGNFKfCLSOo/s4624/20240307_131224.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgo56ukDsar3gFQd_guYihzZYxtoqLQ28HqnZBjOnD_3ZMqrl7eYe4adPvm-nJKKTSovcHtan128o27CwX9gBd6zAX2qflGf_XGYWhTEB9MeESOD-yVjw1UIElNoV_flUoDVyDd6AOr2nA8EJevB9LKtqBmB1KJETGZvJLeSt99AbYOSdlGNFKfCLSOo/s320/20240307_131224.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDwZfy6KdsYuXsmVlcA63PwZCErc2XI9C4ETZzxl_9zXHQnxaOu1txF8InkLS_Giw82fM6ic9oJs7K_oTQg7eAHrIEw-zHmJUUhiARnwp78KMlZj0JK1n9FHsRURg5K4dX720LEsyn9pvBbd4O_u98c73cruFXCCmbWhVqdG7fgC_Xjm8nVZHap3lzSQ/s4624/20240307_131333.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Button Street was more of a general street market but I did see one cavernous button emporium with floor to ceiling little drawers lining the walls. Nearby streets are meant to be Ribbon Street and Leather Street but again mostly filled with general street market stalls but admittedly I wasn't looking too hard, I was just enjoying the atmosphere.</p><p>There's also an enormous flower and plant market. One shop had crocheted flower bouquets, very cute.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCfifNo9ikP7zH8-Qu-yXKAijEhNIZNhyphenhyphentqhRtkrUFG5JxnYygYCWfDY4NITHdWeMIOe0p0gQ5vrkpw1UVzrzqBRP3EKqrebSk6rOtpuramVMMn7Bkpj7u2Z2rvMRO0UZA961NZngk7CZL-Dg2bF5z-DQ379cmXIKyHsTkI5OabqTB95bHoE6u1KPSmQ/s1849/20240307_142213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1387" data-original-width="1849" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCfifNo9ikP7zH8-Qu-yXKAijEhNIZNhyphenhyphentqhRtkrUFG5JxnYygYCWfDY4NITHdWeMIOe0p0gQ5vrkpw1UVzrzqBRP3EKqrebSk6rOtpuramVMMn7Bkpj7u2Z2rvMRO0UZA961NZngk7CZL-Dg2bF5z-DQ379cmXIKyHsTkI5OabqTB95bHoE6u1KPSmQ/s320/20240307_142213.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ho2OeihosVm_piQvC55UBUYjEB9WtuQPlZscIzOVCtQsROsigczc6ykXZr8KmRwhag398hceUiY7BjmgYhFLSNGQaDnRokWHC-7pmFFJb_JDISLO2UX3zvur0t71dsiUjiExo2O21xufE_Ipxx6YcPyg4R7AZihYbb1X59Uj_vjCAN0t24Gn5nt3OjI/s1849/20240307_142218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1387" data-original-width="1849" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ho2OeihosVm_piQvC55UBUYjEB9WtuQPlZscIzOVCtQsROsigczc6ykXZr8KmRwhag398hceUiY7BjmgYhFLSNGQaDnRokWHC-7pmFFJb_JDISLO2UX3zvur0t71dsiUjiExo2O21xufE_Ipxx6YcPyg4R7AZihYbb1X59Uj_vjCAN0t24Gn5nt3OjI/s320/20240307_142218.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The next day I was over across the harbour in the Hong Kong central business district, full of modern skyscrapers like Canary Wharf in London, only going up steep hills. After riding the historic tram up Victoria Peak and hiking down, I did a self guided walk through the traditional Sheung Wan neighbouhood which finished at the renovated 1906 Western Market. Here I was delighted to find the first floor full of fabric traders selling all kinds of fabric on the roll. One of the women assistants said they get a lot of tourists shopping for quilting fabric (which was cheap but they didn't have a lot of selection) and also women buying up fabric to have their tailors back home sew their seasonal wardrobes for them. I bought a bit of dragon fabric from her, I think it's polycotton but will do for lining, and from an old gentleman across the way, two half metres of rayon brocade that he said is bought for making Chinese dresses and the traditional top and trouser suits . Gorgeous stuff and only GBP9.50 a metre.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qOSbGYUgP5QaY65Crxm5h_s0Gb3qnN7Ud99TgvswXYb6DigF9IUQWYK4X_qKWP4e0DGwvRS_6s1WF1Gg4w8_dPSHrUWIMhXuIOy-WuRTRNsKeYu1c6uqjgF4TCL6cEV1vkbWVRLQuSdPirYo08eio7gifkwN2mN03pS9KQ1ZZiXVUwaitf1MNP-JkQ4/s1849/20240308_123727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1387" data-original-width="1849" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qOSbGYUgP5QaY65Crxm5h_s0Gb3qnN7Ud99TgvswXYb6DigF9IUQWYK4X_qKWP4e0DGwvRS_6s1WF1Gg4w8_dPSHrUWIMhXuIOy-WuRTRNsKeYu1c6uqjgF4TCL6cEV1vkbWVRLQuSdPirYo08eio7gifkwN2mN03pS9KQ1ZZiXVUwaitf1MNP-JkQ4/s320/20240308_123727.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtEJ6LYQMESgEMsyUz0hgkekVads4jIdMT5HLfhe3hL9eWOyjSUH9UgNQo6fYT0vXkA7WXSnM5FCHKBloS30q1T02msUvtAkYSRrUEQvUpgUAayff4llOxMm6CKe9KLvlda691fmzT8ftiZ_0NARkQMB1RPGwdUMYfSZMW_7QcsFE2N7Q7akHd5fk-rM/s1849/20240308_130020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1387" data-original-width="1849" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtEJ6LYQMESgEMsyUz0hgkekVads4jIdMT5HLfhe3hL9eWOyjSUH9UgNQo6fYT0vXkA7WXSnM5FCHKBloS30q1T02msUvtAkYSRrUEQvUpgUAayff4llOxMm6CKe9KLvlda691fmzT8ftiZ_0NARkQMB1RPGwdUMYfSZMW_7QcsFE2N7Q7akHd5fk-rM/s320/20240308_130020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqKuhDDG-euxLHTo-8F3MKO6TN0qr_FnH3deP94_pobfDGEe-H9btIz_xkoBwSl03ACvlA9cQ2l7Xo-xl6P2ZfK5VVqufSy0CT5k9ZUsiq7gpZSxSZxS7Z89F-t5j1BuezvN7bLgAOcYf6UAlbFTq1SR4VkoI2n69S1fuFS5LQMiabG0yZXdvhSLR-TU/s4624/20240308_202331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqKuhDDG-euxLHTo-8F3MKO6TN0qr_FnH3deP94_pobfDGEe-H9btIz_xkoBwSl03ACvlA9cQ2l7Xo-xl6P2ZfK5VVqufSy0CT5k9ZUsiq7gpZSxSZxS7Z89F-t5j1BuezvN7bLgAOcYf6UAlbFTq1SR4VkoI2n69S1fuFS5LQMiabG0yZXdvhSLR-TU/s320/20240308_202331.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-25510480953248078242024-03-02T11:35:00.000+00:002024-03-02T11:35:01.154+00:00Bon Voyage (to me)<p> My last blog post before I head off to Hong Kong on Tuesday, on my way to New Zealand. I plan to blog occasionally on the road if the technology cooperates. Hopefully I have packed everything I will need, and fingers crossed my suitcase arrives with me. Wish me luck!</p><p><br /></p><p>I've been working on the <b>Lori Holt My Happy Place quilt</b> although I'm not going to get it finished before I go. But the design wall is filling up a lot more.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CH2UURPyfh6ck0OofHYrC7znqgvT4fqea3hwHAHt4l7gB-z-NStUvzN2_q71sER9oKj_HjmoU4kKnWDIkPpsQu0Txl7vt2oUoX0vzFOBByIoskvlRsMUxi0LOx5mlG_X4WMMdm8cEMVjgN930hT8dZYUdcp0EFtJ830fIg_qh7dWSQkawHayqIcIa4o/s1440/20240302_100144%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CH2UURPyfh6ck0OofHYrC7znqgvT4fqea3hwHAHt4l7gB-z-NStUvzN2_q71sER9oKj_HjmoU4kKnWDIkPpsQu0Txl7vt2oUoX0vzFOBByIoskvlRsMUxi0LOx5mlG_X4WMMdm8cEMVjgN930hT8dZYUdcp0EFtJ830fIg_qh7dWSQkawHayqIcIa4o/s320/20240302_100144%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPF18OI80d91Gm7MqCWAPwAbRGNZwkSf-LAXPu3o3KxNhWP6eWKcANXRGChzYpfUey0Tvx9kERBTzF9ru-sfC0iFmh_YoyHk4ZhN-M3d7Vkiux_KCjKiwMVWUc9z_5HdPNexgmqHRJnan7rbZpOcsUjIrS5i3uOnl75dDjHbKm5WiVo4uFfLuKzR9J60/s1440/20240228_152703%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPF18OI80d91Gm7MqCWAPwAbRGNZwkSf-LAXPu3o3KxNhWP6eWKcANXRGChzYpfUey0Tvx9kERBTzF9ru-sfC0iFmh_YoyHk4ZhN-M3d7Vkiux_KCjKiwMVWUc9z_5HdPNexgmqHRJnan7rbZpOcsUjIrS5i3uOnl75dDjHbKm5WiVo4uFfLuKzR9J60/s320/20240228_152703%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Week Eight</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASrCCjFfNKPeU6FYbMsovGO6-5HrtZwXbbBbJn0SHS2SQ7W85bTUNR5q_lBrD39i3CjtPpTwzCr9rsrOxFQzwJaUvOhC3g1hXdLwehyphenhyphenIg8hh37JTqRH4KFoanQUAPM5kRsW1dIiKZRMKTQRVzMgUnanqPbP6iJnX3qIgMFhQLj70IuYMSWyfHagFjMGM/s1440/20240302_100027%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASrCCjFfNKPeU6FYbMsovGO6-5HrtZwXbbBbJn0SHS2SQ7W85bTUNR5q_lBrD39i3CjtPpTwzCr9rsrOxFQzwJaUvOhC3g1hXdLwehyphenhyphenIg8hh37JTqRH4KFoanQUAPM5kRsW1dIiKZRMKTQRVzMgUnanqPbP6iJnX3qIgMFhQLj70IuYMSWyfHagFjMGM/s320/20240302_100027%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this is the first half of Week Nine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been making a bit of a push on my <b>Latvian mitten</b> and have crawled my way up past the thumb position (thumb stitches are indicated by the white horizontal line of waste yarn). I still don't really know what I'm doing with four colours in a row, but at least having only three colours in a row now seems easier by comparison. My tension continues to be pretty wobbly but I know that will improve when I wet block the finished mitten.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5BhbNQzzY7BEX-pkaohY7khYVnTQoGpYhdT2tCaFptVfwlb3n9NDhLmyYJcBBHhnQE-3yRSugspwNMWykDRTSGtW19Cd9BxQyPbS7XlLLMsvHwPM_L_jM-e4wkPAgpQMsyZoSNhIpP2Kj1_AdheueiHKLJYd391b1D4O_D0wwpsGxuWHuiuPGGwDL0c/s1440/20240302_112318%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5BhbNQzzY7BEX-pkaohY7khYVnTQoGpYhdT2tCaFptVfwlb3n9NDhLmyYJcBBHhnQE-3yRSugspwNMWykDRTSGtW19Cd9BxQyPbS7XlLLMsvHwPM_L_jM-e4wkPAgpQMsyZoSNhIpP2Kj1_AdheueiHKLJYd391b1D4O_D0wwpsGxuWHuiuPGGwDL0c/s320/20240302_112318%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The kitchen in the <b>Japanese dollshouse</b> is not finished yet but I've put back the items I was accessorising. You can see I've simulated some tiny dishes on the two food trays with a sequin, a metal finding and some tiny hole punches that I cupped with an embossing tool. The Japanese kettle was I think a present from my friend Anita. The tiny spoon, oil pot, the two white jars, the little white dishes, and the baskets were purchased at the Tokyo dollshouse shop in 2019. I have other accessories I want to make but it will have to wait for now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhet8lxDszIYZ1kxWxnFCtBxPmrPMWKOkYeh8ZXi4I5CZ-JOdXjrLLA1JaEhIwkX2ZU52D4gKizmhyphenhyphenOr3qBD9bCRD9Gv6CjfDYFreIcLINNA7r2_VaH3Bqzl2mG3fzBoZsqC0PdlloN-jGdCvOCM7ePNSL6TpDomZLdVcPBM26gxohrc7E1QVrPV_WABHM/s1440/20240229_115342%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhet8lxDszIYZ1kxWxnFCtBxPmrPMWKOkYeh8ZXi4I5CZ-JOdXjrLLA1JaEhIwkX2ZU52D4gKizmhyphenhyphenOr3qBD9bCRD9Gv6CjfDYFreIcLINNA7r2_VaH3Bqzl2mG3fzBoZsqC0PdlloN-jGdCvOCM7ePNSL6TpDomZLdVcPBM26gxohrc7E1QVrPV_WABHM/s320/20240229_115342%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I finished putting together the Japan travel journal, it feels good to have got that off my 'to do' list. I also spent a few hours printing off colour photos from the slides I saved from my clear out a few weeks ago. I had saved the relatively few colour slides from the early 80s that included pictures of me. I have an ancient scanner (it may well be older than my adult son) that will scan coloured slides but it took me about an hour to work out how to scan the first slide and then to convince my new Canon printer to print the whole photo at a reasonable resolution (and not cut half the image off etc.). Once I had a process, the remaining dozen or so were fairly straightforward. I have so much more decluttering to accomplish but it will have to wait until I'm going to be home for a period of consecutive weeks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIG1Jkq4jEGNRFYNMTx1vySyqKxE_4pe1RNbiiCqVrRt9lYPmsnQr_4dGzL7zt0WzHcW-HPuo67XAWi1Kjyr20H3rqUF9VK_UKuEYbrp98iPlzDeZAqEAErIHRpTUkG31U6Y1aAPADg4-x8b0kZt1SAqf-5zVrUxeabVWlfiE4fUvBN7PWSRntsIFNNno" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIG1Jkq4jEGNRFYNMTx1vySyqKxE_4pe1RNbiiCqVrRt9lYPmsnQr_4dGzL7zt0WzHcW-HPuo67XAWi1Kjyr20H3rqUF9VK_UKuEYbrp98iPlzDeZAqEAErIHRpTUkG31U6Y1aAPADg4-x8b0kZt1SAqf-5zVrUxeabVWlfiE4fUvBN7PWSRntsIFNNno" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-88367179251772487812024-02-24T20:34:00.000+00:002024-02-24T20:34:07.293+00:00Recording memories<p> I have spent a great deal of this week on the long-procrastinated-about job of creating a scrapbook for my trip to Japan almost a year ago. While I took over 4,000 photos, blogged some aspects, and kept a brief diary (I went here, I went there) as I travelled - there was no overall narrative of my itinerary. What finally got me started was discovering the Japanese stationery company <a href="https://notebooktherapy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Notebook Therapy</a> (thanks Youtube) and their wonderful sets of journals, stickers and stamps. So I reinvested some of my decluttering profits into a travel journal set. Since that arrived, I've been laboriously going through day by day, matching up my photos with my itinerary with my diary with my blog with my trip planning research, writing a narrative and choosing some photos to illustrate it, then printing out the pages at high quality on my inkjet printer, then cutting and pasting them into the travel journal, and finally adding some decoration with stickers, washi tape and stamps. In some ways, leaving it for so long has given me perspective and the ability to summarise. In other ways, I've had to look up a lot of places to remember why I chose to go there or what the history was, because it's so long ago now. At least I'm doing it before the New Zealand memories push all the Japan memories out of my ageing brain. It has been incredibly time consuming but I've reached the final travel week. I think it's also taught me some lessons about how better to record the upcoming trip.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiObj9UnVzoOUgYkWcRRgXQNvdOGwzBr7ZoUwfHcMBQIHKoCJLYfC4DwCV3-zCZlmbt7kp5hhACAUW4buZ9TFVnssf9F7uQVyB-MRqtMajpgjx5V2i64g4eU4Wr_GXu5PTmraahSuA1wt8Tt66yaXuBaxfzZM6t-puMPBHty7Arc5a6ZtrJWRRW1rfVI/s1440/20240224_195958%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiObj9UnVzoOUgYkWcRRgXQNvdOGwzBr7ZoUwfHcMBQIHKoCJLYfC4DwCV3-zCZlmbt7kp5hhACAUW4buZ9TFVnssf9F7uQVyB-MRqtMajpgjx5V2i64g4eU4Wr_GXu5PTmraahSuA1wt8Tt66yaXuBaxfzZM6t-puMPBHty7Arc5a6ZtrJWRRW1rfVI/s320/20240224_195958%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This week my longarm machine and I went to visit the Handiquilter dealership for a day - DH drove me as a belated Christmas present. He went off to explore the local area while I had a day of basic training with a bunch of other new owners. My machine meantime was there to have a few issues resolved - it needed the timing adjusted and a couple of the handlebar buttons replaced. While I don't think I received any huge revelations, there were several useful nuggets of information throughout the day so I took a lot of notes. I also took the opportunity to do some shopping without having to pay postage: picking up thread for the remaining projects in my quilting queue, a couple of straight rulers and a new pantograph. Hopefully the machine is now all sorted out but I probably won't try it before I leave, there's not much point loading up a quilt onto the frame just to have it sit there for a couple of months.</p><p><br /></p><p>So that day was an early start, and a few days later we had to get up even earlier at 5:45am to take the car in to the company that installed our tow hitch who are an hour's drive away. We are currently caught in the middle of a blaming war between the dealer we bought our secondhand car from (who claim that the ongoing issues we are experiencing with error messages on the car are caused by our post-purchase installation of a tow hitch), and the tow hitch installers who say they always get blamed for everything and that the tow hitch is working fine and shouldn't be causing any problems. I had naively thought that with a new car, all the car issues we've experienced while caravanning were in the past. The ball is currently back with the dealer and I hope I'm not going to have to take it to the ombudsman, especially when I'm going to be away. Why can't things just work?????</p><p><br /></p><p>I finished appliquing the Week Seven block for the <b>Lori Holt My Happy Place Quilt. </b>The design wall is slowly filling up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1Kr13gLfpKBxqhbBA4xrtqsSAsEIMdngybV3N8eXGygkuQpHGCyOZJrfhvLRd36Tn-EE0PHcv1m3PbuLYNtJfZZBGLTkvPjTpJmpez4y7hzqbA7LannBcJUVS5IpkF-83bR3CxHMCCC4YxTOiVIDVgIBGDILEePPWMCbhq6jjNqJrEk12ATUpax1LOI/s1440/20240221_153317%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1Kr13gLfpKBxqhbBA4xrtqsSAsEIMdngybV3N8eXGygkuQpHGCyOZJrfhvLRd36Tn-EE0PHcv1m3PbuLYNtJfZZBGLTkvPjTpJmpez4y7hzqbA7LannBcJUVS5IpkF-83bR3CxHMCCC4YxTOiVIDVgIBGDILEePPWMCbhq6jjNqJrEk12ATUpax1LOI/s320/20240221_153317%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I also finished the little magazine kit cross stitch bird that I started in Malta. It was designed as a bookmark but I turned it into a houseplant decoration instead.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BNlWaQuZ8aDeKeMxWAFelufGnRWs6I_5ir5uus3E6mUILmr5bhQgMp1jRTN8UYputpiL7XN5YK0HOo3fexsOF2HOVeRqLLOfeGqKpwrErz2n3WlE3Zamz4xUisMlnMEOeqtXwuJXHUcRHUM9ThG9MEBn7ADWMISVeBD1aTRgpONjT-l66_tIeGy14cM/s1440/20240221_153114%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BNlWaQuZ8aDeKeMxWAFelufGnRWs6I_5ir5uus3E6mUILmr5bhQgMp1jRTN8UYputpiL7XN5YK0HOo3fexsOF2HOVeRqLLOfeGqKpwrErz2n3WlE3Zamz4xUisMlnMEOeqtXwuJXHUcRHUM9ThG9MEBn7ADWMISVeBD1aTRgpONjT-l66_tIeGy14cM/s320/20240221_153114%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtusuDG_KUYBQcPTqeMYsp8EWdMvLLpjoPnPiMc3tlshyeAk_LXiUzmM53WmpY1akC9cnZSi9L8LD6qtWIYBggLtfOq_8B-W4nIIlTzbYixWn_5FQ18yCIm6Hq8cdCFmLVbUWtFXcE0A4cyOS4Kk7dEdBmOI1M5YrDXuddfCYHREg8INwj2FEFrlEsu2c/s1440/20240221_153144%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtusuDG_KUYBQcPTqeMYsp8EWdMvLLpjoPnPiMc3tlshyeAk_LXiUzmM53WmpY1akC9cnZSi9L8LD6qtWIYBggLtfOq_8B-W4nIIlTzbYixWn_5FQ18yCIm6Hq8cdCFmLVbUWtFXcE0A4cyOS4Kk7dEdBmOI1M5YrDXuddfCYHREg8INwj2FEFrlEsu2c/s320/20240221_153144%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>And I did a few hours work on my <b>Japanese dollshouse kitchen</b>, mainly placing the ceramic accessories I bought in 2019 from the Tokyo dollshouse shop, and creating some food platters. Some of my 1:12 fimo fruit and veg that I made 10 years ago now don't look too out of scale for the 1:20 accessories.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmEhVOOpoxfUlpOWFi23OAeyHvX1NG-Yv4KqAutrZcUJhjnLmZQbnywyybPgQkyHcjkueGWuJ2L5f7dgZoQwaQGcgvM_7dBZKVLGTA6xPvB3jp3K-WFlQMqXEn4Vadr4EcK7xOA5aiLZY850K6mh2eODqv5P3rMrei2MGYTnFZZnVPPbIftbfmF7fs-w/s1440/20240224_202306%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmEhVOOpoxfUlpOWFi23OAeyHvX1NG-Yv4KqAutrZcUJhjnLmZQbnywyybPgQkyHcjkueGWuJ2L5f7dgZoQwaQGcgvM_7dBZKVLGTA6xPvB3jp3K-WFlQMqXEn4Vadr4EcK7xOA5aiLZY850K6mh2eODqv5P3rMrei2MGYTnFZZnVPPbIftbfmF7fs-w/s320/20240224_202306%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>DH also very kindly painted up the four metal charms I bought in Tokyo last year, using some painting references I found online for him. So I have two demon masks and two samurai helmets that look really authentic, to go on display in the dollshouse. He's a really good painter, very useful.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZ01-glMzGbV7GuDVO5P_gF6Qn-7gxxDEiPgA9RDLJq43d4hEK_JeN_Xrin7L0J2IfxpImYT7Iyw4oiiQuW794LX7M5GZP-7BnhoyZb8hb-EHb1wos4VET8ZTEZbyioBD98jpxyt19w7Dbx3Ta2SBv4l-XPBBENeoszlCSqMFLS_o8yC-1zz9i3091Js/s1440/20240219_111418%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZ01-glMzGbV7GuDVO5P_gF6Qn-7gxxDEiPgA9RDLJq43d4hEK_JeN_Xrin7L0J2IfxpImYT7Iyw4oiiQuW794LX7M5GZP-7BnhoyZb8hb-EHb1wos4VET8ZTEZbyioBD98jpxyt19w7Dbx3Ta2SBv4l-XPBBENeoszlCSqMFLS_o8yC-1zz9i3091Js/s320/20240219_111418%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-12306957471756324142024-02-17T10:23:00.001+00:002024-02-17T10:23:19.014+00:00Short week<p> It's only a few days since we got back from Malta, so not much to report. I have spent several hours working on week seven of the <b>Lori Holt My Happy Place Quilt</b> which is a large 20" applique block with several components to prepare using the turn-through method. This is a picture of it all glue-basted down, and currently I am hand stitching the applique. Very cheerful.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4QpvK3Aaen5eRt0f4kkvZ60XVmJS_JBUdRjYgqkWovU3WHc80AY9B2dIpTae8W6ShtrSKwQMvwQ05xoMoORSimDDiUkYQb2-RCcY-Q1YLyUeIhzXdaJtNRpMf6NxkbpTMIRtYBVukxE_hHSfESs0zHyQrBN9lZFoGmZIRAIlXo0Jz8qxqECvCz9arLk/s1440/20240215_161618%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4QpvK3Aaen5eRt0f4kkvZ60XVmJS_JBUdRjYgqkWovU3WHc80AY9B2dIpTae8W6ShtrSKwQMvwQ05xoMoORSimDDiUkYQb2-RCcY-Q1YLyUeIhzXdaJtNRpMf6NxkbpTMIRtYBVukxE_hHSfESs0zHyQrBN9lZFoGmZIRAIlXo0Jz8qxqECvCz9arLk/s320/20240215_161618%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I took a little magazine cross stitch kit to stitch a little bird with me to Malta, where I started it. So I've also worked on that a bit since getting back. And I've done some more rows on the Latvian mitten.</p><p><br /></p><p>I've booked a week to Iceland in late summer so I've been doing some research and prebooking for that.</p><p><br /></p><p>And that's it for this week. Lots of laundry after the trip and just life stuff, like our kitchen tap has started leaking so we've had to get the plumber in. There's always something with an old house.</p>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-30961593358399380702024-02-13T16:16:00.001+00:002024-02-13T16:16:10.649+00:00A week in Malta<p> We just got back from a winter sun break in Malta, my first visit there. It wasn't entirely sunny- it was warmer than the UK at 16-20C in the daytime but quite chilly at night, and always fairly breezy because it's an island. But we had a good week and liked Malta a lot better than our previous winter destination of Cyprus. People were friendlier and it just felt safer and better kept/cleaner, and there is history everywhere you look so really interesting. The walled fortifications are just stunning. And the world class megalithic temples made us wonder why Stonehenge is so famous. We were staying in Valletta and the views in every direction made us feel like we were walking through a Canaletto painting.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeruNBIlg7riZmE9suWq9AyI3ZnBgAwhbD6ptPEZ9SxrcHPphTPb4GhsEwTqjVWtIykXmnlQFsO53xy4UuXgO4A2Y7uNQGZ9dPCrmsBTd6xnCbmesCRWNoRBsWg2w3VmZ5nHeSeZ9f2UMprQMI-erTOUAHrLWGxgzOElDr7dtrOyG-Zlh_CJxbi7wza8/s1440/20240205_165456%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeruNBIlg7riZmE9suWq9AyI3ZnBgAwhbD6ptPEZ9SxrcHPphTPb4GhsEwTqjVWtIykXmnlQFsO53xy4UuXgO4A2Y7uNQGZ9dPCrmsBTd6xnCbmesCRWNoRBsWg2w3VmZ5nHeSeZ9f2UMprQMI-erTOUAHrLWGxgzOElDr7dtrOyG-Zlh_CJxbi7wza8/s320/20240205_165456%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUi22aS5aHZz7VjCyViJkcHr2OIJ4VzY0jINIlVO9V-4e1DEqjUqXDEqIVgG10Txa9K6nc_Xr3qhbHHAru2Jcvg_Oi1UeZ3YujVCBsbnTlaC6VQJ4aZy6BFNCle4M4ecMKoSFeMQylPIzGr6mBVs7uCh9_pQIV79aztBKSJAxIrm8xb59Mk-x23RGlINI/s1440/20240206_094137%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUi22aS5aHZz7VjCyViJkcHr2OIJ4VzY0jINIlVO9V-4e1DEqjUqXDEqIVgG10Txa9K6nc_Xr3qhbHHAru2Jcvg_Oi1UeZ3YujVCBsbnTlaC6VQJ4aZy6BFNCle4M4ecMKoSFeMQylPIzGr6mBVs7uCh9_pQIV79aztBKSJAxIrm8xb59Mk-x23RGlINI/s320/20240206_094137%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgeEgZS2jTK_dPaVIljwThbx71Xu2Rc4PKdvPRn0zRvAYVUM0zdJrVpfVKnWEBu2J4sLClX8H47EgZwB2SutnXSHrOAvLDxqe5gCICRAZJrgwc_R289SXfGxdWZ-4KmKTTpuagiSgE5g2r-P6tT1BPXGYF1qHP_Dzx1J4yF4pfD594-_Cho3MHZAIVWg/s1440/20240205_164207%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgeEgZS2jTK_dPaVIljwThbx71Xu2Rc4PKdvPRn0zRvAYVUM0zdJrVpfVKnWEBu2J4sLClX8H47EgZwB2SutnXSHrOAvLDxqe5gCICRAZJrgwc_R289SXfGxdWZ-4KmKTTpuagiSgE5g2r-P6tT1BPXGYF1qHP_Dzx1J4yF4pfD594-_Cho3MHZAIVWg/s320/20240205_164207%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWYB6I2DQlIuREA_TJR1UkX3BOBpsBTa9-Fh_nyGtvcv6PMJtB_DKaRcNm6oTgtuKkRTrmEdodfCJ0UjjgUUXTskuakgaTQmZPJ8NKoXkk43WYsS5yIEVzgs3dPrb_eabtGWIiPsEsq1YY2pth2XhFDEVOEUKSU4CcS1oZ0-Coghx446ISGjFPS4vKHU/s1440/20240206_113552%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWYB6I2DQlIuREA_TJR1UkX3BOBpsBTa9-Fh_nyGtvcv6PMJtB_DKaRcNm6oTgtuKkRTrmEdodfCJ0UjjgUUXTskuakgaTQmZPJ8NKoXkk43WYsS5yIEVzgs3dPrb_eabtGWIiPsEsq1YY2pth2XhFDEVOEUKSU4CcS1oZ0-Coghx446ISGjFPS4vKHU/s320/20240206_113552%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I couldn't find any craft or fabric shops but I was on the lookout for Maltese lace and found one lace store open in Valletta. In the window were some disappointingly coarse and even crude modern examples in shiny synthetic thread, and I saw a few more of this type in a tourist tat shop in Mdina (another walled city). The Mdina shopkeeper said only old ladies make the lace now, no young people, and she said I would have to go to the sister island of Gozo to see anyone making it. But I went into the Valletta shop another day and found he had some vintage pieces which were of much better quality. When I showed my interest, he got out a bunch of vintage pieces from under the counter which he said he had from his grandfather, who kept the shop before him. I ended up purchasing a little mat from c. 1960s and admired several others.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkR276KHIXS17XT7jD1Gb8Lqc1d94VUAQMaPiRJrQZZQw4a1uT7l530HJrHqvyF8C125IyipgvV3CRNN7gl1VunBsATIT2hMwRqSMYTT3037BZfi4Miiqbr2vVJ6DEjfgfeQ-_LWjvxsJQ9FZPVQlMt4YJVNUsfcZQwmYd8bGdp-AIApWfvFw9pU8Rrdw/s1200/20240205_125214small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkR276KHIXS17XT7jD1Gb8Lqc1d94VUAQMaPiRJrQZZQw4a1uT7l530HJrHqvyF8C125IyipgvV3CRNN7gl1VunBsATIT2hMwRqSMYTT3037BZfi4Miiqbr2vVJ6DEjfgfeQ-_LWjvxsJQ9FZPVQlMt4YJVNUsfcZQwmYd8bGdp-AIApWfvFw9pU8Rrdw/s320/20240205_125214small.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Vw5Xlb9sytYxfJYwWEEMY9Vhjpy1P1hCZZIi64ot4dLRldvEHfttd0pDLFG-tIYoemy5rNLEsYVRbatFJlwhSorVw3-WZW5xrH_wo-nmqC0H7e-uOxcMlYyn0Gzbk0yXaV0xDCCwVrrs_sURIJp19ixET7THQevdIN36cJEpaE6fcd85IaA8ZJ8hSRo/s1440/20240205_125220%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Vw5Xlb9sytYxfJYwWEEMY9Vhjpy1P1hCZZIi64ot4dLRldvEHfttd0pDLFG-tIYoemy5rNLEsYVRbatFJlwhSorVw3-WZW5xrH_wo-nmqC0H7e-uOxcMlYyn0Gzbk0yXaV0xDCCwVrrs_sURIJp19ixET7THQevdIN36cJEpaE6fcd85IaA8ZJ8hSRo/s320/20240205_125220%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLe575cBlTK2eCULdvDmYgZzmSGOZ9CDJq3t6WRrxOL6UWtbCYg8mtEBjOrlrLBsqRBTQkvGXRa-6yOkzVwEFqexEn07Ex7fq8ZQPsGunAH43wdy8M0LAbaxXjOc3EosE9QIq6bgNqkIz0if__gEnK4HghdlwAFTbXHqWwiBSaM5N_kIWTlj2uRNKCys/s1600/20240205_125227small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLe575cBlTK2eCULdvDmYgZzmSGOZ9CDJq3t6WRrxOL6UWtbCYg8mtEBjOrlrLBsqRBTQkvGXRa-6yOkzVwEFqexEn07Ex7fq8ZQPsGunAH43wdy8M0LAbaxXjOc3EosE9QIq6bgNqkIz0if__gEnK4HghdlwAFTbXHqWwiBSaM5N_kIWTlj2uRNKCys/s320/20240205_125227small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6EArbO2YDEXkDSNkZUmNYJn4o7m0l3wqbDjpBStF9XRHbgHziCemjn8EqfiWRnqWL9UK5FNSIXbQjMImLQf1hP-DLR5omtDvju8imWNZz2DKZF0X4bwgOfWuZYTciOADcOV7VbhS4JFi5jt-D4bbVInTxKo231P7fAoRCvZ4N_XUFVM-9PbuvGBm_5s/s1440/20240213_125938%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6EArbO2YDEXkDSNkZUmNYJn4o7m0l3wqbDjpBStF9XRHbgHziCemjn8EqfiWRnqWL9UK5FNSIXbQjMImLQf1hP-DLR5omtDvju8imWNZz2DKZF0X4bwgOfWuZYTciOADcOV7VbhS4JFi5jt-D4bbVInTxKo231P7fAoRCvZ4N_XUFVM-9PbuvGBm_5s/s320/20240213_125938%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The mat I purchased</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We saw some antique lace in museums and also an example of the upright bolster pillow that was used.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLDStfViy0O9ekcO0iEOhRnNsgX_bE-g6_dvthg1wveCKkpStpi_ee2x2al7iT8tN-KcgK6eQEAX52VEmtWArlh7UEAztmYGLZzkSeT0jF6u5ZYs9NlJOplypTb14YYj0MSWXxQfT65G2IfeKJpAaYFwJxFf8HhIeRH9v9TiBvMZ83-ktPS4LrWwJgCw/s1440/20240206_135023%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLDStfViy0O9ekcO0iEOhRnNsgX_bE-g6_dvthg1wveCKkpStpi_ee2x2al7iT8tN-KcgK6eQEAX52VEmtWArlh7UEAztmYGLZzkSeT0jF6u5ZYs9NlJOplypTb14YYj0MSWXxQfT65G2IfeKJpAaYFwJxFf8HhIeRH9v9TiBvMZ83-ktPS4LrWwJgCw/s320/20240206_135023%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw00jayJ0Smca3KE7OZ_bInvy2fL-Il0RKTg_cG2W7BApojsc0AtZWc7K4hboIwa3miKvBz3L8Hg2FYp6re30_chxQId2qMaXusL-PZAz5NZfYFkcpbh_ba9iR9M4hz2ZlCGUykgHQj4WvrGqFy8ja3_y-d1_Qt3cyHyEcCCW4pwBQezgdA_0azEFE7Aw/s1440/20240207_150000%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw00jayJ0Smca3KE7OZ_bInvy2fL-Il0RKTg_cG2W7BApojsc0AtZWc7K4hboIwa3miKvBz3L8Hg2FYp6re30_chxQId2qMaXusL-PZAz5NZfYFkcpbh_ba9iR9M4hz2ZlCGUykgHQj4WvrGqFy8ja3_y-d1_Qt3cyHyEcCCW4pwBQezgdA_0azEFE7Aw/s320/20240207_150000%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BHVTdwvFfHhTdh5UYkqK35Q9FupTTBCgglIS2efT6aq3BZzqk4HfQGVkTcnZbqFu1mh1EHEIJp1yxb3GGEGFzZG4_zdhh1otZhHxVb4r5xECg8NQB9EIIGTnpaFvgtCpXvgPla0urzGNlRG9P1Dv3kZi4baDXC-mF9d6hLiqw5oZJNlHS4f4EgiXN-k/s1440/20240207_150106%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BHVTdwvFfHhTdh5UYkqK35Q9FupTTBCgglIS2efT6aq3BZzqk4HfQGVkTcnZbqFu1mh1EHEIJp1yxb3GGEGFzZG4_zdhh1otZhHxVb4r5xECg8NQB9EIIGTnpaFvgtCpXvgPla0urzGNlRG9P1Dv3kZi4baDXC-mF9d6hLiqw5oZJNlHS4f4EgiXN-k/s320/20240207_150106%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>By coincidence not design, we were in Valletta during the Carnival weekend which was a lot of fun. Total chaos - there was a parade route but the parade and floats was completely mixed up with the audience and performers in the narrow streets, turning it all into a huge street party that spilled into multiple streets with lots of the audience also dressed up. And the carnival costumes weren't just DIY attempts - these were hugely elaborate themed creations encrusted with trims and embellishments and even electric lights. The floats were a miracle of engineering - at first glance they are huge gaudy mobile platforms being towed along the streets by tractors, all lit up and blaring earsplitting music. But when they got to a more open space, they would park up and unfold like a child's Transformer toy in every direction, with arms coming out and towers going up, and everything moving and rotating, with the added excitement of dry ice jets and confetti cannons.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAbh_w6_Ax2NXt6pQPOzfrwEYo1-n28cReffDz6xwyj-5OPxWpu6HB52nxU1blxWILcVlyIOfOupHWFNW77EYPQzAHrCNsrPZ_sfD7qETASr5RsHbmzMQkkS1ukPrQk22qBt_kIdRcr0Chgs8WB4tsVnU2SXPC-qK5iabYyHhWNf0YbVNtVALaPYpbxI/s1440/20240209_183024%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAbh_w6_Ax2NXt6pQPOzfrwEYo1-n28cReffDz6xwyj-5OPxWpu6HB52nxU1blxWILcVlyIOfOupHWFNW77EYPQzAHrCNsrPZ_sfD7qETASr5RsHbmzMQkkS1ukPrQk22qBt_kIdRcr0Chgs8WB4tsVnU2SXPC-qK5iabYyHhWNf0YbVNtVALaPYpbxI/s320/20240209_183024%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tcxCd3lrRIj96tDmf8H9m3Iy131C82raYOtPEr2vN0r-BOSFvibfliJeK_sVlrl4edk7MzOpzPWAVp6zC8EnD7SNTscxATdJWyvqeavzvQ4Vn5zTUXSvjoGDzuAmzzGWFxIZWTY0RGkT5oZDl_NheK2FwX94MT4ZhY800Z_gaMzJgzTxF85h2jH4nhM/s1440/20240209_183246%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tcxCd3lrRIj96tDmf8H9m3Iy131C82raYOtPEr2vN0r-BOSFvibfliJeK_sVlrl4edk7MzOpzPWAVp6zC8EnD7SNTscxATdJWyvqeavzvQ4Vn5zTUXSvjoGDzuAmzzGWFxIZWTY0RGkT5oZDl_NheK2FwX94MT4ZhY800Z_gaMzJgzTxF85h2jH4nhM/s320/20240209_183246%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAs5nrMTDrYC5Zg4XoIBDjLnVID15c9xD6b4eRMPHjPNs8ZPWT7Hpf9_ocGoWn4Tk0ergagPeGHomDH_FYaBPtL4x__NdvPHuc_sO1es6VDx4VBiUCcIWeKQnht9nwmLuT7lprN9aQafT3BloWNTnx2_tD0oU8CN-cAvSQLmJuQsL6GxmEVNNm1CTmls/s1440/20240210_171731%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAs5nrMTDrYC5Zg4XoIBDjLnVID15c9xD6b4eRMPHjPNs8ZPWT7Hpf9_ocGoWn4Tk0ergagPeGHomDH_FYaBPtL4x__NdvPHuc_sO1es6VDx4VBiUCcIWeKQnht9nwmLuT7lprN9aQafT3BloWNTnx2_tD0oU8CN-cAvSQLmJuQsL6GxmEVNNm1CTmls/s320/20240210_171731%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd15rpLj4qRMtpd9VaVvsFkEBjDSGbnCutDf5s3KcfJAnjD7imTfsQUlXv1cRc46dUuoATP6WoyJWaYUqNqNLUeI352i4P9qc4LfR3j0Q-YAzSlnR9tvFRueTBCf34r6hXJ4ADKJDdykGobh4IEevNQMTInGjUT2y5mlOzr9tLKM1iw8sMCkJGsjyLAQs/s1440/20240210_172314%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd15rpLj4qRMtpd9VaVvsFkEBjDSGbnCutDf5s3KcfJAnjD7imTfsQUlXv1cRc46dUuoATP6WoyJWaYUqNqNLUeI352i4P9qc4LfR3j0Q-YAzSlnR9tvFRueTBCf34r6hXJ4ADKJDdykGobh4IEevNQMTInGjUT2y5mlOzr9tLKM1iw8sMCkJGsjyLAQs/s320/20240210_172314%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2jMTqBHM_mvogRCJ82gH6wCUpcRHUg8MKhSGqiirxloJ0I9c2HYFBnMFa1bMhaJj_tXk0ISI2GSK17YmBrSOzLIqrdBZV54GVd7INzWN4Vswu05yxAKv-69obmsuSTMqMrEIA_U1SYzzvQh2SxW4NxVE8GcbMiJOwM07xUc-chQUXdq9YVM7sLy_ESQ/s1440/20240210_170057%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2jMTqBHM_mvogRCJ82gH6wCUpcRHUg8MKhSGqiirxloJ0I9c2HYFBnMFa1bMhaJj_tXk0ISI2GSK17YmBrSOzLIqrdBZV54GVd7INzWN4Vswu05yxAKv-69obmsuSTMqMrEIA_U1SYzzvQh2SxW4NxVE8GcbMiJOwM07xUc-chQUXdq9YVM7sLy_ESQ/s320/20240210_170057%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It was also a good opportunity to test out some of the clothing I plan to take on my longer New Zealand trip, and to expose some flaws such as not having all the right charging cables with me. As usual I am obsessing over what to take with me, I went through this all last year with Japan. I think I have a bit of a anxiety issue about not having the right kit, I am definitely not a laidback traveller. If I ever wrote a travel book, it would have to be called 'The Apprehensive Traveller'. Anyway, Malta was great and we may return another year because there is still lots to see.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-19015450694087965952024-02-03T20:13:00.001+00:002024-02-03T20:13:36.541+00:00A lack of memories<p> More downsizing this week: going through various photo albums mostly of old holidays - including several hundred colour slides from trips in 1982 and 1985. Obviously it was difficult to see the slides clearly without a projector - I put them on my light table so I could make out the subject of most of them, and I have a little magnifier to look at individual slides. I pulled out the few slides and photos that depict me or a family member. But the vast majority of the photos were of scenery, architecture, antiquities etc. which I don't even remember seeing, apart from a vague 'I was there' memory. At least I have learned over the years to take more pictures with people in them, particularly myself. There were also photos of roommates, chance-met travelling companions of a few days etc, and I don't remember hardly any of them either. In the end, I threw almost everything out. It seems a bit pointless to save photos of, say, what the Acropolis looked like in 1985. If I want a picture of the Acropolis, I can look on the internet. It was a bit depressing though - not just the waste of money and time, and dragging all these photos/slides around from house to house over the years - but also the fact that I can't remember much of what I saw 40 years ago. Makes you wonder what is the point of travel, but I know it shaped me as a person and ultimately resulted in me emigrating to the UK. Anyhow, the photo cupboard is a lot emptier now.</p><p><br /></p><p>I finished the quilting on the <b>Red House quilt</b>. It mostly went fairly well - there were a few errors in rolling on which resulted in the occasional overlap, but these aren't too noticeable. This is a photo on a double bed but really it's a queen size quilt (but I couldn't be bothered to tidy my own room). I chose a modern pantograph of stylised feathers in a fairly close texture so as to quilt down all the seams from windows and doors.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOZ4JJETkQd1IUF_Z6yXaf1kZnfMrgMiiTTvrzcEquZFVRvupkwHZXQ3cngIRPtlWOaic5lpT8edY5p1y5-hFEK38E7pVhdg9N6gd9tWniSWHZGYINcY5uCpm-2gSgtW3rHUNEd4iiSg7vaobj_t0q4GecNtCYapKLetq2tk3XbmCgCM6hopd61kHm4Q/s1440/20240130_162703%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOZ4JJETkQd1IUF_Z6yXaf1kZnfMrgMiiTTvrzcEquZFVRvupkwHZXQ3cngIRPtlWOaic5lpT8edY5p1y5-hFEK38E7pVhdg9N6gd9tWniSWHZGYINcY5uCpm-2gSgtW3rHUNEd4iiSg7vaobj_t0q4GecNtCYapKLetq2tk3XbmCgCM6hopd61kHm4Q/s320/20240130_162703%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I've been working on week six of the <b>Lori Holt My Happy Place quilt</b>, which includes three pieced blocks and this appliqued block featuring an actual cross stitch design. Luckily I had a dot grid fabric to use as the embroidery background (since I haven't bought her specified fabric).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR87mtqrEk91YtcltlbJPT6YHw0tDQUyEIvjZY-d6XVf_MeOX-Vb9nrToctgpTyD_yRbkBu9TnPJMDZYjScNrh-wuAnflPqf6zH63_DdTVGU5RIuekYBi77RXenM7KaO8D54Zkdqiv7StmTyFN1b0GQA2pBULnTD_295pnD_ac9v6GtXcH0_qZh5lg6q8/s1440/20240202_105712%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR87mtqrEk91YtcltlbJPT6YHw0tDQUyEIvjZY-d6XVf_MeOX-Vb9nrToctgpTyD_yRbkBu9TnPJMDZYjScNrh-wuAnflPqf6zH63_DdTVGU5RIuekYBi77RXenM7KaO8D54Zkdqiv7StmTyFN1b0GQA2pBULnTD_295pnD_ac9v6GtXcH0_qZh5lg6q8/s320/20240202_105712%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I've been knitting a bit on the <b>Latvian mitten</b> that I started a while ago, and have done a bit on the <b>Little Houses cross stitch</b>. </p><p><br /></p><p>Just a month until my New Zealand trip now, so as part of my preparations I have kitted up some craft projects to take along: a small cross stitch design, the sumo design sashiko I bought in Japan, and an embroidered panel for a French quilted zippered pouch kit. I may not have room to take all three.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XSMKWAYvTjhZ25eoIPZAYBNT3AZi3b4WP-he0d83RaGDzcG_mWkyyd8i6usZahm5slBuZm6QinrA4UryeJYHre58Br1HBatguH9-fKR6prZdXlU4ZlS7XhsYxLcgqUuBnMdSpqZAAWmFAPj1ntSZKmxyZIurOqnM8Isp0agQTqKre7MDAenrUXr6khY/s1440/20240131_143351%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XSMKWAYvTjhZ25eoIPZAYBNT3AZi3b4WP-he0d83RaGDzcG_mWkyyd8i6usZahm5slBuZm6QinrA4UryeJYHre58Br1HBatguH9-fKR6prZdXlU4ZlS7XhsYxLcgqUuBnMdSpqZAAWmFAPj1ntSZKmxyZIurOqnM8Isp0agQTqKre7MDAenrUXr6khY/s320/20240131_143351%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>DS and his girlfriend have decided it's time to stop renting and buy their first house. After viewing only a handful, they have gone ahead and offered on one. We did tell them that there will be a lot more selection on the market in the spring, but I think they just want to get it over with and get settled. They are both busy professionals, and their tastes are quite different than ours anyway, so fair enough. Also there was some pressure from the other in-laws to get on the housing ladder sooner rather than later. So now they are furiously adulting as the buying process picks up steam. I hope it all turns out for them. Mortgage rate trends into the future are anyone's guess. And I think they will have a lot to learn about being responsible for keeping up a home, but I guess we all went through that ourselves and we survived. As someone who used to hide the dirty dishes in the oven in my twenties, up until that time I put the oven onto preheat, thereby transforming the lid of my food processor into modern art, I remember the learning curve. In my defense, I was living alone in a rented small flat.</p>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-8489646772693919582024-01-28T21:24:00.002+00:002024-01-28T21:24:16.835+00:00Another retreat<p> I was back at the three-day hotel retreat again this weekend, with DH kindly driving me over there Friday morning then picking me up today. I took my new-to-me Janome Gem machine which I bought at the last retreat, and it performed really well - I powered my way through piecing all three quilts that I had kitted up after Christmas.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9lm4siYnQ4Hzz7HmXLnFEuNlD1_0EDHlBXfl8LaKFtooLUK-MRrLeyGpcCOWbMvh4t7gYKM8XcZYiaC7K4oyCt1RRRvKswQnIq0t_En9_LVGJA0OBDxaxAhO_YSkQ5rt7IupOJ_8t-P_80OmoOGFJfIkYDxzBquP4sgUk6ZEZast1wUZ17o6z9965hk/s1440/20240128_171800%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9lm4siYnQ4Hzz7HmXLnFEuNlD1_0EDHlBXfl8LaKFtooLUK-MRrLeyGpcCOWbMvh4t7gYKM8XcZYiaC7K4oyCt1RRRvKswQnIq0t_En9_LVGJA0OBDxaxAhO_YSkQ5rt7IupOJ_8t-P_80OmoOGFJfIkYDxzBquP4sgUk6ZEZast1wUZ17o6z9965hk/s320/20240128_171800%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nine Chequered Dresden Plates from the Missouri Star tutorial on Youtube. This is from one of a pair of bargain Moda jelly rolls. You are supposed to be able to make nine plates from one roll, but I ended up one wedge short somehow, so I'm going to have to break into the second roll. Not loving the colours but they are ok and it's good to use the roll up.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMgqJeTGvlricGAG_eUzXSN2OcQb8788Ea2O_NSodsBPyFU2L-1ogWQeWBfUVQQc691kj5Lmcwk1T2OjClbPNz2knYu67Vnrkt6A_cWjCHFjev1If7CAhNQV5e07-yToB7akVQlAUeMXpXmIzHucFtQjYNM5X70tPMlqG6H-0s139hSozStAP6PiKA4U/s1440/20240128_172114%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMgqJeTGvlricGAG_eUzXSN2OcQb8788Ea2O_NSodsBPyFU2L-1ogWQeWBfUVQQc691kj5Lmcwk1T2OjClbPNz2knYu67Vnrkt6A_cWjCHFjev1If7CAhNQV5e07-yToB7akVQlAUeMXpXmIzHucFtQjYNM5X70tPMlqG6H-0s139hSozStAP6PiKA4U/s320/20240128_172114%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I pieced all the blocks for a stashbusting 'envelope' quilt (just a few shown here) that was in an American magazine I bought while I was in Paducah. I bought the blue fabric in Paducah, and then had fun pulling a variety of envelope fabrics from my stash.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLz6jJRozygzVikuRJw3b7IppBx2Ai35PzxAhNdKFDG4xC-bf6kAOytGQoSWk_pCg4Gb2zRFwS_0rMKxxLrL-IXzk6F0j-rhuFG8ZNiDj8RDrFknYW7GxopXR-EeNBXAhU36ffRuGtMIs67Eun1EQYj0pyEbMXbh87HBt8VE5LairLXnkVgEKC2X8DZ4Y/s1440/20240128_172224%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLz6jJRozygzVikuRJw3b7IppBx2Ai35PzxAhNdKFDG4xC-bf6kAOytGQoSWk_pCg4Gb2zRFwS_0rMKxxLrL-IXzk6F0j-rhuFG8ZNiDj8RDrFknYW7GxopXR-EeNBXAhU36ffRuGtMIs67Eun1EQYj0pyEbMXbh87HBt8VE5LairLXnkVgEKC2X8DZ4Y/s320/20240128_172224%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I assembled the Tilda pinwheels quilt - tablecloth size. Love these soft colours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I finished the quilt kits by Saturday teatime, so Saturday evening I started in on a hexagon box kit that I was given on the box course at the previous retreat in October. For the lid, I used the goldwork embroidery that I did on the taster course through the Royal School of Needlework last winter. I had actually given the embroidery kit away to a friend who does goldwork, once it got to the stage of a kazillion french knots, because I wasn't very interested in it. However, she worked on it over Christmas and enjoyed stitching all the french knots for me, and then presented it back to me because she has no use for it either. It's like a boomerang. I didn't know what I was going to do with it, until I was panic-project-packing before the retreat and found the hexagon box kit. The end result looks okay I think. I used some cherry blossom fabric for the outside and some Japanese fabric on the inside. Maybe I can give it back to my friend :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOe_aBL_cG-aGUWB4C8W4X3ERtXBMK__m5lm6fWm7JmL1XxxVsVhpIfHVpogkgMUa4mBlbkglZJbdn1eOz5A6QqrNDFMYaszC_YVvioxJ2q21q_matJxlWwH9tYP5s8tu2Ynd8Y47furx7LV_Dedj8tS5mfumu1sUtSM7lzT259DYv4dabS7FuA_YOVo/s1440/20240128_171541%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOe_aBL_cG-aGUWB4C8W4X3ERtXBMK__m5lm6fWm7JmL1XxxVsVhpIfHVpogkgMUa4mBlbkglZJbdn1eOz5A6QqrNDFMYaszC_YVvioxJ2q21q_matJxlWwH9tYP5s8tu2Ynd8Y47furx7LV_Dedj8tS5mfumu1sUtSM7lzT259DYv4dabS7FuA_YOVo/s320/20240128_171541%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-y4CcQNJI6eVnoflNWfz1ER2Mdd_yTHjJ40yRrHKL6ag-M2_MP-jxVXHgjcwFBL9wE9SrVhia2uOm5N9oyfRZXK0hF-ZtMEvgchPP8BwFvPxNmBVDI-3V5ezMQ0GkkRR0Upuykt8Gq82EhZqwUu9iU8xWbvnG4l8IDgc3LjEpIfgtd0XaYcMBFS9obY/s1440/20240128_171548%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-y4CcQNJI6eVnoflNWfz1ER2Mdd_yTHjJ40yRrHKL6ag-M2_MP-jxVXHgjcwFBL9wE9SrVhia2uOm5N9oyfRZXK0hF-ZtMEvgchPP8BwFvPxNmBVDI-3V5ezMQ0GkkRR0Upuykt8Gq82EhZqwUu9iU8xWbvnG4l8IDgc3LjEpIfgtd0XaYcMBFS9obY/s320/20240128_171548%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GDqgFaQ_GkANVP6K8IoOt-Ks36uxkP5JaHioOmXfUW_lWn_reI4Jq9noI7eO3vlioUSwA1KezaRQMTYCiamGiNeR4V-WztzKUBVR9D1DwtnzOoA21B_HI0A0GAQDL6wlPbBoHmEvnqHCJrs0JRrwLLUrtAcSIuAcyXNvjlAE8HQnKgyMuBfniiByhj0/s1440/20240128_171556%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GDqgFaQ_GkANVP6K8IoOt-Ks36uxkP5JaHioOmXfUW_lWn_reI4Jq9noI7eO3vlioUSwA1KezaRQMTYCiamGiNeR4V-WztzKUBVR9D1DwtnzOoA21B_HI0A0GAQDL6wlPbBoHmEvnqHCJrs0JRrwLLUrtAcSIuAcyXNvjlAE8HQnKgyMuBfniiByhj0/s320/20240128_171556%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>I finished the box Sunday morning so then cut out some pieces for a felt sewing caddy kit before packing up my stuff. My portable ironing table that I made a few months ago worked well, it's slightly wobbly but provides valuable additional real estate, freeing up room on my table.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhyphenhyphen8PPO6Mpi58agV99O2ACQQwpS1YmABeywT40ZtqsH6TmN6fHG1K1z4w_D6iTpOGjtXDOEVIKBeW3cpja-KyECbxUc9X546CeRXTL1UEVQucqdhVtNXh69EAZuxAy0jx6hgMpWAxycEYvaAsfGDm5nZdX2vwrn8_Qf4wiJasqWxAxPgw-9zYARJWyUA/s1440/20240126_103303%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhyphenhyphen8PPO6Mpi58agV99O2ACQQwpS1YmABeywT40ZtqsH6TmN6fHG1K1z4w_D6iTpOGjtXDOEVIKBeW3cpja-KyECbxUc9X546CeRXTL1UEVQucqdhVtNXh69EAZuxAy0jx6hgMpWAxycEYvaAsfGDm5nZdX2vwrn8_Qf4wiJasqWxAxPgw-9zYARJWyUA/s320/20240126_103303%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>And there was some shopping - there was a popup fabric shop on Friday with an eclectic selection. I picked up some global map home dec fabric, a Liberty-lookalike cotton, some useful green and a few fat quarters that were only 50p each.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwxR6pP5ysgL3RG66apzggcv53ejmvLeLNIz5jX9iG1e3u9oEpeE4Wyok-HcDYnZ7iaGQWe4LCe0fKfhT8UrwR-6SYT_3vB_QPZjAWtasg_qZfjxCp-CHFR0WM6GAcMKBx_4kbFd3W4cRhoskOl-97iHT6vs84Su52hLs7ad5sAiV9r_Y8Cn1yprnClQ/s1440/20240128_172356%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwxR6pP5ysgL3RG66apzggcv53ejmvLeLNIz5jX9iG1e3u9oEpeE4Wyok-HcDYnZ7iaGQWe4LCe0fKfhT8UrwR-6SYT_3vB_QPZjAWtasg_qZfjxCp-CHFR0WM6GAcMKBx_4kbFd3W4cRhoskOl-97iHT6vs84Su52hLs7ad5sAiV9r_Y8Cn1yprnClQ/s320/20240128_172356%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Before I went off to the retreat, I was working on week five of the <b>Lori Holt My Happy Place quilt</b> - the scissors block and the fat quarters block, both hand appliqued.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspXwGKzaykev1Ad-84nGK3bhfs_5PJpUufskY9eIVWPveG6AEGRUH92CBH8my6BWf7uvmOszkPE-RzRJRyP3UTNvor12ZmGJ2e3OyFGTDAg7SAoeG62Hzam97vi7hRtbGPnBwdohpZT59Xp9YcAmvUHqZ3E_Pz0HJpnZzQR8lLPJCi28NBaSV530GYRU/s1440/20240128_172710%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspXwGKzaykev1Ad-84nGK3bhfs_5PJpUufskY9eIVWPveG6AEGRUH92CBH8my6BWf7uvmOszkPE-RzRJRyP3UTNvor12ZmGJ2e3OyFGTDAg7SAoeG62Hzam97vi7hRtbGPnBwdohpZT59Xp9YcAmvUHqZ3E_Pz0HJpnZzQR8lLPJCi28NBaSV530GYRU/s320/20240128_172710%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />And I got the binding onto the <b>Sewing Panel quilt. </b>This photo is at a weird angle - the bottom is completely level and not dipping the way it looks in the photo. I quilted the wallhanging with a heart panto on the frame.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9svaFP-1n0Rajya56tUs5ZV-ebBRuRRz2FI3uDSYmVHnLrC8Ia98MjsEsP8tj4Ne21JtmL6ikZFnQGfaDSJYE_PCGvkpjKwfAZhBFcsoSwUZJGvl3KcvX1G8gJ5jNhyLjL4-ITTUgX6feA5_4GDr9mx1SoKlpthyxj_lupV7WIEyY-rFF_oxoI_cE6A/s1440/20240124_114148%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9svaFP-1n0Rajya56tUs5ZV-ebBRuRRz2FI3uDSYmVHnLrC8Ia98MjsEsP8tj4Ne21JtmL6ikZFnQGfaDSJYE_PCGvkpjKwfAZhBFcsoSwUZJGvl3KcvX1G8gJ5jNhyLjL4-ITTUgX6feA5_4GDr9mx1SoKlpthyxj_lupV7WIEyY-rFF_oxoI_cE6A/s320/20240124_114148%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuwEGP1TjulBM5bwX8M5AyZtTCLzCKb5M-VML_wYswkHPSnYhwFMUJAQ9xJMZ6NrLBX31xOtdEnTzZQ6GzenQBHHubrje9_mUfUYCyZ-4fts_XtYV-zT2H2ApNDBZlzI2NWlND8HQNl3YHl80Hh7Xbf5PGYfPOtFhwZFoerLDXRWLwY3x4cGPkegaUG0/s1440/20240122_163358%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuwEGP1TjulBM5bwX8M5AyZtTCLzCKb5M-VML_wYswkHPSnYhwFMUJAQ9xJMZ6NrLBX31xOtdEnTzZQ6GzenQBHHubrje9_mUfUYCyZ-4fts_XtYV-zT2H2ApNDBZlzI2NWlND8HQNl3YHl80Hh7Xbf5PGYfPOtFhwZFoerLDXRWLwY3x4cGPkegaUG0/s320/20240122_163358%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The <b>Red Houses quilt</b> is almost finished quilting, I think two or maybe three passes and I'll be done. Once it's off the frame, I might have another go at trying to level the frame better</div><div><br /></div><div>Off to bed early, I'm exhausted by all the retreat creativity!<br /><p><br /></p></div>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-83663322627027885872024-01-20T20:37:00.001+00:002024-01-20T20:37:04.806+00:00New things become old things<p> I am trying something new this weekend, joining a ticketed online two-day retreat hosted by the Quilter's Guild of the UK. I think it's the first one they've done. Tickets were £40 which seemed like a lot, especially when no programme details had yet been released when tickets went on sale. But I took a punt and it has actually been a good first day. Unlike other retreats I've taken part in, this one was back- to-back speakers all day with only short coffee breaks, and an hour for lunch and supper. So no sewing time as such, and no making workshops today - it looks like there is a short make tomorrow. Most of the talks were interesting and the organisers managed to keep people's inevitable Zoom issues to a relative minimum, and there has been good timekeeping. It just felt a bit relentless not having many breaks.</p><p><br /></p><p>The first talk was about modern quilts that reimagine traditional themes. As part of that talk, the speaker recounted some of the history of the modern quilt movement. I have to confess that minimalist modern quilts are rather the antithesis of the scrappy, busy traditional quilts that I like. I realised today that somewhere in the back of my mind, I still considered the modern quilting movement as a new-fangled fad for people new to quilting who needed easy big patterns that they didn't need to buy many fabrics to make- spawning the regrettable byproduct of the current trend for incredibly dense quilting to fill up all the big empty spaces. As the speaker made clear, the movement has actually been around for about 25 years now - which just makes me feel old. How did the year 2000 get to be 25 years ago? Obviously: math - but in my brain it just doesn't seem 25 years have passed.</p><p><br /></p><p>Stuart Hillard (a well known UK quilter) gave a very comprehensive talk on making scrappy quilts and using your scraps - nothing particularly original but a good summary of all the learning from people like Bonnie Hunter and others. I felt very much on the same page when he described his views on quilts that repeat the same identical block multiple times: often of low interest - and if everything about a quilt is contained within one of its blocks, then why would you make more than one block? I would far rather make a quilt where every block is different, I have really struggled in the past with quilts that are just X number of identical blocks and tend to avoid them now.</p><p><br /></p><p>One of the speakers today, can't remember which one, touched on the mental health aspects of making quilts. I think it's easy for women, including me, to feel like we're spending too much time and/or money on our hobbies instead of doing something 'worthwhile' or something that's expected of us like housework. One participant told us for comparison that her husband spends a lot of time on his hobby of playing and watching cricket, which no-one ever questions. But as quilters, we get asked so many questions like 'haven't you got enough quilts yet?', 'what do you do with them all?', 'how much fabric????', or my pet peeve ' oh, you should sell those / those are good enough to sell!!' as if it's only worthwhile having a hobby if you can monetise it. And there is a culture of guilt around 'neglecting' the family/household duties by spending time in the sewing room, or women recounting stories of sneaking fabric and craft supplies into the house like they were illicit drugs. I have made things all my life and have dabbled in multiple hobbies. Making things has always helped me cope with stress and improved my mental health in so many ways, and it's important for me to remember that. It's not all about the end product.</p><p><br /></p><p>Anyway, I was busy in the sewing room through all the talks. I sewed the binding onto the <b>Autumnal placemats</b> and finished them by machine. Let's hope I remember their existence when next autumn rolls around.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NGTHBZAsdMwkJ7fghd0-5pNiGe9462BmyEZ6DXeANkbl_Uan8sWiTkd6aLBfj3Yvi9S15dJjXQSk1JfUHgep_SHybaEePjxL-JlC4WiVYsVxB50fMhnEBdcZBRxxAHZ0Celjy1zOiyRyUhUsJfGbpREeuqOrS97khvj-ULsudLCSV8us4LXqaHNv6W4/s1440/20240120_121031%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NGTHBZAsdMwkJ7fghd0-5pNiGe9462BmyEZ6DXeANkbl_Uan8sWiTkd6aLBfj3Yvi9S15dJjXQSk1JfUHgep_SHybaEePjxL-JlC4WiVYsVxB50fMhnEBdcZBRxxAHZ0Celjy1zOiyRyUhUsJfGbpREeuqOrS97khvj-ULsudLCSV8us4LXqaHNv6W4/s320/20240120_121031%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I sewed the binding onto the <b>Sewing panel wallhanging</b> and prepped it for hand finishing. I shortened the sleeves on two tops that I will take to New Zealand. I sewed an additional pocket into my travelling knapsack to corral my wallet and phone inside the big front pocket. And I prepped some new templates for the <b>My Happy Place Quilt</b> week four.<div><br /></div><div>This week, on the <b>My Happy Place Quilt</b>, I finished the hand applique for Weeks One and Two. However, when I went to trim down the blocks to the final measurements, I realised that my eyeballing of the template shapes had been too generous and my applique shapes are all too big. I should have done a sense check against the final block size but I didn't, I was too eager to get to the 'good part' of the hand applique. I may have to re-do some blocks but I'll leave them for now. I've made a note in my diary for when I go to Festival of Quilts this summer, to purposefully fabric shop to try to fill out some of the colour gaps in my stash. There are usually some show discounts and also bulk sellers like Doughty's with lower prices.</div><div><br /></div><div>I moved on to Week Three which is the sewing machine block that forms the centrepiece of the quilt. There were a lot of pieces to cut out and, once assembled, it's enormous! I'm holding a pair of scissors in the second picture for scale. I re-did the templates for the Week 3 pincushion so it's more the size it's meant to be. I was interested to see Lori Holt using wooden clappers in her videos to weight down pressed seams until they cooled, resulting in very flat seams. I've ordered a generic clapper to try it for myself. I'm experimenting with using Glide 60 polyester filament thread for my piecing, as recommended by other quilters at the hotel retreat I sometimes go to. It's thinner than my usual cotton threads which results in less bulky seams, but I don't know if I feel comfortable with it. One of the speakers today was a Wonderfil representative, talking us through issues with troublesome threads, and she said she doesn't like using Bottom Line because it is too strong. Because it's a monofilament, it's stronger than the fabric and other threads and she thinks it can cut through with time. This immediately made me think of DS's quilt that I had to repair last year because all the quilting was falling out. I have always quilted my frame quilts with King Tut on top and Bottom Line on the bottom, and I think the Bottom Line basically severed the King Tut cotton due to excessive wear and use. It makes me scared for all the other quilts I've done using the same combination, but then most of mine only get used or displayed for a few weeks a year and rarely need washing. The speaker likes Wonderfil Decobob which she said is not a monofilament, it's spun from chopped up staples instead, so more like a cotton thread. I'm a bit worried the Glide 60 will be too strong like Bottom Line.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8-M6t9shDwsn72fVadrkbBySUL6vHsd43b-mNaYfcdLZJqqS_wMY-O6ZljpbcR8Alv7FouOkh-Y7LFnxaTsmvwHc5OMqyDp0GxpyhLVyV4AuELNNskEV7fuFmz3MUZo3zgYVWM25IZRU-kezwwWZ9qB-HeboOS3QQK4AI-mGIjutZYjqa90kIkx0IzI/s1440/20240120_085007%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8-M6t9shDwsn72fVadrkbBySUL6vHsd43b-mNaYfcdLZJqqS_wMY-O6ZljpbcR8Alv7FouOkh-Y7LFnxaTsmvwHc5OMqyDp0GxpyhLVyV4AuELNNskEV7fuFmz3MUZo3zgYVWM25IZRU-kezwwWZ9qB-HeboOS3QQK4AI-mGIjutZYjqa90kIkx0IzI/s320/20240120_085007%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJTaxTCdJrPN96sdNYWo9f2jZ7SXz1xDVPh33qG17ju3jVz2h7yDSn092gZfQXGvvPWjUB9e_RNdgypqvQWwKydr8gLxun3mv5WdbdKtG3jzx6dcwDFqQwvNQshxLIdzJlBdDEO7Ml6oI1Rikm9brZnNV-uveGavZhSCp1HK_lIG98CGMtES7Mywb3Hs/s1440/20240120_085101%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJTaxTCdJrPN96sdNYWo9f2jZ7SXz1xDVPh33qG17ju3jVz2h7yDSn092gZfQXGvvPWjUB9e_RNdgypqvQWwKydr8gLxun3mv5WdbdKtG3jzx6dcwDFqQwvNQshxLIdzJlBdDEO7Ml6oI1Rikm9brZnNV-uveGavZhSCp1HK_lIG98CGMtES7Mywb3Hs/s320/20240120_085101%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I've got the <b>Red Houses quilt</b> on the long-arm frame and have done several rows of the panto. Every row feels like eternity but I've timed myself and it's only about 20 minutes if everything goes well. It's going to be a long slog to stitch out the fairly dense panto on this queen size quilt. I'm having a few issues with the machine that I've been liaising with the dealer about. It appears my timing needs resetting and my handlebars possibly need replacing as a couple of buttons are erratic in function. DH is going to drive me to the dealer to deliver the machine and enable me to take a workshop there, and also do some shopping for threads and rulers. I also need to do more work on levelling my frame. The installer did his best on our wonky Victorian floorboards but there are some definite humps still which throw out my steering - I think I need to install some shims under a few wheels.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've done no dollshousing this week as it's been too cold, but I did spray the little tables for the Japanese house black last weekend, and gave them a coat of gloss varnish. I've made a typical stack on a cupboard in the kitchen, another stack in the hearth room, and held back a couple to put food onto later.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeAZ4k93t2lqabDgIObJxosL01w1ZPwRogRpmwGahag5kPKLVP-MdnlggR6HBpwrfnA7hkaHf9RkVRWRvNv6Vqm7wLQ_nB-OMO1ldM0sFs6XWB6SknscZ0zuOH0Phd56OcuFVZyryMzmG5R5fMQu_geDvtE7SHaJ0HSOEdFGqz0duocv94ZW5DWDjDOg/s1440/20240120_184816%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeAZ4k93t2lqabDgIObJxosL01w1ZPwRogRpmwGahag5kPKLVP-MdnlggR6HBpwrfnA7hkaHf9RkVRWRvNv6Vqm7wLQ_nB-OMO1ldM0sFs6XWB6SknscZ0zuOH0Phd56OcuFVZyryMzmG5R5fMQu_geDvtE7SHaJ0HSOEdFGqz0duocv94ZW5DWDjDOg/s320/20240120_184816%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIY8J6bybtuG495D6NLBBNejYqeFDqA3IaROsmJLewjwABIrupMnaYtcXxmcllQ86iAIMhEN_jq2ZN3Q_q69b9oWILl6QELlPEOE6z_ixm29xI8rFRdyjqFu9FPV4NDt9uT97G0dPCaKPIxKgjiACmTzwEbJ9m0KbhINV3OxZkm8YX4RgdbuTxc1tcLA/s1440/20240120_184912%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIY8J6bybtuG495D6NLBBNejYqeFDqA3IaROsmJLewjwABIrupMnaYtcXxmcllQ86iAIMhEN_jq2ZN3Q_q69b9oWILl6QELlPEOE6z_ixm29xI8rFRdyjqFu9FPV4NDt9uT97G0dPCaKPIxKgjiACmTzwEbJ9m0KbhINV3OxZkm8YX4RgdbuTxc1tcLA/s320/20240120_184912%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I've managed to finish the RST block of my longterm <b>Little Houses alphabet cross stitch sampler</b>. Two more blocks to go. The whole project on its frame had a protracted time-out of almost two years in the corner of the living room because my evenings were spent embroidering the blocks for the Australian Vintage Needlework BOM - now awaiting quilting. It would be nice to get the sampler finished and out of the living room - although I certainly have other larger cross-stitch kits waiting for their turn on the frame.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNHlM4_1DV7jedl-STYBJZpRMpLrsxd2PJ264wM38MuIHwPnzIGr9hRHABRBmfPl6LsFigW-_epivVapQsmouZu9H_fhWxOB33dGuSA6w0yaoa85fjbnhFfGd_CzNgRnaCWfLVrRyOTDwrG1jBSqm00aPjiWjYA3VxPLcsvwzWI5_OaQbq2UURYFQpJg/s1500/20240120_183916small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNHlM4_1DV7jedl-STYBJZpRMpLrsxd2PJ264wM38MuIHwPnzIGr9hRHABRBmfPl6LsFigW-_epivVapQsmouZu9H_fhWxOB33dGuSA6w0yaoa85fjbnhFfGd_CzNgRnaCWfLVrRyOTDwrG1jBSqm00aPjiWjYA3VxPLcsvwzWI5_OaQbq2UURYFQpJg/s320/20240120_183916small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Hope you are staying warm and had a crafty week!<br /><p><br /></p></div>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-42986658601878222902024-01-13T20:20:00.001+00:002024-01-13T20:20:19.298+00:00It's cold<p> It's been dropping to freezing temperatures at night again, and our old house has felt pretty chilly a lot of the time. I am living almost permanently in shapeless layers of fleeces, scarves and even occasionally a hat. We do have central heating but it is controlled from a single location on the main floor. When the thermostat thinks it is 18 degrees on the main floor, it may only be 15 or 16 in the attic. To get the dollhouse room to a reasonable temperature in the basement, would require the main floor to heat up to about 20 degrees C. It's easier and cheaper to wear more clothes.</p><p><br /></p><p>I've been spending a lot more time in the attic than usual, working on the long arm quilting machine. I washed the <b>Ode to the 1930s quilt, </b>trimmed it, and sewed the binding on, so it is done now.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsCDU55_0kY-EcgBBbLIXcjP_T61zwHU0CJZ8nO-1ZGEUbGM24lb0uFwB4gQK1vABai2St5O4bS_HT6zIzpdYjiVrMIujES_FeHMPIbu6pS-WwOICDv5-lmQplCP-4k9qarNgAHHhD0wo0xEFbZyKx2HWnafbpyvyrUNyDzqJrrtPMMtMGESJH-ge6Fs/s1440/20240112_111047%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsCDU55_0kY-EcgBBbLIXcjP_T61zwHU0CJZ8nO-1ZGEUbGM24lb0uFwB4gQK1vABai2St5O4bS_HT6zIzpdYjiVrMIujES_FeHMPIbu6pS-WwOICDv5-lmQplCP-4k9qarNgAHHhD0wo0xEFbZyKx2HWnafbpyvyrUNyDzqJrrtPMMtMGESJH-ge6Fs/s320/20240112_111047%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After practicing with pantographs last weekend, I loaded up the <b>pumpkin placemats</b> I bought in Italy at the unexpected quilt shop on the Cinque Terre. I quilted them with a leaf motif panto which turned out fine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUehPe6-QBi17Exg9I9H1lsLX3-_ZTxOukV4xfEDq4gJTPhG3NLSHHes_DnEvW_jjMoNnX5Mg7-0ztu8kUfU9l81vqJdQmozDyewJPDl7TaFVqhu2R2gczV-wLzyurpw8i6oKTdtULIOyPz7aRPDWf1-nT1Y1AhfpCJ-WPLXGHKwOtgdGklDs_dGFuD9A/s1440/20240111_083629%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUehPe6-QBi17Exg9I9H1lsLX3-_ZTxOukV4xfEDq4gJTPhG3NLSHHes_DnEvW_jjMoNnX5Mg7-0ztu8kUfU9l81vqJdQmozDyewJPDl7TaFVqhu2R2gczV-wLzyurpw8i6oKTdtULIOyPz7aRPDWf1-nT1Y1AhfpCJ-WPLXGHKwOtgdGklDs_dGFuD9A/s320/20240111_083629%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPti5j3dN70Iatz1rp-YvpFaT98SvpoBYlN4OSjHIEC8pSipGpYZZCSo_3L5jUFi9yWfstZ5RY-Ihl6H59iBLXQhUX4Hgmk0XLXRcmBi6bo7vCtmqTgc5NpwDmy1SI6owI_k-LytZ0d3Ks4aoOOOivuI3cLcu-qzTt8rT-5-whdMA-INj3KrIIsR33rY/s1440/20240111_083641%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPti5j3dN70Iatz1rp-YvpFaT98SvpoBYlN4OSjHIEC8pSipGpYZZCSo_3L5jUFi9yWfstZ5RY-Ihl6H59iBLXQhUX4Hgmk0XLXRcmBi6bo7vCtmqTgc5NpwDmy1SI6owI_k-LytZ0d3Ks4aoOOOivuI3cLcu-qzTt8rT-5-whdMA-INj3KrIIsR33rY/s320/20240111_083641%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I loaded up the <b>Sewing panel wallhanging</b> I finished a little while ago. I stitched this one in a hearts motif (for my love of sewing).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu474r1o4mHJywJracFJpC4DVxZlOi5EkbY5FBn1pgv5AuvMUafJbZhsQwdkpYE-W5Fyu9B4xfUGSsZeJj5GOR4K-H1aaGT1ISB8wsQg3A2dgII3_LimGEeKnDFUkkTz6XXPEr2SI2N3fQrYfzhbB0EF-_zDoqHnITDhj0GJCYiGrej-kRjQxuQbq22aI/s1440/20240112_154210%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu474r1o4mHJywJracFJpC4DVxZlOi5EkbY5FBn1pgv5AuvMUafJbZhsQwdkpYE-W5Fyu9B4xfUGSsZeJj5GOR4K-H1aaGT1ISB8wsQg3A2dgII3_LimGEeKnDFUkkTz6XXPEr2SI2N3fQrYfzhbB0EF-_zDoqHnITDhj0GJCYiGrej-kRjQxuQbq22aI/s320/20240112_154210%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMZz4PrpHOp2y55cZO_nzzX8S9q7ovhk-002XpgoxFLY-OeDph1VZmrloovjMIVHZ2ulJFUh4SC9Gfv-bKYmeEZ0RFnT68vx_E6j_5MCeJ2PuvJfi-13WMW1htNcpiN-HAhiCgFIqFqvU_28zu1iWNGOIgemGw19rXcWmgmAMv94UzVQoWi2Xlu4XTak/s1440/20240112_154221%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMZz4PrpHOp2y55cZO_nzzX8S9q7ovhk-002XpgoxFLY-OeDph1VZmrloovjMIVHZ2ulJFUh4SC9Gfv-bKYmeEZ0RFnT68vx_E6j_5MCeJ2PuvJfi-13WMW1htNcpiN-HAhiCgFIqFqvU_28zu1iWNGOIgemGw19rXcWmgmAMv94UzVQoWi2Xlu4XTak/s320/20240112_154221%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next one onto the frame will be the <b>Red Houses quilt</b>. I dithered for a while about whether to quilt it with an edge-2-edge pantograph, or try to get fancy with ruler work on each house. But it is a really big quilt (queen size) and ruler work is really slow. So I think it's going to be a panto. I ordered some pink thread for the quilting which turned up today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The little suitcase from the <b>Japanese panel</b> is finished now, I like it, it's cute. I don't know what I'm going to put in it. I have a growing collection of cute bags and sewing organisers - I had to buy a new plastic crate to store them. In my imagination, I will one day be like the designers in social media, surrounded by cute sewing things and with all my sewing tools in cute containers. The reality is a lot more cluttered, and if I can't see things then I forget I own them. But I still like making cute containers and organisers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg521GXpXCflOk7C2tIh_ftcmgOvKwEmtLhLEG1Vo9sr3TVXY1HgavSIACXnO2B22WXALL8FimDVJgfQ0VgCiJDEnagHvwSe0fnhj8jyS_BoRvQ42Qbm7ZRjRHEuvXTUbI1IoHtZ2TJeY__71ncDII1HUZ5H0cVkb2gsG2LpnpC5g4Ihs4eKzQUCqYxWv0/s1440/20240108_102557%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg521GXpXCflOk7C2tIh_ftcmgOvKwEmtLhLEG1Vo9sr3TVXY1HgavSIACXnO2B22WXALL8FimDVJgfQ0VgCiJDEnagHvwSe0fnhj8jyS_BoRvQ42Qbm7ZRjRHEuvXTUbI1IoHtZ2TJeY__71ncDII1HUZ5H0cVkb2gsG2LpnpC5g4Ihs4eKzQUCqYxWv0/s320/20240108_102557%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6cEtYixeliQxmLlCRTWXyR7ycfIe-sRxcZNA7c29o6e4BMmyGaQEHYa7TIG9qde4vmQj5CtiNfFC80hA07NeHa33j8_BpVotQGOG77nSHSoRWki5XwtxiLtvPwJfIV_6YkiuagK0xoedbSV0t2Arn11VQEkfSQmllr0s1ND_rBBK6tuvf6GlW-LL14E/s1440/20240108_102614%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6cEtYixeliQxmLlCRTWXyR7ycfIe-sRxcZNA7c29o6e4BMmyGaQEHYa7TIG9qde4vmQj5CtiNfFC80hA07NeHa33j8_BpVotQGOG77nSHSoRWki5XwtxiLtvPwJfIV_6YkiuagK0xoedbSV0t2Arn11VQEkfSQmllr0s1ND_rBBK6tuvf6GlW-LL14E/s320/20240108_102614%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I haven't done a lot in the dollhouse room, due to the aforementioned chilly temperatures. I did make a round low table for the <b>Japanese house kitchen</b>, kitbashed from a regular table kit I had in my stash, for the staff to work at.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD7vcD5r58E0-Wi6wFBnNISyl2D4mJj877zRnVLip6nF4XFtgvn-tGaMILPyJ7EGXSQVQwq_Y8cFSSDnzg2g0TmW6SIMPJruKDgw6MH1vo_cg3BXKpYeGF0__mwEXfwEhfxeRKKjg4vLlmO9twW97it2xZI_KIpPmxRkyHHB5ikCkfKUnuQ29Ha3SG7k/s1440/20240113_185832%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD7vcD5r58E0-Wi6wFBnNISyl2D4mJj877zRnVLip6nF4XFtgvn-tGaMILPyJ7EGXSQVQwq_Y8cFSSDnzg2g0TmW6SIMPJruKDgw6MH1vo_cg3BXKpYeGF0__mwEXfwEhfxeRKKjg4vLlmO9twW97it2xZI_KIpPmxRkyHHB5ikCkfKUnuQ29Ha3SG7k/s320/20240113_185832%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The magazines that came with each partwork issue for the Japanese house kit occasionally had tutorials in them. There was one for a low individual tray-table which is what meals used to be served on historically. Lots of the traditional houses I visited in Japan had stacks of these little tables piled in the corner of a room. However the tutorial requires one to accurately cut out stupidly small bits of card so I didn't try making it at the time. Now I have a Brother Scan'N-Cut which in theory should cut it for me. That required scanning in the pattern for the table leg, designing the other components according to the instructions, generating a cutting .svg file, and then a protracted multi-hour argument with the machine (including a big cleaning session and a new blade) before I succeeded. It eventually cut out the components for 12 tray tables from kraft card.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEvzDuRUS5ta7GkBhNOEhHRfcc9arr16ljOJIpi_4ungiMYS7p_ictOKEWj0_jIAEjmOFMboS6FdyEy1NxsGYU4PWq0OMB_3OwGH7aCELiP4h3nWdkXYMP3guNTTH8_SyBaLtTwrrnizlqg5S0Wh5EU86H25O3o6MHQ42qm062gihTJTYbSRp-VdY-EU/s1440/20240111_102804%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEvzDuRUS5ta7GkBhNOEhHRfcc9arr16ljOJIpi_4ungiMYS7p_ictOKEWj0_jIAEjmOFMboS6FdyEy1NxsGYU4PWq0OMB_3OwGH7aCELiP4h3nWdkXYMP3guNTTH8_SyBaLtTwrrnizlqg5S0Wh5EU86H25O3o6MHQ42qm062gihTJTYbSRp-VdY-EU/s320/20240111_102804%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They are very fiddly to assemble but look pretty good. I'm going to try spray painting them black which may just result in them being blown to kingdom come - DH has suggested sticking them down onto double-sided tape.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQZGfBpDjksS34pHSqM2nmNyLcvDciAwTt0rdJ1lOVO_s2qXxNvPjteDaIEvYCtBgSE2Ho1tEmjYaI7dYslTEIX9n0MpTe9CiiUWgSWIqzwxfIFcXTkR54DXJQj6KRRjQSDODgIO5jyBDPJ8gq6-Rk4j2QYTAhnKi4DwdDmoK86R_LN_0tYjlMVVkxHo/s1440/20240113_185802%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQZGfBpDjksS34pHSqM2nmNyLcvDciAwTt0rdJ1lOVO_s2qXxNvPjteDaIEvYCtBgSE2Ho1tEmjYaI7dYslTEIX9n0MpTe9CiiUWgSWIqzwxfIFcXTkR54DXJQj6KRRjQSDODgIO5jyBDPJ8gq6-Rk4j2QYTAhnKi4DwdDmoK86R_LN_0tYjlMVVkxHo/s320/20240113_185802%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I spent 3 or 4 hours this week pulling fabric from stash for the next quilt in my queue: Lori Holt's 'My Happy Place'. I really like her design style - I made her 'Let's Bake' quilt a few years ago which is still one of my favourites.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzFLDIbYqMl2JbefU6_I-fnFMRwGvV8yW6jCxYYPDkHGtlqk5Ky3f7DDdZW_fE9tm8wL5Zt2KVqCW57PI3Esq9J-XBvOP9R8RbHc1ZGgOLdeB_Q1YbwwulM90y8IIrS-K9_qio4eM5SV_Tu98NaJbrmQoOtd644pZDO3OHbP364JALEB1xAkisTyALH4/s1440/20240109_122014%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzFLDIbYqMl2JbefU6_I-fnFMRwGvV8yW6jCxYYPDkHGtlqk5Ky3f7DDdZW_fE9tm8wL5Zt2KVqCW57PI3Esq9J-XBvOP9R8RbHc1ZGgOLdeB_Q1YbwwulM90y8IIrS-K9_qio4eM5SV_Tu98NaJbrmQoOtd644pZDO3OHbP364JALEB1xAkisTyALH4/s320/20240109_122014%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The designer generously posts very detailed instructions online which are based on someone spending hundreds of pounds on her fabrics, templates and tools. Obviously I don't want to do that - the plastic template pack alone is £36 and the fabric is £16 a metre I think, here in the UK. So I tried to pull from my stash instead, with reference to the values and patterns of her fabrics and what job they are doing in the quilt. This proved very difficult - I have a relatively big stash but most of it is old, some of it very old. I just don't have a lot of the modern clear bright colours that are currently popular. By the time I had pulled out various caches of fabric in my struggle to find adequate substitutes, my sewing room looked like a bomb had gone off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBvyulEya_np7-F9QTs7255KO1xmC_TJuTXu9JzsNjB-bOP4iGck8h38ttQ-83e6SjZPCA_-9YnK24o4wgdekQqbWKmK3FIMO8XAQYYeoDFS0WrYBhB28HaNOkWP9yEi_Duu8kerH-hqnO1QLGhIMrrKSXu9yaIcrgJCbA-RraU0f58Y1Xx7uHpYQEW8/s1440/20240108_134737%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBvyulEya_np7-F9QTs7255KO1xmC_TJuTXu9JzsNjB-bOP4iGck8h38ttQ-83e6SjZPCA_-9YnK24o4wgdekQqbWKmK3FIMO8XAQYYeoDFS0WrYBhB28HaNOkWP9yEi_Duu8kerH-hqnO1QLGhIMrrKSXu9yaIcrgJCbA-RraU0f58Y1Xx7uHpYQEW8/s320/20240108_134737%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I eventually arrived at a defined set of fabrics, which differ somewhat from hers - in particular, I have very little aqua so I have substituted an amount of denim blue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHizZJXIMfIrNyirGDmV0-oh1Kku8TkQFgxgP2TIFGdeiQ3HcoR6esHGdD31F9St3kyNNsXulYx9iOz8gj9kvQwEYhC6rEfYLREWznD3LuHxPkrKXa9VP3gpLuFa5azF_9X9vzKikVqqsYR1TLa_TJLD-1h3lEwFQogCG5cYul8i7BuIJuRkrGbMIhzcY/s1440/20240109_122019%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHizZJXIMfIrNyirGDmV0-oh1Kku8TkQFgxgP2TIFGdeiQ3HcoR6esHGdD31F9St3kyNNsXulYx9iOz8gj9kvQwEYhC6rEfYLREWznD3LuHxPkrKXa9VP3gpLuFa5azF_9X9vzKikVqqsYR1TLa_TJLD-1h3lEwFQogCG5cYul8i7BuIJuRkrGbMIhzcY/s320/20240109_122019%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My reference key</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdEqunNG4bMYxgCMtCOpd8_h_o9Ex-iTMD6fI-xgXFa7VMWo3wt3nAl67Jc5lRMgo2cDPY7oXEi7XSJ0MLUo2ehujx6b9LK-QxHiiDTogwaiTAVXGc49vgfL6CHQgq7rqqBTQHM_QeFZ82ubNcxXYtTgXbnhPDtEIypvM897aqet_6d5286nUn-PKCig/s1440/20240109_135759%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdEqunNG4bMYxgCMtCOpd8_h_o9Ex-iTMD6fI-xgXFa7VMWo3wt3nAl67Jc5lRMgo2cDPY7oXEi7XSJ0MLUo2ehujx6b9LK-QxHiiDTogwaiTAVXGc49vgfL6CHQgq7rqqBTQHM_QeFZ82ubNcxXYtTgXbnhPDtEIypvM897aqet_6d5286nUn-PKCig/s320/20240109_135759%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I could start in on prepping some blocks for applique. Lori Holt uses what I think of as the 'Eleanor Burns' method of interfaced and turned through applique shapes, stuck down with basting glue then hand-appliqued. These are the blocks I've glue-basted so far. I will prep them all downstairs then do the applique in front of the telly. I enjoy hand applique.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwUQ-pkUm1CjthD9qGeSx_fm2D_BqAzBvvIDBWK9BHRdNbOz7WhENYBxvFRIKNcCsdSsfz6ckUGXni98XN-JNVJuqwGu5yIL_Pf9t6xy56gAawC-AslAp4-U0i4EpBc9iQ9zPSPQx8SqGSwsAjvdexQnUoWG6K-lYBHZRaJlNP5T8ZdRv0xvRnWRxzSk/s1440/20240113_185916%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwUQ-pkUm1CjthD9qGeSx_fm2D_BqAzBvvIDBWK9BHRdNbOz7WhENYBxvFRIKNcCsdSsfz6ckUGXni98XN-JNVJuqwGu5yIL_Pf9t6xy56gAawC-AslAp4-U0i4EpBc9iQ9zPSPQx8SqGSwsAjvdexQnUoWG6K-lYBHZRaJlNP5T8ZdRv0xvRnWRxzSk/s320/20240113_185916%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hope you are staying warm.</div><br /><p><br /></p>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-1318445720507932422024-01-06T18:11:00.001+00:002024-01-06T18:11:55.510+00:00Practice makes imperfect<p>Some finishes this week: I finished the ruler work on the <b>Ode to the 1930s sampler quilt</b> and took it off the frame to have a look at it. There are a lot of mistakes: wobbly stitch in the ditch, thread messes on the back, tension problems I didn't spot at the time, thread build up from going over the same seam too many times etc. But on the whole I feel ridiculously proud of it. It's so much more advanced than I could have done on my old domestic machine set up, and the quilting is honouring the block designs rather than just stitching over them in an edge-to-edge design like I have always done in the past. Yes I had to do a bit of mending with hand stitching here and there, and yes after washing the varying density in quilting has become apparent. But I learned a huge amount and for my first proper quilt off the frame, I feel like it's pretty much a success.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjX_z8CQ1JDn3cX2ihchxYU7NAfqBvtj__3U2dx1qZLhmsqV3svZ3eB96BD6j2_Nnj3Bithy6j6QQqqHoMa3NMZEIPQwjqkWNQKb7tWFIhRULuajY5C2lNYF_cY4vj1vUqf0V_wpqfsMINs0KKwIa0_b5FUafVqruHx8ap0Loth1aonJ_dePFh3bOZww/s1440/20240101_111617copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjX_z8CQ1JDn3cX2ihchxYU7NAfqBvtj__3U2dx1qZLhmsqV3svZ3eB96BD6j2_Nnj3Bithy6j6QQqqHoMa3NMZEIPQwjqkWNQKb7tWFIhRULuajY5C2lNYF_cY4vj1vUqf0V_wpqfsMINs0KKwIa0_b5FUafVqruHx8ap0Loth1aonJ_dePFh3bOZww/s320/20240101_111617copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQIrxga7ms2F0V9hWzblFtU-SfVegp00FMtMGd9Hr_KzL7WZ_q9HoXIN_OIRh9cNMf2kHRHn_j-DSWsCmn1JyAj1VGHrLz1-btuLGUTEjvjDLZubAGEAT7CvrYfKKE0l35jeFSduWlBDgXrz7LcwInxz7jk3wXnBlWUnqSUHs-O9Uw7NGMsOAhQNzUZo/s1920/20240101_111642copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQIrxga7ms2F0V9hWzblFtU-SfVegp00FMtMGd9Hr_KzL7WZ_q9HoXIN_OIRh9cNMf2kHRHn_j-DSWsCmn1JyAj1VGHrLz1-btuLGUTEjvjDLZubAGEAT7CvrYfKKE0l35jeFSduWlBDgXrz7LcwInxz7jk3wXnBlWUnqSUHs-O9Uw7NGMsOAhQNzUZo/s320/20240101_111642copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzrrEnwXZoWnIAYzOpdceuzESYODQ9n1OeAmMwEWv0SinvwGlarAqfcJqSNqD71LbaoMB3_lsZdZm6gtRy5yhjBW2bUnvFg6irfNgWsUfiDK-WzauR2wyO5ymEci7zv6ldD-zgVQg0ZNAcZz1IjG8B_KRSGsUTgwNol4nHNXzcPfhLMxog0WdtGcyMjs/s1920/20240101_111657copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzrrEnwXZoWnIAYzOpdceuzESYODQ9n1OeAmMwEWv0SinvwGlarAqfcJqSNqD71LbaoMB3_lsZdZm6gtRy5yhjBW2bUnvFg6irfNgWsUfiDK-WzauR2wyO5ymEci7zv6ldD-zgVQg0ZNAcZz1IjG8B_KRSGsUTgwNol4nHNXzcPfhLMxog0WdtGcyMjs/s320/20240101_111657copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQw5KsId2N6jI1ygfhRyWWQu4rgeGV-3dMEl4y6hzn9VX5fHLZ3aCXtKWNjlNlEeDhAMbkEukoL1ETczhHsyrYQh_OtZJtsSWw3j0MUH1rR8cRVajuwWsWrdooAF9mZkiRoaqmLZKH3TyAgnK9vrovydHY-uu33Vc-QpGfhu7WdOhLgBOITUwFECYogw/s1920/20240101_111701copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQw5KsId2N6jI1ygfhRyWWQu4rgeGV-3dMEl4y6hzn9VX5fHLZ3aCXtKWNjlNlEeDhAMbkEukoL1ETczhHsyrYQh_OtZJtsSWw3j0MUH1rR8cRVajuwWsWrdooAF9mZkiRoaqmLZKH3TyAgnK9vrovydHY-uu33Vc-QpGfhu7WdOhLgBOITUwFECYogw/s320/20240101_111701copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I've loaded up a new practice sandwich on the frame and I have set up for practicing pantographs now - so I've plugged in the laser pointer, installed the Glide 2 presser foot, and am practicing moving the much bigger machine around a design. It moves a lot more easily than my old domestic set up, but at the same time it has more inertia. I also have a troublesome 'bump' in my track where two segments of the table join which is throwing off my stitching until I can work out how to smooth it. Practice makes imperfect in the first instance but I'm getting better.<div><br /></div><div>I made up the two zip pouches from the Japanese designer panel. I used an additional motif intended to be a mini-quilt for one side of the round pouch because I didn't want to make the mini-quilt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6ayQWruQqmKS6tX75kKbKyUIEl8tHLNdjTj9C22zt9PeWCZsbuqFUkFubuKWKcceL8prk57KSjbwfW8RtjZMogn0QvrqiOgwgcf4jyxet5OxZHsdE815V7Bs_SWcCY-sJno2Ags9OaUoz7aPhIz1ZHiyzmQ-B7UDpkav-OQ-KdigdyhpZ35gbYseSTw/s1920/20240103_093702copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6ayQWruQqmKS6tX75kKbKyUIEl8tHLNdjTj9C22zt9PeWCZsbuqFUkFubuKWKcceL8prk57KSjbwfW8RtjZMogn0QvrqiOgwgcf4jyxet5OxZHsdE815V7Bs_SWcCY-sJno2Ags9OaUoz7aPhIz1ZHiyzmQ-B7UDpkav-OQ-KdigdyhpZ35gbYseSTw/s320/20240103_093702copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4pbdwJMdqKQzbeofA-bd_qkjTjT_zr4YZZyBPY9OMAaLyjdCWRIvgyzGLarMczzVTcdmZRD7wXde3CJBNwnBpJyQ1QCTv1bs3lJxAl35B9oG1w9VmyU-r0IW3eBgQeFM3G93tVv_hG9N0q32HWmlZwj38HV0nBUs4w0g_6EnAqaNQEiHgTxiJHRdC-o/s1920/20240103_093734copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4pbdwJMdqKQzbeofA-bd_qkjTjT_zr4YZZyBPY9OMAaLyjdCWRIvgyzGLarMczzVTcdmZRD7wXde3CJBNwnBpJyQ1QCTv1bs3lJxAl35B9oG1w9VmyU-r0IW3eBgQeFM3G93tVv_hG9N0q32HWmlZwj38HV0nBUs4w0g_6EnAqaNQEiHgTxiJHRdC-o/s320/20240103_093734copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>For my fifth and final project from the panel, I am using a rectangle intended to be the top of a shallow zipped box. I didn't think I would find the box very useful, and in another Japanese book I found instructions for a laptop bag. Using the laptop bag as inspiration, I used the panel rectangle to make my own version, sized smaller to fit my panel. On the plain back, I appliqued several other motifs from the panel that I liked. I'm currently handsewing the pieces together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtKzqRYLyOQCL_SBEh_Kjt7_qrd7h1OoaL0WfZRzu0ZO82mko3bOBYWo5mH9lYtPm5Y9fQN9gksOMJsZXkqbk_rBVT4DgU1wvaOdLoGYl8fHfGCk_A274YqGkhyphenhyphen9VLpjHwJF2uvmn8-6LizL2O1Q1G9S7ftLuFbIjkmUhm0Rrf565aTackvL_jUJi1Co/s1920/20240106_100706copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtKzqRYLyOQCL_SBEh_Kjt7_qrd7h1OoaL0WfZRzu0ZO82mko3bOBYWo5mH9lYtPm5Y9fQN9gksOMJsZXkqbk_rBVT4DgU1wvaOdLoGYl8fHfGCk_A274YqGkhyphenhyphen9VLpjHwJF2uvmn8-6LizL2O1Q1G9S7ftLuFbIjkmUhm0Rrf565aTackvL_jUJi1Co/s320/20240106_100706copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>So that's the conclusion of the Japanese panel project, and I will need to pick something else from my (vast) project queue to work on in the sewing room now.</div><div><br /></div><div>In knitting, I finished the <b>Little Cotton Rabbits Wristwarmers </b>and wet-blocked them. You can see that I struggled a bit to take pictures of my own arms :) They fit fine, and I could wear them also as fingerless gloves by sticking my thumb out the side slit. I definitely prefer the seamless one knit in the round, even though it was a pain. The seam on the one knit flat is quite visible and a bit of a ridge on the inside. Blocking helped with the tension issues but I'm still not very happy with my end result, compared to the beautifully smooth examples of stranded knitting I see on Facebook.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKAXbNc-Aqy-O5H2KdCIEr6BXK9US7Vh_3sHc2brDc2rHkz6yjN62Kxv7refKNTPQWX1elpgFwNzFqXpmNbmzLLaGXOKSxDeOYnQz5tCKJEGyC2xX3FHxBfWcp3fmfFfVDLqQQa_WvZc0rUo2b3ncs1X4_G8LFsZECCUUTwE1co9ONsgzFZViuGqgX6g/s1440/20240106_101036%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKAXbNc-Aqy-O5H2KdCIEr6BXK9US7Vh_3sHc2brDc2rHkz6yjN62Kxv7refKNTPQWX1elpgFwNzFqXpmNbmzLLaGXOKSxDeOYnQz5tCKJEGyC2xX3FHxBfWcp3fmfFfVDLqQQa_WvZc0rUo2b3ncs1X4_G8LFsZECCUUTwE1co9ONsgzFZViuGqgX6g/s320/20240106_101036%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcUyABvqM9DpjPUB0wszA5u6KZPHLHGrpAkAo0odcbWiHTvsjxVCCQhtzu029CIRKr5tZcT3LqxxCxHYgMp1kJe0wRoa0uUUDiWnH_3bqYR_Oql_-sNRs9VS_NLhu8AGg4cRCFgycs2HbMTSJqfmpbMQWHr0qTuRrPwHWZsdZ_HaKmaQjvZCgAWNsOKo/s1440/20240106_101124%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcUyABvqM9DpjPUB0wszA5u6KZPHLHGrpAkAo0odcbWiHTvsjxVCCQhtzu029CIRKr5tZcT3LqxxCxHYgMp1kJe0wRoa0uUUDiWnH_3bqYR_Oql_-sNRs9VS_NLhu8AGg4cRCFgycs2HbMTSJqfmpbMQWHr0qTuRrPwHWZsdZ_HaKmaQjvZCgAWNsOKo/s320/20240106_101124%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>This week I was working on the vestibule / foyer of the <b>Japanese ryokan dollshouse.</b> I probably should have taken a 'before' picture so that the additions are more obvious. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMnp9yCkymGId1kruvnA8uc7VsusUBhTLn6PNbHAO69dIqevjWiqPaeOk9l6TAJmRGJCIHtqJ860N0VUE7UrhyAMbFxliBq0aK7brVmE22rcU4ircWjGWNstWxy0zzlBdhTwALKJndfUs0pByqYi_C6ug3PCFTylnYIMx-2w1p8J1pBpflQwjhaP_q5c/s1440/20240105_151519%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMnp9yCkymGId1kruvnA8uc7VsusUBhTLn6PNbHAO69dIqevjWiqPaeOk9l6TAJmRGJCIHtqJ860N0VUE7UrhyAMbFxliBq0aK7brVmE22rcU4ircWjGWNstWxy0zzlBdhTwALKJndfUs0pByqYi_C6ug3PCFTylnYIMx-2w1p8J1pBpflQwjhaP_q5c/s320/20240105_151519%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Added: a postcard display of vintage Japanese postcards (printed on my inkjet onto photo paper) some contents in the cupboard, desk furnishings, a doll display under the stairs (purchased in Japan), the Lucky Cat figurine, and some ridiculously small guest slippers on the main floor cut from scrapbook paper.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxyZbCrb50eWLLx7StSK6b2oOU3WaoxWn264SSu_CcPlp3QxOPRxgv4zxaLDUgN36Poia9tOdHttO0tNN7dUKU4rqNvRjEy15Z3Ef77bbbr-5s9TlpVPQuxVB0O6FmI0jnVJs46ETKYA8Vg4Wa5LGUaraxlZrvWXZU_qVCouDRo3B2I6gP1aO61DFGsI/s1440/20240105_151523%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxyZbCrb50eWLLx7StSK6b2oOU3WaoxWn264SSu_CcPlp3QxOPRxgv4zxaLDUgN36Poia9tOdHttO0tNN7dUKU4rqNvRjEy15Z3Ef77bbbr-5s9TlpVPQuxVB0O6FmI0jnVJs46ETKYA8Vg4Wa5LGUaraxlZrvWXZU_qVCouDRo3B2I6gP1aO61DFGsI/s320/20240105_151523%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Added: the pot plant set into a decorative thimble, a chair from my stash, a shoe storage cupboard bashed from a 1:24 chest of drawers, some decorations on top of the shoe cupboard purchased in Japan, a hanging scroll cut from a woodblock colouring book.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIBOGnSOLLK6QqM1lCr_8obXc7gJXu1p8TyCLxuCNRWOSL-DEnRBrWReqJPVdNO9q7pDnvkwNFs1IbCegEK_J3Y4R5-FvsIddawtqTIpRTWq8FsxJqfiSF5JXqq8ymxYBrcjcJJz6wTZRWr_2evwyvzy8MKAOdstFoHDWKCYr3ilSUQRp61ALKr74UKc/s1440/20240105_151503%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIBOGnSOLLK6QqM1lCr_8obXc7gJXu1p8TyCLxuCNRWOSL-DEnRBrWReqJPVdNO9q7pDnvkwNFs1IbCegEK_J3Y4R5-FvsIddawtqTIpRTWq8FsxJqfiSF5JXqq8ymxYBrcjcJJz6wTZRWr_2evwyvzy8MKAOdstFoHDWKCYr3ilSUQRp61ALKr74UKc/s320/20240105_151503%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the desk: a 1950s phone (from a toy set bought in Japan), a guest book, an ink stone and brush, a set of brass etched keys, and a tiny lucky cat bought in Japan.</div><br /><div><br /></div><div>DH says I should do the kitchen next, and then the ground floor will be finished. The kitchen scares me, although I have a lot of reference photos I took in Japan inside museums and old houses.</div><div><br /></div><div><p>I spent a lot of time this week taking down Christmas ornaments, clearing off the tree etc. and took the opportunity to have another big cull - I filled up a laundry basket and another box and managed to donate it all to a local nursing home who were thrilled to take them. Hopefully I will remember that next Christmas and not spend hours searching for 'missing boxes' in the attic :) It feels good to get more clutter out of the house - there were a lot of things that had become habit to put out, rather than sparking joy as such. I've also been going through boxes of old photos and throwing away huge numbers of scenery photos with no people in them from old holidays. I had almost a half-inch of photos documenting the building of a new conservatory on a house we sold in 2003! It still leaves me with a lot of photos, particularly from my son's early years (he was so cute!) but it's a start.</p><p><br /></p><p>The in-laws have got through a week with their new carers - they have someone coming in every day for an hour. For the first few days the in-laws were hauling themselves out of bed to get fully dressed and be ready for the carer's arrival - when she is meant to be helping them get up! But I think they are getting more used to it now and relaxing a bit, and accepting that there are more tasks that they could benefit from some assistance with. I think they still believe it's only temporary and they will be alright in a few months on their own - which seems very unlikely.</p><p><br /></p><p>I've started watching New Zealand-related content to prepare for my visit. I have watched or skimmed through <i>Whale Rider, River Queen, Hunt for the Wilderpeople</i> and have just started <i>Boy</i>, and I found some good documentaries on Youtube about the New Zealand wars. I watched a four-part Netflix series called Great Kiwi Road Trip with Griff Rhys Jones, which was quite good (although I muted some of his more pompous monologues) and it's made me feel more anticipation for my tour which will take me to some of the same destinations.</p><p><br /></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-8653971556373797912023-12-30T16:30:00.000+00:002023-12-30T16:30:12.713+00:00Another new year<p> A couple more days and I can hang up my 2024 official Sumo calendar. DS and his girlfriend went home today, and I've taken down the first few Christmas ornaments. We are trying to eat up the last of the holiday treats before we go back on a diet in January. It's been a nice quiet week. The frozen Christmas dinner in a box was so easy to cook and tasted fine - not the best Christmas meal I've ever had, but certainly streaks ahead of many restaurant Christmas menus I've been subjected to at past office parties. The lack of stress and mess was fantastic and I fully intend to order a box again for next Christmas. All's I had to do was follow the schedule for putting things in the oven, and then finish off a couple of dishes on the hob near the end. </p><p><br /></p><p>Crafting presents for Christmas included a new standard mat for my Brother Scan'N'Cut, and two new A1 size cutting mats for my sewing room cutting table. These are from Ansio, a brand I hadn't heard of. But they were on sale for literally one-quarter of the price of an OLFA mat. They are replacing an OLFA mat that is probably 15-20 years old, and another which is 9.5 years old - both of those are brittle, hard and gouged/scratched. The Ansio mats seem fine, the A1 size is a little smaller than the OLFA A1 size but they are heavier - I think because they are a double-sided layer of self-healing material sandwiched around an inner core of something else. I've cut a few things on them and they feel fine under the rotary blade.</p><p><br /></p><p>I finished off the pincushion and tape measure for the <b>Ambermakes sewing panel case</b>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXVzHvU5tkKhX1znqgmOQTqCZZNWCdMP79feXAiDErQfTS0S2Bkpo5wTegG0bStLfzDoVIh39MsrDGXadBsV5uxkxZJ-mQ24tXZV-J7gix3oAzTgEPWj9IIACfaK7BieJBRs7ujv6jNbJ2Yy0tt6qnc7GLlOsUfSKQmHtcSZyqAnfzsUwei-fIdGe9uw/s1440/20231224_104325%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXVzHvU5tkKhX1znqgmOQTqCZZNWCdMP79feXAiDErQfTS0S2Bkpo5wTegG0bStLfzDoVIh39MsrDGXadBsV5uxkxZJ-mQ24tXZV-J7gix3oAzTgEPWj9IIACfaK7BieJBRs7ujv6jNbJ2Yy0tt6qnc7GLlOsUfSKQmHtcSZyqAnfzsUwei-fIdGe9uw/s320/20231224_104325%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWn7KrwZSF1kwyMi6xh-6D7RDnpryoyd04Dz0lRvg8wBG8eLee4h7hX6f9h8LAr0sdiOEF3GXZDwwx58RQmEsrG7aazESLAOZs_qn6zsNHgNzWzS2NfC8agBrd6G_Gcwvp3eHc3Fv7fg0EuWYAxI5D9yfpqrv7ZGlJWfJaGbO76gsfkw-PrqcC-ryeHA/s1440/20231224_104344%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWn7KrwZSF1kwyMi6xh-6D7RDnpryoyd04Dz0lRvg8wBG8eLee4h7hX6f9h8LAr0sdiOEF3GXZDwwx58RQmEsrG7aazESLAOZs_qn6zsNHgNzWzS2NfC8agBrd6G_Gcwvp3eHc3Fv7fg0EuWYAxI5D9yfpqrv7ZGlJWfJaGbO76gsfkw-PrqcC-ryeHA/s320/20231224_104344%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>For my next project, I pulled out one of the panels I bought in Japan at the shop of designer Masako Wakayama, from her American Country 22 collection. The panel is designed to make eight separate projects, and is in her typical style of country motifs and random English words.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoOzKjNYhXIO90sNBeo0dZ48osxtGDmKyFTIBpefDRrYNzevZeEEPCaPqKwEOy8pwqWiFXsseyDpKeEF94c8WKRw2KD3WD9lbQ5sZVv-9MuUDpLWhquTMFD2MSQ0kTKqlrTrtd_3h7lBNG_DXPyq7kPH26-xY86I83-E1ZG73krb9TH2o51MLJZSpn6c/s1440/20231225_102958%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoOzKjNYhXIO90sNBeo0dZ48osxtGDmKyFTIBpefDRrYNzevZeEEPCaPqKwEOy8pwqWiFXsseyDpKeEF94c8WKRw2KD3WD9lbQ5sZVv-9MuUDpLWhquTMFD2MSQ0kTKqlrTrtd_3h7lBNG_DXPyq7kPH26-xY86I83-E1ZG73krb9TH2o51MLJZSpn6c/s320/20231225_102958%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Unfortunately, the instructions are not only in Japanese, but are handwritten and photocopied onto A5 size paper - so they are tiny and barely legible. I scanned the pages and enlarged them to A4 size, darkened the font a bit and printed them off. Then I got to work with Google Translate. It turns out that on top of all those issues, the instructions are pretty minimalist. Mostly consisting of 'sew right sides together, turn, quilt, stitch together and add zip'. Luckily I have made up Japanese projects before, so I am familiar with their method of sewing completely finished components which are then joined together with hand-stitching, with the zipper being added last. Also, there was a QR code on the instructions linking to a short video on her website showing the finished projects and which panel components were used for each - no tutorials but still helpful.</div><div><br /></div><div>I started with the first project, which in retrospect is the most difficult so probably not the best choice. This is a vanity case with a slip pocket in the lid, and loose pockets in the interior. It took me a really long time because most of it is hand sewing, plus there was a degree of trial and error as I felt my way through the correct order of assembly which resulted in a fair amount of do-overs. The outside is decorated with appliques cut from the panel, and the lid is another panel piece as is the handle decoration. It was nice this week to have the time to undertake such a timeconsuming project.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmPDEm8jtiM5yjNVPAtnCND7TS9l9pehll057D21BNYIwOtr95DwTDLKd7KQPdAjuCrvzy1uaCBfdYryuZffn6bXtRejEbKvdC5KTnkD2kTGzMsbkPOzBCPK5LSQ6MdwCbNAmI13cOWV8qUIZmJOfa6XyFtUNElt1Od0FIQO0KmbqcQnv241eQ2wZyNY/s1440/20231229_091137%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmPDEm8jtiM5yjNVPAtnCND7TS9l9pehll057D21BNYIwOtr95DwTDLKd7KQPdAjuCrvzy1uaCBfdYryuZffn6bXtRejEbKvdC5KTnkD2kTGzMsbkPOzBCPK5LSQ6MdwCbNAmI13cOWV8qUIZmJOfa6XyFtUNElt1Od0FIQO0KmbqcQnv241eQ2wZyNY/s320/20231229_091137%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScHXdXSiRt5A4PFPKBApDvgEx8KmGPQKxlszfSIsfVL_E2v8k2V3S_lI3BEpCeKocs6uPq1bOItMUWjeOAidbQHWoxh4dsmll2mBlpJJA-D6YLaDKKBYBeARmNUADkhZ47ky7iJZNocnu1DyVUrcNgGEbCvZzCXKhKBZVK0Cv7QPNF1brX-nfu0uti-k/s1440/20231229_091159%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScHXdXSiRt5A4PFPKBApDvgEx8KmGPQKxlszfSIsfVL_E2v8k2V3S_lI3BEpCeKocs6uPq1bOItMUWjeOAidbQHWoxh4dsmll2mBlpJJA-D6YLaDKKBYBeARmNUADkhZ47ky7iJZNocnu1DyVUrcNgGEbCvZzCXKhKBZVK0Cv7QPNF1brX-nfu0uti-k/s320/20231229_091159%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhto5d0PR6Sv5cocsONkoujzs1X-C7KxMiQkf_H4dZiRGt_6rIG4oDq-nrvW4SEQPheKcPvem34g1pR6bZ8ZXNoppeqgoeCRhPve95NebmBPVYtlHSCO6t8bAPB4HxhvrqtWx-cL7dNBZbWAdMlR3XaSWchCadX1m2kdFyqec43-mji1IBIWAr8qkptHWQ/s1440/20231229_091234%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhto5d0PR6Sv5cocsONkoujzs1X-C7KxMiQkf_H4dZiRGt_6rIG4oDq-nrvW4SEQPheKcPvem34g1pR6bZ8ZXNoppeqgoeCRhPve95NebmBPVYtlHSCO6t8bAPB4HxhvrqtWx-cL7dNBZbWAdMlR3XaSWchCadX1m2kdFyqec43-mji1IBIWAr8qkptHWQ/s320/20231229_091234%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFSNjwoaZHN2bA2c0GSXZONMVWU7Min4JYpd6nHRJJkl8NdSEhFps95g9OFnohfVS9mFBq7MpbwwD1WQD-WMhzLROEqEHLd0PdeYEVrrWFupWEsRNFou6kLY52be0mfWFkAcTaJVVSrutwzIycndjkJP75hThBWes4iTi92BISiGM-oMSmeRwihEnywM/s1440/20231229_091253%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFSNjwoaZHN2bA2c0GSXZONMVWU7Min4JYpd6nHRJJkl8NdSEhFps95g9OFnohfVS9mFBq7MpbwwD1WQD-WMhzLROEqEHLd0PdeYEVrrWFupWEsRNFou6kLY52be0mfWFkAcTaJVVSrutwzIycndjkJP75hThBWes4iTi92BISiGM-oMSmeRwihEnywM/s320/20231229_091253%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>For my second item, I chose a much easier project which is this drawstring four-sided bag, assembled from four panel pieces. The drawstring ends are finished with 'buttons' cut from the panel. Relatively speaking, this was a much quicker project. It's about 6.5 inches high.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdM0biOLDWDMf86D_Gb6JDEusHmiDzMTqzDZT5m6hUzK-pMw-aGpRNLxpndI3jgUEx4z06AW1njORtOk_j0syeRL7XGCyDV0D66qpYlf2LsUEfMeCqVX5VW_OXaZuKyKswtOz9ZUGgZG8u0JLAoT_CBuamURQnMQ6z0G8CowUwE6KWQrH9eONAQB9how/s1440/20231230_130458%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdM0biOLDWDMf86D_Gb6JDEusHmiDzMTqzDZT5m6hUzK-pMw-aGpRNLxpndI3jgUEx4z06AW1njORtOk_j0syeRL7XGCyDV0D66qpYlf2LsUEfMeCqVX5VW_OXaZuKyKswtOz9ZUGgZG8u0JLAoT_CBuamURQnMQ6z0G8CowUwE6KWQrH9eONAQB9how/s320/20231230_130458%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMYAIDffrUiSY_2HHQeGk-HJj-hEEo2kl9HPhrjrDej6omwxyIP_9JW2g3EdDGeMxEltRI4iIiwZxGsLzDb0sgxJRmkzWfbwg9ZoWBuSQ6UvNrVmiPxDuf2br9dnXN1Gp4AHoebaMMbx-6z9KXMt0UXVYGxC2dtyz_cjHjQ6rCGdHXLU_Ho6ODgmN-60/s1440/20231230_130533%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMYAIDffrUiSY_2HHQeGk-HJj-hEEo2kl9HPhrjrDej6omwxyIP_9JW2g3EdDGeMxEltRI4iIiwZxGsLzDb0sgxJRmkzWfbwg9ZoWBuSQ6UvNrVmiPxDuf2br9dnXN1Gp4AHoebaMMbx-6z9KXMt0UXVYGxC2dtyz_cjHjQ6rCGdHXLU_Ho6ODgmN-60/s320/20231230_130533%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Of the remaining six projects, there are a couple I probably won't make (a string of appliques on felt, and a mini wall quilt) but I've cut out the pieces for two flat zipped pouches and there are a couple of small bags I might tackle. Nice to remember my enjoyable visit to her western-looking shop, CribQuilt, in Tokyo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATGtGRngTT6P8dIxNC2YvgGuTloM_bZh1CQITOq7bDKg-_lF3h1yhWbWJ2LbHFJINbDZGO6eezuTP7GDigBey0Boq4lq8a4KZ4FBhxQsSVzpP8rMCPMN-xWf-GRrnnJ2Ued-RRYvzScLNnZYtplj9Hs20ppEizeZ4phjbJTg54DRa4xAK_5FAyrYlyCk/s1440/20230407_144237%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATGtGRngTT6P8dIxNC2YvgGuTloM_bZh1CQITOq7bDKg-_lF3h1yhWbWJ2LbHFJINbDZGO6eezuTP7GDigBey0Boq4lq8a4KZ4FBhxQsSVzpP8rMCPMN-xWf-GRrnnJ2Ued-RRYvzScLNnZYtplj9Hs20ppEizeZ4phjbJTg54DRa4xAK_5FAyrYlyCk/s320/20230407_144237%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I didn't do any work on the <b>Japanese dollshouse</b> while we had both DS and his girlfriend with us, but before they arrived, I finished off the onsen spa area.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5A5k6zKHWBFaNUbUVcv-Tb_SIH_nPYCOyeYtkjHbjr6QLWGVa9EZCsgKR1-_afthNLXrdN0IT7HmM3hfD-zJI5q2MRMJpx2CwPTrG_2tmqdQsn-Tq2a8bIbVkeU0E_mYz7Av6oOye4ZWl-kLVWoO8OvxWp8zwD0KGRinzwyCss_RCKtkDKEpiVHk0YF8/s1440/20231224_121151%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5A5k6zKHWBFaNUbUVcv-Tb_SIH_nPYCOyeYtkjHbjr6QLWGVa9EZCsgKR1-_afthNLXrdN0IT7HmM3hfD-zJI5q2MRMJpx2CwPTrG_2tmqdQsn-Tq2a8bIbVkeU0E_mYz7Av6oOye4ZWl-kLVWoO8OvxWp8zwD0KGRinzwyCss_RCKtkDKEpiVHk0YF8/s320/20231224_121151%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The spa didn't need much, just a couple of shampoo bottles and a ladle</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdc_7FdGvcxsHqJz0n2LW8NuLGu2ybMmEQXXx6a95tJYlAZ32T7wtdN0bIV0-woNSQUZ8PxmwyppYnH8F8UTI1XcLjnRxoSPUDuSN2yBQYHSWW6JhSyb8_zoAkkc_VlfnStpIZngUQA9ABxT8mTnZif_X1DdUUELY7_Oovay5IR8-5BbflCf5dG9Lxbz0/s1440/20231224_121211%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdc_7FdGvcxsHqJz0n2LW8NuLGu2ybMmEQXXx6a95tJYlAZ32T7wtdN0bIV0-woNSQUZ8PxmwyppYnH8F8UTI1XcLjnRxoSPUDuSN2yBQYHSWW6JhSyb8_zoAkkc_VlfnStpIZngUQA9ABxT8mTnZif_X1DdUUELY7_Oovay5IR8-5BbflCf5dG9Lxbz0/s320/20231224_121211%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the changing area, I added folded yukata robes with belts, and large and small towels in the cubbies. There's a basket for used towels, some toiletries and soap on the sink, and a bonsai in the window. I think that's all it needs - it's a small area.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEyl-IY811f4rbSYz92kz1BDPExfvl1ExGu68LFSNObj2Uu8Lr0Twuz1wSA2UEHADsYm25cMJyw0iodLikI7p80Csuqfsuzq4j5TsmaNd35Wlit3o25ciIwmBWJNIvRcTB9NJd0UqWy0LM_9osGclJh191rV-dOUK5LZ6mtvb3PXPEo9cZTWUGbtGLv0/s1440/20231224_121302%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEyl-IY811f4rbSYz92kz1BDPExfvl1ExGu68LFSNObj2Uu8Lr0Twuz1wSA2UEHADsYm25cMJyw0iodLikI7p80Csuqfsuzq4j5TsmaNd35Wlit3o25ciIwmBWJNIvRcTB9NJd0UqWy0LM_9osGclJh191rV-dOUK5LZ6mtvb3PXPEo9cZTWUGbtGLv0/s320/20231224_121302%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I've done some longarming most days, and I'm almost finished quilting the <b>30s Sampler</b> quilt. There are lots of mistakes and wobbles, but on the other hand it is a cut above what I could have done on my old setup with the Pfaff 11" throat machine. And it's been a great learning curve, to tackle a real quilt and practice all the mechanical issues of tension, threading, winding bobbins, rolling on the quilt etc. Not to mention learning some basics of using longarm rulers for quilting.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm halfway through the second <b>Little Cotton Rabbits wristwarmer</b>. I am knitting this one straight, and apart from having to do colourwork while purling, it is so much easier. Since the colours are changing almost every row, I've been able to minimise the purl rows because I can just join on at the right side and knit a lot of the pattern rows. And my tension is more even. Teach me to try to be clever (knitting the first wristwarmer in the round).</div><div><br /></div><div>I paid my final Trailfinders invoice for the flights to New Zealand and according to their countdown, it's just over 60 days until I travel. Eeeep. I spent a few hours putting together my paperwork - I am old school and like to have printouts of all my confirmations, itineraries, sightseeing research etc. After a few years of retirement travel, I think I have most things that I will want to pack otherwise. Although I'm still not sure what kind of temperatures to expect - I will be travelling in NZ's autumn but someone at DH's christmas party had been in April and they said it was hot so who knows. I hope not, I hate hot weather.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hope you had a good holiday period and best wishes for a happy new year in 2024. Hope you got some good crafting pressies as well.</div><div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-54616553469918507922023-12-23T17:11:00.003+00:002023-12-23T17:11:44.779+00:00Happy holidays<p> It's Christmas Eve's eve, and I think we're ready. Presents are wrapped, food is in the fridge and freezer, Christmas TV has been programmed to record, and both DS and DH are now finished work for the year. DH's mother is feeling much better and hired care is now set up to start on the 27th. The only thing left that I need to do is buy some sweets for DH and DS, both of whom had said in the past that they didn't want to do stockings any more (I love stockings so was hugely disappointed) but this year are surprised that I wasn't planning to do one for them. Honestly.</p><p><br /></p><p>I finished the <b>Chinese dollshouse</b>. It was quite fun putting it all together, apart from removing the paper covering from the dust cover, which was a nightmare and there are still bits stuck on the plexiglas. But to my surprise, the plexiglas glued together rather easily with E6000 glue.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Hb1ZQlPIfc_9jZIssm6LIhwXRZmQM3FWayThAHiT6v3tMK3WkZ2fFMFTvr9Ysdf8qZvEgia0CxhNGjALS-SQ98ELiMWRI32zG1P7NYA9djFec1FmdSHRphfmx3Uj17Ga93bJ38DYeY1emBmYCS4KiRCWeh2UK3zQsirvcdG_bVTpg-c87FK6mWiybbo/s1440/20231218_113854%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Hb1ZQlPIfc_9jZIssm6LIhwXRZmQM3FWayThAHiT6v3tMK3WkZ2fFMFTvr9Ysdf8qZvEgia0CxhNGjALS-SQ98ELiMWRI32zG1P7NYA9djFec1FmdSHRphfmx3Uj17Ga93bJ38DYeY1emBmYCS4KiRCWeh2UK3zQsirvcdG_bVTpg-c87FK6mWiybbo/s320/20231218_113854%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The dust cover fits quite snugly over the house, and really sets it off. As DH said, it gives it something of the air of a museum model.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgZJtn2jxG15XVcva0kKKaVdc7DicDHguayi8JdUYoN2sYS84zQjQK1wYFifXocO3BM1C3x6-M5gK8EMhOshLIxGvaLm7MOUh2xcBCFUf2FZ2whfbYuzfE2VHY4d9Gy2Qxn8XCzITVdqlq3q5PaVC_kq7U9azevjx2zyOudohENOLX_IfchcMK-qaABk/s1440/20231218_114057%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgZJtn2jxG15XVcva0kKKaVdc7DicDHguayi8JdUYoN2sYS84zQjQK1wYFifXocO3BM1C3x6-M5gK8EMhOshLIxGvaLm7MOUh2xcBCFUf2FZ2whfbYuzfE2VHY4d9Gy2Qxn8XCzITVdqlq3q5PaVC_kq7U9azevjx2zyOudohENOLX_IfchcMK-qaABk/s320/20231218_114057%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also got the electrics working. I re-did the wiring connections and managed to get the non-working bulb to come on. The flickering turned out to be down to a dodgy switch in the battery box - I was able to order a replacement battery box from Amazon which solved the problem. Having the lights on really makes it all come alive, a bit magical.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HL6gneHJxBkF3EeM5o16Tb5Q9ZMAEsmanez4LnD7mPcz_mR61CZf4LJhuFYZ27H9b6ofHUbBHClhgs_wfjKQWJXxIwnvIjkgcwa7ClQ9hq1Cco-1TM1o69lLcgelg3uLAcUSNVhbxaHz7_X8qqvZ0rT3A_Pso7TfVMuqW8952qq7ywJrVkLEVpLLtqY/s1440/20231218_113841%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HL6gneHJxBkF3EeM5o16Tb5Q9ZMAEsmanez4LnD7mPcz_mR61CZf4LJhuFYZ27H9b6ofHUbBHClhgs_wfjKQWJXxIwnvIjkgcwa7ClQ9hq1Cco-1TM1o69lLcgelg3uLAcUSNVhbxaHz7_X8qqvZ0rT3A_Pso7TfVMuqW8952qq7ywJrVkLEVpLLtqY/s320/20231218_113841%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJTp_UsNuSUlRujIQ63TnQSMHqoyeMxszdKe4IQO9WCBdl0hfzdp015JMaMst0UnLNGUv6AGy9JwpyjOL5JkKW1PqCUNYCEkIAuKpoSHUGnU06itX9YqrITGaTOcp-7u1mvnI1OPiEhPLf8N8ooNKxIslVH2wijpJ48FOfRTAfCvu4_vCCKxUUCjuq9A/s1440/20231218_113704%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJTp_UsNuSUlRujIQ63TnQSMHqoyeMxszdKe4IQO9WCBdl0hfzdp015JMaMst0UnLNGUv6AGy9JwpyjOL5JkKW1PqCUNYCEkIAuKpoSHUGnU06itX9YqrITGaTOcp-7u1mvnI1OPiEhPLf8N8ooNKxIslVH2wijpJ48FOfRTAfCvu4_vCCKxUUCjuq9A/s320/20231218_113704%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7s9XAs-_oZfeRSC89HbAoZBhDjFcr87t1IPiI2zcnjbfcLQVCEMCzEP3gXf2Pi6B8Qvr0ER30eqWLgCQIP6Ykm6nTH-jXbW7sjruR9zGw5zLmX9_r-_Z1QVxkLXAvQvJV73YNDOriELZqCL2s-0845BpE3179HvFAUphZRiuJoI6VRJial0rc6rYhyY/s1440/20231218_113718%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7s9XAs-_oZfeRSC89HbAoZBhDjFcr87t1IPiI2zcnjbfcLQVCEMCzEP3gXf2Pi6B8Qvr0ER30eqWLgCQIP6Ykm6nTH-jXbW7sjruR9zGw5zLmX9_r-_Z1QVxkLXAvQvJV73YNDOriELZqCL2s-0845BpE3179HvFAUphZRiuJoI6VRJial0rc6rYhyY/s320/20231218_113718%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlVsLldeoZTCWchouOlJK-o6ndkUjX24RjKWXP0kllyVF4VrBg8RG80AnxFzWP2fo13wF_6nocrZoYTYkRoUQieFyWpP6z7nuMheIxGwS6cO7VygJrOgsEo1foDYTUPSGvnuAZoiaR39OHV4n41y6vuIH8lWoGAG0-5GM7PtYLPRHy3-xV343k0MdINM/s1440/20231218_113723%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlVsLldeoZTCWchouOlJK-o6ndkUjX24RjKWXP0kllyVF4VrBg8RG80AnxFzWP2fo13wF_6nocrZoYTYkRoUQieFyWpP6z7nuMheIxGwS6cO7VygJrOgsEo1foDYTUPSGvnuAZoiaR39OHV4n41y6vuIH8lWoGAG0-5GM7PtYLPRHy3-xV343k0MdINM/s320/20231218_113723%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvcACZ44Flmp2hQB-fzWa3E2DZ5nt8CqJGol7fjrsSq9qS88Dd6Q3Z_qJFmt2d762eTVoTK_aeLB_7WRlJtDp3zlJnq53dH_Ng_S8AcuVcrIbWJRrUL0MZsivVJHZ5VFXrSmXdAdBo4jKIt7TgoR9KF4fHMRmENJ5bEMtueicoQTyOK6PsAVmAf4mpRM/s1440/20231218_113726%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvcACZ44Flmp2hQB-fzWa3E2DZ5nt8CqJGol7fjrsSq9qS88Dd6Q3Z_qJFmt2d762eTVoTK_aeLB_7WRlJtDp3zlJnq53dH_Ng_S8AcuVcrIbWJRrUL0MZsivVJHZ5VFXrSmXdAdBo4jKIt7TgoR9KF4fHMRmENJ5bEMtueicoQTyOK6PsAVmAf4mpRM/s320/20231218_113726%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6dAmhOOcXAiv1CXna79e_O2SB4atCJ5b9o4DQm63xGyDPEWbAQFpatlj5gukZVWUUPZs3fuqjT6pDfWcjds4RQujV8LhzOMFa71zCIdyRgGx-Sr5PZKf1edoArZlAiQ4aj8e9yuMjnfbvPNX73AVaLoJDS23W7M3H48s0u_SPbGJEzKvKhZTaFzPecQ/s1440/20231218_113732%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6dAmhOOcXAiv1CXna79e_O2SB4atCJ5b9o4DQm63xGyDPEWbAQFpatlj5gukZVWUUPZs3fuqjT6pDfWcjds4RQujV8LhzOMFa71zCIdyRgGx-Sr5PZKf1edoArZlAiQ4aj8e9yuMjnfbvPNX73AVaLoJDS23W7M3H48s0u_SPbGJEzKvKhZTaFzPecQ/s320/20231218_113732%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It's a really interesting design, with so many details and viewing angles. I added in some larger real rocks here and there, in addition to the small rocks supplied with the kit as garden edging. I don't know what scale this is, I think it's smaller than my other 1:20 Japanese house.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Qpu9RoMdnokKt8WpWI-NZV8_V70hVXQmubwRSH6b8pQrRB1IZs1EQkVl-mJHQJbU2xRYvmBMPjO1Ik-0v0FJRWEY9EgyVwuckv0M8-70XH5eV6Tel0twIAvlSqU7AVXzMYedGDVfWMtDCkkYgqKuu6rKMZuFpIZ8qQyt83wgmSyIbADIogXQMCc6_sI/s1440/20231218_113545%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Qpu9RoMdnokKt8WpWI-NZV8_V70hVXQmubwRSH6b8pQrRB1IZs1EQkVl-mJHQJbU2xRYvmBMPjO1Ik-0v0FJRWEY9EgyVwuckv0M8-70XH5eV6Tel0twIAvlSqU7AVXzMYedGDVfWMtDCkkYgqKuu6rKMZuFpIZ8qQyt83wgmSyIbADIogXQMCc6_sI/s320/20231218_113545%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikA8gBEm5tpCCDqY6CQpfj5nPDoLcF0dy7QhK70QvVdj-xV_m2EAca68onnZ7sk5rv1yeRnxh_c4Tz4U85xvFhlZWd3fkPt93ZTcE3V9flqrEXP-2RlfAD4eY1muH4SDWYweZrxcO6DBpR2rhVZ0csDBgl5dfnxck8UNSYhav0QZJ9NHrkcSOmwrKcyxU/s1440/20231218_113603%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikA8gBEm5tpCCDqY6CQpfj5nPDoLcF0dy7QhK70QvVdj-xV_m2EAca68onnZ7sk5rv1yeRnxh_c4Tz4U85xvFhlZWd3fkPt93ZTcE3V9flqrEXP-2RlfAD4eY1muH4SDWYweZrxcO6DBpR2rhVZ0csDBgl5dfnxck8UNSYhav0QZJ9NHrkcSOmwrKcyxU/s320/20231218_113603%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyXhyKz21lknBJeIgb7-zXbNnUfsBMkHd6RMWUlBm9nfriKTKcOGeln6No4cITr3Ow3kriwuA-PiHXDsfr4HpbIMASzU150yxXr2eG2b_L2QBfP7Susm1y9_xyW48xZ9xOPBRmLSezBWWGGssj3lZt7QZ9qP1np1Twb_4bLaSnmIEfAYUD2sqCL1Oa2w/s1440/20231218_113616%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyXhyKz21lknBJeIgb7-zXbNnUfsBMkHd6RMWUlBm9nfriKTKcOGeln6No4cITr3Ow3kriwuA-PiHXDsfr4HpbIMASzU150yxXr2eG2b_L2QBfP7Susm1y9_xyW48xZ9xOPBRmLSezBWWGGssj3lZt7QZ9qP1np1Twb_4bLaSnmIEfAYUD2sqCL1Oa2w/s320/20231218_113616%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGunqos5EfuT9hHXfF6Re2bytXx2B501Lzvzir6KqDS7dLGP0O35GZ1xyoPH8I5Ynzsg4QDnId2lpZLvTvCkM9_L6XQ_Aw0qRaCE9_QR_0x3akMAD2c3t-oIHYrAzLOzE234jKvrcReBE1x23RiD0-DGGZEKNP2y7r9DIZSYHEL4VAUw-hgOp-HrOjJiM/s1440/20231218_113637%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGunqos5EfuT9hHXfF6Re2bytXx2B501Lzvzir6KqDS7dLGP0O35GZ1xyoPH8I5Ynzsg4QDnId2lpZLvTvCkM9_L6XQ_Aw0qRaCE9_QR_0x3akMAD2c3t-oIHYrAzLOzE234jKvrcReBE1x23RiD0-DGGZEKNP2y7r9DIZSYHEL4VAUw-hgOp-HrOjJiM/s320/20231218_113637%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYXgtzuBzpyXhnLwQgzQLYRHv0DdCFAwmDNtq-MYCzGrMXAXQ0xoVx_X0ngKUOnVZixVNe_DqbpHUFNnCVdZuPDVW0RXRyziuyP3zNau9r6kyJF7c7WvCo0eFMRuqhy4o-uX_QGTZdnycza0xYPfZ9t-Bhip1bzbs86g65gCxTx4kjhrOWJGc331Yk4E/s1440/20231218_113647%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYXgtzuBzpyXhnLwQgzQLYRHv0DdCFAwmDNtq-MYCzGrMXAXQ0xoVx_X0ngKUOnVZixVNe_DqbpHUFNnCVdZuPDVW0RXRyziuyP3zNau9r6kyJF7c7WvCo0eFMRuqhy4o-uX_QGTZdnycza0xYPfZ9t-Bhip1bzbs86g65gCxTx4kjhrOWJGc331Yk4E/s320/20231218_113647%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Finishing off this kit, I felt very tempted to stay on the roll and start another Chinese kit (I have several waiting in the queue). But instead I am attempting to overcome my deep procrastination and finish off the details of my original <b>Japanese dollshouse</b> that I finished just before COVID. The house and garden are complete, but I have never added in all the accessories and details that it needs. Mainly because that would need research and scratch building and it just seemed too overwhelming. But I've made a start. This is the front porch - I have made two 'kadomatsu' or Japanese new year arrangements, inspired by the explanation posted by Pavluv Pane on her <a href="https://japanesedollshouse.blogspot.com/2014/01/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">excellent dollshouse blog</a>. After taking this picture, I also made a little bench to go to the side. Now I've started on the onsen bath room - I'm making little Yukata robes folded up to go in the storage cubbyholes. It still feels very overwhelming but I will try to do a bit at a time. It would be great to get the house 'finished' and off my list.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58aQUniRy078rO9vb2OnanBI8fJJq2VdtdNUMRcJzLPSQbDLdGABz7L9sjS0mj1-9JWa5_UxNCcTc450ZsVMZEAMtTfMjr30TwrzNLojUn2c8ICOb1ODAHxMiaIFl6kJIPdVoP2t8HtAa-rbVVJLp-La8K8IBJPwrK9Z01fRRuznl1CD31Y0uBfMjXWA/s1440/20231223_132256%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58aQUniRy078rO9vb2OnanBI8fJJq2VdtdNUMRcJzLPSQbDLdGABz7L9sjS0mj1-9JWa5_UxNCcTc450ZsVMZEAMtTfMjr30TwrzNLojUn2c8ICOb1ODAHxMiaIFl6kJIPdVoP2t8HtAa-rbVVJLp-La8K8IBJPwrK9Z01fRRuznl1CD31Y0uBfMjXWA/s320/20231223_132256%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Once I had the quilt kits cut out and prepped ready for my next quilt retreat, I pulled out a printed panel by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/AmberMakesCo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">AmberMakes on etsy</a>, for a little sewing case with accessories. Quite fun to work on, although a bit fiddly. It's a clever concept, so much more sophisticated than pre-printed panels back in the day. I've got two more accessories to make for it: a covered tape measure and a pincushion.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-0IWH7Yh3RJwE8prIpt5iLoWCD9jM6H5vyoMDX0s21eC2HCOascUEG1_u3NTFJ5dQwz_ID8XSUbKLJ6pRZyDOA_Jv6WnJYaRolKDwdLvdeHBCaTtd6H77bU7GDh3W0hLb748j0wBNNOg4N6ufALAk4e0m3ShYg-g8XhLQ4Y4oiyMdVBtYT0kEBPjQKg/s1440/20231223_132340%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-0IWH7Yh3RJwE8prIpt5iLoWCD9jM6H5vyoMDX0s21eC2HCOascUEG1_u3NTFJ5dQwz_ID8XSUbKLJ6pRZyDOA_Jv6WnJYaRolKDwdLvdeHBCaTtd6H77bU7GDh3W0hLb748j0wBNNOg4N6ufALAk4e0m3ShYg-g8XhLQ4Y4oiyMdVBtYT0kEBPjQKg/s320/20231223_132340%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuc9E6g7GFqPXiiqZVDVqkJwCPxugSExTyDGLdqFrna6NhwtSklft_gPm3_WGVQjuRjQzsz0fxt_mkLGwQI47An87_vP0Sup843Acatx9papB7YEPRT5cTFTsEZGLjTfmDGjNQVj5B8ITkOLyEe7u7oi0jOkfhmErG-jrb5Izq64nJrlYLZJo-gwHAcE/s1440/20231223_132401%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuc9E6g7GFqPXiiqZVDVqkJwCPxugSExTyDGLdqFrna6NhwtSklft_gPm3_WGVQjuRjQzsz0fxt_mkLGwQI47An87_vP0Sup843Acatx9papB7YEPRT5cTFTsEZGLjTfmDGjNQVj5B8ITkOLyEe7u7oi0jOkfhmErG-jrb5Izq64nJrlYLZJo-gwHAcE/s320/20231223_132401%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I've been knitting, un-knitting, and re-knitting the <b>Little Cotton Rabbits Wristwarmers</b>. Unknitting because I forgot to leave a thumb slit, and also because of some pattern mistakes. I thought I was being clever, knitting this in the round instead of flat like the original (which is then seamed, and you just leave part of the seam open for the thumb). But I hadn't really thought it through: I had to knit back and forth anyway to create the thumb slit. Also, one or both colours are changing virtually every row, so there have been sooooooo many ends on the inside getting in the way and making a huge mess - even though I stopped to darn them in every so often. Normally I knit in ends as I go, but it doesn't work well when you are creating more ends in the new row and the first stitch is loose because the three rows underneath that all have ends etc. Still not happy with my tension, although I know it will look a lot better after blocking. I might try knitting the second wristwarmer flat to see if that's easier. I also might knit a thumb on, it would be warmer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzc8TtwRssNJ93Xn9nj1UjT6c7BrK65AIK1cfux3o-w-Aewq3uu0FOjhtSNcWZ-HBJmJdLLs-3bYrykWug7w0DlnwyYgYSQJzCS17izsf8It-Zj49PBdHGk1iUyHggDopgsaLCoYG4UBkULy8pxzSJ3mstB6L4Tij1XXEyJ9BF-x1k7lj92WVeDHcNlA/s1440/20231223_132539%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzc8TtwRssNJ93Xn9nj1UjT6c7BrK65AIK1cfux3o-w-Aewq3uu0FOjhtSNcWZ-HBJmJdLLs-3bYrykWug7w0DlnwyYgYSQJzCS17izsf8It-Zj49PBdHGk1iUyHggDopgsaLCoYG4UBkULy8pxzSJ3mstB6L4Tij1XXEyJ9BF-x1k7lj92WVeDHcNlA/s320/20231223_132539%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuSu-uUGfXtWBouG8zKLRlZKIvYS_kpcVgSWb6t7gGcCXmpZYxQ46p0LJYekdkOozTEH32HrbPduugSpq2FjQATVMH6zEJiN3R8EfWOSm-10rZ-ZIMGbNeNcVSLiwUL-POgYwtkfi2WWSyJ6UkcNHzD79JZCfHgEpad5K4aZTxRJJ39iy8e7aAWY-5cs/s1440/20231223_132601%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuSu-uUGfXtWBouG8zKLRlZKIvYS_kpcVgSWb6t7gGcCXmpZYxQ46p0LJYekdkOozTEH32HrbPduugSpq2FjQATVMH6zEJiN3R8EfWOSm-10rZ-ZIMGbNeNcVSLiwUL-POgYwtkfi2WWSyJ6UkcNHzD79JZCfHgEpad5K4aZTxRJJ39iy8e7aAWY-5cs/s320/20231223_132601%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>I hope your holiday preparations are in hand and you are getting some time for relaxing and crafting. With best wishes for a happy holiday season!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC85E5tJLaqjU8cJCK-XJLpxHkTy9B1kK2maRQayXim6erp17JerHtbKNhf959TDeDd2YWJ6pwLnd6tsB0tzobK0DzdWyS-zBbddBEDwW1EpWwMgM_lzVW-6nCwfXEq-Q0lGAce3B4lpVG19EnoetuisXQjXU9YMZXuYHY-hSInlFK7Gm7gBWtGBgk_UE/s1440/20231208_210205%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC85E5tJLaqjU8cJCK-XJLpxHkTy9B1kK2maRQayXim6erp17JerHtbKNhf959TDeDd2YWJ6pwLnd6tsB0tzobK0DzdWyS-zBbddBEDwW1EpWwMgM_lzVW-6nCwfXEq-Q0lGAce3B4lpVG19EnoetuisXQjXU9YMZXuYHY-hSInlFK7Gm7gBWtGBgk_UE/w200-h150/20231208_210205%20(Large).jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-66635276660564968282023-12-16T17:11:00.002+00:002023-12-16T17:11:10.206+00:00Grim foreshadowing<p> My husband and sister-in-law have been coping with a sudden crisis with their parents this week after my mother-in-law fell ill with a stomach bug, followed by a chest infection which sent her diabetes numbers rising. As she is her husband's carer, someone has had to stay with them constantly and look after them both while she recovers. They live two hours away from both us and my s-i-l, so care has required some logistical juggling. Luckily DH works remotely so he can work at their place to a degree. It's become clear that they really need someone coming every day. The council isn't responding yet to our requests for a Needs Assessment (which gets the ball rolling for social care) so we're having to arrange (hopefully temporary) expensive paid care to come in. They really should have moved somewhere with better support a few years ago, but chose to install a stair lift instead. Parental decrepitude is such a familar problem at the moment being faced by so many people I know in my age group. It's also a grim foreshadowing of what lies in store for us all. Every time DH and I catch ourselves doing something that the 'old people' do (like talking to ourselves, forgetting why we just opened a cupboard, pressing the wrong buttons in a zoom call etc.) we feel a bit depressed. Hopefully we've got at least another 15 or more good years, but you never know. We certainly plan to downsize out of this larger house into something more future proof, probably in about eight years. Although I can't contemplate having less room for all my stash. I fantasise that we can find copious square footage all on one floor level, for example a converted primary school :)</p><p><br /></p><p>I've kept up with my hour or so a day on the longarm, working on the <b>Thirties sampler quilt</b>. It's feeling more comfortable, and I'm getting more confident about using the rulers for simple patterns. But there are still lots of wobbles and some rough bits. I feel exhausted after an hour of concentrating, I don't know how people keep on quilting for hours. Maybe it's like a muscle you need to build up.</p><p><br /></p><p>I've been prepping quilt pieces for the next quilt retreat in January. There isn't a lot of room at the retreat for cutting out or designing, so I am trying to do that here at home. I cut out and prepped blocks for an 'envelope block' quilt first. Then I pulled out the pinwheel blocks I sewed from Tilda fabrics at a previous retreat, and composed some scrappy sashing for them which I will assemble at the retreat. I tried several different fabrics for the cornerstones but liked this colour the best.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJvxAU-6hD98m3tOwtiYlFH9JwjePxJnpxlj8HdCnZGeedxNRTEZE91vdAW1Hc7vedqRGBjTZqLnoiuD1DRrKDyeG0xJrwHUv75DR5AEyVORlVoBZD039bdpLLpBowvUHDu70yIoLda1qdbvaGtlFRkEBrMwvXiXlX3Re3VLxfrhJP34WikMwMUmHAco/s1440/20231214_110659%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJvxAU-6hD98m3tOwtiYlFH9JwjePxJnpxlj8HdCnZGeedxNRTEZE91vdAW1Hc7vedqRGBjTZqLnoiuD1DRrKDyeG0xJrwHUv75DR5AEyVORlVoBZD039bdpLLpBowvUHDu70yIoLda1qdbvaGtlFRkEBrMwvXiXlX3Re3VLxfrhJP34WikMwMUmHAco/s320/20231214_110659%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Currently I am sewing together jelly roll strips to make a Chequered Dresden Plate from a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbESQ4vMOiI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Missouri Star video</a>. I will cut all the wedges then assemble the plates at the retreat.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I've started knitting some <b>wristwarmers</b> using Shetland jumperweight wool I bought in Shetland. For some reason my tension isn't great, I don't know if it is all the ends getting in the way since the colours are changing almost every row. Hopefully they will block flatter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhxkMT2l6Nt1QqGMA0ZTxyG4o6wfwevc1s__MCmg7YeBPabSp5gfx974jJ2TqTAVU-lpL6jadXm4OMKTmnrz4klQtw7uOTOzvZ_FOtD0fJJymjYFrAjKloVWwNzY6WX2ZzDfxE_t0MTVf5miCgehD-QODk2eKVpJH2iXjCnMB-a8tVCm29jiBBwz8SDc/s1440/20231216_162245%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhxkMT2l6Nt1QqGMA0ZTxyG4o6wfwevc1s__MCmg7YeBPabSp5gfx974jJ2TqTAVU-lpL6jadXm4OMKTmnrz4klQtw7uOTOzvZ_FOtD0fJJymjYFrAjKloVWwNzY6WX2ZzDfxE_t0MTVf5miCgehD-QODk2eKVpJH2iXjCnMB-a8tVCm29jiBBwz8SDc/s320/20231216_162245%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>The <b>Chinese dollshouse </b> is finished now apart from trying to get the electrics to work. I did an initial hookup but a couple of bulbs still aren't coming on and the lights are flickering. I also need to assemble the plexiglas dust cover which came in the kit. Unexpectedly, this has proved to be the most challenging aspect of the whole project, since the paper covering on the plexiglas is basically welded on. I looked it up online, and it's probably because of age since it was manufactured. Online suggested applying gentle head and rolling the paper onto a dowel, which definitely helps. But it is still taking up to 30 minutes to clear one piece of plexiglas - there are five altogether. I'll post pictures when I get the electrics hopefully sorted. The house does look quite cool when it's all lit up.</div><div><br /></div><div>All the Christmas decorations are now up, and DS is coming home for Christmas tomorrow. He'll work remotely for a week then he has a week off. It will be nice to have him back for a while. He's semi-promised to cook for us a few times which will be a nice break.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuF4MQ8SO5rIdgU0PMWfRZrcGYne1gx4IruVXw5vybUvcM22DeBE-SkM_JSC7WZLPxRv38FskmiA1pCfC2boCha6g0nFAgmhbRH6VoLODg2s56NB77Ykx3ty_Borj0kOuveGKTMAn8KiDH6L_dyt_4xKC9yrrBr1mjqI9JpYFpOoUy4opRETYxMUGLbE/s1440/20231210_202850%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuF4MQ8SO5rIdgU0PMWfRZrcGYne1gx4IruVXw5vybUvcM22DeBE-SkM_JSC7WZLPxRv38FskmiA1pCfC2boCha6g0nFAgmhbRH6VoLODg2s56NB77Ykx3ty_Borj0kOuveGKTMAn8KiDH6L_dyt_4xKC9yrrBr1mjqI9JpYFpOoUy4opRETYxMUGLbE/s320/20231210_202850%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This year's tree</div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-14760517749192220622023-12-09T14:33:00.001+00:002023-12-09T14:33:21.640+00:00In low gear this week<p> I've had a cold most of the week so haven't had any energy to do much. Intellectually I know it doesn't really matter - I'm retired, and there hasn't been much on this week that I 'had' to do. But it still feels like I've wasted a lot of time.</p><p><br /></p><p>I finished sewing the binding on the <b>Sunbonnet Sue panel quilt </b>and it was collected by Project Linus to go to someone for Christmas. I hope they like it. Next I loaded the <b>Thirties Sampler</b> Quilt onto the frame. to jump in at the deep end on stitching in the ditch techniques and trying out simple ruler patterns. I've stabilised the entire quilt now by stitching around all the blocks, and I am going back to do the quilting patterns on each block. Thinking how to quilt each block is half the battle, I'm not very creative that way, I'm better at copying things. Trying to stitch in the ditch using straight rulers has also highlighted how poor my pressing techniques are: the seam allowances are going every which way and even some seamlines are a bit wobbly. None of that really mattered when I was only stitching all over pantograph patterns but it's making life difficult now that I'm trying to learn to use rulers.</p><p><br /></p><p>I finished the <b>Robin Christmas ornament</b> and made it up into the ornament. There are several unintentional deviations from the chart but overall it has a charming vintage christmas vibe.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntRnUCB4lgdo_ngCx92xeGS8id5JonHJTigILPof9FP8DpOTVilVxkZkTFrug3VQd13legyUVlFMBK2SDy9jaEPlQiHz-L9TmtJJlqd0nkqNTn8OgHi19txyVIVQlta_fd01aXMzeQIkHCfT8zS6Cqtz1F1mLMBfNwgYD_R-BrKDfOSleWkhJsm_hB5Y/s1226/corpo%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntRnUCB4lgdo_ngCx92xeGS8id5JonHJTigILPof9FP8DpOTVilVxkZkTFrug3VQd13legyUVlFMBK2SDy9jaEPlQiHz-L9TmtJJlqd0nkqNTn8OgHi19txyVIVQlta_fd01aXMzeQIkHCfT8zS6Cqtz1F1mLMBfNwgYD_R-BrKDfOSleWkhJsm_hB5Y/s320/corpo%20(Large).jpg" width="282" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I can show you the tester bag pattern that I made a few weeks ago, as the pattern has now been published. I used some wicker fabric that I bought in Toyo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88TMDW-OUFC42H47H_PAl7X7uoNSpzzZDAPLjoCvaBtu4z2R9lhDy4kLlAtPbZ2qRJCrzA8qu2rk4iVOhB-ynzNtjRNAZrnbN9B7XSHbKMA39rPktC3yPfBBqbLH5t2bm3wNPWUwtmL7YvNIZY9MYZ-z8EErG4XZWBliLjPG_yaP0ZC-LQ95zaC_N-BU/s1440/20231109_115843%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88TMDW-OUFC42H47H_PAl7X7uoNSpzzZDAPLjoCvaBtu4z2R9lhDy4kLlAtPbZ2qRJCrzA8qu2rk4iVOhB-ynzNtjRNAZrnbN9B7XSHbKMA39rPktC3yPfBBqbLH5t2bm3wNPWUwtmL7YvNIZY9MYZ-z8EErG4XZWBliLjPG_yaP0ZC-LQ95zaC_N-BU/s320/20231109_115843%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HT4JrqRZ0vSSFZ6kIm9TRPA56ftFQkR-jD0i_hV4Im2xyPZfX9cr5pDLDUKBLllZe2En0m2sFBk7fayIsazcFR6giMMtvf4xBx6pJpEuQLy0iVnvW53BKZWedcojyAJeUzVfLgcNOlLNWwpgHS3L-o9mQjb7G5qAUtlXI4IUwilvYQd6FygIVKnfXDo/s1440/20231108_151833%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HT4JrqRZ0vSSFZ6kIm9TRPA56ftFQkR-jD0i_hV4Im2xyPZfX9cr5pDLDUKBLllZe2En0m2sFBk7fayIsazcFR6giMMtvf4xBx6pJpEuQLy0iVnvW53BKZWedcojyAJeUzVfLgcNOlLNWwpgHS3L-o9mQjb7G5qAUtlXI4IUwilvYQd6FygIVKnfXDo/s320/20231108_151833%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zGZypsjjM5CAdAgaxhxTvRzVupdhu2YLgoi6ImDfgLn5dBs76Hdn9fZPxhmi26Eqx8BofMmoKaF-ESL_rc7YsSBcaiz2L-X2O2xjI-PVdTLCAmE3yKi1EBRKFzJl0VmHEa0JFac7POUdGdozWy3M2rbfIMANuLJkzTHrAsCpobVBLUXeneRb3REaneE/s1440/20231109_115801%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zGZypsjjM5CAdAgaxhxTvRzVupdhu2YLgoi6ImDfgLn5dBs76Hdn9fZPxhmi26Eqx8BofMmoKaF-ESL_rc7YsSBcaiz2L-X2O2xjI-PVdTLCAmE3yKi1EBRKFzJl0VmHEa0JFac7POUdGdozWy3M2rbfIMANuLJkzTHrAsCpobVBLUXeneRb3REaneE/s320/20231109_115801%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p>The <b>Chinese dollshouse kit</b> is mostly finished for the house portion and the instructions have moved on to the landscaping.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxoy86-UhMxVZ_Ktf59EvE5x7UNgjZ5uwAUtmpJEUGndLJDr8Ik9kMx1zSUT1wrY-ghfh6qo2hHmlWQ4tQn0DDciHljsGc3j07WT4JTFO-PJvD6KodbDcvkTPbl1kTa93IwJ-26sQbL6yUemIAEgTwjKFaZR44BUThSVIXChqZX9vScD55BHFh_z7LBM/s1440/20231209_140730%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxoy86-UhMxVZ_Ktf59EvE5x7UNgjZ5uwAUtmpJEUGndLJDr8Ik9kMx1zSUT1wrY-ghfh6qo2hHmlWQ4tQn0DDciHljsGc3j07WT4JTFO-PJvD6KodbDcvkTPbl1kTa93IwJ-26sQbL6yUemIAEgTwjKFaZR44BUThSVIXChqZX9vScD55BHFh_z7LBM/s320/20231209_140730%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I've been slowly putting up Christmas decorations and Christmas quilts. The tree is up and almost decorated, I will finish it today. My Christmas porch vignette is on display in the dining room and looks pretty with the lights on. We haven't done the outside lights because the weather has been so cold and wet, maybe we won't bother this year - I have lights hanging in both the front windows. And I hung up this guy from Japan:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSWy8dRqXmlYLs8YvKsafp66f-i90TXB7TI_w4VrIvuZBH4N8iKVxPlQwv8yWPmkC9wjA7-gKmYwf5-SGKtvAF9lUwcJACOUVi_vOPH84KINZsn5tnilOmh9riIwQq6wbXDZ1kQRnGe_vgDT6Pu1uuZmJdx8P8Itwp42iomA_0MP9uiBgW_2gaoc6w0I/s1440/20231208_210205%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSWy8dRqXmlYLs8YvKsafp66f-i90TXB7TI_w4VrIvuZBH4N8iKVxPlQwv8yWPmkC9wjA7-gKmYwf5-SGKtvAF9lUwcJACOUVi_vOPH84KINZsn5tnilOmh9riIwQq6wbXDZ1kQRnGe_vgDT6Pu1uuZmJdx8P8Itwp42iomA_0MP9uiBgW_2gaoc6w0I/s320/20231208_210205%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Hope your holiday preparations are going well!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-23750080971677783102023-12-02T10:21:00.000+00:002023-12-02T10:21:50.189+00:00It's cold out there<p> We're in the middle of a cold snap. It freezes overnight, and every morning we wake up to a heavy frost in the garden so all the plants are dying back for the winter now. The high yesterday was 3 degrees C during the day. So basically I don't feel like going out because I'm not used to it yet. Not that it feels a lot warmer inside the house - we've turned the heating up but it is still dropping to 15 degrees now and then, inside. Too many cold spots and drafts. I have assumed my winter uniform of fleeces, fleecy boot slippers, neck shawls etc. The dollshouse room remains icy all day but the sewing room will get warm if the radiator in there is on. I'm getting more done though, because I'm inside more.</p><p><br /></p><p>Despite the cold, I've been working on the <b>Chinese dollshouse kit</b> most days, it's at the fun stage where the house is going together, and all the little bits you make first are getting installed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMqwHg_KBelFZjauRBynkRwl0BdmICmboWMgZH21NI6t5If1oxem8fI4wWR7v0ue4VGYabSKnBQlsROkiuhPjqQaZt1MeSde-r0OmaauebzRALJTg7k7UYBZDu5StDEi_qIOZ3DLsurRXTYfgZos2FJpCU0N2Zfo1eWdzHuwymN74CAO0BC_GFyqVuZU/s1440/20231129_202647%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMqwHg_KBelFZjauRBynkRwl0BdmICmboWMgZH21NI6t5If1oxem8fI4wWR7v0ue4VGYabSKnBQlsROkiuhPjqQaZt1MeSde-r0OmaauebzRALJTg7k7UYBZDu5StDEi_qIOZ3DLsurRXTYfgZos2FJpCU0N2Zfo1eWdzHuwymN74CAO0BC_GFyqVuZU/s320/20231129_202647%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The ground floor. I made the big rocks look more realistic with an application of wood filler and paint.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrkqNqlnUo-uDZ9tArJ7Cg7x_qwve5a4vqOgmc1sHJV8HV0rB503_qpvtAqsvXijqE7-ABMACzZgxiDbWfSjkH7yCiqAAgeLpgxVlDsIRzr0tZwhDmUBwiOwhrs2f1cKAhjOzxcveSosnI7aYhOHecVtW5FujhkfA3eZ6nRjyJ5rbAmTrlyFOWevvXGk/s1440/20231202_093852%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrkqNqlnUo-uDZ9tArJ7Cg7x_qwve5a4vqOgmc1sHJV8HV0rB503_qpvtAqsvXijqE7-ABMACzZgxiDbWfSjkH7yCiqAAgeLpgxVlDsIRzr0tZwhDmUBwiOwhrs2f1cKAhjOzxcveSosnI7aYhOHecVtW5FujhkfA3eZ6nRjyJ5rbAmTrlyFOWevvXGk/s320/20231202_093852%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The upper floor coming together</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXjcdN83AU5oeSjzELspWfiQsrLsf6yx897awAw7glLL4-aYx5eGya13JLKuMG9O1GxaAuYNMLWqawVngaW3lTK8z-3-MKtorhnvWzBXwJ63SdmK4nQd-U90rq4NUI9h7X1oq5vRk8ulL8ShAHyVrnqJ_2cSXXMtiFqBZodz6ud62vng7NQ6bafzt2YQ/s1440/20231202_093857%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXjcdN83AU5oeSjzELspWfiQsrLsf6yx897awAw7glLL4-aYx5eGya13JLKuMG9O1GxaAuYNMLWqawVngaW3lTK8z-3-MKtorhnvWzBXwJ63SdmK4nQd-U90rq4NUI9h7X1oq5vRk8ulL8ShAHyVrnqJ_2cSXXMtiFqBZodz6ud62vng7NQ6bafzt2YQ/s320/20231202_093857%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Some sewing finishes this week. My first quilt on the longarm, <b>the Sunbonnet Sue panel quilt</b>, is complete and I'm currently sewing the binding on. It is not terrible. I was basically trying out various rulers without actually doing much measuring, so the designs are all a bit wonky and off centre, but overall it looks fine I think. It certainly wasn't a disaster, and I have been sufficiently encouraged to load my <b>1930s Sampler quilt</b> onto the frame as my next project.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8jN1FpjPh1XGtUrmjqoDDr3r5gd_71M0EAssKkQI8PY3XBKl0OTkaISK7fvYzY_3U2WPjDsKP7lZ3TK_kWcVJX3Ajb8LtL4d_yToWzhWxLPNkE48YvHpqQZZCoV8HQb3ssx7tFP0Lm2A_S2wFb624zEXuJ4Gt1cdpTvkAogtw7dnDREYpEcXdT5GSKk/s1440/20231201_083213%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8jN1FpjPh1XGtUrmjqoDDr3r5gd_71M0EAssKkQI8PY3XBKl0OTkaISK7fvYzY_3U2WPjDsKP7lZ3TK_kWcVJX3Ajb8LtL4d_yToWzhWxLPNkE48YvHpqQZZCoV8HQb3ssx7tFP0Lm2A_S2wFb624zEXuJ4Gt1cdpTvkAogtw7dnDREYpEcXdT5GSKk/s320/20231201_083213%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdVaEkX0jaxjnHRrQYAzvj0lfiNLSsNJ0Sf7G20bJAT7WYf07Kdh58oIXMzYMUr9oWfsNFxDCjgmx2-YRTKeoeASo8EPGrnlN8uHLMPg-9ENFO9xevSQXFd5qzUutb6nNevCTlYdUPSVgbH1KkJMjEjiwTXxUdwGGk4VV8pmBjnq_F1u5phH6TsLdBdU/s2133/20231201_083232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdVaEkX0jaxjnHRrQYAzvj0lfiNLSsNJ0Sf7G20bJAT7WYf07Kdh58oIXMzYMUr9oWfsNFxDCjgmx2-YRTKeoeASo8EPGrnlN8uHLMPg-9ENFO9xevSQXFd5qzUutb6nNevCTlYdUPSVgbH1KkJMjEjiwTXxUdwGGk4VV8pmBjnq_F1u5phH6TsLdBdU/s320/20231201_083232.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I also finished the top for the <b>Embroidered blocks quilt kit</b> that I bought in Paducah, which is based on a Moda Blue Ribbon panel. I took the smaller embroidered blocks along on my Japan trip back in April as a craft project, and sewed the first pieced block in October. This week I added the nine-patch blocks and created an applique butterfly block using a design from one of my books of 1930s quilt reproductions - to fill in the gap created by adding the extra blocks to the original design. I think it looks better now, more balanced than the original although not perfect. I also like that the pastels come forward more, so it is less aggressively red/white/blue. I sewed a backing and cut the binding, and it has now taken its place in the queue ready for quilting. I'm not really sure what will be the best way to quilt the embroidered blocks - the examples I've found online went with an all over design but that rather detracts from the blocks.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKzS4QEPvGt-26gq34Pv1OQqGJ5SrKFvElnQ-L6umUyZvOqi46uunApvZmu1vKE4uBcoQfvR8RQmqnmK-DTAW_Aik1rfjEki1fg46_tyMDRveVsX1H0b8LcOdhC-tesYksNGQwByAOGwAlVvyqbD-pqllyrdng5mPaUjZ0W6wPRY8bANnz4K-lJ4oWyI/s1440/20231201_171244%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKzS4QEPvGt-26gq34Pv1OQqGJ5SrKFvElnQ-L6umUyZvOqi46uunApvZmu1vKE4uBcoQfvR8RQmqnmK-DTAW_Aik1rfjEki1fg46_tyMDRveVsX1H0b8LcOdhC-tesYksNGQwByAOGwAlVvyqbD-pqllyrdng5mPaUjZ0W6wPRY8bANnz4K-lJ4oWyI/s320/20231201_171244%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEI2ny5s36mXARFIYYvclZOsXq4TDoTwC4ft5I0xghrIgJ2g3UrpJ1P4o5pEzTr7sqsjnOIC1GtUTd3-wWU9vKdLd6V51kbKP6XWX09oY0tssmYEweD1zePBUvM5fxCoUbT1ubJySElNnoeluVnGPcuDA9_WmzW-k9X46NCOgG6hE5x1Hcas_EKYajt0/s1440/20231201_171303%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEI2ny5s36mXARFIYYvclZOsXq4TDoTwC4ft5I0xghrIgJ2g3UrpJ1P4o5pEzTr7sqsjnOIC1GtUTd3-wWU9vKdLd6V51kbKP6XWX09oY0tssmYEweD1zePBUvM5fxCoUbT1ubJySElNnoeluVnGPcuDA9_WmzW-k9X46NCOgG6hE5x1Hcas_EKYajt0/s320/20231201_171303%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizf9vDgBADT2skyX4ZHdD3u9r-a4jPdT9nKZUFPXWnnO-1mIo1PtiqgC6mWU7wSTiQ-s5su_HSLdnlJ4GgoVCc5jeaNJc4ZM2B5KWPB_M395_ZG1YVx_nTc8c7EEfC6rIuf5Iog7ouEXbrm2GX6TEE0TBsd0McTM0T9CLLhlEH5bouqJnmymvXruWFfGM/s1440/20231201_171308%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizf9vDgBADT2skyX4ZHdD3u9r-a4jPdT9nKZUFPXWnnO-1mIo1PtiqgC6mWU7wSTiQ-s5su_HSLdnlJ4GgoVCc5jeaNJc4ZM2B5KWPB_M395_ZG1YVx_nTc8c7EEfC6rIuf5Iog7ouEXbrm2GX6TEE0TBsd0McTM0T9CLLhlEH5bouqJnmymvXruWFfGM/s320/20231201_171308%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDnNjR-rs6T6EYC65J1mb_zzRR5MgNXHiipHWh4eS1cFyBbplrsBjQbf06d370Ar6IMZGAVnihn_7lgs0FZy11xXM7Fq01dfmc47U9mTzvuEdi7yXIFDabgQwJfznOVkdEc_i5608ceZz2Jl0VqKc7SzaqB8HK5Rv0jWDTz5PeziPmFJR-S_narNCrpE/s1440/20231201_171316%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDnNjR-rs6T6EYC65J1mb_zzRR5MgNXHiipHWh4eS1cFyBbplrsBjQbf06d370Ar6IMZGAVnihn_7lgs0FZy11xXM7Fq01dfmc47U9mTzvuEdi7yXIFDabgQwJfznOVkdEc_i5608ceZz2Jl0VqKc7SzaqB8HK5Rv0jWDTz5PeziPmFJR-S_narNCrpE/s320/20231201_171316%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ag0Vvqn4QnuGzHp6oCqIfx50xBXuQEm-_-XFvWvC81gPmonvUrlENGGElw9eMEn7FFinSLkrWqPGChHySgbdEKS9g-kLVVW2aH1Oa9hfa2PG4_iAfBl8iH4a5_cDjyA-Cf5xPH2rRXFnKRLSQuc0CjP2XntgGy9nJOu_Pk5pl8UNNUA9imR0dUC5JOE/s1440/20231201_171321%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ag0Vvqn4QnuGzHp6oCqIfx50xBXuQEm-_-XFvWvC81gPmonvUrlENGGElw9eMEn7FFinSLkrWqPGChHySgbdEKS9g-kLVVW2aH1Oa9hfa2PG4_iAfBl8iH4a5_cDjyA-Cf5xPH2rRXFnKRLSQuc0CjP2XntgGy9nJOu_Pk5pl8UNNUA9imR0dUC5JOE/s320/20231201_171321%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZgA8PUtdKYiRbtVSHc3ZFBQPtOh7RuDK1t5ebVQ9Rq9QV60Wv-j-H2NJ1ui9uGmxodkPRPBBwmIM0HPHZ49ciYkHjeieyCHSzEUennG8QYnzh_cwwnmyMWkGIMQP5vuat8IXFbU15hsMT63MXWc3MVSflQmpj0Y5MPsjZZXj-yZwGJLteVtknbX1M_c/s1440/20231201_171331%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZgA8PUtdKYiRbtVSHc3ZFBQPtOh7RuDK1t5ebVQ9Rq9QV60Wv-j-H2NJ1ui9uGmxodkPRPBBwmIM0HPHZ49ciYkHjeieyCHSzEUennG8QYnzh_cwwnmyMWkGIMQP5vuat8IXFbU15hsMT63MXWc3MVSflQmpj0Y5MPsjZZXj-yZwGJLteVtknbX1M_c/s320/20231201_171331%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4INx5oCSRyY14ekp-wNNkswGJ-wp1pPWHnIEeevyQd2ahkhHXAqwQ006wddc0AqnL4JFQ6_QKNxUZuA-74KyQZHpPIyTe-D2wpioGQJTsqhvquQJzkZHzZIBYReaSFAziusAD9g1LTy757RQbdOVCs24wDOdsh0IGdefTpLSBsFtN1XHc9v2htKb1Qs/s1440/20231201_171334%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4INx5oCSRyY14ekp-wNNkswGJ-wp1pPWHnIEeevyQd2ahkhHXAqwQ006wddc0AqnL4JFQ6_QKNxUZuA-74KyQZHpPIyTe-D2wpioGQJTsqhvquQJzkZHzZIBYReaSFAziusAD9g1LTy757RQbdOVCs24wDOdsh0IGdefTpLSBsFtN1XHc9v2htKb1Qs/s320/20231201_171334%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I finished off the <b>Santa Claus letter cross stitch kit</b> that came with the CrossStitcher magazine last week. I used the provided fabric to bind the edges of the canvas, rather than to sew a pouch as suggested, so that it becomes a Christmas ornament. Fun stitch.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bLXslal8ehh8FLqK-LLVyx5kH6VSHAAXhyLx61QrbQYtnHpz2voLRolHRLOhu3i8H60yz9Wdrcf5yffK25-fhQnsc98jRPQZlEhg_CtonuwXnsJ5Wn7wy6S8LYPZK4yxtfKUkLbdunek_Xv2nonhNDUvV0vQEkb1gRWJfF16x9JZp2yP8Nh3DB0rJEI/s1440/20231127_113125%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bLXslal8ehh8FLqK-LLVyx5kH6VSHAAXhyLx61QrbQYtnHpz2voLRolHRLOhu3i8H60yz9Wdrcf5yffK25-fhQnsc98jRPQZlEhg_CtonuwXnsJ5Wn7wy6S8LYPZK4yxtfKUkLbdunek_Xv2nonhNDUvV0vQEkb1gRWJfF16x9JZp2yP8Nh3DB0rJEI/s320/20231127_113125%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The <b>Robin cross stitch</b> meanwhile has careened onwards. Due to a multiplicity of errors, my wreath is a bit more oval than round and my stitches were also out by one thread when I came around to join the beginning. Oh well, if a blind man can't see the mistakes from the back of a galloping horse, as my American quilting friend used to say... I've started on the backstitching.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8IEAh4zzBW1-CI72VOU50dGEXZWP07nxI6pKrQHoaA2GaNkhQ212oxj371j6zTUc4OIGg-ZsaiPhtpUcJMN2vCQnAZ_N_5mRV2BgyrnMWUyVKklCjJwfUHksQ7VTP3eqSpliK9D8b3TX1ieLqq1fupb5izApvltfVOxwoPhFNsUwyvw2C4e15ozoSGk/s1440/20231202_093803%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8IEAh4zzBW1-CI72VOU50dGEXZWP07nxI6pKrQHoaA2GaNkhQ212oxj371j6zTUc4OIGg-ZsaiPhtpUcJMN2vCQnAZ_N_5mRV2BgyrnMWUyVKklCjJwfUHksQ7VTP3eqSpliK9D8b3TX1ieLqq1fupb5izApvltfVOxwoPhFNsUwyvw2C4e15ozoSGk/s320/20231202_093803%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>My bobbin lace group exchanges Christmas presents every year. This year I made them little cat-shaped clips, that I learned how to make in Japan. These were for sale in an Akita cafe that sold a variety of crafts, and the maker kindly showed me and a couple of other students how she made them. I traced the pattern and bought the clips to bring home with me. The cats are based on a Japanese laundry clip - they tend to hang their washing on poles, rather than lines, where I was living. I didn't think I would be able to find the clips in the UK so made sure to buy some there and bring them back. If you squeeze the cat's legs, their front paws open.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45pFQ61TTMQh9Pu-11jKtFSLh1wfOzgpKHR0_a8R_-OKBxYFWHpDGBzZQhEAPlUANQgThyjDQZl40mvba1vA8GhgmFKk7DmsfjHnulwRIK8SwwArs1SeGoWVtsNlBrYwt0icM3vptogcZKA8T_1jM6pUUdswuAg6giGkoRyejcJwo9vulfu5bzikYHbM/s1440/20231127_153800%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45pFQ61TTMQh9Pu-11jKtFSLh1wfOzgpKHR0_a8R_-OKBxYFWHpDGBzZQhEAPlUANQgThyjDQZl40mvba1vA8GhgmFKk7DmsfjHnulwRIK8SwwArs1SeGoWVtsNlBrYwt0icM3vptogcZKA8T_1jM6pUUdswuAg6giGkoRyejcJwo9vulfu5bzikYHbM/s320/20231127_153800%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCIpCDa67FK8-09n8LRFa-h7XNe-5IowxpcJNVLZ946rL0FfSx9c9tIv7XXiFuHGgCYusb0g6byy51wbHEhDfK9YE4s3YzK0Tbg6uix1zBXXTqGTVggug6GBMzxRkeVDZ4OYZGvoUoZL_Gn_7bY2jOH3zyShY3ZwUerBm-pDnVErF5cdWa5WSWUMJo9o/s1440/20231127_153834%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCIpCDa67FK8-09n8LRFa-h7XNe-5IowxpcJNVLZ946rL0FfSx9c9tIv7XXiFuHGgCYusb0g6byy51wbHEhDfK9YE4s3YzK0Tbg6uix1zBXXTqGTVggug6GBMzxRkeVDZ4OYZGvoUoZL_Gn_7bY2jOH3zyShY3ZwUerBm-pDnVErF5cdWa5WSWUMJo9o/s320/20231127_153834%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdOmd5Em8NMVol2zUd9fT3pmu8PFOhT8Lrg5C12S8akMAk6SVXJiNxt50RMCIRfqS0-KnACXxjgQcVNepdVn4aIqdErb8-C29uPg1ZTzWkDUT0y0tfkdTT4bjl_oQaiaRUQVWMFMSx2lirg2WoFT9BzVdLvA3wtCYpuP8t2gJgRw2x5E4IPSgtknvQQA/s1440/20231127_153928%20(Large)%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdOmd5Em8NMVol2zUd9fT3pmu8PFOhT8Lrg5C12S8akMAk6SVXJiNxt50RMCIRfqS0-KnACXxjgQcVNepdVn4aIqdErb8-C29uPg1ZTzWkDUT0y0tfkdTT4bjl_oQaiaRUQVWMFMSx2lirg2WoFT9BzVdLvA3wtCYpuP8t2gJgRw2x5E4IPSgtknvQQA/s320/20231127_153928%20(Large)%20(2).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>DH and I went for a Christmas-themed afternoon tea yesterday - with a gluten-free version for me. So I enjoyed my first mince pies and turkey sandwiches of the season. A fun way to kick off December. DH has also ferried down from the attic all the multiple boxes of Christmas decorations, so I can get started on Christmasfying the house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_FMGfSMJsVE3ZLR3Uv-WtbwStGrh8peo2_CUKlIryu0pKv4UuTepwSLqxSTG6sugNCpH3H4q4hL-fjw0BJVSZ2VzeUDE6U5wWt7OIzA2w_9dMqgPXzl9BjK2uTMrV4vCx9jWtwjUgApPinMVdNTYlxnhnmmG8toBhghVr6xwmN3ncTQesETRS98_Rtw/s2900/crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2900" data-original-width="2637" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_FMGfSMJsVE3ZLR3Uv-WtbwStGrh8peo2_CUKlIryu0pKv4UuTepwSLqxSTG6sugNCpH3H4q4hL-fjw0BJVSZ2VzeUDE6U5wWt7OIzA2w_9dMqgPXzl9BjK2uTMrV4vCx9jWtwjUgApPinMVdNTYlxnhnmmG8toBhghVr6xwmN3ncTQesETRS98_Rtw/s320/crop.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-68758153472739060242023-11-25T17:43:00.001+00:002023-11-25T17:43:35.315+00:00Christmas is in the freezer<p> I've not really enjoyed cooking the full Christmas dinner for a good many years now, it's so much work and by the time it's ready, I usually don't even want to eat it. I've always enjoyed the leftovers a lot more, which can be enjoyed without putting the effort in. But we're trying something different this year. My m-i-l told me that they had ordered Christmas dinner from the upmarket frozen food supplier 'Cook'. This sounded great, so I've ordered one as well. It comes with a turkey crown and several sides and works out about £17 per person which is cheaper than a restaurant, and hopefully will be much less work for me. You could specify when you wanted it delivered - being of a paranoid nature, I had mine delivered this week so I know it's in the freezer ready for the big day (and if it hadn't worked out, I would have had time to buy supplements). It duly turned up and is now taking up a shelf and a half of freezer space which feels well worth it.</p><p><br /></p><p>Christmas is now rearing up everywhere, and we went to a couple of Christmas fairs today. At the first one, held in a big church, one of the craft tables was selling £1 bags of assorted ribbon which seemed like quite a good buy. My ribbon stash has been getting a bit low, so I brought home four different colours.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBAy0kXa8TJ66F3ApvcWpsTDRB5zdBP088enR6guaV-3-TIfz8qxFJ-sKPqegdntGzdqfmckuW46XwdjGiHQ9surVew1ORWXJEp9I1_USQi96_1LDY243Hqv_cxCnqlhYJWHTMNTT11Ffga5Yl-rptZLdacr4zbQ8wknELRsoksbO41Ghi2H68EFGddQ/s1440/20231125_152506%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBAy0kXa8TJ66F3ApvcWpsTDRB5zdBP088enR6guaV-3-TIfz8qxFJ-sKPqegdntGzdqfmckuW46XwdjGiHQ9surVew1ORWXJEp9I1_USQi96_1LDY243Hqv_cxCnqlhYJWHTMNTT11Ffga5Yl-rptZLdacr4zbQ8wknELRsoksbO41Ghi2H68EFGddQ/s320/20231125_152506%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We stopped into Lidl, to pick up a few of the Christmas tea towel sets I had seen posted on Facebook - only £2.99 for a christmas print and a matching solid towel. The post I saw was sewing tote bags and stockings out of them. Not sure what I'll make with mine.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvrJqilC4loyAqgt4eiBCVkZdMVH0Hlnif59rIJl55I8WfUpny8Sf5k8ob2CWfP7ViCPg-NiHp8d8y6iCBZIKtTM62nrYNSERqlp4gsM_-tV0-D6RhwsCzFadZNdhJ79mouqrlHcA7JWVYUTAdsKt6Lc4TXiv2JNEfWMnqd9bWIjR0zILFAngHxSvSqI/s1440/20231125_152454%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvrJqilC4loyAqgt4eiBCVkZdMVH0Hlnif59rIJl55I8WfUpny8Sf5k8ob2CWfP7ViCPg-NiHp8d8y6iCBZIKtTM62nrYNSERqlp4gsM_-tV0-D6RhwsCzFadZNdhJ79mouqrlHcA7JWVYUTAdsKt6Lc4TXiv2JNEfWMnqd9bWIjR0zILFAngHxSvSqI/s320/20231125_152454%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>We went to another big fair at Workbridge, a charity in Northampton providing employment opportunities to the disadvantaged. I was surprised but pleased to see a whole stall selling macrame items in big soft cream cord - all the 1970s favourites were there: the owl with big eyes, the braided spider plant holders, fringed wreaths etc. Is macrame coming back? They actually looked quite good, I was tempted by some macrame christmas trees but remembered I am meant to be decluttering. Finally this afternoon we went to a food fair in a community centre - they also had a craft table which included some cute trees made from yo-yos/suffolk puffs sewn in decreasing diameters, threaded onto a stick which was set into a small pot. Very cute.</p><p><br /></p><p>This week I have finally stopped procrastinating and started practicing daily on my longarm. After warming up with some free motion doodling, I had my first ever go at using a ruler for longarm quilting. I was quite nervous but it is actually easier than I expected - right up until you stop paying attention and suddenly veer off the ruler into space. I drew some boxes in chalk onto my practice cloth and tried out the rulers that came with the machine, and watched various Youtube instruction videos. I also sent off for two more Handiquilter rulers which will be christmas presents from the family. </p><p><br /></p><p>When I ran out of practice cloth, I loaded up my first actual quilt which is the charity quilt I assembled from the Little Quilt panels from my stash. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYPE3eQqFKjm-3bxtKo8unh_619B4d4KETbAHSWC_W5VTyywHaz4oLrzQVTwyQ6qDE1HIESDNEtSe_AL8rcKX1uJjfnHpcdry0ujxkDEWABghxJCTPQ0d9_ke1j-LDlidX7CSF1pnLFYEkaE-8LKDEYcUkRXtpKI6nFxBk9y6PNoAF9YIadjDLhBZPro/s1440/20231125_165846%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYPE3eQqFKjm-3bxtKo8unh_619B4d4KETbAHSWC_W5VTyywHaz4oLrzQVTwyQ6qDE1HIESDNEtSe_AL8rcKX1uJjfnHpcdry0ujxkDEWABghxJCTPQ0d9_ke1j-LDlidX7CSF1pnLFYEkaE-8LKDEYcUkRXtpKI6nFxBk9y6PNoAF9YIadjDLhBZPro/s320/20231125_165846%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p>Then I used the straight ruler to try to follow all the sashing lines, had a go at continuous curve quilting on one of the corners, and am currently trying out arcs in the border. It's been good practice for everything from learning how to start/stop neatly, winding bobbins, adjusting tension, to how to roll on the quilt. There are some real wobbles in several places where my concentration lapsed, but hopefully the eventual recipient won't mind. Ruler work is very start/stop compared to using pantos, but I was enjoying it when I could get a smooth line. There seems to be one place in my table which isn't quite level - the machine suddenly zooms sideways half-an-inch when I reach it. The engineer had a lot of trouble levelling the frame on our Victorian floorboards I remember. I also had a incident where, in mid-line, the tension suddenly went haywire and I ended up with several inches of birdnest on the underside before I realised what had happened. I'm guessing that the thread jumped out of the tension disks but who knows. It's been pretty good since.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBqlbNvEQUTXqBuwo0j-XjYYq6KeJhIiA27cmDN1roc42CoNrxVWCf8cdx0-6vpqz9cBOBYFsg9BMoe5o5Z5H6O3Lc1H6rSqI0AAZEfMplfggLPgQwpNB1Ezz_Dhj0B9X1fjhEUkOc2iK_viu_EeFP3waY0ClW6q4wtEFSPpxSS-b4eXSbjxKiwDSIsM/s1440/20231125_142906%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBqlbNvEQUTXqBuwo0j-XjYYq6KeJhIiA27cmDN1roc42CoNrxVWCf8cdx0-6vpqz9cBOBYFsg9BMoe5o5Z5H6O3Lc1H6rSqI0AAZEfMplfggLPgQwpNB1Ezz_Dhj0B9X1fjhEUkOc2iK_viu_EeFP3waY0ClW6q4wtEFSPpxSS-b4eXSbjxKiwDSIsM/s320/20231125_142906%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I've been progressing the <b>Blue Ribbon embroidered blocks quilt</b> as well. With great care and holding my breath, I trimmed up the embroidered blocks successfully to size. Then I could put together several units of the quilt. It turns out I have loads of background fabric, so I am able to proceed with my plan to add some nine patch blocks on the right hand side, and I've cut those out but haven't sewn them yet. I've never had a quilt kit with such a generous portion of fabric - you could almost make two quilts I think out of what they've provided.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1MdufS3klLmpS5Lh5Sa4njecPmh2xgOtpk_mdiGBEtPRZ6MuN4IO8rV8zFFDgjzBypD7wuxc_WVdBUQoTV86quD_hwZupCMGzVfGTwXDYkzf9STFgao-n-KBcV46irtdrmKSMurCbbI6IAWAHTTbtsAnFz9QV3opZO0HD9Xyd8Uo3RsNnBtOAt5pdn4/s1440/20231125_152539%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1MdufS3klLmpS5Lh5Sa4njecPmh2xgOtpk_mdiGBEtPRZ6MuN4IO8rV8zFFDgjzBypD7wuxc_WVdBUQoTV86quD_hwZupCMGzVfGTwXDYkzf9STFgao-n-KBcV46irtdrmKSMurCbbI6IAWAHTTbtsAnFz9QV3opZO0HD9Xyd8Uo3RsNnBtOAt5pdn4/s320/20231125_152539%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>After making loads of little bits and furnishings, I have finally progressed the <b>Chinese dollshouse kit</b> to the stage where the instructions start you working on the actual house walls. I was worried over what glue to use to adhere the sheets of artwork to the MDF walls. The translated instructions suggest 'latex' whatever that means. I didn't fancy my chances with PVA glue, so I went with regular wallpaper paste in the end. It has worked well in terms of fairly flat artwork, and gave me time to adjust the artwork to the best fit onto the not-always-the-exact-same-size MDF pieces. But it means that the paper isn't anchored solidly to the wood, which might pose issues when horizontal surfaces are glued to vertical ones and only attaching to the paper surface. Hopefully the floors will be adequately supported by partition walls. It's fun to start seeing the house taking shape.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-iCZ8QvFxFG7eH9jl1mIavn27EwAh2kRl9qZNs9Uda55Y10gH4-D41ap6y1xHkx_YMDJ1WkR9VB2wBrYPMDp92e2py38YHlC3xOxMtAxZ-j7xgQKecDvfGMK1y5Tqqc4do0lqCWVofhC70iZ7lhiyheZX2dLX3zdtcd7Q9Tt_HG6RevDXtrx3OVR1EA/s1440/20231122_173819%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-iCZ8QvFxFG7eH9jl1mIavn27EwAh2kRl9qZNs9Uda55Y10gH4-D41ap6y1xHkx_YMDJ1WkR9VB2wBrYPMDp92e2py38YHlC3xOxMtAxZ-j7xgQKecDvfGMK1y5Tqqc4do0lqCWVofhC70iZ7lhiyheZX2dLX3zdtcd7Q9Tt_HG6RevDXtrx3OVR1EA/s320/20231122_173819%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Various walls drying out after pasting (the ironing board cover is filthy because I rescued this board from the side of the road to use as a spare table, I need to replace the cover)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVk4hAtfagdK1UyOCIQs4e8kqjgb99At6lTEOpRK_qhwK29ywkxpcX8GAdjJlzQGCQ9MTnlBf2AI3hm4MJoplXT7XS8eTzviJADPn5C0EQuENQEURBYsgwBNq6cbaSmTWFfEnLaVnCR9Mtpn-H0UAnXyp2pVIus4M_24ytDQWFwfUzskBIp_H4DVwFhA/s1440/20231125_142643%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVk4hAtfagdK1UyOCIQs4e8kqjgb99At6lTEOpRK_qhwK29ywkxpcX8GAdjJlzQGCQ9MTnlBf2AI3hm4MJoplXT7XS8eTzviJADPn5C0EQuENQEURBYsgwBNq6cbaSmTWFfEnLaVnCR9Mtpn-H0UAnXyp2pVIus4M_24ytDQWFwfUzskBIp_H4DVwFhA/s320/20231125_142643%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Starting the house assembly</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_1jpt2dy7od0LVQv5Hn3pXq_k7AITq8SznRAs-N1DLUzB_PU8AqO_Rc5JYaOLnmKd82B7bijsCbeFJCAlZvtz7QA69mNZlFphpdtZF9B-MfzR-3fFsU4bpbEdCp_uXwIHeYezU2MyFzIX9orK85wiQKCFsTSXbvnIhxZl0slIO4sqEwmEefmxiyugGk/s1440/20231125_142653%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_1jpt2dy7od0LVQv5Hn3pXq_k7AITq8SznRAs-N1DLUzB_PU8AqO_Rc5JYaOLnmKd82B7bijsCbeFJCAlZvtz7QA69mNZlFphpdtZF9B-MfzR-3fFsU4bpbEdCp_uXwIHeYezU2MyFzIX9orK85wiQKCFsTSXbvnIhxZl0slIO4sqEwmEefmxiyugGk/s320/20231125_142653%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A little gazebo for the garden</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The cross-stitch <b>robin christmas ornament</b> has progressed, but unfortunately I went a little wrong on the robin's back, then forgot I had, and proceeded to go even more wrong with the right hand side of the wreath, to the point where I am basically just making it up now. So it was with relief that I received my issue of CrossStitcher magazine with a cute free kit for a <b>Santa Letter</b> on aida fabric. Abandoning the robin for a while, I am cleansing my palette with the easier magazine kit.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQbZyaI8S0YWP7H1BR1yuRJvTQIhsKVTSumOkeOfHwgeTbSbVZwM_ASspZMBxaL9DJ3zpM72ZmFfKPRPIU4-b2v6QXwkqtcPJ0b8c7tirHAcZLwdN4r_lkcpmK356d3esZAIQjK5k9cQ1H-rNECiZuY8a2IM6sTlmV_kA-izCTpFYixRXcnyKmhf1fjk/s1440/20231125_142758%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQbZyaI8S0YWP7H1BR1yuRJvTQIhsKVTSumOkeOfHwgeTbSbVZwM_ASspZMBxaL9DJ3zpM72ZmFfKPRPIU4-b2v6QXwkqtcPJ0b8c7tirHAcZLwdN4r_lkcpmK356d3esZAIQjK5k9cQ1H-rNECiZuY8a2IM6sTlmV_kA-izCTpFYixRXcnyKmhf1fjk/s320/20231125_142758%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Black Friday, which was never heard of in the UK until a few years ago since we don't celebrate Thanksgiving, has turned into a fairly big deal here, with many retailers now participating. I picked up various things that I wanted to get anyway: some tiny folding reading glasses, a pair of quickdry trousers and some SD cards for travelling; a new fitted sheet; a set of pots and pans to replace our 30 year old worn out saucepans; and some trainers. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's finally turned fairly cold, only 2 degrees C today, although we still haven't had a killing frost so the garden is still looking decent. The cold is a bit of a problem - I ordered an arsenic test at long last, so that I can test the green decorative paper inside the needlework table I bought last summer to see if it is arsenic green and therefore poisonous. But the test instructions state that in order to work properly, the test needs to be conducted at an air temperature of between 22-28 degrees Celsius. Not going to happen in this drafty old house in winter, so it may need to wait until the summer unless I can think of somewhere else to go that would be warm where I could get out what looks like a chemistry set without being suspected of poisoning the water supply.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGDkYtU3pIL6b1Zb32zpH-591spsii67QWDm7SxNu-BkgSsWnBg1Sd5g2wQGwF91jNDim5HNQF4rJHg63RtVi4fkgtnnA1w6ZMe_5O7Ybifhl-nXN6na_ZH8JD5mevPApjjgshUEH3Sa_Dr18ChlDcOPY7jIfdvVjGTG4Iu9ouB0gn56paSrVG_VgF-Q/s1440/20220724_182206%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGDkYtU3pIL6b1Zb32zpH-591spsii67QWDm7SxNu-BkgSsWnBg1Sd5g2wQGwF91jNDim5HNQF4rJHg63RtVi4fkgtnnA1w6ZMe_5O7Ybifhl-nXN6na_ZH8JD5mevPApjjgshUEH3Sa_Dr18ChlDcOPY7jIfdvVjGTG4Iu9ouB0gn56paSrVG_VgF-Q/s320/20220724_182206%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-40613550561187137032023-11-18T15:36:00.002+00:002023-11-18T15:36:55.560+00:00The travel virus<p> Having done a fair bit of research on what to see in Hong Kong when I stop there on the way to New Zealand next year, I realised that I could really do with an extra day. So I phoned up Trailfinders to move my departure flight forward a day. I'm going late in the season, looking to travel on a Monday and it's still three months away so I wasn't anticipating much more than perhaps a penalty charge of a few hundred pounds. But nope, the Monday flight is almost full already and the only seats left would be an extra £770 - which is not only the cost of another flight somewhere, but way more than an extra day in Hong Kong is worth to me.</p><p><br /></p><p>It almost feels like COVID has spawned another virus - the travel bug. Many of the travel vloggers I watch on Youtube are reporting over-tourism, in some cases such as Kyoto in Japan it is causing real problems for public safety and public transport. And the Facebook travel groups I'm in tell a similar tale of being turned away from museums and trains, or not being able to find accommodation, because travellers didn't book months ahead for popular destinations. The days of 'winging it' like I did with a backpack in Europe 40 years ago seem to be over - unless you are travelling off the beaten track or really out of season. I wonder if COVID opened people's eyes to the reality that life is short and unpredictable, and maybe slaving over a desk for the next 20 years isn't really what they want to do with the time they have. Or perhaps just being shut into the house under lockdown, or restricted on travelling out of your own country, built up a demand which has now burst the dams of national borders. It's also pretty easy to go almost anywhere now, if you have the money. It is no longer exotic to go to Thailand, or Bali, or even the Galapagos. And much as I enjoy going to new places and seeing the famous sights, it does feel a bit like you are just a hamster in the queue for the local sightseeing treadmill. Which makes it a lot safer for me as a mature solo traveller: as long as I'm sensible and hang on to my passport and credit card, I should be fine. But still, is it really travelling in the old-fashioned sense of the word?</p><p><br /></p><p>Anyway, enough of my first-world wittering. My eight or so blog readers want to see the crafts :)</p><p><br /></p><p>I finished embroidering the big centre block at long last for my <b>Aunt Grace Blue Ribbon quilt kit</b> from Paducah. Most of the blocks are done now - I need to add some applique leaves to the flower blocks, and I need to replace the lower left star background because the provided fabric is too low contrast for the middle star. In fact, I'm very surprised at how much fabric I have left over - they have supplied long quarters of everything, even when there were only a few squares to cut out of a specific print.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfPP8kC1h_8ErB6JddC4LVAjy4O6HKP7QGYmZ1_2PPXP8CrYmhl-CSwg2iYG8uFdB7xkNqDNYfq26RBtJ2y_NfFQsfAEmA6ccSBXecyrtx_Ha3LCtVAg8ykwDJh4GTuuKuOn2owgkNfMZ4ndNuJMK5dY5D4JBfcz-EYaaHWOldRw7LJtrfTBUDfBNLk0/s1440/20231118_142357%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfPP8kC1h_8ErB6JddC4LVAjy4O6HKP7QGYmZ1_2PPXP8CrYmhl-CSwg2iYG8uFdB7xkNqDNYfq26RBtJ2y_NfFQsfAEmA6ccSBXecyrtx_Ha3LCtVAg8ykwDJh4GTuuKuOn2owgkNfMZ4ndNuJMK5dY5D4JBfcz-EYaaHWOldRw7LJtrfTBUDfBNLk0/s320/20231118_142357%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNMOL_nLIGQ9YVpIsnmEjgiQ2ONb4DGa9L-bT69zNEXpTsmgGsgVOM-zB1owp5_Hgt7dSlFcMf6iC-zO3lEItP4mKDa-qE8kqsVcVZeSGNWSsMHWBXEPje3zmlz2wcVWqhyPL6GbtX8ZyBDEp3ybJmTkkWOhQ7HVDAg1Kp19nGHb8LYJMh6mHeFasE0g/s1600/20231118_142411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNMOL_nLIGQ9YVpIsnmEjgiQ2ONb4DGa9L-bT69zNEXpTsmgGsgVOM-zB1owp5_Hgt7dSlFcMf6iC-zO3lEItP4mKDa-qE8kqsVcVZeSGNWSsMHWBXEPje3zmlz2wcVWqhyPL6GbtX8ZyBDEp3ybJmTkkWOhQ7HVDAg1Kp19nGHb8LYJMh6mHeFasE0g/s320/20231118_142411.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">leftover fabric</div><br /><p>I do not find the asymetric layout of this quilt very satisfying. Given that I have so much fabric left over, I am tempted to add some nine patch blocks down the right hand side of the quilt to provide some visual balance. I'll have to have a play. I've got plenty of prints left, it will be the background fabric quantity that will be the limiting factor.</p><p><br /></p><p>With the centre panel embroidery out of the way, I could start work on a <b>cross stitch Robin xmas ornament</b> on linen, which I bought on the Cross Stitch Guild weekend last year. I love the look of cross stitch on linen, but I hate doing it. Even wearing the strong headset magnifiers, I still stitch into the wrong hole between the floppy linen threads and constantly have to unpick. I also got into a muddle with two virtually indistinguishable shades of brown, and have to had to devolve to doing one complete row of the robin at a time, rather than try to do an area of one colour. Hopefully I will get it done in time to hang on the Christmas tree.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNX-ppuPe91lc0ZhWVxKiu5kQMTuF-Y9X8JbGpqgsHILCz7ZDWpSqBXGruvAu_rXdXGoAJz10NscnQld72IB0ez4aBqfMSrugODU5dh1jwxK_awaBBiOjEy0K_uHGhcmsT9JaJDhmHi0EtkvycFzSrqlxjdnsMpl9RUo1f-RvVpB4NH2YMU6XA55bhdk/s1440/20231118_142220%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNX-ppuPe91lc0ZhWVxKiu5kQMTuF-Y9X8JbGpqgsHILCz7ZDWpSqBXGruvAu_rXdXGoAJz10NscnQld72IB0ez4aBqfMSrugODU5dh1jwxK_awaBBiOjEy0K_uHGhcmsT9JaJDhmHi0EtkvycFzSrqlxjdnsMpl9RUo1f-RvVpB4NH2YMU6XA55bhdk/s320/20231118_142220%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm still making tiny things for the <b>Chinese dollshouse kit</b>. I thought this was a Japanese house but having just made a mini Chinese lyre and stand, and looking at some of the other details, now I'm thinking it may actually be a Chinese house.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufhcvGfVZXVKweNUjtYM_xDrv5s8PmOnsggux208IxQlByxdQGE_Td1SwbQ9KBVa7WMwZuUMqB_GIei8WZMW87ftdAJvVjcvYkcTnlF9a5-T-_z8QdDXdJGXG3eoKTHzzojPr-GEB4SJ3TNBOskJtZLKxE1vlFE3vdQ51mMmFqDw95T-z6IDwUui3REw/s1440/20231118_142521%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufhcvGfVZXVKweNUjtYM_xDrv5s8PmOnsggux208IxQlByxdQGE_Td1SwbQ9KBVa7WMwZuUMqB_GIei8WZMW87ftdAJvVjcvYkcTnlF9a5-T-_z8QdDXdJGXG3eoKTHzzojPr-GEB4SJ3TNBOskJtZLKxE1vlFE3vdQ51mMmFqDw95T-z6IDwUui3REw/s320/20231118_142521%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I managed to track down <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWpEgJGqdZA" target="_blank">a video on Youtube</a> of someone who made the same house kit- only far more perfectly than I am managing. Her glue seems nothing short of miraculous, instantly grabbing in defiance of the laws of physics. The video is strangely hypnotic - the soundtrack helps and the fact that there is no talking, with most of the action being done by disembodied tweezers. Also she(he?) is building things out of order compared to the instructions, but I suppose that's due to being very experienced. The instructions have you build all the bits first, and then start on the actual house construction.</p><p><br /></p><p>I have finally started practicing on my new-to-me Simply Sixteen Handiquilter machine. I'm trying to do a bit every day to build up some experience. On the second day, I tried using longarm quilting rulers for the first time - scary to start with but I'm getting used to them now. The machine came with a small selection of rulers (arcs, clamshell, a straight edge) and having watched some videos by Angela Walters and others, I have now ordered a couple more from the Handiquilter dealer which will be Christmas presents for me from family. I'm approaching the end of the sample fabric top that the dealer loaded when he installed the machine. After that, I'm tempted to just load up the charity quilt top I made with the Little Quilts panels and have at it with rulers. Most of the tops waiting for quilting are not suitable for an all-over design so being able to do ruler work on them would be helpful. It will also get me used to winding bobbins, advancing the quilt etc. I've only hit my head on the slanting ceiling once so far.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-20462032053831909472023-11-11T13:13:00.003+00:002023-11-11T13:13:50.123+00:00Autumn colour<p> Although not currently studying Japanese any longer, I am still in touch with some of my Japanese online language partners - and a few of them have been sending through photos of beautiful autumn colour from Japan: reds and oranges of maples and gingko trees. We don't get that kind of colour much here in the East Midlands - most of our trees just turn yellow, the leaves die and fall off brown on the ground. Much less interesting. But it is definitely feeling autumnal and even wintry outside now. We still haven't had a good hard frost - which I am waiting for so that our garden dies back and we can retrieve our drip hoses (currently hidden under the undergrowth). We also want to take down a conifer which in the nine years since we transplanted it, has increased in height probably 5-6 times and is blocking the sun for most of the back border now. I thought it was a juniper but now I'm wondering if it is an infamous Leylandii.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkh3FQYp6Stq2m1mh0cDeEdD7FUb4FpekGRB9BEiHJeE1J0r7OnZYGm2z2ViGqUPajCvYbM4y2-NQz0F61Q-nq6_wUFQIKHm3lEWT9eMeTJm135HmX-zs7fgcOaFGl0HLDhAS5BuZS0EqL3Zq1I5ngv0OEbAw3lfD9Uk47UJw5IFH6waikXe9aGHVhaw/s1440/20231111_091938%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkh3FQYp6Stq2m1mh0cDeEdD7FUb4FpekGRB9BEiHJeE1J0r7OnZYGm2z2ViGqUPajCvYbM4y2-NQz0F61Q-nq6_wUFQIKHm3lEWT9eMeTJm135HmX-zs7fgcOaFGl0HLDhAS5BuZS0EqL3Zq1I5ngv0OEbAw3lfD9Uk47UJw5IFH6waikXe9aGHVhaw/s320/20231111_091938%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I found these fashion items in our local Shoezone - now keeping my feet warm </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in our draughty house</div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The colder days make it much more attractive to stay indoors doing crafts. I finished the <b>Urudale Farm handwarmers</b> from Shetland - I actually visited the farm and saw some of their sheep and bought the wool directly from the farmer. I've added fingers to make them warmer - the pattern is for a fingerless mitt. Looking at this closeup, I can see that I missed a few stitches of contrast at the top of one finger, will have to fix that.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQhhpbKJBHmf5-LYNDS93ZN-GXHHyGUZiRBCos6NJG8EbIgLXmxYXIrTfEgQSyWTnYMR53wFSE-oMUdTZvjfuMm_meJWxka0iBmygaxTXT1_cIAKjHXKu3cZkMn4e2JRLvrK-OdJAb5o0tVndyqKdws3KSoViFcB2k3KbkLND8P_vg0BE_8vTrkdgaDQ/s1357/20231111_091814%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1357" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQhhpbKJBHmf5-LYNDS93ZN-GXHHyGUZiRBCos6NJG8EbIgLXmxYXIrTfEgQSyWTnYMR53wFSE-oMUdTZvjfuMm_meJWxka0iBmygaxTXT1_cIAKjHXKu3cZkMn4e2JRLvrK-OdJAb5o0tVndyqKdws3KSoViFcB2k3KbkLND8P_vg0BE_8vTrkdgaDQ/s320/20231111_091814%20(Large).jpg" width="255" /></a></div><br /><p>I used the boxmaking techniques I learned at the weekend retreat a few weeks ago, to glue/sew some drawer organisers. This worked really well, and has organised the mess on one side of my dressing table.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHihkDvjgBQjYvqgL0EwJCWZlgHmXTpmrauHc8JMx_S357tLfwojx4kSfAdmrHlN1Lh8sz6aVqVxT6xDN5bLQ8XTiLnosBBek2PkajKBT57hs4mS1IFmHY1BCX3mSqBQBlufhTv-_Irt5PeRW-XeGHSf_llTPyXPYOlej5LZMwwQXyRDULJXRAHumtr5c/s1440/20231106_154545%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHihkDvjgBQjYvqgL0EwJCWZlgHmXTpmrauHc8JMx_S357tLfwojx4kSfAdmrHlN1Lh8sz6aVqVxT6xDN5bLQ8XTiLnosBBek2PkajKBT57hs4mS1IFmHY1BCX3mSqBQBlufhTv-_Irt5PeRW-XeGHSf_llTPyXPYOlej5LZMwwQXyRDULJXRAHumtr5c/s320/20231106_154545%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The flat pieces, before the vertical corners are stitched by hand.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGqeox9Xa44jpQSVGD0ysVebnyae625gRzQLITH3QW9YM4vmM_OBqzBTKIO2VqGdA0iA6lQohyphenhyphenG7fYzY02HUlqqfSj7VJafpUn_UO_2-uOG97hs2CCDJoGFvVI_kOKodWbORCNnANg2ritf60VnlvOndRLbfhX4TA7d4oCtE-srEYd2MDtPzdDqbtjyg/s1440/20231106_161329%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGqeox9Xa44jpQSVGD0ysVebnyae625gRzQLITH3QW9YM4vmM_OBqzBTKIO2VqGdA0iA6lQohyphenhyphenG7fYzY02HUlqqfSj7VJafpUn_UO_2-uOG97hs2CCDJoGFvVI_kOKodWbORCNnANg2ritf60VnlvOndRLbfhX4TA7d4oCtE-srEYd2MDtPzdDqbtjyg/s320/20231106_161329%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I sewed a couple more blocks for the <b>Vintage embroidered blocks quilt</b>. The Sunburst instructions advised the poor technique of sewing the paper foundation arcs together, then turning under the inner and outer seam allowances and appliquing the circle to the 9-patch and background - instead of piecing in shaped corners. This obviously resulted in huge lumps of bulk at every junction of points being folded in on itself, and it's virtually impossible to get a smooth-looking curve. I first tried a machine blanket stitch which just looked terrible, particularly on the outside of the arcs. I unpicked the outside and redid it by hand which is an improvement but still looks poor close up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jDnrGSTdJkwyiMhET-zx2tMsY1zvAkyyljKSr7GC-YZ-XHqhWFHerts4JRAtEXd00bCiZ-mGrBf-SSQidigeB4t_niwVzYVbM9AAinA9TAE0vFOJQOFIn4cWZ4ktMbkpeL62nEm7YOWIdHWXGD7viT6NxMtkwe850uDtBxFfpFEAStpeX-y1ndSMmLw/s1440/20231111_123923%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jDnrGSTdJkwyiMhET-zx2tMsY1zvAkyyljKSr7GC-YZ-XHqhWFHerts4JRAtEXd00bCiZ-mGrBf-SSQidigeB4t_niwVzYVbM9AAinA9TAE0vFOJQOFIn4cWZ4ktMbkpeL62nEm7YOWIdHWXGD7viT6NxMtkwe850uDtBxFfpFEAStpeX-y1ndSMmLw/s320/20231111_123923%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've been plugging away on embroidering the huge central panel, and I'm almost there - just doing the wheels and undercarriage of the wagon now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ssiEt2eTYdGtt4lXAynVsdO-pT4dpoakpaPwAEkbOdZA9iMYLT3Rz1drLY6GssGEC4_ZQ1uiDAVgyiwJN6PGP4kqwihlX5k80LQgZt4ZjD9Kuk8nUIwR-mBevGloVqViz8h5w8op71upLXDuOieHat1fF6zbOEjRfcqbVOfPOY33uY-JPMjMgYAnITg/s1440/20231111_092105%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ssiEt2eTYdGtt4lXAynVsdO-pT4dpoakpaPwAEkbOdZA9iMYLT3Rz1drLY6GssGEC4_ZQ1uiDAVgyiwJN6PGP4kqwihlX5k80LQgZt4ZjD9Kuk8nUIwR-mBevGloVqViz8h5w8op71upLXDuOieHat1fF6zbOEjRfcqbVOfPOY33uY-JPMjMgYAnITg/s320/20231111_092105%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I've also sewn a small test bag this week but I can't publish photos of that yet as it's still under embargo.<div><br /></div><div>Various cartoonlike Japanese accessories are slowly taking shape, from the myriad bits and bobs that came with the <b>Chinese kit for a Japanese house</b>. Whoever comes up with these kits and instructions is so clever, fashioning illusions out of bits of wire, fabric and paper. I hope it is some kind of specialised engineering profession or modelmaking speciality.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukTo9nM7rnE_xLdN09z_J8cpZBwltQfUPc6iemr_Uy0w3iIpbe420RlRPPqstOuAu7mLaVOOnxbwYAMwaLt7j8gZ6-Pedug33QP7IvN0aluff_Z8WmnE7PTDIr9ypZgEhXdyYwIhLPSRPO2aSYEQMrvFjAlNS5i988JM2nDW2xTSFdMbB2MRPNAqlxak/s1440/20231111_091851%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukTo9nM7rnE_xLdN09z_J8cpZBwltQfUPc6iemr_Uy0w3iIpbe420RlRPPqstOuAu7mLaVOOnxbwYAMwaLt7j8gZ6-Pedug33QP7IvN0aluff_Z8WmnE7PTDIr9ypZgEhXdyYwIhLPSRPO2aSYEQMrvFjAlNS5i988JM2nDW2xTSFdMbB2MRPNAqlxak/s320/20231111_091851%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoC_aSZIhdOtR1Vx8KG3d6wshtE20_eoO8h9hfLi-n_0PMYMBUhMqy_4i2YXxAEp1V-uRFUQ_bJ_uhlZ4Q-NN39xEukpb0suVcTxyqBa6-WC1ZPiaW_RaHg8IFoxK_tmwXYqLKiSFTFzvzm4zKF-1YA0lOwMHSGo2qANhJcKvR7XrXkfGlw8u13LgXMpU/s1440/20231111_091857%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoC_aSZIhdOtR1Vx8KG3d6wshtE20_eoO8h9hfLi-n_0PMYMBUhMqy_4i2YXxAEp1V-uRFUQ_bJ_uhlZ4Q-NN39xEukpb0suVcTxyqBa6-WC1ZPiaW_RaHg8IFoxK_tmwXYqLKiSFTFzvzm4zKF-1YA0lOwMHSGo2qANhJcKvR7XrXkfGlw8u13LgXMpU/s320/20231111_091857%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I went down to London last week to visit some friends, and passed by the brilliant Hatchards Book Tree in St Pancras station. Very Harry Potter-esque. The faux book spines are all handpainted apparently, and there were Edwardian seating alcoves around the base which were all occupied.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNCQdpEpCqDvWhLF9cyBB-MFy9UrtXi9YG4UVG7SibGBGbXSm9yaRvlEJ531NuUk6-Umq1uZfKWWQ3XNrcXhCkodPFmp563s_4Qzrcg7pYWl5c8NLg8TtiZH0mlt_J4hKnZDaqFYvjc-oOJ7M547-WdGhr2frUtZS-m0CX4BxxkM3v04Yy5LadtQCLVU/s1600/20231104_122956copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNCQdpEpCqDvWhLF9cyBB-MFy9UrtXi9YG4UVG7SibGBGbXSm9yaRvlEJ531NuUk6-Umq1uZfKWWQ3XNrcXhCkodPFmp563s_4Qzrcg7pYWl5c8NLg8TtiZH0mlt_J4hKnZDaqFYvjc-oOJ7M547-WdGhr2frUtZS-m0CX4BxxkM3v04Yy5LadtQCLVU/s320/20231104_122956copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkK5yAY1PLv1ttI2bQwjD2r266ohRWdk_IK6BnEwOn1SmTg6qy69Wv6QOIFpeaaRvPAkCa0J1vgsP-RQrMddzV7CZq2ArPb_uwkap2mxnSn-XYcrx9fZqNSqhZUEqxz_0fIInFZqSRC1lN3I29RGsHrLDKfk90SXWOXk7Vpqqi4TqZ5VUW1sd0d28OYg/s1440/20231104_123101%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkK5yAY1PLv1ttI2bQwjD2r266ohRWdk_IK6BnEwOn1SmTg6qy69Wv6QOIFpeaaRvPAkCa0J1vgsP-RQrMddzV7CZq2ArPb_uwkap2mxnSn-XYcrx9fZqNSqhZUEqxz_0fIInFZqSRC1lN3I29RGsHrLDKfk90SXWOXk7Vpqqi4TqZ5VUW1sd0d28OYg/s320/20231104_123101%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I had some time to wait on my return and enjoyed visiting the station shops, which have changed somewhat from when I used to commute into St Pancras 10 years ago. There's even a Harry Potter shop now in King's Cross next to the Platform 9 3/4 photo opp. I bought a travel journal in a stationery shop to take on my New Zealand trip. I've spent some time lately researching Hong Kong and trying to work out what I might feel like doing in my three days there on the way to NZ. It's difficult because there is so much you could see, and I don't know how jetlagged I will be - plus I've read warnings that the high levels of air pollution can make you feel bad the first couple of days. There are fabric and haberdashery markets which could be dangerous - the New Zealand tour I'm taking only allows one suitcase on the bus. I suppose I could try posting things home. Or find somewhere in Auckland to stash a second suitcase while I'm on tour. Any Hong Kong tips (or NZ) gratefully received.<br /><p><br /></p></div>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-88112078132453811822023-11-03T20:45:00.002+00:002023-11-03T20:45:27.493+00:00An entrepreneurial day<p> I sold some things at a sort-of craft fair this week. I say 'sort of' because it was actually the monthly meeting of the U3A (University of the Third Age) which they decided to open up as a craft fair but not allow the public in - therefore limiting the customer base to the c. 60 elderly attendees only. But tables were free so I thought I might as well give it a go. I collected various makes of mine languishing around the house and under beds, put silly prices on them to at least recover the cost of materials, and had a trial set-up on the dining table. DH gave me a lift and I set out my wares.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlfSA87qddtDXArM9Ek3mcfPlB3KsccIe62TJb_KbV4yXgAq1vh04y3DYBpThO45HVVKEAT1Q6xIsjWayprTPkeKmQhsCNEk43gvbJsfmaR0kRcmEx66BsZnomteAMuK0nJBggKPxQTPJVMBaEE6xgV1v9o1HjBfWn-ZYbbFTYymjldzv6Cf67lOJGg8/s1440/20231101_124626%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlfSA87qddtDXArM9Ek3mcfPlB3KsccIe62TJb_KbV4yXgAq1vh04y3DYBpThO45HVVKEAT1Q6xIsjWayprTPkeKmQhsCNEk43gvbJsfmaR0kRcmEx66BsZnomteAMuK0nJBggKPxQTPJVMBaEE6xgV1v9o1HjBfWn-ZYbbFTYymjldzv6Cf67lOJGg8/s320/20231101_124626%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>My things were admired, and after a slow start I sold three handbags, several draw-string gift bags, and some pincushions and small things. I almost sold a quilt, a couple really loved it but decided that even at the rockbottom price of £85 (which probably doesn't cover the materials cost) that it was too much for their budget. It was nice to send various things off to new homes where they will be appreciated and used, and I made a grand total of £76. It was exhausting and I'm glad it's over but it feels good to have yet more clutter out of the house.</p><p><br /></p><p>Also on display was the little group project of 5"x7" boards that I contributed to, each with a path so that all the paths connected. Mine is fourth from the right.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1dsAaSa11s7jqJo6a4Qy1FJPFKqWNQGjIXlaLPpaV5v1Al1C1eQaV8WHPRPBLc30PM2cbHthQjvQglZoE-vPKn0ERjkTeINlWtGRc-ws0v8cbzXt8FgGqV7-PACvS5buTNQuEY4kwo_5WuRiUbWkJLcmXt4PDr_Xqzg5ORNEpuRLO7fKv5FubvouzaE/s1440/20231101_132511%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1dsAaSa11s7jqJo6a4Qy1FJPFKqWNQGjIXlaLPpaV5v1Al1C1eQaV8WHPRPBLc30PM2cbHthQjvQglZoE-vPKn0ERjkTeINlWtGRc-ws0v8cbzXt8FgGqV7-PACvS5buTNQuEY4kwo_5WuRiUbWkJLcmXt4PDr_Xqzg5ORNEpuRLO7fKv5FubvouzaE/s320/20231101_132511%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>When I got home, there was a Facebook message from a woman who wanted to buy all the Rowan yarn I had listed on Marketplace after my knitting room clearout - so that's also gone off to a new home. That's all the unwanted yarn gone now except for one bag of Sublime - I took a bunch of odd balls to the charity shop and the rest went on the charity table at the quilting retreat. </p><p><br /></p><p>I finished the <b>Book Nook Kit. </b>There were a few pieces left over so I had to backtrack in the instructions and work out where they were supposed to go. These Chinese kits mainly have pictorial instructions with some English sentences, which don't always make sense. The end result is a bit crude but I like it, it reminds me of all the little covered shopping arcades we've been in for a cup of tea and some shopping around the UK. The mirrored perspective is cleverly done, and the lights add a bit of magic. They are controlled by touching the icon on the front.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIp5u5t-vGqWhuTGtctlp9AO0TNquet82ArwfL8Fw-Kqy3lG86qdSqd4PlPqnuClPb4Z6cVw6fPJO0D9aoUWUdtHuA-27Wi_5bgnZhzUS0bG6aVzRA-PcbYc5Cm17WOFkX4Huv17b1dtuaMRNQiWcdcLDZ49Li1adsRDGZSpmVOvgEHE7ON9pYMPt21KI/s1440/20231102_093956%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIp5u5t-vGqWhuTGtctlp9AO0TNquet82ArwfL8Fw-Kqy3lG86qdSqd4PlPqnuClPb4Z6cVw6fPJO0D9aoUWUdtHuA-27Wi_5bgnZhzUS0bG6aVzRA-PcbYc5Cm17WOFkX4Huv17b1dtuaMRNQiWcdcLDZ49Li1adsRDGZSpmVOvgEHE7ON9pYMPt21KI/s320/20231102_093956%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZpzWbONu958Fnp5Wv0MvHLvZZXA_ordoULcUVAX5KmRNPyOIp_-sPLcwIRhZ_EPIFY-9DREbhORBSEmepKdH4NFuHNpkV_5PeC51IsYnsFMMEDR50RxZAatK4MU0Q9KNESqEAi8n56cUK27T2jjnUQrTduOU5cMANT1v3qgY2hoJL64Kf2OiGG8_scA/s1440/20231102_094029%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZpzWbONu958Fnp5Wv0MvHLvZZXA_ordoULcUVAX5KmRNPyOIp_-sPLcwIRhZ_EPIFY-9DREbhORBSEmepKdH4NFuHNpkV_5PeC51IsYnsFMMEDR50RxZAatK4MU0Q9KNESqEAi8n56cUK27T2jjnUQrTduOU5cMANT1v3qgY2hoJL64Kf2OiGG8_scA/s320/20231102_094029%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxdhUmcnj4nUDuxi5J-iheZVe0xskvbxyrGVu3sQhBNMLKjMP6wfqarLWzCfUk2cvUbz8LiwOWnPLGkjRV82ZnyOBGqOGgwZCMdiHNoVHe1J-KVFlMfJD6rrNrNJ2YDI4NX5Wmlc28Jd7inVTDzEQAYcfNerFIpU2x1xl42NLLyIFeROnhEaSbncg9G0/s1440/20231102_094047%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxdhUmcnj4nUDuxi5J-iheZVe0xskvbxyrGVu3sQhBNMLKjMP6wfqarLWzCfUk2cvUbz8LiwOWnPLGkjRV82ZnyOBGqOGgwZCMdiHNoVHe1J-KVFlMfJD6rrNrNJ2YDI4NX5Wmlc28Jd7inVTDzEQAYcfNerFIpU2x1xl42NLLyIFeROnhEaSbncg9G0/s320/20231102_094047%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMJS6bAsiBHj4nCysDybhZo8qDxjujCwNxjhSj4NxEcHfiPGbgES6tRCRRY_IxaaohK0tPs_EekRtYJ8XTAZHGEUABF1QGfQrrGna91TlyG6g75oKmPFJE7GWt0HsMAK2payeK2C5gVMmn9cDkRrH8uMsTnazgCl0NN_1xnJ2NV_GVA5DKGKF3VwKLb4/s1440/20231102_094051%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMJS6bAsiBHj4nCysDybhZo8qDxjujCwNxjhSj4NxEcHfiPGbgES6tRCRRY_IxaaohK0tPs_EekRtYJ8XTAZHGEUABF1QGfQrrGna91TlyG6g75oKmPFJE7GWt0HsMAK2payeK2C5gVMmn9cDkRrH8uMsTnazgCl0NN_1xnJ2NV_GVA5DKGKF3VwKLb4/s320/20231102_094051%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Feeling a bit on a roll, I have now pulled out the bigger kit for a Japanese style house that I bought a few years ago. Same sort of thing, with a million pieces in various bags. The first job is to go through all the bits and compare them to the inventory in the instructions - I'm missing a couple of things and a couple are broken but nothing that's a deal breaker.</p><p><br /></p><p>I added some borders to the <b>Sewing Panel wallhanging</b> and I think it's done now (apart from stitching around the appliqued letters).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenjdaTLwofwXvsTKzxs63jS0zo9qFqwZh2yUok9wGH7PTF1c4pKOicEBSjWm04qCEnsoKLLnke7RBH288-WqgkWjukMeGP2hpSi3JYE2seKgp9QEcb6oQzEoBPLOCXzsWexTDwpUKN_DGMZdVOUgBlGbhyphenhyphenNZ60yST4kwxwzY7ugXkWR638MJf3hxDoww/s4624/20231030_160935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenjdaTLwofwXvsTKzxs63jS0zo9qFqwZh2yUok9wGH7PTF1c4pKOicEBSjWm04qCEnsoKLLnke7RBH288-WqgkWjukMeGP2hpSi3JYE2seKgp9QEcb6oQzEoBPLOCXzsWexTDwpUKN_DGMZdVOUgBlGbhyphenhyphenNZ60yST4kwxwzY7ugXkWR638MJf3hxDoww/s320/20231030_160935.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>So I've started working on piecing blocks for the <b>embroidered blocks quilt kit</b> that I bought in Paducah. I started embroidering the blocks back in Japan, and they are all done now except for the massive centre block which I'm still working on. Obviously I haven't pressed the embroidery yet and it will need to be trimmed to the correct size.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQZxqc3HYtPfhlBOQBmjcut39kZBbVUIZ27f9nt4i3fwfKD4d1TMRZDB2hfjXJeAsad0XjvWWh-m8Dkt0HfpTva-MkbsKqSEruf0HXXIAf-sK3rGOhy0s-eR_067obqGtBvWGguHcjA751CBlnR_RBtoWh861GJtNsWaWo00OZRIEsO_wP8b9MsWa1PM/s1440/20231103_202049%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQZxqc3HYtPfhlBOQBmjcut39kZBbVUIZ27f9nt4i3fwfKD4d1TMRZDB2hfjXJeAsad0XjvWWh-m8Dkt0HfpTva-MkbsKqSEruf0HXXIAf-sK3rGOhy0s-eR_067obqGtBvWGguHcjA751CBlnR_RBtoWh861GJtNsWaWo00OZRIEsO_wP8b9MsWa1PM/s320/20231103_202049%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ppwNhzSt_29ui01TFXS-FOZTGEn1vYkcSpM-BUivF3kQ17U_iSr-FzAd3MI9_I7lm8oYHAL3FOlMLZz_R_-tKvuzOw1ORcuB_xA3CY2RwOKwNGZhXTXNe261GgtTAbtfjQrvvDYHqiESV69gkv_uHxAb02vF9yrln33-fmLR7X73iMpdPqDPh7pjqdA/s1440/20231103_202107%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ppwNhzSt_29ui01TFXS-FOZTGEn1vYkcSpM-BUivF3kQ17U_iSr-FzAd3MI9_I7lm8oYHAL3FOlMLZz_R_-tKvuzOw1ORcuB_xA3CY2RwOKwNGZhXTXNe261GgtTAbtfjQrvvDYHqiESV69gkv_uHxAb02vF9yrln33-fmLR7X73iMpdPqDPh7pjqdA/s320/20231103_202107%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've got all the fingers done on one of my <b>Shetland handwarmers</b> and I'm working on the other one now. I'd like to get them done so I can move onto one of the stranded patterns I bought up there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You have probably noticed that my new-to-me Handiquilter is not getting mentioned - that's because I haven't really used it yet. While the scaffolding was up and I was on call for the builder, it wasn't practical to be up on the top floor running a machine. That's been down a few weeks but I've been quite busy with other things. I don't have any simple tops to load up, everything waiting for quilting is going to require some skill - which I don't have yet. I should keep practicing on the practice sandwich but I think I'm a bit daunted to be honest. Must try harder.</div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-38203010441208344522023-10-27T19:50:00.001+01:002023-10-27T19:50:20.724+01:00Transformations<p> I spent several hours this week transforming the mud patch in front of the house, to improve the appearance. It used to be scraggly lawn when we moved in, but it doesn't get much sun. Even planting it with shade grass seed didn't help much. Planting the hedge to keep the teenage gangs off our our front wall cut off the last of the sunshine and triggered the complete demise of the grass. Leaving us with an unattractive mud patch:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYkVNDItGGrDtyXwNfAc3uosHuv_RgAie_T_ZEuYcMDIInq9ZtgNx_UoXXnkaJ3kkIsmme_hdqGErbkbjjiReFnXkCuoudsiFqLGZ8iWIlXezZrd7RtJeVZtbx9pUgPtqT2htEf91IvgnwLNmvYDgosFCuyJ-w1XSITu7VOgJ5MSebJM4w-UEMELP7lY/s1000/copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYkVNDItGGrDtyXwNfAc3uosHuv_RgAie_T_ZEuYcMDIInq9ZtgNx_UoXXnkaJ3kkIsmme_hdqGErbkbjjiReFnXkCuoudsiFqLGZ8iWIlXezZrd7RtJeVZtbx9pUgPtqT2htEf91IvgnwLNmvYDgosFCuyJ-w1XSITu7VOgJ5MSebJM4w-UEMELP7lY/s320/copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I'd been thinking about what to do with it for some time, but had to wait until the scaffolding was down. With help from online inspiration, I headed out with the small spade on Monday afternoon and started excavating a new path. DH helped dig out the rest of the path after work (although we had to work around some tree roots), and I put down some weed suppressing membrane left over from when we did the back garden path several years ago. We lined the path with random bricks we had lying around. DH helped me spread some homemade compost onto the remaining mud, then I dug it over to create a new planting bed. I've planted it up with various ferns, ivy, evergreens, vinca and begonia that I have stolen from other parts of the garden. So eventually those should all grow and cover the bed (if they survive the winter). We covered the membrane with some horticultural grit, and brought around some random stone slabs and pavers we had stashed. So the only thing we've actually had to buy was bags of blue slate to finish the path. It's still looking a bit raw but it's hugely better than it was. Once the plants grow, they will hide the wobbly bricks better. I need to trim down the membrane so you can't see it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4Dt6X5O6FposSF0NgxVZeDlUFUVqzTIzlskpSBHm1jH4TZozgt6TtshH4zzFIEpRUrDoYiTb3BS2E80PSLJJPDwJtaPBybFTwWkV3ibgUqksEI8b4j_-RcoWevF5wWAUyRQ9VvVGf_sWs4k0AZirFu_Nt-cxGfXgrAfacoyGiDGIgwWAMuxu36LjdG0/s2000/copy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4Dt6X5O6FposSF0NgxVZeDlUFUVqzTIzlskpSBHm1jH4TZozgt6TtshH4zzFIEpRUrDoYiTb3BS2E80PSLJJPDwJtaPBybFTwWkV3ibgUqksEI8b4j_-RcoWevF5wWAUyRQ9VvVGf_sWs4k0AZirFu_Nt-cxGfXgrAfacoyGiDGIgwWAMuxu36LjdG0/s320/copy2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Another transformation this week was to turn a folding table into a portable ironing surface. Several ladies bring bigger versions of these to the retreat I went to, it's such a good idea because it creates an L-shape working area and frees up space on your main table. I bought a cheap wooden table off Amazon and beefed its understructure up a bit with additional bracing, but it is a bit wobbly compared to their more robust versions. The added larger top is a bit of old dining table from the in-laws, covered with a couple of layers of wool wadding and some canvas, and screwed onto the original table. I sized the top so that I can iron a complete FQ or yardage folded in half.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQzP96HjRdxvhUWY3dSqF8DMomZz6Ns_gpVv86Gkj-tiVd3LCdwDAqZQB-OJ-n_kn0DIzz_3SkheI6gUM_9gspu3Ulno6c3wJPNger1ICcKjGe-FgEQj9JeZ5ZGj0Ytxj9KGKphET0ruNNKhUN-owkfPZNKbfA20lBRV5qRRnNq16s4o2HjGuuT3F5K8/s1440/20231023_145802%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQzP96HjRdxvhUWY3dSqF8DMomZz6Ns_gpVv86Gkj-tiVd3LCdwDAqZQB-OJ-n_kn0DIzz_3SkheI6gUM_9gspu3Ulno6c3wJPNger1ICcKjGe-FgEQj9JeZ5ZGj0Ytxj9KGKphET0ruNNKhUN-owkfPZNKbfA20lBRV5qRRnNq16s4o2HjGuuT3F5K8/s320/20231023_145802%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1jodWM-ZunjWHCA-wFhvJHVylwK2txslD_luQajVc6KtIeVeIDzHYI73HPShV0nT3X0Ei-J3XfihmPQyot7D5KCILeeg0gGtM-XMHFe-LT1AHCNsUU9K9ImsSUiZww0U4udxbSjI8A8JHHxdxzQ3fFPef05OHQMEhfAgG4MMsrbxXo0NB3i3E8fljx4/s1440/20231024_171402%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1jodWM-ZunjWHCA-wFhvJHVylwK2txslD_luQajVc6KtIeVeIDzHYI73HPShV0nT3X0Ei-J3XfihmPQyot7D5KCILeeg0gGtM-XMHFe-LT1AHCNsUU9K9ImsSUiZww0U4udxbSjI8A8JHHxdxzQ3fFPef05OHQMEhfAgG4MMsrbxXo0NB3i3E8fljx4/s320/20231024_171402%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A big finish this week is my <b>Aran jumper</b>, the very old knitting UFO that I found when I tidied up my knitting room. I bought the pattern and yarn back in the early 90s when I couldn't even knit properly, it's supposed to be patterned all over but I eventually realised that would make me look like the Goodyear blimp. At some point over the years, I ripped out my initial bodged attempt at the front, and re-knit the front then added a machine-knit plain back before running out of yarn. When I tidied up the knitting room, I found a cone of a cream Aran yarn which isn't exactly the same colour but it's close. So I've hand-knit two sleeves and finished the neckline off and it's done! It was a nice fit but I am blocking it on my nifty Shetland jumper frame which will change the shape slightly, hopefully for the better. One interesting feature is that I have run a cable down the top centre of the sleeve and put my decreases on either side of that, instead of under the arm. A video I watched on Youtube suggests that this helps a dropshoulder jumper fit better.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCbdUrUnkLSYkyDEBe4WBldkZNBRagcusO3TWvN9CBIJFBmRynhjUnfppK53XISfi7jFNplxvoAMWKwMeoogB2IdHi2SZDE-tSXPMbb_SxOVjZgdX6JJKRxpg3z6YC2clsENZUyRxgIojtytkkGRfiHjq4J75pcIQeYf2uxjUFJOI0o5q8UxchnHbmKY/s1440/20231026_095129%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCbdUrUnkLSYkyDEBe4WBldkZNBRagcusO3TWvN9CBIJFBmRynhjUnfppK53XISfi7jFNplxvoAMWKwMeoogB2IdHi2SZDE-tSXPMbb_SxOVjZgdX6JJKRxpg3z6YC2clsENZUyRxgIojtytkkGRfiHjq4J75pcIQeYf2uxjUFJOI0o5q8UxchnHbmKY/s320/20231026_095129%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqPAaXOgUGcU65JOUWxx018fGOPnZ5HwTYD7xTHDjgA0eqiPER4z5eY7kTf5zanThkrgKNiOzBQkZ9GtjZtyzBoO5J_IZWl3XNUrVqOfgib1o2J4Ujy_IGTxji4k3UYRgPYs1JOkkxW35GA28j4Shs9651704wxaaqfqpAZecezmTjb0NaL_gMNlCpbA/s1440/20231026_113617%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqPAaXOgUGcU65JOUWxx018fGOPnZ5HwTYD7xTHDjgA0eqiPER4z5eY7kTf5zanThkrgKNiOzBQkZ9GtjZtyzBoO5J_IZWl3XNUrVqOfgib1o2J4Ujy_IGTxji4k3UYRgPYs1JOkkxW35GA28j4Shs9651704wxaaqfqpAZecezmTjb0NaL_gMNlCpbA/s320/20231026_113617%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Another finish this week was the <b>Lace Scarf</b> that was my travel project on various holidays over the past year, because the chart was only four lines high which made it easy to memorise. It's knit in fingering weight wool. I attempted to block it over a cardboard stretcher the way I learned on my course at Shetland Wool Week but it wasn't entirely successful - my temporary lacing on the sides wasn't very even and has led to some rippling. The lace has really opened up though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQXWe1un7RR9QJJUeiBAZ5qao6gKrFV1Kfr7dV3_6UkIWWSTEo9KplXIvugRHmZCbP9R_LlUTajg8E0ZhDtf3ImLXBuqLYh5HQzFq5wITuXmNNsGAPHY6DhkA23U4ejPBWx0ELmC-qBiqRxTnfweg95heiVBW4dwXdKZr5Hdob_q_UBAoktRx6o5VCb0/s1440/20231024_131616%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQXWe1un7RR9QJJUeiBAZ5qao6gKrFV1Kfr7dV3_6UkIWWSTEo9KplXIvugRHmZCbP9R_LlUTajg8E0ZhDtf3ImLXBuqLYh5HQzFq5wITuXmNNsGAPHY6DhkA23U4ejPBWx0ELmC-qBiqRxTnfweg95heiVBW4dwXdKZr5Hdob_q_UBAoktRx6o5VCb0/s320/20231024_131616%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uIOe_ekb4wugkAtEpiW0WcUDCX7hh5QU6sDQczF7rNWrmRlvXuaPbmKWeEFigJ8U0eM1ty4FeuVFqzuIEZPpiX154tMIdhnvMcMBc9mbmrEUu9XyJ7W90t7UUdCXyFFspzZ3MUgUD7Id72WkQmwvCaqrnFNtmRORlmkUTC4jYXVdyzUc6qFW3VYtZj8/s1440/20231026_083636%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uIOe_ekb4wugkAtEpiW0WcUDCX7hh5QU6sDQczF7rNWrmRlvXuaPbmKWeEFigJ8U0eM1ty4FeuVFqzuIEZPpiX154tMIdhnvMcMBc9mbmrEUu9XyJ7W90t7UUdCXyFFspzZ3MUgUD7Id72WkQmwvCaqrnFNtmRORlmkUTC4jYXVdyzUc6qFW3VYtZj8/s320/20231026_083636%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In sewing this week, I've been ignoring my sewing panel wallhanging in favour of piecing more blocks for the <b>Paducah embroidered blocks quilt</b>, but I also wanted to make an <b>Open Wide Pouch </b>sometimes known as a Magic Pouch. It's a box-pouch which opens up flat into a fabric tray, to hold for example makeup or tools. There are a lot of video tutorials on Youtube for these, I picked one and sewed a first attempt which was a bit of a disaster as it turned out the measurements were both wrong, and wrongly converted between inches/cm. Some of the commenters referenced <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7HkcqhRJFE&t=596s" target="_blank">another video</a> as being much better, and it was - so that's what I ended up using. I used a couple of Aldi FQs and purposely didn't put any stabiliser in - I want to use this for travelling so I wanted to keep the bulk down. So my version is a bit floppy. I will use it in hotels to corral my possessions in the bathroom, then I can zip it up during the day when the housekeeping might come in.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPeYkil86S4ORhR_Up_Rf6c1aJujfSmtY8m0s5yrviZyrp9DCFNM34pYZVtbsz4HhUxsD93rQzuO1D-CGrzPweQArwGkK6CHauBTjXpVMjLeR6Lh1hF_7WXMGkAgblqJxvVCXtFE6qqT43W4ZoYWLB1WSzopAl-uKEE1yAqTg2zAXl9B31h9SQShte3g/s3214/20231027_154048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3214" data-original-width="2828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPeYkil86S4ORhR_Up_Rf6c1aJujfSmtY8m0s5yrviZyrp9DCFNM34pYZVtbsz4HhUxsD93rQzuO1D-CGrzPweQArwGkK6CHauBTjXpVMjLeR6Lh1hF_7WXMGkAgblqJxvVCXtFE6qqT43W4ZoYWLB1WSzopAl-uKEE1yAqTg2zAXl9B31h9SQShte3g/s320/20231027_154048.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These pictures are strangely washed out, I think the sun was shining into my camera lens</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LrM_YXkNZ9puKK3GBrfSYecrOgTnfU7KBZ2CG-m3-221paxdsWDtkJAodCz8StNcJjUawAZ-sX5LzT6nu_Ai_EZ3kB7ECcFYCoX6Dm9UI-rSdG0tm0636PGUvByBMJ2uu6-MmcPcb5aBz48VKGiaxRFbtaKXhBw4KyAkaYsZdmb1Oibz8jUHLT2ZMQA/s1440/20231027_154148%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LrM_YXkNZ9puKK3GBrfSYecrOgTnfU7KBZ2CG-m3-221paxdsWDtkJAodCz8StNcJjUawAZ-sX5LzT6nu_Ai_EZ3kB7ECcFYCoX6Dm9UI-rSdG0tm0636PGUvByBMJ2uu6-MmcPcb5aBz48VKGiaxRFbtaKXhBw4KyAkaYsZdmb1Oibz8jUHLT2ZMQA/s320/20231027_154148%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>A local place was doing a Halloween-themed afternoon tea and could do it gluten free, so we headed over on DH's lunch hour this week to treat ourselves. It was quite fun! Tasty as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5N_fwMieG5Vy5zow8cKBBnoYn8CD3b_saF0hQo-71fZMbJzWfDxBkqt435w72axwCU1NHfnaWiXiOcTlN9E8fb2s67y_Wqidr6c2JpIKmVqfDgA_0NnFbXLDX0UKE6LFrcR2iEioH1Zp3WWjE1_NiZajKizBSS-mrzB093A2o8IlAhCSJ7FJl5U0cEyQ/s1440/20231027_123519%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5N_fwMieG5Vy5zow8cKBBnoYn8CD3b_saF0hQo-71fZMbJzWfDxBkqt435w72axwCU1NHfnaWiXiOcTlN9E8fb2s67y_Wqidr6c2JpIKmVqfDgA_0NnFbXLDX0UKE6LFrcR2iEioH1Zp3WWjE1_NiZajKizBSS-mrzB093A2o8IlAhCSJ7FJl5U0cEyQ/s320/20231027_123519%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oFzi-XYUXW9cmeVnY6OQ7YgXKql816LvNSqHTiGvudfsrrNYckJRCxCWgSdH6JYOGAzNXF6bfB3F65iTlPynwhTt2EQjPl6ym-pvvJjU18jlc3HjK66rB7-qy9gG3ZuQ9MX0oaYI29fUGVgP0K9ePSIhg-UWoXVU8ZVL0Z-DmxtWEcF3eNAB1azRVE4/s1440/20231027_123647%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oFzi-XYUXW9cmeVnY6OQ7YgXKql816LvNSqHTiGvudfsrrNYckJRCxCWgSdH6JYOGAzNXF6bfB3F65iTlPynwhTt2EQjPl6ym-pvvJjU18jlc3HjK66rB7-qy9gG3ZuQ9MX0oaYI29fUGVgP0K9ePSIhg-UWoXVU8ZVL0Z-DmxtWEcF3eNAB1azRVE4/s320/20231027_123647%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>I don't think I am going to do anything for Halloween this year - in past years I have done a lot of decorating, carved a pumpkin, got in lots of sweets etc. But last year we only had a handful of trick or treaters and neither of us have an office to take the leftovers treats to any longer (DH works from home), and I just don't feel like I've got the energy to decorate this year - so I'm taking a year off. We will go dark on Halloween eve and ignore the doorbell if it rings, but it shouldn't because the unwritten rule is to only visit houses that are decorated.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Halloween if you are celebrating though!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-35364236545400688352023-10-22T19:51:00.001+01:002023-10-22T19:51:26.414+01:00Another quilty weekend<p> I was away for a long weekend at the Coventry retreat that I've been to twice before. I like it because it's not too far away, the hotel is fine (unlike some other retreats I've been on), and the people are really nice. It's just nice to have nothing to do but make things in likeminded company, and not have to do anything else because all the meals and refreshments are laid on. I had a good time but I'm really tired now! By coincidence, Chooky was running her quilting zoom call from Australia as well on Saturday morning, so I joined their call and showed the Australians our retreat room and some of the things people were making.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXuuH8RlIbqf7GcBb1sCxHljG6HZjyR0aRmIWguaghYYXoc1JmAWv_EezdBYxVetUOIgENgwwGLDTDkaAVvr_j4RZ85qOayAgbH9N3126aM8cVZTkQTDOBgKLErloT6iEnsJtuR8KJ_uGoS3jLmXTbCW_dI-o8Hr7R7Mp-0LAeOvmM7T8Yv-IaHN9veI/s1440/20231020_165126%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXuuH8RlIbqf7GcBb1sCxHljG6HZjyR0aRmIWguaghYYXoc1JmAWv_EezdBYxVetUOIgENgwwGLDTDkaAVvr_j4RZ85qOayAgbH9N3126aM8cVZTkQTDOBgKLErloT6iEnsJtuR8KJ_uGoS3jLmXTbCW_dI-o8Hr7R7Mp-0LAeOvmM7T8Yv-IaHN9veI/s320/20231020_165126%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I was in the boxmaking class which was hard work but we produced four really great boxes. The teacher's technique is a bit of a hybrid mix between the cartonnage I have done before, where everything is glued; and the old-fashioned way of making boxes where you sew the covered card together. We covered pre-cut card with fabric and then used our machines to zig-zag the flat joins. Then we turned the joined pieces into 3D boxes by hand-sewing the vertical seams, reinforced with glued-in lining card and bases. The hand-sewing was quite fiddly, particularly as I had forgotten my new reading glasses so only had my two-prescriptions-ago sewing glasses. But I'm pretty pleased with what I turned out plus the teacher went through how to calculate your own size of box to make at home. So I could make more on my own time. Her method is a bit quicker than the cartonnage method because you aren't using as much wet glue so don't have to wait so long for things to dry. But on the other hand, the zig zag stitching shows on the outside of the box, and the hand-sewing is quite fiddly.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekBBt7ytBz0ENlzaPiz_tAwjTqaT8Z21sATVbQc1kUddky_CmNt5tLD3LqJcICdvFa7KeNA3IlE-bDwePj_SlREmJJKkXCZW9QqaRb68n2ud0Qlh7vOto7Dbim8wJcx21lBmaGAqFipwVXtJGpwqBA4DKKee140MG86OSr10LWgNJoLWCOMoq4n6QLME/s1440/20231020_165109%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekBBt7ytBz0ENlzaPiz_tAwjTqaT8Z21sATVbQc1kUddky_CmNt5tLD3LqJcICdvFa7KeNA3IlE-bDwePj_SlREmJJKkXCZW9QqaRb68n2ud0Qlh7vOto7Dbim8wJcx21lBmaGAqFipwVXtJGpwqBA4DKKee140MG86OSr10LWgNJoLWCOMoq4n6QLME/s320/20231020_165109%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0a70nTHNPRQibunjeCtwyoL6_HWL1XIE8daeg3CNavo-grezj-Dbh2WeNdLMmFdu5FMig_2QlAUqvga7O9BSiK-Y6F3EpoOmtYIhQGUlex_zgdPELpBaLPH3-EPBNVElbumxM1gWdtmPe2hexZHWw6HvLYRARgtul5N6TPDHkrp2k1LNJ-_aHBP4s6zA/s1440/20231022_094219%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0a70nTHNPRQibunjeCtwyoL6_HWL1XIE8daeg3CNavo-grezj-Dbh2WeNdLMmFdu5FMig_2QlAUqvga7O9BSiK-Y6F3EpoOmtYIhQGUlex_zgdPELpBaLPH3-EPBNVElbumxM1gWdtmPe2hexZHWw6HvLYRARgtul5N6TPDHkrp2k1LNJ-_aHBP4s6zA/s320/20231022_094219%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejYW6eo2DGIqpBHABR9euBv7b5xRnG73fEo2X-aj49qA3Xr1vrlG4oiq4ccWUnlppC3vShvdGlsGpaUVqrsUilSk75d53S3toTv2YoXdhUazeTJB6BTjq6xNnV2BN357Gy74JoLEZdZSc9iek714T0OlIrxVRiHUJSVtqNZl2rhecdbJWX0lmP19DR70/s1440/20231022_165501%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejYW6eo2DGIqpBHABR9euBv7b5xRnG73fEo2X-aj49qA3Xr1vrlG4oiq4ccWUnlppC3vShvdGlsGpaUVqrsUilSk75d53S3toTv2YoXdhUazeTJB6BTjq6xNnV2BN357Gy74JoLEZdZSc9iek714T0OlIrxVRiHUJSVtqNZl2rhecdbJWX0lmP19DR70/s1440/20231022_165501%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg62EbqJkPlfsbN5Grw6r6gpvk-vE-FHfQ5Gi5Hk_-qKffS_7HmNHQJfKB3qUw8QxMBgGnnajknaCH72BOhikUktmkfRdjy26X1hRrzf_M1-ERqwHMWURO5bNh6l15mqNwzNZFO96r_SwlGKWvQWH0fkcvQcYL3Tow76xBETLw6sBXyC1MQqGKLzykP0k/s1440/20231022_165608%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg62EbqJkPlfsbN5Grw6r6gpvk-vE-FHfQ5Gi5Hk_-qKffS_7HmNHQJfKB3qUw8QxMBgGnnajknaCH72BOhikUktmkfRdjy26X1hRrzf_M1-ERqwHMWURO5bNh6l15mqNwzNZFO96r_SwlGKWvQWH0fkcvQcYL3Tow76xBETLw6sBXyC1MQqGKLzykP0k/s320/20231022_165608%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejYW6eo2DGIqpBHABR9euBv7b5xRnG73fEo2X-aj49qA3Xr1vrlG4oiq4ccWUnlppC3vShvdGlsGpaUVqrsUilSk75d53S3toTv2YoXdhUazeTJB6BTjq6xNnV2BN357Gy74JoLEZdZSc9iek714T0OlIrxVRiHUJSVtqNZl2rhecdbJWX0lmP19DR70/s320/20231022_165501%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></div><br /><br />The two bags at the back are ones I sewed in between making boxes, when I needed a break from fiddly stuff. They are the large and small sizes of the <a href="https://emmalinebags.com/products/the-retreat-bag-pdf" target="_blank">Retreat Bag</a>, a free pattern from Emmaline Bags, designed to take a wire frame so that they open wide like a doctor's bag. I am going to make my wire frames out of coathanger to finish the bags off. It's a great project for a feature fabric like this old print of American farmhouses and quilts hung on the line.<div><br /></div><div>On Sunday (today) I started cutting out and sewing blocks for the quilt kit I bought at the Paducah show with the embroidered blocks that I've been stitching since the spring. I'm still working on the central embroidered panel but I could put the rest of it together.</div><div><br /></div><div>There was various de-stash for sale for charity at the retreat, I picked up several bargain spools of brand-name thread but I also bought a Janome Jem Platinum 720, which is a 3/4 size Janome machine with 20 stitches, for a very good price. The foot pedal isn't working but my own Janome pedal works fine on it. Apparently someone's mother had given the machine to them, but they didn't sew and the machine just sat around for years. It seems in very good condition apart from the pedal and it could probably benefit from a service - and it comes with a little extension table and a sturdy carrycase. I had to take my big Janome to the retreat because my Featherweight doesn't do a zigzag stitch, but now I will be able to take the Jem instead. Much more portable, and hopefully less likely to go wrong from being transported.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf281v0toxZ2e7R7vOhVLmIMX5dZzlAM40OkfDJFolREjnP0AKBbSkklmYYCoIw5qyQKA-E4M2mkB3kN6qAHdrSK-6dHIlz6wwU0db3QzDUkMl-KdL83qLVddwqG-rRWB5PkphqiQje52C9YgWUBN1ewGOviQRHtvtCJBiu9mnRG6ngypna9urnXQpZec/s1440/20231022_161156%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf281v0toxZ2e7R7vOhVLmIMX5dZzlAM40OkfDJFolREjnP0AKBbSkklmYYCoIw5qyQKA-E4M2mkB3kN6qAHdrSK-6dHIlz6wwU0db3QzDUkMl-KdL83qLVddwqG-rRWB5PkphqiQje52C9YgWUBN1ewGOviQRHtvtCJBiu9mnRG6ngypna9urnXQpZec/s320/20231022_161156%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Large and little.</div><br /><div>I also took my own de-stash to donate to the charity sale: several bags of yarn and various craft books, so I've cleared out some more clutter. I've also got some sweater's worth packs of Rowan yarn that I will try to sell.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the week I tried out another pattern from Mrs. H aka Swoon Patterns, which was a test that ran while I was in Shetland so I missed it. It's called the Expandable Pouch and comes in five sizes, with organising and travelling in mind. This is the largest size and it's big enough to put bulky clothes into. Now that I understand the pattern, it's a fairly straightforward sew, and I might make some more as organisers. To use, or not use, packing cubes while travelling is a surprisingly controversial topic with lots of videos for both methods on Youtube. I don't find normal packing cubes that useful, but compression cubes that squash your clothes or yarn purchases down by compressing out the air can be quite handy. So I wouldn't use this for travelling but for things like drawer organisation, they might be handy.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcH9drgLo0Xy9U4QT09I-fEa60fuV-oeTiSUiQ7sayrDktT_yitBF3FY2FVxIuYQhzrMvTTQPptM7_dfrHXwCXV8bti79igcAcmA1IhaI7qLZcl6ZGOehpqW6_68zNggNdbLw6rr5VuqwSknU1WbsltZ0TumZcPl3Ga0ynOunofymbuXyHv32yK5i0qA/s1440/20231019_091856%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcH9drgLo0Xy9U4QT09I-fEa60fuV-oeTiSUiQ7sayrDktT_yitBF3FY2FVxIuYQhzrMvTTQPptM7_dfrHXwCXV8bti79igcAcmA1IhaI7qLZcl6ZGOehpqW6_68zNggNdbLw6rr5VuqwSknU1WbsltZ0TumZcPl3Ga0ynOunofymbuXyHv32yK5i0qA/s320/20231019_091856%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>So that's it for trips away from home for the year, or at least, I have nothing else booked at the moment. I can concentrate on trying to salvage the very-neglected, and somewhat squashed by scaffolding, garden; and on various jobs around the house. I am still wading through de-cluttering - I spent several hours this week on my box of 1960s Barbie dolls, looking them up online and giving them a gentle clean, and sorting out the clothes. Apparently a couple of the dolls are fairly collectible but none of them are in great condition as they were hand-me-downs from an older cousin then I played with them, and they've been living in various attics for decades. I've emailed an auction house to see if they would be interested in them. They may be inundated with similar collections from others jumping on the Barbie film bandwagon.</div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-34623254068620210392023-10-15T09:56:00.001+01:002023-10-15T09:56:13.775+01:00A quilty weekend<p> It feels odd to have done more sewing this weekend than I have done for literally months. That came about because I happened to see an invitation on Facebook for Brits to join an online Canadian quilting retreat. It sounded fun so I signed up and logged into Zoom at 3pm on Friday, ready to sew and with DH warned that there would be no supper. It got off to a anticlimatic start with just me and another Brit wondering where everyone was - turned out the organiser had got the time difference wrong and it didn't start until 4pm UK time - but quilters gradually trickled in until there were over 30 of us. It's organised like a physical retreat: we had introductions, door prizes, a mystery workshop (to make a wine glass coaster), a tutorial on facing a quilt and there have even been some pop-up vendors but mostly later at night after I've gone to bed.</p><p><br /></p><p>But the best thing about the retreat is the psychological permission to just sew from 4pm until late, without the burden of 'I should be doing that', 'I should be getting supper ready', 'I should be doing something worthwhile and not just sewing' etc. etc. It's so silly because I'm retired, I should feel like I have that permission all the time - but I don't. I don't know if it is the vestiges of a lifetime of work ethic but I generally spend most of my time doing chores and paperwork, until I feel like I've earned the reward of doing some crafting - and sometimes I'm too mentally worn out by that point to tackle anything challenging.</p><p><br /></p><p>In addition to the retreat, I attended the Quilt Guild's region 7 regional day yesterday. I've been a member of the guild since I retired, but this is the first regional day I've managed to attend (and only because DH kindly drove me almost an hour to get there). It was smaller than I expected, I guess I was mentally picturing the bustle of a typical lace day but this was very civilised with about 30 chairs set out to view the presentation by the African fabric shop's Magie Relph on her travels and fabric collecting in Africa and the resulting quilts. There was a raffle and I actually won a prize of a very nice little Japanese redwork zip pouch kit and a few other bits. There was a small show and tell - I took along my Janet Clare Spoondrift quilt because I knew most people would recognise the pattern from the magazine BOM. There was even a decent offering of gluten free cakes which was much appreciated. In the afternoon we did a workshop with Janice Gunner to collage African fabrics into a little panel. I met some nice people and it was nice to get out and meet some other quilters in real life. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGjZ7MstkNTjL-jI_sQVNtrctgmqnndYa0oHxdADrSndDaerk1pmK4_G8moCfFAvS9dkNEwdQYj4NA069rZqT6tFtIxfZGhDyald4DP4mDj-CeMSY4sBdpsFQH5MbnebZ_S7XgnrfF0ya-jnAjWWZgH1socPGuAfysGNIUG1bkNHtzc0fD6x3nF8tI5k/s1440/20231014_115618%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGjZ7MstkNTjL-jI_sQVNtrctgmqnndYa0oHxdADrSndDaerk1pmK4_G8moCfFAvS9dkNEwdQYj4NA069rZqT6tFtIxfZGhDyald4DP4mDj-CeMSY4sBdpsFQH5MbnebZ_S7XgnrfF0ya-jnAjWWZgH1socPGuAfysGNIUG1bkNHtzc0fD6x3nF8tI5k/s320/20231014_115618%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIYVRRXhGDP078Aegyl-_1UPED0x1oIGuzb5mEmwwdMFHo0hQOED76Xg6bGPAGVyOPKrKl5UXZIhEpXCZnrQigIBUsVc2kw1DtoeVFcI8sZZYOucY0s88Ljk2Gbi5LSX5ZzlYHeFA-ArVF9VMLpihnEhveYNt6k_ylaINRtWfeivEY5jEuYUfjOyWU4k/s1440/20231014_115709%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIYVRRXhGDP078Aegyl-_1UPED0x1oIGuzb5mEmwwdMFHo0hQOED76Xg6bGPAGVyOPKrKl5UXZIhEpXCZnrQigIBUsVc2kw1DtoeVFcI8sZZYOucY0s88Ljk2Gbi5LSX5ZzlYHeFA-ArVF9VMLpihnEhveYNt6k_ylaINRtWfeivEY5jEuYUfjOyWU4k/s320/20231014_115709%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">African fabric workshop samples</div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I came home and logged straight back into the Canadian retrest a bit late, and kept working on the little African panel. So this is what I've been working on this weekend so far:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZd2IFRdAOazmm7Hc0A8sVnsl2XHkWh3Kz-IKIX0b8TuVaLtUEZmFsLjTfQ5cSyokaXxRJqg-OOFUrNXo8r6OKGj0Pr6ZMT4_VIr2SfkR36B70kSktAbZAMJc71viVr4EtMct8q-QfBXGX36m9mFkGwAPsjMnu0cpE1QS-gFfC2k8CB_jkhOa0wJSOMOA/s1440/20231014_081359%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZd2IFRdAOazmm7Hc0A8sVnsl2XHkWh3Kz-IKIX0b8TuVaLtUEZmFsLjTfQ5cSyokaXxRJqg-OOFUrNXo8r6OKGj0Pr6ZMT4_VIr2SfkR36B70kSktAbZAMJc71viVr4EtMct8q-QfBXGX36m9mFkGwAPsjMnu0cpE1QS-gFfC2k8CB_jkhOa0wJSOMOA/s1440/20231014_081359%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCsuE_W9XEEc8nQqCfceekwnGv0KHx4KasotgTH7Gr2meK7xGjSCZ8AybnguCeeuMq2RmLirjvuIldn60WctMI5VNM4eTjA4h-Q-Gbs9oekN7DxvDgH2SdEpiG8uZEUZPZC4S1qvjUTjnCvHHBGb-KFQ-41B8rxBxnsk9OyrQUaQRaVuOnPdvlKBYFtw/s1440/20231014_081408%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCsuE_W9XEEc8nQqCfceekwnGv0KHx4KasotgTH7Gr2meK7xGjSCZ8AybnguCeeuMq2RmLirjvuIldn60WctMI5VNM4eTjA4h-Q-Gbs9oekN7DxvDgH2SdEpiG8uZEUZPZC4S1qvjUTjnCvHHBGb-KFQ-41B8rxBxnsk9OyrQUaQRaVuOnPdvlKBYFtw/s320/20231014_081408%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I assembled and lined the little knitted bag from 'Wool Gathering' magazine, that I was knitting in Shetland. It is probably a bit small for a knitting bag, it could be a tatting bag (if I still tatted)</div><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZd2IFRdAOazmm7Hc0A8sVnsl2XHkWh3Kz-IKIX0b8TuVaLtUEZmFsLjTfQ5cSyokaXxRJqg-OOFUrNXo8r6OKGj0Pr6ZMT4_VIr2SfkR36B70kSktAbZAMJc71viVr4EtMct8q-QfBXGX36m9mFkGwAPsjMnu0cpE1QS-gFfC2k8CB_jkhOa0wJSOMOA/s320/20231014_081359%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I took apart the fair isle knitted shoulder bag that I bought in Shetland, removed the overly bulky and long shoulder strap, and added some soft handles. I put it back together and understitched the lining so that it tucks into the bag neatly now. This will make a nice knitting bag for smaller projects.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjN8Wnypjf9MllERmjmOdc3-owso4soOS-a48W_5Lj8LMUd3GRYTkY58tmxJ438pY6lOZ_HyMnGafOF4HYlF47FXiKg23CsdFFr4lnRUvzM_2qlc-x2wptrK3eE-Rzr6JXYYq6dEP5Ua3GxbJsvEMcZg7COmhUPopfUTzsvNZXHCQQXB9q2SWnq3JEO1c/s1440/20231014_081424%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjN8Wnypjf9MllERmjmOdc3-owso4soOS-a48W_5Lj8LMUd3GRYTkY58tmxJ438pY6lOZ_HyMnGafOF4HYlF47FXiKg23CsdFFr4lnRUvzM_2qlc-x2wptrK3eE-Rzr6JXYYq6dEP5Ua3GxbJsvEMcZg7COmhUPopfUTzsvNZXHCQQXB9q2SWnq3JEO1c/s320/20231014_081424%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the raffle prize I won.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-3B7Xguk5NqtTo9-cNQt0BQu1_UwhD6TFNnirsc6QVrPUFfb-ifJSE0th7RBSGWgCqnPYShJI-xsxqebUAvhmFrSKU8-wL6NnDsV32PKkIggFYYTxrY94VsOZKK3EMhyoKvV4GQSyuZShpKfqjHUMuvY1FeXNA8vasnfQpw4rjJzsUgL8x_2eG7NuCs/s1440/20231014_170026%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-3B7Xguk5NqtTo9-cNQt0BQu1_UwhD6TFNnirsc6QVrPUFfb-ifJSE0th7RBSGWgCqnPYShJI-xsxqebUAvhmFrSKU8-wL6NnDsV32PKkIggFYYTxrY94VsOZKK3EMhyoKvV4GQSyuZShpKfqjHUMuvY1FeXNA8vasnfQpw4rjJzsUgL8x_2eG7NuCs/s320/20231014_170026%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73FwdW1LT3cVCGZS_T5KK1teXXE2xzcXA6Lyvlg99aH2EfegIXJy6dQgGQ6nVBM79JxIQN4wPcsTmp7cJalAEL0w4HcE8Z6LWpvjY5w9IAuPJ-MxYx3CjXzWVNeSngL0F8zUYBxPf4NNZw6aKyBDd673HZd8zFTbgoQI4y9UEzGimJWVf_9wRcxm0AWg/s1440/20231014_170032%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73FwdW1LT3cVCGZS_T5KK1teXXE2xzcXA6Lyvlg99aH2EfegIXJy6dQgGQ6nVBM79JxIQN4wPcsTmp7cJalAEL0w4HcE8Z6LWpvjY5w9IAuPJ-MxYx3CjXzWVNeSngL0F8zUYBxPf4NNZw6aKyBDd673HZd8zFTbgoQI4y9UEzGimJWVf_9wRcxm0AWg/s320/20231014_170032%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is my African panel which I turned into a little folding wallet with bound edges. The button was also given to us by Magy. This project was a bit out of my comfort zone, most African fabrics are not my typical colours/patterns and I don't do much free form piecing. Nice to finish something though.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6noI8wLEYYSOoFXIGipJgmA6aJD1mQFNfbx3nKt7wDlkxwMDM82iOVvxRi5tTVOBZXFkR501BJQkmoPYC6ju4LDQNI_Fe8L221Y8WTY0D8OYA_OcrxydvXIa3keCGvAsUKA2v9iH_06g_MEhUzpwsXnVyiz4QxW88lBcMZ6TQ3-s_3GMSxvB5SGWoCM/s1440/20231014_195534%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6noI8wLEYYSOoFXIGipJgmA6aJD1mQFNfbx3nKt7wDlkxwMDM82iOVvxRi5tTVOBZXFkR501BJQkmoPYC6ju4LDQNI_Fe8L221Y8WTY0D8OYA_OcrxydvXIa3keCGvAsUKA2v9iH_06g_MEhUzpwsXnVyiz4QxW88lBcMZ6TQ3-s_3GMSxvB5SGWoCM/s320/20231014_195534%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqHKfIJTVQjHTMdOKGnz4Q8nSggPGgYHove3ZNp2GBuUEshPkZHJz5f17prmLxLV5L-2bPmqffvX97WlGyI_J_DIDrTRVz3Kqfhwt7iV9DT4WGiNOq78p0NxqMrIVCtEGdmbLTIrVjJpQ9N8MP4mHl5xQppWBt4UZ52aKutR7UaFOL6hQ5FeUgoyZaxg/s1440/20231014_195557%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqHKfIJTVQjHTMdOKGnz4Q8nSggPGgYHove3ZNp2GBuUEshPkZHJz5f17prmLxLV5L-2bPmqffvX97WlGyI_J_DIDrTRVz3Kqfhwt7iV9DT4WGiNOq78p0NxqMrIVCtEGdmbLTIrVjJpQ9N8MP4mHl5xQppWBt4UZ52aKutR7UaFOL6hQ5FeUgoyZaxg/s320/20231014_195557%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplZkPHdyYcianN_mOkL1uywgukMRIEbw3skWvKq_eg3aa1gC4UlG5dURYg_qULPdv3ZYLa2GtZMzHeqGyVsJ4DOr6hi6zLBQ3slgovZLDyU0SQEOdYtsCwXPppTrDJDpvDlwhc2Tb2R67p1Dt9dVTbZRQNjQJAQFKAlj2sHNUqridLMmCSSIrYQB4lFI/s1440/20231014_195608%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplZkPHdyYcianN_mOkL1uywgukMRIEbw3skWvKq_eg3aa1gC4UlG5dURYg_qULPdv3ZYLa2GtZMzHeqGyVsJ4DOr6hi6zLBQ3slgovZLDyU0SQEOdYtsCwXPppTrDJDpvDlwhc2Tb2R67p1Dt9dVTbZRQNjQJAQFKAlj2sHNUqridLMmCSSIrYQB4lFI/s320/20231014_195608%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In between the smaller projects, I've been working on the sewing panel wallhanging that I started several weeks ago. I think it just needs some kind of border now.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejs4aZkVI69gfl6cAUlkEEU_dYi-9rwlCojv29mGPei3XT776W5y1iBrM6UlI_pbPb4Jd3Ag5yRyDhIay4EAOP4pTdJV-Jf5CBGPwQ6n0rwkcQoJAZNZR4WP8do5MUmuln_NiPv6gylGykTLDBqUx4EkLVOhvN5gYNZhr78zkYjBfOVO_uhdBs-scprs/s1440/20231014_205959%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejs4aZkVI69gfl6cAUlkEEU_dYi-9rwlCojv29mGPei3XT776W5y1iBrM6UlI_pbPb4Jd3Ag5yRyDhIay4EAOP4pTdJV-Jf5CBGPwQ6n0rwkcQoJAZNZR4WP8do5MUmuln_NiPv6gylGykTLDBqUx4EkLVOhvN5gYNZhr78zkYjBfOVO_uhdBs-scprs/s320/20231014_205959%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Last week, before the quilty weekend, I stopped procrastinating and finally put together my contribution to a group U3A project. We were asked to make a 5x7" scene that must all feature a path starting two inches from the bottom and being half an inch wide - so that all the scenes can be shown side by side with the path joining them altogether. It's based on a group project one of the members saw somewhere else. I agreed to do one back in August. I based mine on the books by Sally Holman about fabric scenes, so it is heavily inspired by her work. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbUkgyGX5rQ9uO0SX7o0EowPYX_HtCuu4ap7qJcvsKoY0thLEbgubFaYyM8ms-ZoWFyvgt59YR8l2BpB8B1yJ76jpWgCoxn7m68jdFrNsOCJBPkgAC_hyphenhyphen_7T0I5Cnu5hbPJsbDXSO6R7F54B5r3hWf3sMGdTXu4hB6OWX6x3MFS9LGblxvAOtUZF33Tk/s1440/20231009_160222%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbUkgyGX5rQ9uO0SX7o0EowPYX_HtCuu4ap7qJcvsKoY0thLEbgubFaYyM8ms-ZoWFyvgt59YR8l2BpB8B1yJ76jpWgCoxn7m68jdFrNsOCJBPkgAC_hyphenhyphen_7T0I5Cnu5hbPJsbDXSO6R7F54B5r3hWf3sMGdTXu4hB6OWX6x3MFS9LGblxvAOtUZF33Tk/s320/20231009_160222%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On the side, I have occasionally been pottering with the book nook kit I bought in Northumbria. It has what seems like a million pieces so it is slow going and is definitely only 'assembly' rather than creativity. But it is starting to look more interesting.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtUbXDOrJl71A2fJyczLaHE8WCttgFsqwGM7VBW6rDqkdbgxowOJlCmSHFFfVOdSNwrx_BXobdgwdwSO_tYb9NQb50fe-fGAiEvjoLxegJEeDiZbVXahbQYmk-aE1zB0lnIOiEgfmiIGZfVsGee9f-cg3Zp7FEhQaTLNFkSJalj7dPTTCrnSSIewa-6I/s1440/20231014_210610%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtUbXDOrJl71A2fJyczLaHE8WCttgFsqwGM7VBW6rDqkdbgxowOJlCmSHFFfVOdSNwrx_BXobdgwdwSO_tYb9NQb50fe-fGAiEvjoLxegJEeDiZbVXahbQYmk-aE1zB0lnIOiEgfmiIGZfVsGee9f-cg3Zp7FEhQaTLNFkSJalj7dPTTCrnSSIewa-6I/s320/20231014_210610%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And finally, here is my new toy: a tiny bluetooth keyboard which I'm hoping is going to solve my problem of trying to type on my phone with my sausage fingers when I'm away travelling. It also connects to my ancient tablet so I might take the tablet as well. The tablet and keyboard together will be much lighter than the laptop I took to Japan but hopefully will do the same jobs that I want to do on the road: blogging, expenses records, travel research and bookings, watching videos etc. It's slightly awkward to type on due to the size, but already hugely better than the phone.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuf7UmuhPub7rGJdi8VckkBtT-LBkYTzd4fDtFo7XAzM3JHkqt6Bx3kQ3eUmFWbbG4NwDdznKqukCBXJthW7h_CZUpqlg0DZfV1f5fd_YVJ14j64o93Os88k5Jf3lcSFJ1Go75MzEYDHgv_J4OLWigQwiclVGXvFbNJ5v2p9vdbYlZnpky-wZHeo_2VM/s1440/20231014_210704%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuf7UmuhPub7rGJdi8VckkBtT-LBkYTzd4fDtFo7XAzM3JHkqt6Bx3kQ3eUmFWbbG4NwDdznKqukCBXJthW7h_CZUpqlg0DZfV1f5fd_YVJ14j64o93Os88k5Jf3lcSFJ1Go75MzEYDHgv_J4OLWigQwiclVGXvFbNJ5v2p9vdbYlZnpky-wZHeo_2VM/s320/20231014_210704%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-43941833598812730302023-10-09T12:55:00.002+01:002023-10-09T12:55:54.469+01:00Summer's curtain call<p> I did a brief google on the politically correct description for what we used to call 'Indian summer' and there doesn't seem to be a consensus - but I did stumble across a poetic description labelling it 'Summer's curtain call' which is quite sweet. Yes, after a week and a half of definite Autumn weather in Shetland (see previous post), and coming home thinking it was time to put away the summer clothes, the weather has surprised us by suddenly warming back up to a sunny 23 degrees. Luckily we had booked to go away one final night in our caravan for the season so we were able to take some advantage of the weather. We camped down south of Bletchley and had a nice lunch with DS who lives in Milton Keynes now. Yesterday we had a walk down the Grand Union Canal as far as the Three Locks which was quite pleasant.</p><p><br /></p><p>I also got to go to Milton Keynes IKEA where I picked up some more folding storage boxes to fit my Kallax yarn storage units, as part of the continuing struggle to sort the knitting/lace/ScanNCut room out. The original idea back when we moved in was to have all the yarn nicely on display in each cubbyhole of the Kallax units, like a yarn store. In practice this doesn't work at all because the yarn is all different shapes and just wants to fall to the back, or fall out completely to the front. It's easier to just stuff it all into a storage box labelled 'Shetland' or 'DK'. I was also looking for a better storage option for all my DPNs but the Milton Keynes IKEA no longer seems to stock any useful divided boxes or cardboard drawers like they used to. I may have to build something myself. 10-15 years ago in my sock knitting heyday, I had all kinds of smaller DPNs but now I can't find hardly any, they can't all have broken or been lost so I'm hoping they are in the mess somewhere.</p><p><br /></p><p>I also came across a fairly ancient knitting UFO - an Aran jumper I started c late 90s before I learned how to handknit properly. I had later pulled it back and reknit the front, and knit a plain back on the machine, but stalled on the sleeves partly because I've run out of the original yarn (now discontinued) and couldn't find a good substitute. When I cleared out my machine knitting room, I came across a cone of Aran wool so I'm using that to handknit the sleeves while we watch 'Shetland' on television. I had never watched Shetland before as I'm not really into crime dramas, but now I can tell DH 'I was there!', 'I had chips in that chippy!', 'that's the museum!' and point out the continuity errors as they jump locations. As you can imagine, DH just loves all the interruptions.</p><p><br /></p><p>Before I headed off to Shetland, I finished the circular sewing box I was making, it turned out quite cute. Not sure how practical it is, as it wants to roll forward, but if it had tools in it then it would stay put better. There is a sewn on magnetic closure, then the ribbon acts as both decoration and a handle.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY2COwmiExyqE7Yaa9gFVr_I5nTrxL2uvZI08386aWkYNCv6_s36Mua8k497pILaV-avbb54IY_3stgt2DYn-UCnaxG3cM7rEexrdXALNGxtHgSACZry3H-iPAtx4KNUWokv8V4-fqY4Q9wTOY1gcZ-Bw7y0HYmLgXbAjHbN7GXbi5S83R89Tr5q2Gqo/s1440/20230919_084728%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY2COwmiExyqE7Yaa9gFVr_I5nTrxL2uvZI08386aWkYNCv6_s36Mua8k497pILaV-avbb54IY_3stgt2DYn-UCnaxG3cM7rEexrdXALNGxtHgSACZry3H-iPAtx4KNUWokv8V4-fqY4Q9wTOY1gcZ-Bw7y0HYmLgXbAjHbN7GXbi5S83R89Tr5q2Gqo/s320/20230919_084728%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwvIZ6u22EIP-57SJ7PgHjjo0Yl_aDK5DmEy6YJD4J08mWvmAgb2uSLPxPORoaeEANVCurS71SOMvqdmSEMEMazrcRKbzAHFA-uiqwFhB197ZrVnSiJNHLUzsQLhA5d4g2OiydQ6zi50-KmtAh0tC-Q0lqquP_3m9Oklgraj2b9Y4dbnf9WYBX0ll_LU/s1440/20230919_084618%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwvIZ6u22EIP-57SJ7PgHjjo0Yl_aDK5DmEy6YJD4J08mWvmAgb2uSLPxPORoaeEANVCurS71SOMvqdmSEMEMazrcRKbzAHFA-uiqwFhB197ZrVnSiJNHLUzsQLhA5d4g2OiydQ6zi50-KmtAh0tC-Q0lqquP_3m9Oklgraj2b9Y4dbnf9WYBX0ll_LU/s320/20230919_084618%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Our window repairs are all done, so no more builders, yay!! The scaffolding is still there even though we've told the company we're done with it. Last time we had scaffolding I think it stayed up for a further three weeks, I suspect they were using us as free storage until they needed the equipment for someone else. I can climb out our second floor hall window and have a cup of tea on our temporary 'balcony' at the back of the house, it's rather nice. I've been plodding on with booking up my New Zealand itinerary, the flights, hotels and domestic transport are all booked so now I am focusing on activities such as Hobbiton, Weta Workshops, Maori village dinners etc. I feel like travel today is stuck in a grey place between 'exciting global adventure' and 'no admittance unless you booked six months ago'. And if you booked it all six months ago, then it can start to feel like you are just 'travelling by numbers' when you're there instead of exploration and discovery. But that's the reality for popular destinations so I try to have a mix of both. What's your travel style?</p>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3928502829905925249.post-34243093454133807982023-10-04T15:31:00.001+01:002023-10-04T15:31:22.627+01:00Shetland Wool Week<p> quote: :"Shetland Wool Week is a world renowned celebration of Britain’s most northerly native sheep, the Shetland textile industry and the rural farming community on these islands...Since its conception fourteen years ago, Shetland Wool Week has grown into an internationally acclaimed event. Throughout the week there are an extensive range of exhibitions, classes and events, which will cover many different subjects. ...Events take place from the most southern tip of the Shetland, right up to the most northerly island of Unst, famous for its beautiful lacework, with many locations in between." unquote.</p><p><br /></p><p>Shetland Wool Week (or SWW) is something I've been meaning to go to for years but the timing never seemed right. Also it isn't easy to get to, being in the far north. I almost went before COVID, even getting as far as buying a pair of waterproof trousers after reading about the horizontal rain and constant wind. So SWW was high up on my retirement bucket list and 2023 was the year I finally went. The events of the week run from Saturday through to the following Sunday, but as the programme isn't released until a few months before and yet you have to book accommodation a year ahead, I had booked to be in Lerwick for 12 nights just in case. So that's why there was no blog the past two weekends, as I was up north with only my phone. Travelling took up a full long day each way: train to Birmingham, flight to Aberdeen then a layover, and another flight to Sumburgh airport on Shetland which is 25 miles or so out of Lerwick. As I don't drive any more, I was staying at a small hotel in Lerwick itself. But I managed to book several of the bus tours offered during the event and eventually saw most of the main islands apart from Unst.</p><p><br /></p><p>It was a great week! The camaraderie amongst participants (some 600 for event bookings and many more friends and partners, and people just hanging out) reminded me of the early years of the Paducah quilt festival: everyone in a good mood, everyone enjoying their week, lots of creative inspiration and gorgeous knitware being worn, you ended up chatting to strangers everywhere or even sharing their table for dinner or their car for a lift. The Shetlanders themselves gave us a warm welcome, they seem to love having the SWW every year and lots of shops and communities were doing special exhibitions of traditional knitting for visitors to see. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYETCVBbwIaw9M_-ni-nDNnQJLK9lNFetUeClDFmcWuVMm_CyPRRAbHq_TJSn1_sZeU4p9lhMOB_n5O9q6rgzN2l49O32rg3ySPMFxnSfGL1_Kuiwa9xPng5pLTwT1ZTYQuYbOEF7NQ1BS1mOZA2Bug2dJplulySGShcvHQH3cbToDEye1agcwz27-b4/s1440/20230921_111705%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYETCVBbwIaw9M_-ni-nDNnQJLK9lNFetUeClDFmcWuVMm_CyPRRAbHq_TJSn1_sZeU4p9lhMOB_n5O9q6rgzN2l49O32rg3ySPMFxnSfGL1_Kuiwa9xPng5pLTwT1ZTYQuYbOEF7NQ1BS1mOZA2Bug2dJplulySGShcvHQH3cbToDEye1agcwz27-b4/s320/20230921_111705%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shop window display</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCtG5XiS-tC30IQyAW9WPLsu7SJDxbEkFjIlhEQwXMmhsClC8EhvO_v59Agv5zOxc9UMWfLQwtefD-Y5W-nofgnKv2OaHWI14_bbAXFMtqFYHLB1Kc_7wGcSfZ0FkClgD-QZ3c3Z4ZgeWtvmvGwG5UgYCBpkptbdnb5DFnKDsaJwPQ5z_Bl8KznUgcBA/s1440/20230920_194531%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCtG5XiS-tC30IQyAW9WPLsu7SJDxbEkFjIlhEQwXMmhsClC8EhvO_v59Agv5zOxc9UMWfLQwtefD-Y5W-nofgnKv2OaHWI14_bbAXFMtqFYHLB1Kc_7wGcSfZ0FkClgD-QZ3c3Z4ZgeWtvmvGwG5UgYCBpkptbdnb5DFnKDsaJwPQ5z_Bl8KznUgcBA/s320/20230920_194531%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dNn0fmJrTOwcseutLr_a9oPmtep4hJVUiZr8Rull7bTrKamPoz7oZCK8BZnk7IT1F_QAT0RmaaZPyZ90hwmE_igAZ-uWN8eGhJSZUh7htz5tFd5OWM0dT4IuQ2If4F7NWEWoqPqHhhO8hJU1Mq9mavmmbrqDc8kNydq1glg2LK8HPKAVIH3i9EUKDXM/s1440/20230921_093919%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dNn0fmJrTOwcseutLr_a9oPmtep4hJVUiZr8Rull7bTrKamPoz7oZCK8BZnk7IT1F_QAT0RmaaZPyZ90hwmE_igAZ-uWN8eGhJSZUh7htz5tFd5OWM0dT4IuQ2If4F7NWEWoqPqHhhO8hJU1Mq9mavmmbrqDc8kNydq1glg2LK8HPKAVIH3i9EUKDXM/s320/20230921_093919%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViGICwHZH4vh3T8RnolbZ5SXqBM0BWqxTkAn38EmKk5092oPxdFEyM_BT0M5Tj5gY9aZEuQW8PHAbArxRxVNdpXpZXxA4vuUSblQHDTqRY8bJ9XBiJR6OHNSardMpNZOe91O69HDGde-_a2T_A1SKGNT5xopwbF1nohK5RJ0MoRZDgCEQcTzi4cjgOrI/s1440/20230923_091940%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViGICwHZH4vh3T8RnolbZ5SXqBM0BWqxTkAn38EmKk5092oPxdFEyM_BT0M5Tj5gY9aZEuQW8PHAbArxRxVNdpXpZXxA4vuUSblQHDTqRY8bJ9XBiJR6OHNSardMpNZOe91O69HDGde-_a2T_A1SKGNT5xopwbF1nohK5RJ0MoRZDgCEQcTzi4cjgOrI/s320/20230923_091940%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIF8smvOsr64PjklDWzmJ-VnqAAKj5VzoxXJrkNZ2SZsP01fo_AvW4RAb3vt8klBxZTj45sT3LFgd1ntdeXSb61WkEAvmhFUOeMl0ronOl8yaiGw_abdoSMmT4Uvu5VsfA-N2VE36TdmK1YYU_XMyhJhEkGBWCq7FbpWHcow5_VtpF3eTG0N7PvlX49w/s1440/20230925_135654%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIF8smvOsr64PjklDWzmJ-VnqAAKj5VzoxXJrkNZ2SZsP01fo_AvW4RAb3vt8klBxZTj45sT3LFgd1ntdeXSb61WkEAvmhFUOeMl0ronOl8yaiGw_abdoSMmT4Uvu5VsfA-N2VE36TdmK1YYU_XMyhJhEkGBWCq7FbpWHcow5_VtpF3eTG0N7PvlX49w/s320/20230925_135654%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Early in the week I visited the Jamiesons shop, the Jamiesons & Smith Wool Brokers (a different company despite the name), and the Loose Ends knitting shop. I managed to secure shade cards for both Jamiesons' shops so no more guessing from online pictures of Spindrift or jumperweight.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXu4uhNPRUG9iHuaqbmhKY9ZQifzIFkmGqN_xzsGwOmaA5B9v1SXFE2u3-GCTy1XWgAY37-ByOA8xqQKLRC51J60x3h-lAU6lz1D0aO-Gh9u0nYDD4m-NRbsu6eO_Key5Uue4X0XpG0Ke9Ipz4OcBx8VdAD7PlgJajFirvZ78ZMjh9rDkSKyMX7whvNFI/s1440/20230921_090804%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXu4uhNPRUG9iHuaqbmhKY9ZQifzIFkmGqN_xzsGwOmaA5B9v1SXFE2u3-GCTy1XWgAY37-ByOA8xqQKLRC51J60x3h-lAU6lz1D0aO-Gh9u0nYDD4m-NRbsu6eO_Key5Uue4X0XpG0Ke9Ipz4OcBx8VdAD7PlgJajFirvZ78ZMjh9rDkSKyMX7whvNFI/s320/20230921_090804%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJLUjU-Iio2CjGjonDBPb6Txzh7MwH3eLh2A0T1T-gqsd8BF7bFczD9jVv9jEcNxvhyyiV9f2wC3hBb4YXvQvVqACBjqk1JW_-wpB2vbZuBv3WYz8peW_4fRUte_wAGoawIWjkVVt9xNH5Z8P3I7GjVFBktieIV6JD1OVh4OMd7xiZMc9z25_0CxfYMI/s1440/20230921_090855%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJLUjU-Iio2CjGjonDBPb6Txzh7MwH3eLh2A0T1T-gqsd8BF7bFczD9jVv9jEcNxvhyyiV9f2wC3hBb4YXvQvVqACBjqk1JW_-wpB2vbZuBv3WYz8peW_4fRUte_wAGoawIWjkVVt9xNH5Z8P3I7GjVFBktieIV6JD1OVh4OMd7xiZMc9z25_0CxfYMI/s320/20230921_090855%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboU3uKrLlldhcvgPrtVhxUMJJzgMho249CY_l7y5VwyZmKUTdWWevtOgGZOx46J0yx_pQzZ6-XDmsVGs3AiHabM3kVFry9xZC3khysqG5UGnV1KgNU3qbZYgmxDYoT8raBMOkXFSFYIFjyxVMwpJUqetKh1Jugp-Me95Ro_hxzBObJ5WOkolRGrLYEwk/s1440/20230921_100141%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboU3uKrLlldhcvgPrtVhxUMJJzgMho249CY_l7y5VwyZmKUTdWWevtOgGZOx46J0yx_pQzZ6-XDmsVGs3AiHabM3kVFry9xZC3khysqG5UGnV1KgNU3qbZYgmxDYoT8raBMOkXFSFYIFjyxVMwpJUqetKh1Jugp-Me95Ro_hxzBObJ5WOkolRGrLYEwk/s320/20230921_100141%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWTFkVJjtnHm5CtyAFyLw3OW0IW2chvtABVpGc9AImjj6b7BwXMTyIYcZ3Lm4InVQHOO_APE4nLJ3OTR-nT9O0Bvo-2dykZWWOzkJ0ad_bMvgBjY3hftUq97ksOambVXehzsQVE8J4j2MiUWqqG3psg99139AdcVmIeqE43gJ6Pm8AGTURp9285dPgls/s1440/20230921_130842%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWTFkVJjtnHm5CtyAFyLw3OW0IW2chvtABVpGc9AImjj6b7BwXMTyIYcZ3Lm4InVQHOO_APE4nLJ3OTR-nT9O0Bvo-2dykZWWOzkJ0ad_bMvgBjY3hftUq97ksOambVXehzsQVE8J4j2MiUWqqG3psg99139AdcVmIeqE43gJ6Pm8AGTURp9285dPgls/s320/20230921_130842%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAHIa0d4-TKFc_QYlgg3N2KejRSwmjACrnoDXG-_NUbFj_lsrj3Et_JQW5otR96yikmGjumNvpHEtVN6sVPz-ADP68AVUFqJ68rAHvPr5dBkmHEgo-o4LHECGlsqapQRYoPEC784-4sY97sE0XzHNt-rRNV55WoVoxAZmB9eKYZBeS0kw8sUCaUb6b6k/s1440/20230921_132143%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAHIa0d4-TKFc_QYlgg3N2KejRSwmjACrnoDXG-_NUbFj_lsrj3Et_JQW5otR96yikmGjumNvpHEtVN6sVPz-ADP68AVUFqJ68rAHvPr5dBkmHEgo-o4LHECGlsqapQRYoPEC784-4sY97sE0XzHNt-rRNV55WoVoxAZmB9eKYZBeS0kw8sUCaUb6b6k/s320/20230921_132143%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Knitwear for sale in Loose Ends</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p>I spent a lot of time at the Shetland Museum in Lerwick, both to enjoy the exhibits and some booked talks and a music evening, but also just relaxing and knitting in the knitters 'Hub'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nkhPBMJ7sZOonavs2QhdbmmDKfaMeQadA0rnTSyobNo_6g53sOpPGPxMwS1uIjQglqDajhM_kT5-f6rQj7AAOmDh_x9z8QXBoWHRN7Kbtv3adkj85JYH5hum2Z5MpqdD9WfJeGFGiDkbJn46oSxyLDD95PDEV7MQHLJnTfsCmzhbwozP6yZkG2knORs/s1440/20230921_104303%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nkhPBMJ7sZOonavs2QhdbmmDKfaMeQadA0rnTSyobNo_6g53sOpPGPxMwS1uIjQglqDajhM_kT5-f6rQj7AAOmDh_x9z8QXBoWHRN7Kbtv3adkj85JYH5hum2Z5MpqdD9WfJeGFGiDkbJn46oSxyLDD95PDEV7MQHLJnTfsCmzhbwozP6yZkG2knORs/s320/20230921_104303%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZc8pLwNkk4DkwePVhp_97RR-yufhgmH0IBdqTYtpK-mTNe3iz0Duqcb2FRD_4IZS0kV2obN6OfhLhN_nsNCM6kfLOgkDtsf8axRXI6pADuoVsR-mZP56E7VsUe9YEjFm8MQUxTLmITxeuwNSB8Yxj74PBwFLkNyI5PAep2ovitURQqHveHHEbALjGG30/s1440/20230921_111705%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZc8pLwNkk4DkwePVhp_97RR-yufhgmH0IBdqTYtpK-mTNe3iz0Duqcb2FRD_4IZS0kV2obN6OfhLhN_nsNCM6kfLOgkDtsf8axRXI6pADuoVsR-mZP56E7VsUe9YEjFm8MQUxTLmITxeuwNSB8Yxj74PBwFLkNyI5PAep2ovitURQqHveHHEbALjGG30/s320/20230921_111705%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Historic knitwear on display</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMhd8j-oG19AUovgePLa2xh8VFdD0c3Lvw3exrsfNDMDmu52ol8LWLDKquT2lfEA48Tw3qlMlb-boj8PylIK5Cb48JT3rI2Q7ANDf5fUJyFO4NyAwZLjgN9tqZEDlgcvL71M8bxIyNBfAWCsV1DOjgbgEpgwx9Z2d_bnl76LmdPT6KyUnY3kSVolce80/s1440/20230921_112839%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMhd8j-oG19AUovgePLa2xh8VFdD0c3Lvw3exrsfNDMDmu52ol8LWLDKquT2lfEA48Tw3qlMlb-boj8PylIK5Cb48JT3rI2Q7ANDf5fUJyFO4NyAwZLjgN9tqZEDlgcvL71M8bxIyNBfAWCsV1DOjgbgEpgwx9Z2d_bnl76LmdPT6KyUnY3kSVolce80/s320/20230921_112839%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEML_w0IsNTpM8PGDVJPu-zhXTb3t75p5VYKR2eDI464Gmzl0gqeZIqWsHvSFdJxqGFIR0gfki8yoL512p0-ZkKLBN1UbAbmpMWlimolAtiqjil4g85LAbpFKtzcPx_dN1aie8SXR4B4hHiAWzvDjMRHXxPkCHIuChHo-jfXh1RCGQh8YqutfM-Rn11vI/s1440/20230921_112857%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEML_w0IsNTpM8PGDVJPu-zhXTb3t75p5VYKR2eDI464Gmzl0gqeZIqWsHvSFdJxqGFIR0gfki8yoL512p0-ZkKLBN1UbAbmpMWlimolAtiqjil4g85LAbpFKtzcPx_dN1aie8SXR4B4hHiAWzvDjMRHXxPkCHIuChHo-jfXh1RCGQh8YqutfM-Rn11vI/s320/20230921_112857%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oIWfM4H4o09LsToCBbHDbqXn7896XnVpWy4FhVrxmm6aVXbsHJw_ZOAb75kzRinLJuBBEulRklFkEgw-XUjrDPIvcmz2tdCQJlsE1sTUcBia0qkcUgO1Umu3hkWHXwGkYH4TQBdMahKg_zhtI88Nan54j6sOQdeqIDpocXkk7oYVrX2ejRL_btsj3e0/s1440/20230921_112904%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oIWfM4H4o09LsToCBbHDbqXn7896XnVpWy4FhVrxmm6aVXbsHJw_ZOAb75kzRinLJuBBEulRklFkEgw-XUjrDPIvcmz2tdCQJlsE1sTUcBia0qkcUgO1Umu3hkWHXwGkYH4TQBdMahKg_zhtI88Nan54j6sOQdeqIDpocXkk7oYVrX2ejRL_btsj3e0/s320/20230921_112904%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldlRsbUkd1t3Q4cLuaZkyMm_Er-bK0KuIkqbTBksFFXlA0cIxqb-z5vruNg7NNAsqaYr38KG8DrzbbIzsEMo5_rutL_9wbUzQK447vzqFmauUmAHz8J26ghtInmcLC7iDugHUKk20bUnmUThKw8eT02mlI57F43dS5Ys2GnkXbIbBD1QbCSlIW6c-ff0/s1440/20230924_135426%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldlRsbUkd1t3Q4cLuaZkyMm_Er-bK0KuIkqbTBksFFXlA0cIxqb-z5vruNg7NNAsqaYr38KG8DrzbbIzsEMo5_rutL_9wbUzQK447vzqFmauUmAHz8J26ghtInmcLC7iDugHUKk20bUnmUThKw8eT02mlI57F43dS5Ys2GnkXbIbBD1QbCSlIW6c-ff0/s320/20230924_135426%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Entrance to the Hub (above) and inside (below)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAC6c5-pTNAEfFMZ2yBWhd1mia6UQBwKZFIwrtLT0pMNa7ku0UGVVetOUiqe1uhG4eRqpTlchpNE2kH0UFtYGL8QEu3jOL-FmGZIxbaJSH4_oVr3VoVm_Ie8Fi_K8TKrRDNPMXV3s5OGrcaqLk7mXFTa_1lYFs8UtvUU_tvbfpbBrbqW4t15m2B38Vndg/s1440/20230924_135806%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAC6c5-pTNAEfFMZ2yBWhd1mia6UQBwKZFIwrtLT0pMNa7ku0UGVVetOUiqe1uhG4eRqpTlchpNE2kH0UFtYGL8QEu3jOL-FmGZIxbaJSH4_oVr3VoVm_Ie8Fi_K8TKrRDNPMXV3s5OGrcaqLk7mXFTa_1lYFs8UtvUU_tvbfpbBrbqW4t15m2B38Vndg/s320/20230924_135806%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I took tours of the South mainland, the North mainland, Yell, Whalsay, Uradale Farm in Scalloway and the Jamiesons factory in Sandness, so I saw a lot of the magnificent scenery and coastline. Lots of sheep, lots of Shetland ponies, some highland cattle and even some seals. Many of the tour guides referenced the 'Shetland' TV series which I had never seen (we've started watching it now I'm back) and one guide had even been an extra - playing 'angry villager'. I have to say that having grown up in a heavily forested part of the world, I don't find the open heather moors and miles of empty peat bog to be beautiful as such, but it is striking. I did love the coastlines and if you come earlier in the year you can see puffins and lots of other sea birds. I was a bit surprised to learn that Shetland is actually very affluent - they get a lot of money from the pelagic fishing fleet, the cruise ships, the oil industry and of course tourism. The hotel where I stayed the last night, the proprietor had a Jag sitting on his drive with a personalised numberplate. The cost of living is high, probably because so much has to be imported, so prices were high for example in restaurants, and houses appeared to cost the same if not more as where I live.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEubor5OMXeEhyphenhyphenDuRx18a5RTOPlBJl4T9iHEwzyzR9J2n1Z6VapECXnDrSATZ47FXwmes1Uoe0Q9SuQMWk_QSarDXNwzW6sRvDW6h1PoyqV4cr-Ii6SXUAnJs_o7iVhPnGQbaQeU1T7kZOwzDHGoDpgPbXyXSto0WUgkZOAgam_LnTdFBEcufJdX9Wf0/s1440/20230921_133456%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEubor5OMXeEhyphenhyphenDuRx18a5RTOPlBJl4T9iHEwzyzR9J2n1Z6VapECXnDrSATZ47FXwmes1Uoe0Q9SuQMWk_QSarDXNwzW6sRvDW6h1PoyqV4cr-Ii6SXUAnJs_o7iVhPnGQbaQeU1T7kZOwzDHGoDpgPbXyXSto0WUgkZOAgam_LnTdFBEcufJdX9Wf0/s320/20230921_133456%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bEIfc5C1sM1YQJftWTlM6B5rUQRxKux-0ThMHCVAKAPUrfMxMGXGpgyFuCGQWS-Lpwhrl645Wgt4JYJkxFdiRMx9oLud0e_sYjGHUDTudZgdLW3Z3rS8_yzgLu4pKBMcgKe7H__7HChKFp_19rHGcZT2mdVfkCbQxradlkD1fTv_xYvIA11FUo-HNUU/s1440/20230921_151502%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bEIfc5C1sM1YQJftWTlM6B5rUQRxKux-0ThMHCVAKAPUrfMxMGXGpgyFuCGQWS-Lpwhrl645Wgt4JYJkxFdiRMx9oLud0e_sYjGHUDTudZgdLW3Z3rS8_yzgLu4pKBMcgKe7H__7HChKFp_19rHGcZT2mdVfkCbQxradlkD1fTv_xYvIA11FUo-HNUU/s320/20230921_151502%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVodMrpIH5j2PO6rKSEMSKs8CgtfYk_K5W55JOpmowly2b0DO6X8e3lXrN34QKWvvgYVHn9AbRRcMyMBZSaJNRSex7UfIOc80FAlIwk3FWFPoEvLF_UHBVW37fPlrqnYwO4iQ6dM3aHb8GNkxfKdN4U9uxBsElXqXKYkn7U8dHM6Rozr2YXqmBRU7grY/s1440/20230922_125353%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVodMrpIH5j2PO6rKSEMSKs8CgtfYk_K5W55JOpmowly2b0DO6X8e3lXrN34QKWvvgYVHn9AbRRcMyMBZSaJNRSex7UfIOc80FAlIwk3FWFPoEvLF_UHBVW37fPlrqnYwO4iQ6dM3aHb8GNkxfKdN4U9uxBsElXqXKYkn7U8dHM6Rozr2YXqmBRU7grY/s320/20230922_125353%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gbJmEdYd4Hx5aeCLCRsxOrwI-D2AhC8WYO0xEklElFdpBhTswDg6Sg2TzJmxjEQXYBQM4RpTwfewcacfOHjTpjw92sd4zenbVGTwFaXS-ysVmLTsf0CtPLpn_44ZYyhyphenhyphenauioI1hP_hC9W15feEx_QzHqlPOAazAVHl3zYOv3vF9lOx6K7Hy6sA7DlUU/s1440/20230922_131037%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gbJmEdYd4Hx5aeCLCRsxOrwI-D2AhC8WYO0xEklElFdpBhTswDg6Sg2TzJmxjEQXYBQM4RpTwfewcacfOHjTpjw92sd4zenbVGTwFaXS-ysVmLTsf0CtPLpn_44ZYyhyphenhyphenauioI1hP_hC9W15feEx_QzHqlPOAazAVHl3zYOv3vF9lOx6K7Hy6sA7DlUU/s320/20230922_131037%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FQE2TkjxgvUmCMXkuXV5ZTjE-nBo9M_IqOg8G2KWVHARsTdnCOsiPAxk-FRrSXa5xeo-gkPmqw0dIwGz0qVbJB9N5fnAN-3Rd0GZUlaCADU2wh5m1Nggi-BQUSlfyRO8pj0hokDJ_dCx7Dm1ehh807daQwAdfN0wOBXYW4x1-6JilF88X7K7SVC1UoM/s1440/20230923_112939%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FQE2TkjxgvUmCMXkuXV5ZTjE-nBo9M_IqOg8G2KWVHARsTdnCOsiPAxk-FRrSXa5xeo-gkPmqw0dIwGz0qVbJB9N5fnAN-3Rd0GZUlaCADU2wh5m1Nggi-BQUSlfyRO8pj0hokDJ_dCx7Dm1ehh807daQwAdfN0wOBXYW4x1-6JilF88X7K7SVC1UoM/s320/20230923_112939%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthq_cySJFTyJIoKPikcC_77xTMw9QKLtUnNwksH-rV31E8x8MGeUQtPCHeLmmrr6SBFyjdtR77yzrxiNVqvh0jDIB3w4wekB50Ih8Jvywkl35W-XKUsfbUXVTPmnDYA1tEAi3JJwyNkAfuF_WvF2plmizJYOBvDDHUTtKkvj901O4VeMfT4FRw4b4Uyo/s1440/20230923_145028%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthq_cySJFTyJIoKPikcC_77xTMw9QKLtUnNwksH-rV31E8x8MGeUQtPCHeLmmrr6SBFyjdtR77yzrxiNVqvh0jDIB3w4wekB50Ih8Jvywkl35W-XKUsfbUXVTPmnDYA1tEAi3JJwyNkAfuF_WvF2plmizJYOBvDDHUTtKkvj901O4VeMfT4FRw4b4Uyo/s320/20230923_145028%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOL3tTG4PYrrJSF9igTJRp7iKdFCZ44Xhyphenhyphen_KQq4lMAnQxBHygFD27ZMX4anriV_Ot3Le0dfoMdbLTZSNrX7_M_OnoQDZY2KSyFUDQ8CZyHvOp5FfOxzFMAVyvX1aoZLY0N0tssvdBqZ3lQczNOJtaDhNqKCN5yJ2fqJt_GcLjFXiAZjL0CBIKI3LrlnVw/s1440/20230924_100453%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOL3tTG4PYrrJSF9igTJRp7iKdFCZ44Xhyphenhyphen_KQq4lMAnQxBHygFD27ZMX4anriV_Ot3Le0dfoMdbLTZSNrX7_M_OnoQDZY2KSyFUDQ8CZyHvOp5FfOxzFMAVyvX1aoZLY0N0tssvdBqZ3lQczNOJtaDhNqKCN5yJ2fqJt_GcLjFXiAZjL0CBIKI3LrlnVw/s320/20230924_100453%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWumuuGVWF_7f0gTzCRlAcmHqtDORlNFouxslRbci61zOtZag45wkZKO-3WaoK95hJVeZfrYNOEoG4K9gESvX4jCl8msarqGxqutixEDOw8-gP-XgWzV919onlBr-FdbrKUYQXo83BPo_75A9ilxhzqymq7kA8koShamc32kWonbh6w2ftb90tBf33as/s1440/20230925_122235%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWumuuGVWF_7f0gTzCRlAcmHqtDORlNFouxslRbci61zOtZag45wkZKO-3WaoK95hJVeZfrYNOEoG4K9gESvX4jCl8msarqGxqutixEDOw8-gP-XgWzV919onlBr-FdbrKUYQXo83BPo_75A9ilxhzqymq7kA8koShamc32kWonbh6w2ftb90tBf33as/s320/20230925_122235%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2i7z1pNpRgJErKBwPg4i13MVGLp8lLAlvG0unFwD-YKudPEi58xKgWUuaXGYyS4TeSgRhyphenhyphenm7hYioamFsd4F-YOmXjAPg0NZKP_bUmSW9yBPBUwnR_mQ7__H5ec6DgkucG3Yq-vz_m_I7ozjsSCDpprWtNcNsAm8XhbYuUCXKj2BW2PyE6h4cdut0UIs/s1440/20230927_140825%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2i7z1pNpRgJErKBwPg4i13MVGLp8lLAlvG0unFwD-YKudPEi58xKgWUuaXGYyS4TeSgRhyphenhyphenm7hYioamFsd4F-YOmXjAPg0NZKP_bUmSW9yBPBUwnR_mQ7__H5ec6DgkucG3Yq-vz_m_I7ozjsSCDpprWtNcNsAm8XhbYuUCXKj2BW2PyE6h4cdut0UIs/s320/20230927_140825%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We were lucky with the weather: although it was almost always windy, it was never the Force 9 gales they had last year. Weather stayed relatively warm at 12-14 degrees C, and although there were many sudden showers of rain, they were generally light. So I lived in my raincoat, hat and quick dry trousers the whole time, but didn't need my waterproof trousers after all.</p><p><br /></p><p>I took one class on blocking knitwear which was quite interesting, and I ended up investing in some glove boards and a jumper stretching frame like this one. I've already used mine to dry the acrylic cardigan I wore on the plane after washing it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YZ2kEj8RyRzcqW3nrrZn60wMECQzpsw9qGR9MJRVswyJ0lgz_iCIuZ3sc_cL0SbW3O2S1LP1DsBVUwbcUVRIcIgch-EvMOqYygi7ic4OGXEsm9DrLn5C6sMADi6CcdQ5-RI4EgBHneamtMhLGKiW_NpSWhzyvpyr-z10qp8OWf_jhZ8hyNdEjvqcLPQ/s1440/20230926_124711%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YZ2kEj8RyRzcqW3nrrZn60wMECQzpsw9qGR9MJRVswyJ0lgz_iCIuZ3sc_cL0SbW3O2S1LP1DsBVUwbcUVRIcIgch-EvMOqYygi7ic4OGXEsm9DrLn5C6sMADi6CcdQ5-RI4EgBHneamtMhLGKiW_NpSWhzyvpyr-z10qp8OWf_jhZ8hyNdEjvqcLPQ/s320/20230926_124711%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The knitwear on show was amazing, loads of people wearing their creations. I took a few things to wear but generally I find handknits too hot to wear indoors.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoo7fl_TK2aLxyu53LgDlDffX-mCadVgxbC21fAaBm2wqrm8GRZKrUqQzDtLxfbM8gRQMIYQl96Msz_4cg15IqT8qlPazW8Am84hFftXmfhKECysGeHMd5eTtxb-MdZCjyS5nfHkoy_4atirZybGa1M_dMuEB1aRj95blcVuF7HAatr9nDUIbu9sgSK_U/s1440/20230924_190437%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoo7fl_TK2aLxyu53LgDlDffX-mCadVgxbC21fAaBm2wqrm8GRZKrUqQzDtLxfbM8gRQMIYQl96Msz_4cg15IqT8qlPazW8Am84hFftXmfhKECysGeHMd5eTtxb-MdZCjyS5nfHkoy_4atirZybGa1M_dMuEB1aRj95blcVuF7HAatr9nDUIbu9sgSK_U/s320/20230924_190437%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcyST_mtiI4v0GF0zA3t7lbacLfeckfEYzIryVL5NdFvbT2octWpOpZLG5tKAarj-0SSyM91JcgrGda5TOakZWkphs3oLMUQDUFxj2kTM8ezpLJC_4N7KeVFkUBWSXQKw24NASZip_HCRx2Q5rY_ke0HJkhz6yHpAyqt533iOTrfefCDw1mXPe8OLcww/s1440/20230924_212745%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcyST_mtiI4v0GF0zA3t7lbacLfeckfEYzIryVL5NdFvbT2octWpOpZLG5tKAarj-0SSyM91JcgrGda5TOakZWkphs3oLMUQDUFxj2kTM8ezpLJC_4N7KeVFkUBWSXQKw24NASZip_HCRx2Q5rY_ke0HJkhz6yHpAyqt533iOTrfefCDw1mXPe8OLcww/s320/20230924_212745%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGRX_KJrbCPDlXpPMo8mQPS6rlIHtE9Hp7T4FkV6b4cb-hQUiy63eYw7FXStfLCUUNvttgNIU75bsLcjRbVz1PciPnMFkbkr3YwHyHlGW36gHsfQxW79pXhFmacJMY8zmZ7ZfEwBbN2KZ_F6PXBDHYQo08TN0TEEYDZGtbEAHQZ-F3TlCPbZgVTSWFyw/s1440/20230924_213019%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGRX_KJrbCPDlXpPMo8mQPS6rlIHtE9Hp7T4FkV6b4cb-hQUiy63eYw7FXStfLCUUNvttgNIU75bsLcjRbVz1PciPnMFkbkr3YwHyHlGW36gHsfQxW79pXhFmacJMY8zmZ7ZfEwBbN2KZ_F6PXBDHYQo08TN0TEEYDZGtbEAHQZ-F3TlCPbZgVTSWFyw/s320/20230924_213019%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Just before I went, I had started clearing out my knitting room and bagging up no-longer-wanted yarn for sale or to give away, so I was trying hard not to buy more in Shetland. Of course a few things crept into my luggage.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6F9Dh04ViFMZwVUp0vZLC3Aa3CngaNn3khxApMQADExPt3rmfQXgGvJi6VGPziwoYIm3Oz7M_zJ4T2wOknIW2YfWHfq5PQponMyta3HvC80jotTi0J5ZGZ1qsJBw8hWTFMFEpveWXJDitfIN1zUZDmSLBmN1naN9pBK8-gtsgK1x04B805Hc6ORA9diA/s1440/20230921_164750%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6F9Dh04ViFMZwVUp0vZLC3Aa3CngaNn3khxApMQADExPt3rmfQXgGvJi6VGPziwoYIm3Oz7M_zJ4T2wOknIW2YfWHfq5PQponMyta3HvC80jotTi0J5ZGZ1qsJBw8hWTFMFEpveWXJDitfIN1zUZDmSLBmN1naN9pBK8-gtsgK1x04B805Hc6ORA9diA/s320/20230921_164750%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shade cards for both shops, a couple of project bags, a weird pen-shaped scissors, and yarn to knit a pair of fair-isle wrist warmers (pattern from Little Cotton Rabbits)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRmlcaPWyvUrhswwjQ8QBiNdjHzDpo6QYetyiTFl-77LBwO8WBKb30kGWq0WpPQw4n__-HCXS9GhljO7PfqhEX0rHnuvZhTbCMnJ4kDScx1nbJMtYFhEbEqiZjFSsqb-Hc5RoUVlqVj62-f16PPLLYOfsCOeiB3is8kcRcam8ijZRUMujXUx3I_faqRo/s1440/20230922_163828%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRmlcaPWyvUrhswwjQ8QBiNdjHzDpo6QYetyiTFl-77LBwO8WBKb30kGWq0WpPQw4n__-HCXS9GhljO7PfqhEX0rHnuvZhTbCMnJ4kDScx1nbJMtYFhEbEqiZjFSsqb-Hc5RoUVlqVj62-f16PPLLYOfsCOeiB3is8kcRcam8ijZRUMujXUx3I_faqRo/s320/20230922_163828%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A pin cushion</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hKZxTdEsO5If9sMEencsZo-GmpR1Lmu7-jNinC3GcJ916f2lt3qnwj-Sk6iI-jX0yQ_mpqF3cfL5Z9uJjq1LECBAh1ri12T0wC0SYihPqXunPdUF39CLvuHbAikajO0DrwKZ0R4tXbfMgFAykGds_wuU9qrGuGKnPAQIBAOU8bD6gnAA_quUcZBE09k/s1440/20230925_174446%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hKZxTdEsO5If9sMEencsZo-GmpR1Lmu7-jNinC3GcJ916f2lt3qnwj-Sk6iI-jX0yQ_mpqF3cfL5Z9uJjq1LECBAh1ri12T0wC0SYihPqXunPdUF39CLvuHbAikajO0DrwKZ0R4tXbfMgFAykGds_wuU9qrGuGKnPAQIBAOU8bD6gnAA_quUcZBE09k/s320/20230925_174446%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Genuine Shetland hat and gloves bought at one of the community sales that we visited, and a greeting card with mini Shetland lace on it</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapJhjUkdCMPKQiIm60em7TJtSOUAO7pBwQWRPWmOB7xdYJttutcvnLIRpXxq5BSXbe8qZglQUuKHe1C5kBJhnTjN7ME-hBHVo3CmD6N8XYwjO3Ud6KtOwrH2FOCFcNF6BTqNg9KWlE1zxFkw4xtf7R3NZFWR-pAIA9BU6bF_sAZepprUTXWq5dSD8po8/s1440/20230930_193022%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapJhjUkdCMPKQiIm60em7TJtSOUAO7pBwQWRPWmOB7xdYJttutcvnLIRpXxq5BSXbe8qZglQUuKHe1C5kBJhnTjN7ME-hBHVo3CmD6N8XYwjO3Ud6KtOwrH2FOCFcNF6BTqNg9KWlE1zxFkw4xtf7R3NZFWR-pAIA9BU6bF_sAZepprUTXWq5dSD8po8/s320/20230930_193022%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Obligatory tea towel (got one for the MiL as well), a bag recycled from fair isle knitting, and a cushion cover sewn from tweeds into a Shetland scene</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYNMddPDVrHHmrS64yYjkmDRI4qOtLtWb3-yziL5dz96sjBdv_cNXsHsqnFIva4IsBISdY6yGdxOGWaKPZxiOvkhW4-QvymTKMHbokKiuYXQAbzR3jhdD877_u_EtpM074KJb-nlm2RcEBXxPDchcfrTR9JBsziXcmBsP7JjpaIKHHEmz1-MlEZ_wVKg/s1440/20230927_151728%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYNMddPDVrHHmrS64yYjkmDRI4qOtLtWb3-yziL5dz96sjBdv_cNXsHsqnFIva4IsBISdY6yGdxOGWaKPZxiOvkhW4-QvymTKMHbokKiuYXQAbzR3jhdD877_u_EtpM074KJb-nlm2RcEBXxPDchcfrTR9JBsziXcmBsP7JjpaIKHHEmz1-MlEZ_wVKg/s320/20230927_151728%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From Urudale Farm, I bought a pattern for handwarmers and three balls of their own yarn. During the week I was able to knit the body of both handwarmers but I think I am going to add some fingers.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also bought several traditional patterns including one for a yoked cardigan (Hairst Yoke by Sandra Manson)- so while I was there, I chose yarn for the cardigan.</div><div><br /></div>It is recommended to purchase membership of the SWW early on, so that you get an advance look at the programme when it is released and can plan your attack for the subsequent ticket selling bloodbath. But you also get a cool membership set which I picked up at the Hub while I was there. The hat motif is this year's SWW hat pattern.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QDj1NtarYgp1B79D31VLeJG9depeK5OIGlFnOB6bwWpxENd8Pglwpigrsmq4WcA2Qjs2A_1biEUg1UhkmYsbpxf2g9C_-wm2yqOaXiU3GdGaii4esq4IojyDqmMiHzWhEQMKW9EwIfZFeD4Eg-ObhuQ9DIoLLIKU8i1HKxt9nPCZH-36Mw9E6llZTr8/s1440/20230923_212831%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QDj1NtarYgp1B79D31VLeJG9depeK5OIGlFnOB6bwWpxENd8Pglwpigrsmq4WcA2Qjs2A_1biEUg1UhkmYsbpxf2g9C_-wm2yqOaXiU3GdGaii4esq4IojyDqmMiHzWhEQMKW9EwIfZFeD4Eg-ObhuQ9DIoLLIKU8i1HKxt9nPCZH-36Mw9E6llZTr8/s320/20230923_212831%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXm8czNN1gWLPG2H0auAY6aYWaWNrDPCU9GUhTBfyRpH8TACOqC_jhyphenhyphen8csGhUBXOCeEH9AUsRSYOwP3HT2jpZKllQ1ItKlEokhVKQ9qMy1bT5-40g9PEJkiPCELVGHt_WfqZjI0GVG0q9jCC5Ml5pRdIkdd9T2olvrWkiv8Nyym6bDzikbvdXq2ZmiuFM/s1440/20230923_212955%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXm8czNN1gWLPG2H0auAY6aYWaWNrDPCU9GUhTBfyRpH8TACOqC_jhyphenhyphen8csGhUBXOCeEH9AUsRSYOwP3HT2jpZKllQ1ItKlEokhVKQ9qMy1bT5-40g9PEJkiPCELVGHt_WfqZjI0GVG0q9jCC5Ml5pRdIkdd9T2olvrWkiv8Nyym6bDzikbvdXq2ZmiuFM/s320/20230923_212955%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>All in all, it was a pretty good week. Many people go every year - I met one woman who had been 11 times. Most people rent cars so that they can get around easily and book nicer accommodation outside of Lerwick. I feel like I 'did' the event pretty thoroughly so I don't know that I would go back again, at least not for a while. As a non-driver, I would only end up booking the same tours again unless I could entice DH to come along and act as chauffeur.<br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>ShinyNewThinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07398792336034920285noreply@blogger.com2