tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56313383592357000772024-02-20T06:03:13.103+13:00My Year of Crafting Dangerously 12 months of crafting triumphs and tragedies.Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-70347206013272181902013-09-11T14:08:00.001+12:002013-09-13T15:29:27.562+12:00The final curtain12 months ago, I entered the world of blogging. Before that, I never really understood the purpose of blogs; it sounded odd to me that strangers would want to read about another complete stranger's life or their creative pursuits and interests. Two of my friends have blogs that I enjoy reading because I have a personal connection to them, but I still wasn't convinced blogging was for me. What could I possibly find to blog about that hadn't already been done a thousand times before?<br />
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Since I had often wondered what certain crafts would be like to do, it stood to reason that other novices would have an interest in my own endeavours. Following other craft blogs has helped me to nurture this latent seed of creativity within me. The more that I attempt things, rather than run out of ideas, quite the opposite happens and it feels like there will never be enough time to realise them all.<br />
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Are you wondering what a year's worth of crafting looks like? I'll show you.<br />
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12 months, 13 cushions, six crochet blankets, five reinvigorated pieces of furniture, five baby change mats, four sunhats, two pieces of art, one quilt, one embroidery amongst other bits and pieces.<br />
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All that's missing from these images are a few cats.<br />
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There were more items than the ones pictured. I gave a few things away and I hope those owners do like them, it gave me great pleasure to find new homes for them.<br />
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Of course, it would remiss of me to show you all the successes without showing you the projects that did not quite make the cut:<br />
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Who can ever forget the Halloween eyeballs that started out with so much promise, the masterful crochet and, my personal favourite, the Bauble Wreath of Amateurness.<br />
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I gave myself a timeframe of 12 months to see if I could commit to blogging and if I didn't enjoy it at least I had an excuse to quietly exit at the end of the year. Now that I am at this final point, I feel like I have so much more that I want to document. There are a few projects that I started and have not yet completed and others that I have finished and want to share with you.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">It has been wonderful to connect with you here, and forge new friendships with like-minded bloggers, which has been the most unexpected aspect of this past year. If you would like to see what is happening beyond the year of crafting dangerously, you will find me tinkering around in my new space, <a href="http://papermoonliving.blogspot.co.nz/">Paper Moon</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Last one out, please turn off the lights x.</span></div>
Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-35314883826725998992013-09-10T10:24:00.000+12:002013-09-10T10:24:30.556+12:00On turning 4Over the weekend, my youngest daughter celebrated her 4th birthday with her kindy friends. She wanted a Rainbow Princess Bubble Guppies theme, which basically regressed to a rainbow theme with some token bubbles being blown on the deck as my plan to set some fish-shaped jube lollies in jelly went awry when they dissolved while setting overnight *facepalm*. Chemistry was not a strength of mine at school. Aimee didn't seem to notice the distinct lack of Bubble Guppies on the day, although one did feature on her invitation. Bubble Guppies theme - check.<br />
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I didn't spend too much time decorating or baking (or weed-eating) for this party - I have learnt that children don't actually notice these things as much as the parents. The sun shone for the day so we were able to line our footpath with plastic windmills.<br />
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It took me an hour to cut and hang up the plastic tablecloths on the ceiling. That was effort enough. Rainbow theme - check.<br />
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The idea for the tablecloth streamers came from Pinterest. It's quite a cost-effective idea that gives maximum effect.<br />
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Now, don't laugh at my cake. It tasted better than it looked. The turrets were very easy to make, they are waffle cones rolled in melted chocolate and then dunked in sprinkles. Princess theme - check.<br />
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But enough of the cake, what do you think of my pom pom flowers?<br />
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In the corner of the room, we set up a little nail salon with an assortment of nail polish. Sienna took control of this space and enjoyed being a nail technician for the duration of the party.<br />
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The party guests played pass the parcel, pin the pot of gold on the rainbow and musical statues. I attempted a craft activity for the first time and made some rainbow wands. Here is another example of pin-tastic images versus the reality:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtRkz6X5oiXXOTvj9PJ1pTjzHsACkDH1KJISDBY6hApy5sZvUVyzoFtLD57rk9aBaCvLIsMss-1ouctmxGxJTh7m7xO_0dEReS9uZcKTsKdk2kCBE0r_YpP4fyraAvJXunhLhyphenhyphenWKsthk/s1600/rainbow+wand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtRkz6X5oiXXOTvj9PJ1pTjzHsACkDH1KJISDBY6hApy5sZvUVyzoFtLD57rk9aBaCvLIsMss-1ouctmxGxJTh7m7xO_0dEReS9uZcKTsKdk2kCBE0r_YpP4fyraAvJXunhLhyphenhyphenWKsthk/s640/rainbow+wand.jpg" width="544" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even inanimate objects look better with photoshop and a gentle breeze.</td></tr>
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My hot glue gun ran out of glue, and then when I went to replace the staples in the stapler for Plan B, the staples were the wrong size. I was contemplating resorting to hand sewing the clouds closed when one of the mothers at the party saved the day and ran back to her house to fetch her own hot glue gun. Hurray for crafty mums who live close by.</div>
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I just had to include this photo that her grandfather edited and sent me - I know, right? It's Aimee. In a bottle. Thanks Grandpa.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkkaZm_vDncOqo5ugzs4fYSwWqFWJ4krMFtD6OmaC2aE-rATHonsq2LkWf1-CAs6nUUY1pmDKNC4veJH9ZulabsuQewAqv0TQavE5zINm0oabUIKJhy4SUHhc6VP4J-9ETlNCTKgA4qw/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkkaZm_vDncOqo5ugzs4fYSwWqFWJ4krMFtD6OmaC2aE-rATHonsq2LkWf1-CAs6nUUY1pmDKNC4veJH9ZulabsuQewAqv0TQavE5zINm0oabUIKJhy4SUHhc6VP4J-9ETlNCTKgA4qw/s640/Image.jpg" width="382" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Nobody puts Aimee in a bottle" - Patrick Swayze.*</td></tr>
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Happy Birthday to my vivacious Aimee. A rainbow party theme was perfect for you, it suits your personality. After storms have passed, you shine and brighten the world.<br />
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* Possible misquote.Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-90008052536742762362013-09-09T07:00:00.000+12:002013-09-09T07:53:19.365+12:00a green lifeBlogs are the most wonderful sources of inspiration, and the people behind them are so generous sharing their ideas and creations. There is such joy in the simple act of doing something we love for others or for ourselves. I visit certain blogs for baking, craft, design and sewing ideas. I love to read these blogs for their beautifully-staged photographs; the children's crafts that never seem to generate actual mess and that turn out picture-perfect every time, the happy, smiling children dressed in perfectly tailored handmade clothes, the neat-as-a-pin homes. I know it is all smoke and mirrors, but for me, following these blogs is a form of escapism. However, the blogs I return to are those that have a unique voice and it's their authenticity and honesty that draw me to them. This is the reason why I love to read <a href="http://agreenandsometimesbluelife.blogspot.co.nz/">a green (and sometimes blue) life</a>. Susan writes from the heart. Sometimes her message is confronting, but amongst all her turmoils is a woman who is trying to lead the best life she can with her family and carve out a small business too.<br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/agreenandsometimesbluelife">a green life</a>'s ethos is very simple; clothing and toys for children made using vintage and upcycled items. Here are some of my favourites:<br />
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Sus has pretend play covered with these cool capes, cuffs and masks:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQTG9LwoDQXenQGcVfiNT5rV6vKOADeduxBt8wJW1q6Eg2DjKR-z4uvPr9iRFmnv92jEQXg1hEUSb4LPqN61TEE9Lr5mCQAMjlVLD6XLx6-T5vMzl4KxdE_dPifu13U1xZgqLqkG1U6w/s1600/905476_479912095414582_812939790_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQTG9LwoDQXenQGcVfiNT5rV6vKOADeduxBt8wJW1q6Eg2DjKR-z4uvPr9iRFmnv92jEQXg1hEUSb4LPqN61TEE9Lr5mCQAMjlVLD6XLx6-T5vMzl4KxdE_dPifu13U1xZgqLqkG1U6w/s400/905476_479912095414582_812939790_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All photos from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/agreenandsometimesbluelife">a green life</a></td></tr>
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Or be regal with some doily crowns:<br />
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This marble set is a nod to the simpler past, which is exactly why I love it so much:<br />
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It's no secret that I love the vintage aesthetic, so I was always going to be a fan of hers, but I am proud to say she is a friend in real life too.<br />
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When she listed some old biscuit tins stuffed with new and vintage trims and notions, I leapt at the chance to buy one for my daughter. It is hidden away at the moment waiting for the right time to gift it, but here is a sneak peek at its contents:<br />
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Would you like some awesome sauce to go with that? You can purchase one of these for yourself in Sus's <a href="http://felt.co.nz/shop/agreenlife">Felt store</a> and she is currently hosting a <a href="http://agreenandsometimesbluelife.blogspot.co.nz/2013/09/spring-has-sprung-giveaway.html#comment-form">giveaway</a> on her blog, so you can discover her handmade and thrifted goodness for yourselves.Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-77871141831594991582013-09-02T12:21:00.000+12:002013-09-07T19:08:49.913+12:00BlogCamp 2013BlogCamp has given me so much to think about, I am actually feeling really overwhelmed and excited about the possibilities of a directional change to my blog, but I'm still unsure of where to start. When I tried to sleep that night, my eyelids would flutter open as my brain tried to process what it had learnt. I'm scared that if I don't write it all down or start making some adjustments to my blog Right Now, I will forget all the advice I was given.<br />
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Having attended this seminar to help clarify what I want to do beyond my year of crafting, the day raised a few more questions in my mind than it gave answers. Is Wordpress better than Blogger? Can I even say the W-word on the Blogger platform or will my blog mysteriously disappear?<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">I learnt about scrapers and leaky juices, which all sounds very unhealthy.</span><br />
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We received some legal expertise in relation to the basics of privacy and copyright. In short, it means that I might have to bid a reluctant goodbye to <a href="http://yearofcraftingdangerously.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/colour-conundrum.html">Gerry</a> and my plan to introduce you to my other closet crafting thespian friends in any future posts. Although if he - or Channing Tatum (not fussy) - ever knocked on my front door to issue me with a Take Down notice, I'd be quite up for that.<br />
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Meeting the group of bloggers and people who are considering starting a blog was a real highlight. These are some of the attendees, taken by me in a privacy-abiding manner, and their pretty green goodie bags.<br />
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I briefly met Leanne from Manda Burms Farmstay, who now blogs at <a href="http://cottagetails.blogspot.co.nz/">Cottage Tails</a>, her friend Robyn, and Sheena, who we may see starting up blogs of their own one day. I hope they do. I also got to chat a little more at length with Madeleine from <a href="http://www.nzecochick.com/">NZ Ecochick</a> and Meghan from <a href="http://www.mnmsadventures.com/">Adventures of MNM's</a>, who between them both have 8 years' blogging experience behind them. It was really great to spend some time with these women, they are very inspirational people.<br />
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This is <a href="http://www.vegemitevix.com/">Vicki</a>, the coordinator, or, as I like to call her, The Font of Blogging Knowledge in all her privacy-waiving, consent-giving glory. She is bright, bubbly and I suspect if there is anything she doesn't know about how to become a successful blogger, it probably isn't worth knowing.<br />
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Interesting term that; successful blogger. There was some discussion about how to encourage traffic to your blog and page ranks, which really could give someone a complex if things like that are important to people. If you think about it in high school terms, my blog's current page rank means I would be the girl who walks unnoticed past a group of popular kids. I am invisible. It doesn't actually matter though to me, because you are here reading this and you can sit down at my cafeteria table any time :).<br />
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My blog may be small, but this year has never been about readership numbers for me or how visible my presence is on the internet. Maybe in future it might become more important. This year has been about the promise I made to myself 12 months ago to throw caution to the wind, try new things and document my creative journey. I have enjoyed following and connecting with many talented people who share their knowledge so freely with others.<br />
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This space is successful to me because I actually held true to my promise that I would blog and craft for an entire year. It is proof that I can teach myself to do anything if I apply myself. A year ago, I did not know how to crochet, how to embroider, how to use an overlocker and I would never have thought I could reupholster a chair. But I did all that, and more.<br />
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I have received comments from people who told me that I have inspired them to have a go after they have read about my experiences here. That is success.<br />
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The regular readers who consistently leave comments here strike me as being loyal, funny, encouraging and genuine and this year has shown me that real friendships can be formed through the internet. These genuine connections are what has made blogging so rewarding and constitute success (in my opinion). Thank you, you are the reason why I have lurched forward on so many projects when I doubted myself.<br />
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Our little community of crafting bloggers were able to band together for a really <a href="http://yearofcraftingdangerously.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/the-little-things.html">worthwhile cause</a>. This demonstrates, albeit on a small scale, the impact that bloggers can have to make a positive difference in other peoples' lives. This is success.<br />
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Having had some time now to reflect on the day, I think I just need to go back to what is important to me and why I blog. First and foremost, I write and I create and I share with you because I enjoy it. However, my family remains my top priority and I blog when it fits around their needs. The minute I think about needing to blog more frequently than I do at present, I start to sweat and worry my stories will sound forced. If I cannot write from a place of honesty and with a willingness to write, I don't want to write at all.<br />
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So, I still need to mull things over, but think I am leaning towards reinventing my space. Whatever it may look like, it will still have a creative aspect to it. It's an undeniable part of who I am and makes me happy, but there are also other areas that I would like to explore and share with you too. Will you join me? Spring, new beginnings. I like that.Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-38623066147855894612013-08-29T16:37:00.001+12:002013-08-29T16:37:16.155+12:00PreparationsMy children have the flu, flu, flu, with some strep throat too, too, too, what about you, you, you? I can feel bright and sunny about it all now with the worst of it behind us, but to be honest, the last 12 days 4 hours and 37 minutes have been quite draining. It is probably just my perception of things, but it does feel that in this household, there is always at least one person who is not feeling a hundy.<br />
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Something I have often wondered at times like this is what would happen if I was working full-time? No-one I know would come and look after contagious children (at least, not willingly) and you'd always be cast as <i>that</i> family that passed on the bugs. So, how do parents who work full-time manage total mask-wearing quarantine-requiring illness? Do you have understanding employers who will allow you to take a week's leave at a moments' notice or do you pump your children full of paracetamol and send them off to school or daycare and hope no-one notices your child collapsed in a festering heap at the back of the classroom? You <i>do </i>do that, don't you?!<br />
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If we absolutely had to succumb to sickness, it probably came at the right time, as my youngest daughter turns 4 soon. Fortunately, neither her nor I have caught the bug - yet - *shines my perfect parenting halo with extra-heavy duty sanitizer that kills 99.9% of germs whilst wearing latex gloves* so we have been planning a few things for her party. Her sick sisters crawled off the couch for a minute or two whenever they felt able to contribute to the cause.<br />
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Aimee has asked for a rainbow/princess/Bubble Guppy theme. Nothing like a 4 year old's imagination to get you thinking outside the square. I am very grateful for the internet as I have never actually sat down with her to watch the show *gasp!* and would not have a clue who the characters are but I will find a way to incorporate it amongst the sparkly garishness that is the world of 4 year old girls.<br />
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Thusly, a preview of our preparations:<br />
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Even if it doesn't sound like it, I love planning my daughters' parties. I know there is such a small window before they get older and will no longer need or want my input. This year will see my older girls having more involvement in decorating, organising and helping to run the party games.<br />
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They are just as excited about Aimee's party as the birthday girl is and I hope that their anticipation lasts for a few more years yet.<br />
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There just had better not be any sick party guests.Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-59073312898267789022013-08-22T11:38:00.002+12:002013-08-22T16:08:05.237+12:00One for the Eric Clapton fansIf you wanna hang out you've gotta take her out. Crochet.<br />
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If you got bad news, you wanna kick them blues. Crochet.<br />
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When your day is done and you wanna run. Crochet.<br />
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She don't lie<br />
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she don't lie<br />
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she don't like.<br />
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Crochet.<br />
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Showing and telling at <a href="http://3xsunshine.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/show-tell-p-is-for-paper-piecing.html">Leonie's</a>.<br />
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Degree of difficulty: Easy. The pattern is available on <a href="http://projectsaroundthehouse.blogspot.co.nz/2013/01/crochet-ribbed-beanie-pattern.html">this blog</a> if you would like to try it for yourself<br />
Time taken: 4 hours<br />
Result: Definitely use a 5.0 crochet hook. I used a 4 as that was the only hook I have that was close in size. The beanie is made from 8 ply wool so there is plenty of stretch in it, but the size is more suited for a newborn. Or a doll. Or just something that doesn't express any opinion whatsoever.Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-21719210114783014312013-08-13T16:08:00.002+12:002013-09-02T10:53:27.613+12:00For the love of blogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just when I was starting to feel a little neglected with first Christchurch and then Auckland hosting intensive blogging conferences, an email arrived in my mailbox. Vicki of <a href="http://www.vegemitevix.com/">Vegemitevix</a> fame is organising a <a href="http://www.eventbrite.co.nz/event/7826119133/eac2">Wellington BlogCamp</a> on 31 August. I'm in.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: center;">Come and have some fun with me. There's food. And maybe one or two people who actually know what they're talking about when it comes to blogging. I have been debating whether to continue with this blog and just rename it, or start afresh, or simply stop blogging. With my self-imposed timeframe of 12 months almost up under this blog name, the timing of the camp couldn't have been more perfect for me. Hopefully after listening to other more experienced bloggers, I will have a clearer picture in my head over </span><span style="text-align: center;">which direction to take head beyond my year of crafting.</span><br />
<br />Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-82339842093175046782013-08-09T17:12:00.000+12:002013-08-09T17:12:04.751+12:00Going to the chapelCrafting has been a bit quiet around here, but I have not been idle. Happy days! My sister has become engaged and she has asked for my help to put her wedding day together.<br />
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She asked me if I would make her dress, and once I stopped laughing, I declined - although it is nice that she thinks I have greater sewing capabilities than I actually possess. Dress trends have moved on so much since I got married less than a decade ago and it has been so much fun looking on the internet and in magazines for inspiration with a more appraising eye.<br />
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This is me on my wedding day. So young. So skinny. So satin-y. If I was getting married tomorrow, I would choose a completely different style of dress. But, looking back on the day itself, I wouldn't change too much about it at all. I would have made my final dress-fitting as close to the wedding day as possible because I did the classic lose-weight-unintentionally-before-the-big-day. Consequently, my dress did not fit as well as it could have and it looked like a sleeping bag. A big, off-white satin and lace sleeping bag. But, I was marrying my gorgeous guy, so nothing else mattered.<br />
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Today, my sister went down the tried and tested route of off-the-rack gown-hunting. It helps that she has a slender figure as most of the gowns were sample sizes. She tried on several dresses to get a sense of the style that suited her best but the first gown she tried on ended up being The One. Even better, the bridal gowns at <a href="http://www.wilkinsformalwear.co.nz/">Wilkins Formal Wear</a> in Wellington are all half price at the moment as the store is relocating, so she got an amazing brand new dress at an even more amazing price.<br />
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Although a theme hasn't really been settled upon, she is leaning towards a vintage look and wants to do as much of the decorating herself so I thought I would share what we do come up with on a modest budget. This will mean that I am likely to continue blogging beyond this year, and I may decide to start a completely new blog. If I do, I will post a link here so you can find me and follow along, if you like.Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-18596029792927211552013-08-01T14:34:00.000+12:002013-08-01T14:34:36.574+12:00A golden runIt might appear that I am a bit of a serial giveaway enterer, but let me assure you, I only enter the ones that really float my boat. Looks like my luck's in because I won a <a href="http://www.pennyscallan.co.nz/">Penny Scallan</a> bag recently in a giveaway hosted by Elaina from <a href="http://alittlebitcountrynz.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/penny-scallan-design-giveaway.html">A Little Bit Country</a>. I realise I am treading a fine line here between showcasing and show-offing, but I hope you will forgive me as this recent run of good luck never happens to me.<br />
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I really loved the woodland/bird design, but since I'm not the one in need of a decent kindy bag, I left the decision up to Aimee and she chose the Russian doll one.<br />
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I did contemplate ferreting it away until her birthday next month, but she was so taken with it, I have let her use it. Over the holidays, it has been a rocket booster pack and general tote bag for all her little treasures.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forget walking on water, this bag makes children walk on air.</td></tr>
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It has been used for her first day back at kindy for the new term and if I weigh it up next to what she had been using, there really is no comparison. It is larger, has more useful compartments and is so sturdy. I no longer feel like I have to zip up the bag very slowly in case I'm left holding the zip in my hand. The bag lining appears to be waterproof, or at the very least wipeable, which is such a handy feature especially when the contents of my daughter's lunchbox inevitably seem to end up in the bottom of her bag.<br />
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This has turned out to be quite the product endorsement, I'm sorry about that, but I am really impressed by its construction and truly happy that we were the lucky recipients of<a href="http://alittlebitcountrynz.blogspot.co.nz/"> A Little Bit Country</a>'s giveaway.<br />
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Thank you to <a href="http://alittlebitcountrynz.blogspot.co.nz/">Elaina</a> and <a href="http://www.pennyscallan.co.nz/">Penny Scallan</a> for making my three year old very happy.Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-19088235246601202232013-07-24T12:36:00.002+12:002013-07-24T15:17:33.166+12:00Special deliveryAlmost two weeks ago, I entered a giveaway on <a href="http://www.newzealanddesignblog.com/">Fancy</a>'s blog for a set of Acme flat white cups and saucers. Given the number of entries, I didn't fancy my chances (see what I did there?), and so I forgot all about it. I didn't even check my messages until the day after a winner had been announced, so I got a really nice surprise to find out I had won.<br />
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I really wanted a green set, but I put it to a family vote and everyone else wanted either grey or blue, so we went for an even split, which messes with my OCD to have matching sets. Maybe one day, I might just nab a couple more grey ones from <a href="http://www.letliv.co.nz/">Let Liv</a>, who were the generous suppliers of the coffee cups, and then my world will feel as it should again.<br />
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The courier arrived with a very large box yesterday afternoon. Ever since, the girls had been waiting so incredibly patiently for me to give the all-clear to open it (had to wait for the right lighting to capture it all yanno), and once I said it was Time, it became a very family affair.<br />
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Everything was really, really well packaged.<br />
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But so, so worth the wait.<br />
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They're even nicer with something in them.<br />
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And on them.<br />
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Race ya to the bottom.<br />
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Thank you <a href="http://www.newzealanddesignblog.com/">Alana</a> and <a href="http://www.letliv.co.nz/">Natalie</a>, our new hot chocolate cups and saucers have our seal of approval.Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-22703411802906948942013-07-22T16:00:00.000+12:002013-07-22T18:33:55.594+12:00The next timeI was debating whether to blog about this seeing as this is a craft blog and all, but I think it rates a mention. Yesterday, Wellington, the place where I have lived longer than anywhere else, the birthplace of my children, the city that I love, was shaken twice by quite decent earthquakes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Y-g_LyENaIHMQAMZOFwrWUGSeUMB8n98C1ODAtsOKCCX2kFdJjtI5hGasqC8ODlZEMK8ljwvlwJH8__ec1JBbot25YcQNWAYKFTYsYiDK4Cp3wBlIIKk2m_bwHvWCtL59PtS3RQU-fY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-07-22+at+3.47.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Y-g_LyENaIHMQAMZOFwrWUGSeUMB8n98C1ODAtsOKCCX2kFdJjtI5hGasqC8ODlZEMK8ljwvlwJH8__ec1JBbot25YcQNWAYKFTYsYiDK4Cp3wBlIIKk2m_bwHvWCtL59PtS3RQU-fY/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-07-22+at+3.47.30+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo source: Fairfax Media</td></tr>
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Living in a city that spans a fault-line capable of generating an 8M+ quake, and seeing how events have played out in Christchurch, Wellingtonians, I think, are pretty cognisant of the damage a major earthquake can unleash and if there were any complacent people left in this city, I think this has been the wake-up call that was needed.<br />
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The first quake, a 5.8M at 7.17am, was merely a nuisance, since I had been dozing quite happily in bed. The girls had been entertaining themselves quietly and hardly noticed a thing. There was no chance of my heart returning to normal resting rate after the 6.5M that rumbled through at 5.09pm.</div>
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5.09pm - the time that is scorched in my brain, as I huddled in the doorway of our lounge with my husband and our two youngest girls, feeling the join in the floor moving in two separate directions and watched as my eldest daughter ran panic-stricken from the lounge right to an area of the house that is the last place to run to in an earthquake. You try to protect your children from ever experiencing the kind of terror that was reflected in Sienna's eyes and yet, there was nothing I could do about this except talk to her, talk, soothe her, hold her. We waited for the ground to stop shuddering beneath our bare feet, which was only 20 seconds or so, and then tried to carry on as normally as possible for the rest of the evening.<br />
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Wobbly-voiced, our children searched our faces for an assurance that there would be no more shaking. We didn't lie. We promised we would do everything in our power to protect them always. What we didn't say was that sometimes even that will not be enough.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image chilled me. My girls and husband were in this building just the day before</td></tr>
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If there is anything that I learnt about yesterday, it is this - this quake has shown me that people can, and do, react differently in emergencies and not always in the ways that you'd expect. No matter how many times we drum into our children where the safest places are to take cover in a quake, there is no guarantee that they will react calmly and follow The Plan. The next time, we will be a little more prepared.<br />
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I am grateful that the quake did not cause any fatalities or serious damage to infrastructure. I am also well aware that next time - and we all know this can happen again at any time - we may not fare so well. It is comforting to know that some of our family and friends experienced this with us. I know that the people of Canterbury walk with us too, because when all is said and done, it is the kindness and compassion shown by others that will help get us through this the next time.Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-55491798357809947982013-07-21T13:12:00.002+12:002013-07-21T13:12:38.871+12:00Round cushionRemember the deep blue velvet remnant I bought at <a href="http://yearofcraftingdangerously.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/room-that-echoes.html">Fabric-a-brac</a>? It's now a cushion. I'm full of original ideas. I did think about making a cape for Aimee since she's quite into role-playing at the moment, and I think there might be just enough left to make her one. That's for another time.<br />
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There are plenty of round velvet cushions on the internet. They're so preeetty (if you're into that kind of thing), but I often wonder about them being dust-catchers, and housework and I are mortal enemies. Guess I can just flip it over to the un-dusty side until I am forced to do something about it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjAkC6qYRmqFFAesfSAHu8cPxFu6EiDftY246Skg-eG0NEUAerNkVqcfjfVDUn_NGLMKJsEuYRE4wTHSvdyGLURROMv4QeTAj4gztGkLXscm43FXkTrUaBOxjuvHjBuemfbpyI9XQ5lo/s1600/DSCF3608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjAkC6qYRmqFFAesfSAHu8cPxFu6EiDftY246Skg-eG0NEUAerNkVqcfjfVDUn_NGLMKJsEuYRE4wTHSvdyGLURROMv4QeTAj4gztGkLXscm43FXkTrUaBOxjuvHjBuemfbpyI9XQ5lo/s400/DSCF3608.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Psst, did you hear about the corduroy cushions? They're making headlines.</td></tr>
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The cushion adds a bit of "Hello" to the couch, but I'm thinking it has found its spiritual home on the <a href="http://yearofcraftingdangerously.blogspot.co.nz/2013/01/oooooh-or-eeeeeww.html">chair</a> I painted a few months ago. That's if I can prise it out of Sienna's paws, since she has lain claim to it. I'm always happy to know that the girls like what I'm making. It's validation of an afternoon spent trying to sew the surprisingly difficult buttons onto it.<br />
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I would normally use the self-covering button kits that you can get in craft stores, but I really didn't want to have to go and buy some so I made use of what I had here. I figure you know already how to cover your own buttons, but here is a pictorial* of what I did to cover them:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-h6-OvjlKUfasdRrHomn8zpdl3CcmpYSIR2dOkX2dSlTTvR6UZgRnjG6Q2g-vOWAd34EgA_Mn73gbT6vzTYDBLaxAmLkGmWOAqBDbAmJZN38fXQSx3ZhzJwxwsXWsrw4SjOLgTSDJ0s/s1600/DSCF3597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-h6-OvjlKUfasdRrHomn8zpdl3CcmpYSIR2dOkX2dSlTTvR6UZgRnjG6Q2g-vOWAd34EgA_Mn73gbT6vzTYDBLaxAmLkGmWOAqBDbAmJZN38fXQSx3ZhzJwxwsXWsrw4SjOLgTSDJ0s/s640/DSCF3597.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpwOyeQDcvMEhNcu2HrkxDvWAIgj0NDXItNkaZdo4BvkzFbzixhH_IhcMDVFIVNGtfkOLaVhyphenhyphen9-T0YKrB04thzdZyp8ACitZqNj_zixYK-6yisXg4O77_Qubr-F9k1YD5xvURApLpCFQ/s1600/DSCF3599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpwOyeQDcvMEhNcu2HrkxDvWAIgj0NDXItNkaZdo4BvkzFbzixhH_IhcMDVFIVNGtfkOLaVhyphenhyphen9-T0YKrB04thzdZyp8ACitZqNj_zixYK-6yisXg4O77_Qubr-F9k1YD5xvURApLpCFQ/s640/DSCF3599.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">* Brought to you in conjunction with one sad-looking cutting mat.</span><br />
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Degree of difficulty: The hardest part was attaching the buttons using a standard sewing needle rather than a longer upholstery one. As the saying goes, craft waters never run smooth (or something like that) and my achilles heel this time was that the back loop on the second button snapped from the strain. Of course, there were no other buttons in that size in my button jar so I have just tacked the button to the cover to keep it in place until I can get to the craft store to buy a replacement<br />
Time taken: 4 hours<br />
Result: At just under 40cm, it's a great size as a cushion for a couch or bed. If I were to make another one for the seat of my chair, I think I would make the gusset half as deep.Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-16342385127257433572013-07-10T13:11:00.001+12:002013-07-11T19:22:06.919+12:00Work in progressOh, look. It's me again. Lovely. I have to admit that this post was enforced because neither of my two previous posts were winter-related and I'm trying to sneak in one last project for <a href="http://craftandnappies.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/matariki-crafting-linky.html">Juliet's Matariki Crafting linky</a>. Today is the final day to enter, in case you had forgotten and want to enter for the chance to win some prizes.<br />
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I tried really hard to finish this blanket. That's not to be confused with being a try-hard. My shoulder got sore, and I had to stop, even though I wanted to continue working on it. Does anyone else have this problem? I'd love to know what your tips are to keep sore joints at bay.<br />
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This travel blanket is very wintery. Just look at all those snowflakes. I used a combination of acrylic and wool yarn and I am just debating whether to add a larger border around it. I think it needs it, but I also know that I need my shoulder more. What do you think?<br />
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I'm still not looking at all the tails that need to be woven in on the back.Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-54221798157759466122013-07-09T14:56:00.002+12:002013-07-11T19:21:54.502+12:00Chevron artCrikey, it's been a while since I did any paper craft, time I did something about that, non?<br />
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I do try to minimise clutter in my home and aim to keep only things that are useful or that I love. This can be a very difficult philosophy to live by when little family members want to keep what they love too, and have their own opinions, as they should.<br />
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Something that we all agree on, though, is to turn their kindy paintings into art to grace our walls. Several months ago, the girls and I made<a href="http://yearofcraftingdangerously.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/paintings-paintings-everywhere.html"> art out of Sienna's stash of kindy paintings</a>. Yesterday, it was Renee's turn. She had piles of paintings from her two years at kindy and we could make two different pieces of art from them. One will be in the same style as Sienna's. Another smaller painting was made using large triangles so the brush strokes are much more visible and create a very cool effect.<br />
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Chevron has been quite popular for a while now, but it's not why I chose the design for this art. The zig zags just seemed to need white space between them to help make the colours look more dramatic.<br />
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The hardest thing to do was decide on what triangles I was going to use, because let's face it, there are some mighty fine three-sided polygons out there. Equilateral? Talk to me, baby. Isosceles? So fun, but even fun-ner to say. Scalene? Stop it!<br />
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Do you dig my work table? Just low enough for me to sort out the placements, but just high enough for my little helper to be less 'helpful'.<br />
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It measures 50cm x 78cm to the points of the bottom triangles. The plan is to cut off the excess cardboard at the bottom, but I am going to leave it as it is for now until we decide where to hang it.<br />
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Linking in with Leonie for <a href="http://3xsunshine.blogspot.co.nz/2013/07/show-tell-hand-embroidery.html">Show and Tell </a>this week.<br />
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Degree of difficulty: If you can use scissors, a ruler and double-sided tape, you can do this<br />
Time taken: 1 day<br />
Result: It's certainly not perfect, as anyone who looks up close at it will tell, but I walk past it and it makes me smile and Renee is very quick to tell everyone it's her art. Winning!Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-75975650273004454072013-07-08T13:45:00.002+12:002013-07-08T13:47:47.766+12:00Show me the bunnyHere is my first ever embroidery that I was working on last week, hanging in its 22.5cm hoop:<br />
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Thanks to a helpful suggestion from <a href="http://stitchersanon.blogspot.co.nz/">stitcheranon</a> (love the Irish, so), I opted for a satin stitch to fill in the balloon - and what a difference! I considered unthreading the long and short stitches that I filled the balloon with initially, and I am pleased that I decided to keep that stitchwork underneath as it conceals any gaps between the longer stitches.<br />
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I used a whole skein of red embroidery thread though; that's a deceptively guzzly little piece of embroidery work right there. It was very quick to stitch, taking just 10 minutes to do. I really like the overall effect that it gives to the balloon and it's now my favourite part to look at. And stroke occasionally.<br />
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You may recognise the illustration that I traced and enlarged on the photocopier. It's a sweet Sarah Jane drawing found in her Balloon design that's part of her Children at Play collection, which is another of my absolute favourite fabric lines.<br />
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I'm a bit of a font geek, so if anyone wants to know what it's called, it's modelled on the Sue Ellen Francisco typeface. For the benefit of those new to embroidery, like I am, I used a split stitch for the words and a backstitch for the rabbit and balloon string.<br />
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My plan is to gift this to my sister to hang in her son's nursery to act as a kind of subliminal message to him, as in drift off to sleep, buddy. Or else. It's always a bit of a presumption that she'll like what I make. I guess, we will see, won't we?<br />
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Degree of difficulty: Easy<br />
Time taken: 2 days - would have been much less if I hadn't unthreaded the balloon stitchwork the first time around<br />
Result: Obviously, I need practice, especially when it comes to making nice neat, even stitches around curves but I can see how addictive this craft can be. Uh oh.Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-82598256553277662882013-07-04T11:55:00.000+12:002013-07-04T11:58:50.095+12:00Currently...It's been one of those weeks where life gets in the way of crafting. I'm still tinkering away though, and wanted to show you what I have been up to over the past few days.<br />
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If you have not yet found the <a href="http://craftandnappies.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/matariki-crafting-linky.html">Matariki Crafting linky</a>, there are still a few days left to submit your winter-theme projects for a chance to win some wonderful prizes and find some inspiration for future projects, as I did with <a href="http://www.blackbirdhasspoken.com/2013/07/night-sky-embroidery.html">Max's embroidered pillowcases</a> and the stitchwork on <a href="http://biglittletales.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/on-my-worktable-vest-and-shoes.html">Lisa's beautifully-made garments</a>.<br />
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Other than the <a href="http://yearofcraftingdangerously.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/tic-tac-toe-cushions.html">cross-stitch cushion</a> that I made, I have never embroidered before. This was an opportunity for me to learn some more basic stitches. "It's like colouring in with thread!", announced the enthusiastic tutor on the Youtube video. Great! I am pleased to report that it <i>is</i> like colouring in, just in extremely <i>s-l-o-w</i> motion. I don't think I have the patience to do this on a large-scale project, so I am glad I chose a relatively small pattern.<br />
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Please tell me that the back of the embroidery work is meant to look like roadkill? It's paining me to see it all look so rough back there.<br />
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I was around two-thirds of the way through filling in this balloon and decided the stitches looked too uneven. So, I unthreaded it all - which took aaaages because of navigating the minefield of tangled threads on the back. Now, I am nearly back to the point where I was a day ago - hurrah!<br />
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In other crafterly news, I am also slowly whittling down my yarn pile.<br />
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I'm not looking at those tails. I'm not.<br />
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And that, my friends, is a wrap. Tune in next time when you will hear Doctor Bob say: "I'm feeling a bit ruff".Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-65390906706727903042013-07-02T09:20:00.000+12:002013-07-02T09:20:20.454+12:00MissMollyCoddleI came across MissMollyCoddle and her fabulous designs a little too late for my children to benefit from Sarah's handmade loveliness, but that still did not stop me from entering her latest <a href="https://www.facebook.com/missmollycoddle.co.nz">Facebook</a> giveaway to win a $25 voucher for her store and...I won.<br />
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It was a fairly easy decision on how to spend it as I had spied these baby shoes on her blog recently and they seemed the perfect choice for my new nephew. I'm going to get my cool aunty badge after this *shines halo*.<br />
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They are lined in flannelette with corduroy soles, so should be quite soft and snuggly on his little feet. Isn't the fabric just so sweet? Sarah has an extensive range of baby shoes with a mixture of new and vintage prints; these are among my favourites for a little guy.</div>
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Did you notice the packaging? Here's a better view:</div>
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Too cute.</div>
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Sarah makes some really gorgeous, high quality garments for babies and young children, and if you are into the vintage vibe, you won't be disappointed. I've been an admirer of MissMollyCoddle's beautiful coats made from upcycled woollen blankets for a little while, and I love the embroidered linen details in some of her other items.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from MissMollycoddle</td></tr>
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Here are a couple more of my favourites:</div>
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Are you blinded by the sheer beauty of everything? Not yet? To see more MissMollyCoddle goodness, Sarah sells her items through her <a href="http://felt.co.nz/shop/mollycoddle">Felt</a> shop and on <a href="http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=3437208">Trademe</a>, or if you are in Wellington, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/made.it.WGTN">Made.it </a>are now proud stockists of her baby shoes so you can view them up close in their store.<br />
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Sarah profiles other creative talent in a new weekly series on her <a href="http://missmollycoddle.blogspot.co.nz/">blog</a>. "A Cuppa With" is one of my favourite reads at the moment so pop on over and have a read for yourself.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2187bb; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; text-align: left; text-transform: uppercase;">A FURTHER NOTE:</span></div>
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I have showcased a couple of small businesses now; in case anyone was wondering, this is just something that I chose to do. None of the businesses have approached me or paid me to write about them and I will only ever profile the things that I personally love and would be proud for my children to wear or to have in my home.</div>
Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-40656219569931575622013-06-29T09:14:00.001+12:002013-06-29T17:56:52.676+12:00A word from Meg RyanGoogle Reader is about to be Goose-ified, like, soon. It's been fantastic having you follow me through Google Friend Connect, and a great big bleached blonde mop of a wave to all my new readers. I started this blog for me, and for you - but mainly for me, and it's been fun having you along so if you would like to continue following me, here's some advice:<br />
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I've seen that movie way too many times.<br />
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Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-71605404407967846342013-06-28T12:37:00.001+12:002013-07-02T22:21:57.712+12:00Crochet cushion covers As many of you who have been following my blog for a while know, I learnt how to crochet last year. My first project was going to be a flower crochet blanket, but I bit off more than I could chew and valued my sanity far too much to continue, so it became a teeny tiny <a href="http://yearofcraftingdangerously.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/et-voila.html">cushion</a>. The end result was that I was left with ten barely used 100 gram balls of acrylic yarn and two 50 gram balls of wool and an overwhelming desire to use it all up. At All Costs.<br />
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Over the course of the past few months, I have made several blankets, which have helped to obliterate some of my yarn stash, but I also have had to make a mercy dash down to my local store to purchase more balls when I ran out of the colours needed to finish my projects - which of course now means I have still more yarn to use up. It's a vicious cycle, I tell you.<br />
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This is how my stash looks at the moment:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTc09X7ckQjyBUwfpxgwLFPWb4pEhdOXA_8i-L1Kn6-gveTJHGNC7HXRlYwylpqOKffmUPj1RlxrQI71JQ1CEanbYyXsIUfpOuDz6JQClW85FSN9ULlghzrs0q9K0HPUiYaGXD5ZNiKbE/s1600/DSCF3459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTc09X7ckQjyBUwfpxgwLFPWb4pEhdOXA_8i-L1Kn6-gveTJHGNC7HXRlYwylpqOKffmUPj1RlxrQI71JQ1CEanbYyXsIUfpOuDz6JQClW85FSN9ULlghzrs0q9K0HPUiYaGXD5ZNiKbE/s640/DSCF3459.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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Not too alarming, is it? There are a couple more balls of Spagetti yarn floating around the place too. Looking back on these past few months, I'm quite surprised by how much I have made, and it reveals an obvious passion for making blankets. I will take a photo of everything I have made that is still in my possession to show you all some day soon.<br />
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There were some leftover balls of wool from the <a href="http://yearofcraftingdangerously.blogspot.co.nz/2013/01/do-i-dont-i-will-i-wont-i.html">travel blanket</a> I made for my friend's baby, so I chanced my arm and hoped there would be enough to make complementary cushion covers. Fortunately for me there was, because the small yarn shop that I bought the wool from has now closed down.<br />
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The lighting is very poor here at the moment *shakes fist at the winter and condensationy windows*; the red and dark grey are much darker than how they appear below. The granny square is very easy to make now; I love that I can just sit watching evening television while working on a single stitch project and not have to concentrate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw6A6H3z5cu1QjBxg-ChJTDMt5iC51_qfKTSiyPYey_H6oK28mgSAaaRPIOLogriGCSsy7w2-uSFnR9POqc232YGgNEJm_Xannbpos1yRuEtXLU40Yy3RO_bt9tMtjDnHzZxPrmtYueI/s1600/DSCF3448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw6A6H3z5cu1QjBxg-ChJTDMt5iC51_qfKTSiyPYey_H6oK28mgSAaaRPIOLogriGCSsy7w2-uSFnR9POqc232YGgNEJm_Xannbpos1yRuEtXLU40Yy3RO_bt9tMtjDnHzZxPrmtYueI/s400/DSCF3448.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Its sister cushion is a combination of granny squares and working in rounds. I used different colours in each square to add interest and two squares have added texture with the flower details on them. I sewed some dark grey vinyl to the backs and I'm less than convinced that it works together. Ho hum.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLlypIjIxCg66gk81mDwCPdQOeQMnR6AYt1Dqd34f6zRqJLUnhfZKVqFurdLok6Xm9lS7G7IYZTGmAH_uYgb1GmIWUfEL9KDYEX5gDSSqRUoUaMSztl3Rc6hiDd1Di3gTq7urSxqrzFI/s1600/DSCF3457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLlypIjIxCg66gk81mDwCPdQOeQMnR6AYt1Dqd34f6zRqJLUnhfZKVqFurdLok6Xm9lS7G7IYZTGmAH_uYgb1GmIWUfEL9KDYEX5gDSSqRUoUaMSztl3Rc6hiDd1Di3gTq7urSxqrzFI/s400/DSCF3457.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">The colour of the fabric is almost black, as pictured above. This close-up angle shows the texture and envelope closure in more detail:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NPKVHZsxBKxWFKTDVrZShvEXsciaXByGw9iWFrf7XRfFWFoEbfo9UZnDlQh1vT596jficJvwJl5zxzyfXTN40NAYUYlWpx1LTfWkL2eT7EksXkvaVgwcnYCcCN8d0Dp5XVTHqcwiO0M/s1600/DSCF3464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NPKVHZsxBKxWFKTDVrZShvEXsciaXByGw9iWFrf7XRfFWFoEbfo9UZnDlQh1vT596jficJvwJl5zxzyfXTN40NAYUYlWpx1LTfWkL2eT7EksXkvaVgwcnYCcCN8d0Dp5XVTHqcwiO0M/s640/DSCF3464.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I created these cushions to add a bit more snuggly winter warmth to our lounge, but I decided they really didn't fit with the feel of the room. That and my husband doesn't like them.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Linking up for some <a href="http://craftandnappies.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/matariki-crafting-linky.html">Matariki Crafting</a> and <a href="http://3xsunshine.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/show-tell-hotties-away.html">Show and Tell</a> love.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Degree of difficulty: Easy. Convincing my husband they are cool - not so easy.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">Time taken: 4 days</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">Result: </span><span style="text-align: center;">Part of me thinks I should unpick the backs and just sew the granny square top to the back of the patchwork top. What do you think?</span>Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-38864903287316911612013-06-26T09:37:00.000+12:002013-06-26T10:37:46.062+12:00Interruption to our scheduled programmeThere is a valid reason why crafting and blogging have come to a halt around here:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLEQZkN8atKEYpBxFBiqv22cGVi9Vp45D11XHSSuR7t9O5feAJhue2LQxmCSc7zHE_0wAS8wT_0oeAjkd_HANnH1ZnMGytpVI_CTiKzCwUxFuCaT0j4TXOrya1QAQhg2SCXzLfuOHnn8/s1600/DSCF3422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLEQZkN8atKEYpBxFBiqv22cGVi9Vp45D11XHSSuR7t9O5feAJhue2LQxmCSc7zHE_0wAS8wT_0oeAjkd_HANnH1ZnMGytpVI_CTiKzCwUxFuCaT0j4TXOrya1QAQhg2SCXzLfuOHnn8/s640/DSCF3422.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I won't be sharing his name or other personal details about him here as it's not my story to tell. He is quite lovely and his cousins are clearly besotted with him. It does mean, however, that my <a href="http://yearofcraftingdangerously.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/royals.html">crochet blanket</a> and <a href="http://yearofcraftingdangerously.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/my-first-quilt.html">quilt</a> are slightly redundant. Hmm.Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-14328652595100246722013-06-18T11:25:00.001+12:002013-06-18T11:25:33.565+12:00More hotnessDon't say I didn't warn you. Sewing machine and overlocker are back in operation, hurrah! It was refreshing to sew for a change although I snuck some more crochet in there, I just couldn't help myself.<br />
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Lisa of <a href="http://biglittletales.blogspot.com/">Big Little</a> emailed me a very handy hot water bottle template, and I discovered that they are quite addictive to make even though I managed to make my covers quite wonky. Go me! Maybe it was because I was working around my children and not able to fully concentrate on what I was doing when I sewed, or maybe it was because I don't like using pins to hold everything in place as I sew and the fabric shifted. Anywhoozle, these are the results.<br />
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Upcycled merino jersey. I kept one of the original tags; it has the care instructions on the back of it which someone might find useful. Not very exciting, I know, but it is very warm and that's the whole point of making them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujX6iSIMgRs5ZwSqz_ve_kG81C6OlVD4XuoQUV06cERN1UPbMGtwB2mBCb2TgKv8GxIogInfyxFGPmjkk4Kt9Pk0P3zM8jLgJeWH2dCxg7UEW0jpLSrvYxtOugXHZeA6W0Xx4DG8-Pq4/s1600/Merino+hottie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujX6iSIMgRs5ZwSqz_ve_kG81C6OlVD4XuoQUV06cERN1UPbMGtwB2mBCb2TgKv8GxIogInfyxFGPmjkk4Kt9Pk0P3zM8jLgJeWH2dCxg7UEW0jpLSrvYxtOugXHZeA6W0Xx4DG8-Pq4/s400/Merino+hottie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Raspberry wool fabric with soft pink wool crochet detail. I used <a href="http://yougogirl.typepad.com/you_go_girl/2010/03/crochet-like-crazy.html">You Go Girl</a>'s crochet edging pattern to embellish the back opening. The crochet motif is the same as the one that I used on my <a href="http://yearofcraftingdangerously.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/ra-ra-hottie-covers.html">earlier hottie cover</a>. This is my favourite cover, I hope whoever receives it will love it too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oFDHbiNcwDvTr6UTp0SLQ28BEIM3xi6qTYLkRSw9OzxseFH3LZb_oBCKAZWIt8hUAlTXnhXAsEhd7yZMJJ3CTUxUgPeZfl1AyGque0gi5IUDUSxN-hqSfIXzltU_NYv4HgoJg3Kv_LI/s1600/Pink+hottie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oFDHbiNcwDvTr6UTp0SLQ28BEIM3xi6qTYLkRSw9OzxseFH3LZb_oBCKAZWIt8hUAlTXnhXAsEhd7yZMJJ3CTUxUgPeZfl1AyGque0gi5IUDUSxN-hqSfIXzltU_NYv4HgoJg3Kv_LI/s400/Pink+hottie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It is such a miserable day here, the lighting is not very good to take photos, but here is my little bundle that will be posted to Lisa shortly. If you want to join in, all the details you need can be found <a href="http://www.biglittletales.blogspot.co.nz/p/the-hottie-project.html">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKecoQF93frLGCj_iEIErTL7nDnjCoswedrt9SSfGdVy5rpJFj7ZpKqO7sNPOvDuS_svwmQh6QFDODYbF3-LhecotoYEBjXp0joHOECh1MTIUwvwxNuTMPPfv-u4qbVgiQ9N1uUk1wUE/s1600/DSCF3410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKecoQF93frLGCj_iEIErTL7nDnjCoswedrt9SSfGdVy5rpJFj7ZpKqO7sNPOvDuS_svwmQh6QFDODYbF3-LhecotoYEBjXp0joHOECh1MTIUwvwxNuTMPPfv-u4qbVgiQ9N1uUk1wUE/s400/DSCF3410.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-21665662576199794742013-06-16T18:48:00.003+12:002013-06-17T18:12:40.249+12:00MalapropismsThis is what happens when I am too tired to craft in the evenings. I am forced to make rubbish evening television more interesting by developing movie titles with much more credible story lines. Like these:<br />
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The quest for the missing limbs:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx_jzMW-nWCNLOhPm24l8Br1aLj-g_p1zAVuRHyGDvptI-t00UqkJo8ywS7YvNUVDjbD-wByMyO8_WSH02XhwXbEBHkTPfyZUjr8-K0rOJcvCVS3ns0JoO2IiFAv_nAGVRYWV_Ma-7MQ/s1600/Prosthesis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx_jzMW-nWCNLOhPm24l8Br1aLj-g_p1zAVuRHyGDvptI-t00UqkJo8ywS7YvNUVDjbD-wByMyO8_WSH02XhwXbEBHkTPfyZUjr8-K0rOJcvCVS3ns0JoO2IiFAv_nAGVRYWV_Ma-7MQ/s400/Prosthesis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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When crazed animals with ridiculously long tongues attack:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_5uVsXCX9bfgUngwbQvGDppjO4opj5ye8KTNKhkVI48TGTcyFRB2Su9FfdlwDzGX2E-TabzvjzxNjTW9dI-7RWK7rokHw-IfxHyCZqK4TWd6iP5u_tjEm0WQRXUs9G4oB0oph7B9AWk/s1600/Proboscis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_5uVsXCX9bfgUngwbQvGDppjO4opj5ye8KTNKhkVI48TGTcyFRB2Su9FfdlwDzGX2E-TabzvjzxNjTW9dI-7RWK7rokHw-IfxHyCZqK4TWd6iP5u_tjEm0WQRXUs9G4oB0oph7B9AWk/s400/Proboscis.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: AP</td></tr>
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World's worst premise for a movie. Ever:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WGod_BRdrl6aOZoe4YJu7tulheCVePMT5KUoqbmupBuwfHPsEfJr6NtGuLlkBRhy_CdMhFQ3CYx2vhBGPJRguL5wFOpStgnKwkcpgomlVKxeFiUBueRKFp1d-mKWIyyOgxFo3MQBDQw/s1600/PYTHAGORAS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WGod_BRdrl6aOZoe4YJu7tulheCVePMT5KUoqbmupBuwfHPsEfJr6NtGuLlkBRhy_CdMhFQ3CYx2vhBGPJRguL5wFOpStgnKwkcpgomlVKxeFiUBueRKFp1d-mKWIyyOgxFo3MQBDQw/s400/PYTHAGORAS.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The story of an internal organ so mysterious, nobody knows what it does:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rxnY24vNJfP3k4xqu6QTE3spXOt0_2Lom4tfHciTjnySifs7EsX_U0b4zlw34SOrhNVs5mbnbSyzsfBz-fYOV5VRx_JwkAdxY3LZXqOYjHh1Z38mEs4WoqyL3yFYzKHDfx_Obt2tRm8/s1600/Pancreas+movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rxnY24vNJfP3k4xqu6QTE3spXOt0_2Lom4tfHciTjnySifs7EsX_U0b4zlw34SOrhNVs5mbnbSyzsfBz-fYOV5VRx_JwkAdxY3LZXqOYjHh1Z38mEs4WoqyL3yFYzKHDfx_Obt2tRm8/s400/Pancreas+movie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I bet you were saying these with that American movie voiceover guy's voice in your heads. No? Just me, then.Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-40186873928898485642013-06-14T13:08:00.000+12:002013-06-14T15:51:01.542+12:00Ra-ra hottie covers<a href="http://craftandnappies.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/matariki-crafting-and-so-it-begins.html">Matariki Crafting</a>, hosted by <a href="http://craftandnappies.blogspot.co.nz/">Juliet of Tartankiwi</a>, will shortly be heading into its second week. This is an opportunity to get inspired by some winter-themed craft projects and ideas, some of which *gasp!* don't even involve a sewing machine, crochet hook or knitting needle - which I think may be a sign after what has been a very unsuccessful crafting morning here.<br />
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It started out with so much promise. All three children were out of the house for six hours and the day stretched out before me. I had set up my overlocker and sewing machine the day before to maximise this precious time. What happened instead were machines that ate my fabric and broke their needles. I hadn't got around to replacing the needles from the last time the overlocker was used, so sewing has ground to a halt.<br />
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All I have to show you are the covers I made yesterday for the <a href="http://www.biglittletales.blogspot.co.nz/p/the-hottie-project.html">Hottie Project</a>, which were actually test runs but might indeed be the ones I send by default *eyeballs overlocker and sewing machine*. I had a play with an old terry towel bathrobe and used some store-bought pom pom trim, but found the end result to be a bit thin, small and underwhelming. The hottie that's nottie. So, I added a crochet motif but it still feels a bit meh. It's the New Zealand X Factor of hottie covers.<br />
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I went looking for a string of oversized pom poms yesterday to ramp things up a notch The Voice Australia-style, but there was nothing available, so you just know I had to go and make my own. They didn't take long to make, probably half an hour. Love pom poms. They're like spots in 3D. When my husband asked if I was actually seriously for reals going to use them, I knew I was onto a winner. I shall not be responsible for your child still being awake in bed at 10pm because they are having fun playing with their hottie cover.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYamj1CZyY257vivgFbqjd41LNiATzI50ouAMJgY2fkjQF46f9UkCKA-QmP6Nsyyx8T05gM6qrtvf6TAUjwu8G2JWHgU4Fy83M-5CvDidOUGt-rBlXm6G3yMfaswG8df1R0uAgo_yD8ag/s1600/Ra-ra+hotties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYamj1CZyY257vivgFbqjd41LNiATzI50ouAMJgY2fkjQF46f9UkCKA-QmP6Nsyyx8T05gM6qrtvf6TAUjwu8G2JWHgU4Fy83M-5CvDidOUGt-rBlXm6G3yMfaswG8df1R0uAgo_yD8ag/s400/Ra-ra+hotties.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Give me an H! Give me an O! Give me a T-T-I-E!</span></td></tr>
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Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-10853143323440030212013-06-11T22:19:00.000+12:002013-06-11T22:25:21.205+12:00The little thingsGrowing up at the foot of a mountain, hot water bottles were a regular feature in our household during the winter months. I remember with not too much fondness the rubbery texture under my feet as I jostled it around to warm up the cold spots in my bed, the sound of the water sloshing inside - and being woken in the night when my feet strayed upon the cold, dead mass at the foot of the bed. Contrast this with my children, who have not even seen a hot water bottle in their young lives.<br />
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As I sit here in the relative warmth of my home, surrounded by my creature comforts and with my girls all sleeping soundly in their cosy beds, I am grateful for all that I have and my mind is turned towards an initiative that resonates with me so much as a mother.<br />
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It is the right of every child to feel warm, to feel safe, to feel loved. With the aftermath of the Canterbury earthquakes still continuing to affect so many families, and with the knowledge that many of them face another bitterly cold winter ahead, Lisa of <a href="http://biglittletales.blogspot.co.nz/">Big Little</a>, together with <a href="http://catalinanz.blogspot.co.nz/">Catalina's Cottage</a> and <a href="http://www.sophieslim.co.nz/">Sophie Slim</a> has started a campaign to warm the feet of the children of Christchurch and the hearts of their parents.<br />
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Called the <a href="http://biglittletales.blogspot.co.nz/p/the-hottie-project.html">Hottie Project</a>, the aim is to make hot water bottle covers and supply them to those who need them. A simple gesture with so much significance to those it reaches. I am joining in using a template Lisa has kindly supplied and I will share the results of my effort with you later. For now, it just seems more important to help spread the word. Even if you are a non-crafter, which is probably unlikely if you are reading this blog, there are ways in which you can be involved; please contact <a href="mailto:TheBigLittleShop@gmail.com">Lisa</a>.<br />
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Let's help fill winter with a little more cheer for some of these children and show the families in Canterbury that we care.<br />
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Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5631338359235700077.post-68719499724067865472013-06-04T17:00:00.000+12:002013-06-06T14:40:25.650+12:00Fusion blanketRelief. This blanket has been months in the making. I am just so glad to have finished it. Kismet may have been at play; I had just enough blue yarn to blanket stitch and crochet borders around the fabric squares and stitch them all together.<br />
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This one was my interpretation of a blanket made by <a href="http://andthelittledoglaughed.com/index.php?view=product_details&product_id=68&pg_no=0">And the Little Dog Laughed</a>. Where the profit margin is in that blanket, I'll never know. Truly, the asking price is worth it for amount of time it would have taken to make alone, let's not even mention the cost of materials.<br />
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I started making my crochet blanket using a bobble stitch. It took me nearly two weeks to get the central colours to the size they are, and because of the blanket's slow progress, I lost interest in it, and put it away. Bad mistake. When I pulled it out again, I could not remember how to make the stitch so instead of a bobble, I ended up with a flat weave on the pink and grey borders. I didn't mind how the combination looked, so I chose to continue with it. You can view it in its unfinished state <a href="http://yearofcraftingdangerously.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/for-top-gun-fans.html">here</a>.<br />
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Then it was time to work on the fabric squares. Selecting the fabric was easy. I love Aneela Hoey's collections, I used her Little Apples fabric in my <a href="http://yearofcraftingdangerously.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/my-first-quilt.html">quilt</a> and when her Walk in the Woods line became available, I bought some charm squares. At the time, I had no project in mind for them, but this blanket seemed the obvious choice. The colours complement the yarn and give the blanket the snuggly, wintery feel that I was looking for.<br />
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Sewing the blocks together was not difficult, just time-consuming as I handstitched the openings closed. I guess if I had thought it through, I could have made the seam allowances bigger and then machine topstitched the openings down once I had turned the squares out the right way. You should know me by now, I like to make things harder than they need to be.<br />
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Using my wool needle, I blanket stitched around the outside of each block in 1cm increments. They probably could have been spaced further apart. Then I packed them all away and didn't touch them for over a month. I guess I was struggling with how I was going to attach them to the blanket.<br />
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Somehow, and I can't believe it happened, the number of stitches I used and the v-stitches I crocheted seemed to work out and putting them all together was actually easy in the end. It took 13 hours to crochet the fabric squares to the edge of the main blanket using a flat-braid technique.<br />
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There are fusion blanket tutorials out there, and I think if anyone is considering making one for the first time, it would be wise to refer to them, if only for the sake of your sanity - unless you are like me and unwittingly embark on projects without a pattern because you are blissfully unaware of the potential difficulties. That's always fun, and is, I guess, by definition, crafting dangerously.<br />
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Degree of difficulty: It was pure luck that this blanket came together relatively easily. This was a true sliding doors project - if I had chosen a different stitch to attach the fabric squares, made the fabric squares smaller, or even made the main crochet blanket any size other than what it ended up being, it could have resulted in a very large headache. <br />
Time taken: Two months<br />
Result: You would think that because this blanket combines both yarn and fabric, two of my most favourite-est things in the world, I would be thrilled with it. However, that tired, smug-looking child (but mostly tired) in the photo above was how I felt by the end of this project.<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://3xsunshine.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/show-tell-chirpy-cushion.html?showComment=1370475999490">Show and Tell</a> and <a href="http://blogs.kidspot.com.au/villagevoices/my-creative-space-memory-and-using-it/">My Creative Space</a> this week.Leanne Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13727719061824152169noreply@blogger.com26