tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10152541335833266692012-01-02T18:10:26.852Zsterling silver and gold handmade jewellery, sock monkeys, vintage buttons, handknitting, spinning, crochet, yarn, silversmith, linda joneshellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.comBlogger821100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-68098602958589812012011-06-17T05:22:00.010+01:002011-06-17T05:44:22.211+01:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OQIhX8WhE2s/TfraryDrF8I/AAAAAAAAA24/kxX8qUNeh-8/s1600/skull%2Bbig%2Bp.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 377px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OQIhX8WhE2s/TfraryDrF8I/AAAAAAAAA24/kxX8qUNeh-8/s400/skull%2Bbig%2Bp.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619043930804524994" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4jxkCQenbKM/Tfrajz-AiuI/AAAAAAAAA2w/pkIWdrfTA1k/s1600/owl%2Bwrap%2Bp.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 383px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4jxkCQenbKM/Tfrajz-AiuI/AAAAAAAAA2w/pkIWdrfTA1k/s400/owl%2Bwrap%2Bp.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619043793878682338" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fhhQMhAZzXg/TfraRVJ2lWI/AAAAAAAAA2o/tlkG2HFmW9o/s1600/chainp.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 385px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fhhQMhAZzXg/TfraRVJ2lWI/AAAAAAAAA2o/tlkG2HFmW9o/s400/chainp.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619043476369216866" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qXqhofzAA7U/TfraJbYYSbI/AAAAAAAAA2g/DAHakLzc9mY/s1600/owl%2Bp.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 383px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qXqhofzAA7U/TfraJbYYSbI/AAAAAAAAA2g/DAHakLzc9mY/s400/owl%2Bp.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619043340601805234" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9O0IDRfswww/TfrZ6S3ESgI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/ZAlFQ2R79CQ/s1600/skull%2Bwrap%2Bp.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9O0IDRfswww/TfrZ6S3ESgI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/ZAlFQ2R79CQ/s400/skull%2Bwrap%2Bp.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619043080616561154" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>yes, its that time of year again...<div>bucks open studios is in full swing again as of saturday 18th june, i would love to see you there if you can make it.. i will have lots of new pieces on show plus some old favorites too</div><div><br /></div><div>as last year i am exhibiting in my friend <a href="http://www.vickiecovacic.co.uk/">vickies</a> studio and she will have lots of goodies on offer too... as ever lots of beautiful pots for the home and garden including a gorgeous new range of homeware in porcelain</div><div><br /></div><div>my work will be mainly based around two new collections... dia de los muertos... the day of the dead, a celebration of life, family and honouring those that have gone before... and secret garden... an urban woodland for friends, dreams and lots of cute</div><div><br /></div><div>you can get all the details of our opening times and how to find us <a href="http://www.bucksopenstudios.org.uk/exhibitor_details.asp?id=1143">here</a>... why not plan your own art trail, we are near many other talented exhibitors or just spend time with us in the garden watching us work, knit, chat and eating cake!</div><div><br /></div><div>tea and cake will of course be provided!</div><div>see you there</div><div>linda :) x</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 188px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x3msq9VsZec/TfrZmXDY1jI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/r6VqL3SPMhQ/s200/tea%2Bcake%2Bp.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619042738144597554" /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-6809860295858981201?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-69734491775681190052011-06-13T10:01:00.004+01:002011-06-13T10:20:06.216+01:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59qysm7qMl4/TfXUzklvdRI/AAAAAAAAA2I/aAU9XiEXJUY/s1600/pic.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 327px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59qysm7qMl4/TfXUzklvdRI/AAAAAAAAA2I/aAU9XiEXJUY/s400/pic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617630092674954514" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 329px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRqYNnPR-2w/TfXUkz9ShcI/AAAAAAAAA2A/yBoKcurqaxM/s400/text.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617629839102215618" /><div style="text-align: center;">yes, its less than a week to go before this summers open studios starts - i'm very excited about the new pieces i have to show - i have two new collections this year, 'dia de los muertos' ... you can see a piece from this in the pic above, the collection is based around the mexican day of the dead... a celebration of life and family as well as honouring those that have gone before</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and there will be lots of cute too of course with my woodland collection featuring moose, mushrooms, magic and the odd hooting owl!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">i hope i can see you there</div><div style="text-align: center;">better get back to it - still so much to do!</div><div style="text-align: center;">linda :) x</div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-6973449177568119005?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-48176141376544135482011-02-17T12:42:00.007Z2011-02-17T13:03:12.328Z<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4xWfja8_XOU/TV0aGStWypI/AAAAAAAAA1I/8tDvZTjGCoI/s1600/blanket%2B1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 380px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4xWfja8_XOU/TV0aGStWypI/AAAAAAAAA1I/8tDvZTjGCoI/s400/blanket%2B1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574640609158154898" /></a><br />days on the beach walking amongst the dunes<br /><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 387px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-608gIYS2p2o/TV0aBzMQKMI/AAAAAAAAA1A/R3yNUgoNIj4/s400/blanket%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574640531978332354" /></div><div>day of the dead gets cosy!</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 376px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_OGRYWNQbrk/TV0Z9EpcscI/AAAAAAAAA04/hE0wDCRTZOA/s400/blanket%2B3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574640450764845506" /></div><div>so soft, so pretty, dive in</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 386px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I8_BmNt_uzI/TV0Z4bbTSzI/AAAAAAAAA0w/WiCeWTDh7ho/s400/blanket%2B4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574640370980178738" /></div><div>can't go wrong with the classic granny</div><div> </div><div><div>another hour disappeared lusting over other peoples blankets on rav... maybe it's because its cold, maybe it's because i should be working but suddenly spending the next hour snuggled up on the settee with my own knitting sounds rather appealing...<div><br /></div><div>gorgeous blankets from...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/cocoknits/barn-raising-quilt">{soft and beachy barn raising quilt}</a> by cocoknits</div><div><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/malajulinka/el-dia-de-los-muertos">{el dia de los muertos}</a> by malajulinka</div><div><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/swim/soft-waves-2">{soft waves}</a> by swim</div><div><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/snippygal/summer-garden-granny-square-2">{my own big blanket}</a> by snippygal</div><div><br /></div><div>happy knitting</div><div>linda x</div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-4817614137654413548?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-31338630529596972892010-12-19T17:41:00.003Z2010-12-19T17:45:22.453Z<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TQ5ETCmJIEI/AAAAAAAAA0g/ErfA2bkXfEo/s1600/sledge.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 377px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TQ5ETCmJIEI/AAAAAAAAA0g/ErfA2bkXfEo/s400/sledge.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552450484499456066" /></a><br />lots of snow... check<div>sledging fun... check</div><div>roaring fire to come back to... check</div><div>christmas tree looking fab... check</div><div>lots of knitting, chocolate and family fun...</div><div><br /></div><div>mmmm... the perfect sunday :) love it!</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 386px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TQ5EM66wy1I/AAAAAAAAA0Y/RnSNCae-1CI/s400/stripe%2Bknit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552450379359243090" /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-3133863052959697289?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-43726978274777969632010-12-07T13:00:00.010Z2010-12-07T13:18:11.852Z<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TP4zWMUe8PI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/lbrdSL9hOsk/s1600/drink%2Bme%2B1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 388px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TP4zWMUe8PI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/lbrdSL9hOsk/s400/drink%2Bme%2B1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547928247324307698" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TP4zQ79fTOI/AAAAAAAAA0I/T0OElTD9P_E/s1600/drink%2Bme%2B2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 381px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TP4zQ79fTOI/AAAAAAAAA0I/T0OElTD9P_E/s400/drink%2Bme%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547928157033549026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TP4zJFsBc1I/AAAAAAAAA0A/iAff5X57d1w/s1600/im%2Blate.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 388px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TP4zJFsBc1I/AAAAAAAAA0A/iAff5X57d1w/s400/im%2Blate.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547928022205690706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TP4zDG93WCI/AAAAAAAAAz4/cLXEt8mlapM/s1600/tea%2Band%2Bcake.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 388px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TP4zDG93WCI/AAAAAAAAAz4/cLXEt8mlapM/s400/tea%2Band%2Bcake.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547927919469746210" /></a><br /><div>[1: drink me]</div><div>[2: i'm late.. i'm late...]</div><div>[3: tea &amp; cake]</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-4372697827477796963?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-75145228146524877112010-11-17T20:37:00.014Z2010-11-18T07:57:56.590Z<img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TOQ-Pf122QI/AAAAAAAAAy4/jUAfrWo-dmY/s400/love%2Bis%2Bgreen%2BII.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540621877538904322" /><br />it's a long time since i've done a creative space post but as i needed to show someone some photos anyway {hello sandra!} i thought i'd share some bracelets just finished today :)<div><br /></div><div>above is 'love is green'... this is the second bracelet i've made in this colourway, and i have to say i'm still loving it! this piece amongst other goodies features some lovely 1920s and 1930s vintage crystals and some really amazing 1920s diamante studded roundels {you can see one just below the 1930s turquoise-ish crystal on the right} </div><div><br /></div><div>next up is 'honey'... this has some gorgeous colours going on and was partly a happy accident, i was working in terrible light when i first picked out the combinations and when i saw what i'd picked in daylight i loved it even more! featuring 1930s crystals in amber, smokey quartz and fabulous 1950s vintage glass like swirled honey...</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 391px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TOQ_H-gj-4I/AAAAAAAAAzA/iPelrvZHZ-A/s400/honey.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540622847843761026" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 382px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TOQ_nhrpbqI/AAAAAAAAAzI/IUVnLt_GSgs/s400/green%2Bjelly.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540623389861441186" /></div><div>more 1950s glass in 'lime jelly'... limes and ambers make another great colour combo, the green glass is shot through with chocolate brown swirls and compliments more amber 1930s crystals, the ornate carnelian set charm and church window style of the lime charm give this piece a bit of a regal feel to me... maybe i've got the impending royal wedding on the brain!</div><div><br /></div><div>'blueberry cream' reminds me of a pavlova!! :) yummy berry colours, 1930s and 1950s vintage crystals, lights and darks contrasting and gorgeous handmade glass... whats not to love, yum!..</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 386px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TORBlt2mw4I/AAAAAAAAAzQ/jmnvMFl76nk/s400/blueberry%2Bcream.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540625557792146306" /></div><div>and last up 'jingle bells'... getting in the christmas spirit already with tiny sleigh bells and snowflakes... this makes the most fab sound when your wearing it... people may actually think it's santa round the corner ;)</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 386px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TORC1CaJIAI/AAAAAAAAAzY/OXo1VJW6onw/s400/jingle%2Bbells.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540626920519573506" /></div><div>more detailed pics of all pieces can be seen <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26573145@N03/sets/72157625410882690/">here on flickr</a></div><div>[sandra, i hope you've seen something you like!]</div><div>see more creative spaces <a href="http://www.kootoyoo.com/">here</a></div><div> linda xx</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-7514522814652487711?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-9225131806100593422010-11-10T11:27:00.005Z2010-11-10T12:19:01.076Z<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TNqEH1iSHtI/AAAAAAAAAyU/F4pHx3C1_VE/s1600/alice%2B800.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 383px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TNqEH1iSHtI/AAAAAAAAAyU/F4pHx3C1_VE/s400/alice%2B800.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537883961970269906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TNqEDEvJ9QI/AAAAAAAAAyM/Z-EAoMHdD5M/s1600/stitched%2B800.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TNqEDEvJ9QI/AAAAAAAAAyM/Z-EAoMHdD5M/s400/stitched%2B800.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537883880151446786" /></a><br />yes... it's true...<div>christmas is but weeks away!</div><div><br /></div><div>as ever i'm behind with my to do list but heres a sneak preview from two new collections of pieces i'm working on {nothing complete yet - aargh!} but hopefully to be ready for my <a href="http://stripeymonkey.blogspot.com/p/xmas-open-studio.html">open studio</a> at the end of the month</div><div><br /></div><div>alice in wonderland inspired pieces will have vintage jewels, moving parts, drink me bottles and lots of surprises... and 'stitched' pieces combine my love of textiles and yarn with my work</div><div><br /></div><div>hope you like! linda x</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-922513180610059342?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-79374811649710099022010-11-02T09:49:00.006Z2010-11-02T09:58:30.506Zok so here are our pumpkins, <div>a fabulously spooktastic time was had by all....</div><div>first up we have scary pumpkin...</div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 381px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TM_fYpvTOEI/AAAAAAAAAx8/xMEaz4pMgIE/s400/scary+pumpkin+x.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534888081675728962" /><br />spooky pumpkin...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TM_fSWgCEbI/AAAAAAAAAx0/FKWkvFsE9eQ/s1600/spooky+pumpkin+x.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 380px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TM_fSWgCEbI/AAAAAAAAAx0/FKWkvFsE9eQ/s400/spooky+pumpkin+x.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534887973432201650" /><br /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TM_fSWgCEbI/AAAAAAAAAx0/FKWkvFsE9eQ/s1600/spooky+pumpkin+x.jpg"></a>and my personal favorite crazy pumpkin!!<br /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 376px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TM_fidfq-GI/AAAAAAAAAyE/7obce2wwEx0/s400/crazy+pumpkin+x.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534888250187642978" /><br /><div><div>and our pumpkins with all their little friends :)...</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 124px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TM_fL3byrVI/AAAAAAAAAxs/uVRKz7fIPRA/s400/all+pumpkins.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534887862013701458" /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-7937481164971009902?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-33487734061508774552010-10-31T15:40:00.007Z2010-10-31T15:52:29.908Z<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TM2PRayVdSI/AAAAAAAAAxk/xWJTkYJOddI/s1600/pumpkin.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TM2PRayVdSI/AAAAAAAAAxk/xWJTkYJOddI/s400/pumpkin.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534237046519199010" /></a><br />happy halloween everyone<div>carving pumpkins and making cupcakes :)</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TM2PL1SvqYI/AAAAAAAAAxc/ALugAEH0-zE/s400/halloween-pumpkins-jack-o-lantern-14.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534236950555240834" /></div><div>some favorite pumpkin images from around the web to keep us going till it's dark enough to light ours! </div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TM2PDTgQGTI/AAAAAAAAAxU/TLzB323u8ss/s400/pdrm0407.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534236804046133554" /></div><div>and who could resist a pumpkin deathstar!.. spooktastic :)</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 370px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TM2OzxUEM1I/AAAAAAAAAxM/PcJLVOLVIWI/s400/pumpkin-deathstar.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534236537170178898" /></div><div><a href="http://www.clubplanet.com/Articles/1574/The-Germans-Invented-Halloween-in-1904">{in flames}</a></div><div><a href="http://www.gadgetspectrum.co.uk/tag/illoom-balloon/">{space invader}</a></div><div><a href="http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/photo19989.htm">{skull}</a></div><div><a href="http://thetorchonline.com/2009/10/27/ten-awesome-jack-o-lanterns/">{deathstar}</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-3348773406150877455?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-91023026236071029782010-09-20T22:21:00.008+01:002010-09-20T22:47:51.918+01:00<div><br /></div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TJfREJJgXSI/AAAAAAAAAxE/hGmQYfrx6iA/s400/conkers.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519109737471302946" /><div>todays theme at <a href="http://helloowl.blogspot.com/2010/09/my-place-yours_19.html">my space and yours</a> is a day in your life</div><div><br /></div><div>our day started (once everyones up/dressed/fed) with the walk to school... i love this time of the day, on the way we collected the first conkers of autumn, the girls book bags always end up stacked with various finds by the time we arrive at school</div><div><br /></div><div>once they're safely deposited it's back home for me and straight on to the computer for a bit of design work, four hours later and i'm ready for a break!.. my favorite part of the day...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TJfQ_V4jguI/AAAAAAAAAw8/U29JebmNFJE/s1600/swim.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 392px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TJfQ_V4jguI/AAAAAAAAAw8/U29JebmNFJE/s400/swim.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519109654990521058" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TJfQ_V4jguI/AAAAAAAAAw8/U29JebmNFJE/s1600/swim.jpg"></a>i'm a real water baby and swim every day, it's the only time i can really zone out and forget about all the other things i should have already done or should be doing next... the sun is shining and the water sparkles, a light breeze sends ripples across the surface... bliss</div><div><br /></div><div>once home a mad dash ensues trying to find everything i need for a visit to the allotment after school... pick the girls up and we head straight off...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TJfQ5K9wW7I/AAAAAAAAAw0/kZHr22aj15s/s1600/allotment+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 174px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TJfQ5K9wW7I/AAAAAAAAAw0/kZHr22aj15s/s400/allotment+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519109548980329394" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TJfQ5K9wW7I/AAAAAAAAAw0/kZHr22aj15s/s1600/allotment+1.jpg"></a>theres plenty of weeding and digging to be done and as well as the girls, their cousins prove to be enthusiastic helpers too!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TJfQ04SrhqI/AAAAAAAAAws/GMuWEPi7agk/s1600/allotment+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TJfQ04SrhqI/AAAAAAAAAws/GMuWEPi7agk/s400/allotment+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519109475248342690" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TJfQ04SrhqI/AAAAAAAAAws/GMuWEPi7agk/s1600/allotment+2.jpg"></a>searching for stones and bones...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TJfQvb8E5-I/AAAAAAAAAwk/HLfelYRLxkU/s1600/allotment+3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 392px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TJfQvb8E5-I/AAAAAAAAAwk/HLfelYRLxkU/s400/allotment+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519109381737998306" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TJfQvb8E5-I/AAAAAAAAAwk/HLfelYRLxkU/s1600/allotment+3.jpg"></a>preparing next years strawberry patch!</div><div><br /></div><div>we arrive back home the same time as my man and it's straight into making tea {mushroom, tomato and garlic bruchetta made with my own tomatoes - yum!}.. before we know it it's time for reading stories and trying to get the girls in bed and asleep at a respectable time!</div><div><br /></div><div>once settled i sneak off for another hours work on the computer to get something finished for first thing tomorrow... at last i can sit in front of the telly and knit for an hour before i'm ready for bed too</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TJfQdCNL_VI/AAAAAAAAAwU/KYUyTq6F4kM/s1600/knit.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 387px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TJfQdCNL_VI/AAAAAAAAAwU/KYUyTq6F4kM/s400/knit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519109065592798546" /></a><br /></div><div>this is my life... and i love it! although i have to say on an ideal day there would have been less work and more knitting... maybe tomorrow ;)</div><div><br /></div><div>show me your day at <a href="http://helloowl.blogspot.com/">helloowl</a></div><div>linda x</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-9102302623607102978?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-33994877172383489862010-09-13T20:24:00.010+01:002010-09-15T18:22:13.849+01:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TI-pAZCU9gI/AAAAAAAAAwM/AA4m2Fk_eTs/s1600/muse+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 394px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TI-pAZCU9gI/AAAAAAAAAwM/AA4m2Fk_eTs/s400/muse+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516813892737889794" /></a><br /><div>on saturday i got the best gift i can remember receiving for a long long time, and totally out of the blue too, which is always the best kind :)</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TI5854d1e2I/AAAAAAAAAv8/ZGeAfhDSI38/s400/muse+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516483927427349346" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TI58_GyEDXI/AAAAAAAAAwE/Z98g5lNvrzg/s400/muse+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516484017169632626" /></div><div>ok so someone else had to suffer a little for this but i just can't feel too guilty, sorry! my friend lindsey called me up on saturday morning saying she had a spare muse ticket for the wembley gig that night and did i want to come?!!! her boyfriend was throwing up and she needed someone to go with.... needless to say i didn't need persuading</div><div><br /></div><div>lindsey... thank you, thank you, thank you! it was a fantastic gig and i feel so lucky and chuffed that you picked me to take :) i know i shouldn't use this word but it was indeed totally awesome ;) xx</div><div><br /></div><div>play along too at <a href="http://muchlove-anna.blogspot.com/search/label/much%20love%20monday">much love</a></div><div>show me a gift at <a href="http://helloowl.blogspot.com/2010/09/my-place-yours.html">helloowl</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-3399487717238348986?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-16494005593077323462010-09-11T17:01:00.009+01:002010-09-11T17:18:05.863+01:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TIupNLqeZEI/AAAAAAAAAvs/mtZNd3G3gd8/s1600/rav+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TIupNLqeZEI/AAAAAAAAAvs/mtZNd3G3gd8/s400/rav+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515688212579640386" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TIupNLqeZEI/AAAAAAAAAvs/mtZNd3G3gd8/s1600/rav+1.jpg"></a>anyone who knows me, knows i am completely obsessed with ravelry... but i think my addiction is getting to hard to manage levels...<div><br /></div><div>theres getting towards a thousand projects on my favorites list... so many projects, so little time</div><div><br /></div><div>every time i venture for 'just a little look' there are more and more gorgeous items waiting to tempt me, and who can blame me with fabulous projects like these out there...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TIupHBl1QqI/AAAAAAAAAvk/a8TjgHTrKf8/s1600/rav+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 391px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TIupHBl1QqI/AAAAAAAAAvk/a8TjgHTrKf8/s400/rav+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515688106796597922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TIupBNK_NRI/AAAAAAAAAvc/BoEm80JR0v0/s1600/rav+4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 394px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TIupBNK_NRI/AAAAAAAAAvc/BoEm80JR0v0/s400/rav+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515688006826013970" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TIuo6Rx11JI/AAAAAAAAAvU/SeJYHfpn3u4/s1600/rav+3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TIuo6Rx11JI/AAAAAAAAAvU/SeJYHfpn3u4/s400/rav+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515687887803634834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TIuoyDNdTzI/AAAAAAAAAvM/fsP5PlHDpWg/s1600/rav+5.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 388px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TIuoyDNdTzI/AAAAAAAAAvM/fsP5PlHDpWg/s400/rav+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515687746453983026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TIuortlbfXI/AAAAAAAAAvE/6rtIl2DRVTk/s1600/rav+6.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 391px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TIuortlbfXI/AAAAAAAAAvE/6rtIl2DRVTk/s400/rav+6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515687637569731954" /></a><div>as you can see i have a particular weakness for blankets and considering i am yet to complete one full size blanket myself, the fact that i have over 100 on my list is a little scary... add to that two little girls who would love the gorgeous dollys pictured and many of the hundreds of other toys on rav, i'm going to be one busy mama!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>projects pictured...</div><div>{<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/fortnightknitter/relaxed-pullover">relaxed pullover by fortnightknitter</a>}</div><div><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mooncalf/penelope-the-empathetic-monster">{kroger by mooncalf}</a></div><div>{<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/maggie-beans--friends">maggie beans and friends</a>}</div><div>{<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MOONSTITCHES/hexagon-blanket">hexagon blanket by moonstitches</a>}</div><div>{<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/casapinka/somewhere-over-the-rainbow-blanket">somewhere over the rainbow blanket by casapinka</a>}</div><div>{<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/loupoo/summer-garden-granny-square">baby blanket no1 by loupoo</a>}</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-1649400559307732346?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-30555575069599932132010-08-30T19:59:00.007+01:002010-08-30T20:22:29.603+01:00don't get me wrong... i love my life, i love me and i have everything i need, but sometimes you just can't help wishing for that little bit more...<br /><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 387px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THwBAz3WCnI/AAAAAAAAAus/fHdrFj7OPLI/s400/relax.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511281157428611698" /></div><div>silence {well maybe a little birdsong}... peace... sunshine... a cool breeze... and absolutely nothing to do and no one to worry about {well, just for a very little while}</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 392px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THwACv2jsSI/AAAAAAAAAuc/yObf8Q44SYk/s400/relax+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511280091199680802" /></div><div>...a little nook to call my own and just relax once in a while</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 384px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THwALjWd-UI/AAAAAAAAAuk/zcZztPYp5rU/s400/kiss.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511280242462685506" /></div><div>oh, and i wouldn't mind looking like this either</div><div>how beautiful does she look?</div><div>i can dream can't i...</div><div>{note to self: must do some exercise}</div><div><br /></div><div>{blue hanging chair from <a href="http://www.anthropologie.eu/for-your-home/icat/forhome">anthropologie</a>}</div><div>{gorgeous girl from the new <a href="http://www.dedon.de/en/home.html">dedon</a> campaign)</div><div><br /></div><div>peace... linda :) x</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-3055557506959993213?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-67826082878880030752010-08-25T13:04:00.009+01:002010-08-30T20:28:33.430+01:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THUIVIUJFeI/AAAAAAAAArE/1RTjW8q2LCQ/s1600/bag+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THUIVIUJFeI/AAAAAAAAArE/1RTjW8q2LCQ/s320/bag+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509318878259910114" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THUIVIUJFeI/AAAAAAAAArE/1RTjW8q2LCQ/s1600/bag+1.jpg"></a>this weeks theme... whats in your handbag?</div><div><br /></div><div>first things first - i get to show of my gorgeous new bag!</div><div>well not quite new, this is a second hand bag my sister got me for my birthday just a few weeks ago... i love it! other than fitting in perfectly with my <a href="http://dottieangel.blogspot.com/">dottie angel challenge</a> the leather is soooo soft, it's an across the body with a really wide strap so super comfortable and the essential hands free style for mums! i love the way it's dyed too, the perfect colour and with bits of undyed leather peeking out of the pockets and under straps - thank you sis, love you x :) ok now for the mess inside!.....</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THUIQaujoCI/AAAAAAAAAq8/7qzR886p5kU/s1600/bag+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 233px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THUIQaujoCI/AAAAAAAAAq8/7qzR886p5kU/s400/bag+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509318797303193634" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THUIQaujoCI/AAAAAAAAAq8/7qzR886p5kU/s1600/bag+2.jpg"></a>i loved the way megan at <a href="http://thestockporthotel.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-place-yours-whats-in-your-handbag.html">the stockport hotel</a> (gorgeous blog by the way) had numbered her bits and pieces so i'm hoping she won't mind if i copy! ok, here goes...</div><div><br /></div><div>1. water.... always got a bottle of this in my bag, i know it's not the most environmentally friendly thing to do but i do try and refill each bottle at least a few times - and as my lovely man works for a bottled water company i can hardly refuse now can i ;)</div><div><br /></div><div>2. my purse... little enough to fit in my pocket as i often go bagless! no sign of a phone here as thats always lives in my jeans pocket too</div><div><br /></div><div>3. sunnies... essential, these are my favorite diesel pair (tk max!)</div><div><br /></div><div>4. numerous hair bands... even tho i have short hair, both my girls have super long so this is another essential!</div><div><br /></div><div>5. a pair of socks!! bit odd, but i think they're in there as i was worried my feet were going to get cold the other day (even tho we are of course in the height of 'summer' here) - at least hese are handmade :)</div><div><br /></div><div>6. keys... also featured in another my place and yours</div><div><br /></div><div>7. sketchbook... another essential for me as if i don't draw ideas the minute i think of them they are sadly gone for ever... i think it's an age thing! this ones an etsy purchase from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/jacksoncreekpress?ref=seller_info">jackson creek press</a></div><div><br /></div><div>8. a silver polishing cloth... don't ask me why, i have no idea... although i am glad i've found this one as i was looking for it the other day :)</div><div><br /></div><div>9. a pile of stones???!! </div><div><br /></div><div>10. free lippy from a magazine... very nice too</div><div><br /></div><div>11. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I-Spy">i spy book</a>... doing this with one of my girls, any yes we have spotted the dog kennel for a max of 50 points!!</div><div><br /></div><div>12. fresh breath is a must!</div><div><br /></div><div>13. everyone needs a spare pencil and 13 is my lucky number :)</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THUIIgvU9OI/AAAAAAAAAq0/U6u1BBoBEck/s1600/bag+3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 195px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THUIIgvU9OI/AAAAAAAAAq0/U6u1BBoBEck/s200/bag+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509318661478085858" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THUIIgvU9OI/AAAAAAAAAq0/U6u1BBoBEck/s1600/bag+3.jpg"></a>bye bye bag<br /><br /><div>play along too at <a href="http://helloowl.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-place-yours_23.html">helloowl</a></div><div>you may even win a bag of your own </div><div>(heres hoping - danielles bags are gorgeous!)</div><div><br /></div><div>xxx linda</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-6782608287888003075?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-49097178871551120602010-08-25T12:23:00.012+01:002010-08-30T20:27:22.912+01:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT-GFivfXI/AAAAAAAAAqs/EqG7u80wZtw/s1600/barbed+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 339px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT-GFivfXI/AAAAAAAAAqs/EqG7u80wZtw/s400/barbed+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509307624701525362" /></a><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT9-ARXssI/AAAAAAAAAqk/4tU3oLHC9IY/s1600/barbed+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 387px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT9-ARXssI/AAAAAAAAAqk/4tU3oLHC9IY/s400/barbed+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509307485847532226" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT9-ARXssI/AAAAAAAAAqk/4tU3oLHC9IY/s1600/barbed+1.jpg"></a>barbed... my favorite new piece</div><div>i love the contrast of the shiny with the burnt and blackened</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT95H1iWZI/AAAAAAAAAqc/-jNY3i9qfmw/s1600/stone+lizard.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT95H1iWZI/AAAAAAAAAqc/-jNY3i9qfmw/s400/stone+lizard.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509307401978927506" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT95H1iWZI/AAAAAAAAAqc/-jNY3i9qfmw/s1600/stone+lizard.jpg"></a>stone lizard</div><div>this little guy contrasts with lovely handmade glass and features my new favorite chain</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT9zPQ7OaI/AAAAAAAAAqU/6mbhxZLuNd8/s1600/dog+tags.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 386px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT9zPQ7OaI/AAAAAAAAAqU/6mbhxZLuNd8/s400/dog+tags.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509307300893637026" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT9zPQ7OaI/AAAAAAAAAqU/6mbhxZLuNd8/s1600/dog+tags.jpg"></a>dog tags</div><div>a great customizable (is that even a word!?) piece</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT9ovDshvI/AAAAAAAAAqM/SiMaFJGZ3Go/s1600/lucky.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT9ovDshvI/AAAAAAAAAqM/SiMaFJGZ3Go/s400/lucky.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509307120449521394" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT9ovDshvI/AAAAAAAAAqM/SiMaFJGZ3Go/s1600/lucky.jpg"></a>lucky... or is he??</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT9f8kYcjI/AAAAAAAAAqE/SBuzSNDo15s/s1600/five+rings.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 386px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT9f8kYcjI/AAAAAAAAAqE/SBuzSNDo15s/s400/five+rings.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509306969457455666" /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT9f8kYcjI/AAAAAAAAAqE/SBuzSNDo15s/s1600/five+rings.jpg"></a>five rings</div><div>a copper oxidised version of my wrapped rings<br /><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/THT9f8kYcjI/AAAAAAAAAqE/SBuzSNDo15s/s1600/five+rings.jpg"></a>it's taken me a while to get round to photographing these... i hope i get round to getting them into the shop and gallery a bit quicker! :)</div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-4909717887155112060?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-15535123397956424492010-08-15T10:27:00.003+01:002010-08-30T20:26:50.287+01:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TGezYRYgVrI/AAAAAAAAApk/wndPmcPZSic/s1600/seaside+800.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 380px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TGezYRYgVrI/AAAAAAAAApk/wndPmcPZSic/s400/seaside+800.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505566299048138418" /></a><br />was this really just a week ago?<div>sun.. we miss you - please please come back!</div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-1553512339795642449?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-3538120890997457572010-08-12T09:51:00.001+01:002010-08-12T09:52:27.774+01:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TGO2PMqod0I/AAAAAAAAApc/_fCz3o6n2f4/s1600/cardimg+2.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 365px; height: 222px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TGO2PMqod0I/AAAAAAAAApc/_fCz3o6n2f4/s400/cardimg+2.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504443541791209282" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-353812089099745757?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-54243220733628805512010-06-28T10:55:00.006+01:002010-06-28T11:22:22.647+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TChx-_HjPOI/AAAAAAAAAmE/KUAOgOwNad8/s1600/bed.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TChx-_HjPOI/AAAAAAAAAmE/KUAOgOwNad8/s400/bed.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487761472859880674" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">today at <a href="http://helloowl.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-place-yours_28.html">my space and yours</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6666CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">where you sleep</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">i love my bed - even when it's unmade like this!</div><div style="text-align: center;">it's definitely one of my most favorite spots in my house</div><div style="text-align: center;">it's so hot here at the moment,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the crochet blanket was actually tossed on the floor</div><div style="text-align: center;">but i thought i'd better get it in shot for this pic</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">i hate duvets so i have a big selection of quilts, sheets and blankets</div><div style="text-align: center;">to suit all weathers - the star quilt is one of my favourites and is lovely and light, perfect for summer</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">the details on my side....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 208px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TChzWipfuTI/AAAAAAAAAmM/6H2Z-aj_2vA/s400/details.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487762977046116658" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">i always have a huge stack of books and magazines stashed on top of the old blanket box on my side of the bed - mostly about design, but i always have one novel on the go - the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-isnt-All-Ha-Hee/dp/0552999520/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1277720432&amp;sr=1-5">meera syal book</a> on top, i just finished last night - it's brilliant... i highly recommend it</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">on the bedpost i keep my headbands and jewellery - i need to be able to grab a headband as soon as i get up as my hair always looks so crazy first thing!... theres also the cutest picture there that em did for me that i love... of course i have pictures of the girls when they were babies too</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 231px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TCh1l0J-hRI/AAAAAAAAAmU/RuY8uEngLuI/s400/scribble.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487765438467048722" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">we have another design feature in our bedroom, that many of you may have too! the whole wall behind our bed is covered in the most fab scribbles that one/both (who knows!!) of the girls did when they were younger and thought any blank space was available for them to decorate!... i guess it will be painted over at some point as our room really needs it but i may have to keep at least a small section of it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">can't wait to see all your snuggly areas</div><div style="text-align: center;">play along at <a href="http://helloowl.blogspot.com/">helloowl</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">love and peace</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;">linda :)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"> x</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-5424322073362880551?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-19634095670465471392010-06-21T10:47:00.009+01:002010-06-21T11:08:31.416+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TB84sQZinaI/AAAAAAAAAl8/CFw9RzVxm3E/s1600/3+things.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 328px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TB84sQZinaI/AAAAAAAAAl8/CFw9RzVxm3E/s400/3+things.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485165204128046498" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">what three things do you do everyday??</div><div style="text-align: center;">play along with <a href="http://helloowl.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-place-yours_21.html">my place and yours</a> at <a href="http://helloowl.blogspot.com/">helloowl</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">such a lot been happening this week</div><div style="text-align: center;">the <a href="http://stripeymonkey.blogspot.com/p/open-studios.html">open studios</a> is going amazingly well</div><div style="text-align: center;">lot's of lovely visitors and i've made some new pieces i'm super pleased with</div><div style="text-align: center;">i can't keep up with all the new things i want to do!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 228px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TB84fcS3sII/AAAAAAAAAl0/l309uG__Qe8/s400/strawberry.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485164983982993538" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and while i've been busy away doing that the home farm is thriving! we had our first strawberry on saturday and he was a whopper... and i'm told by em, very tasty too!! hopefully many more are on the way... and we've had are first chilli (can you spot him?) tiny at the mo but he is only a baby :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TB834Sx5z-I/AAAAAAAAAlk/vmmbOB4N5o0/s400/chilli.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485164311413903330" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">also, of course we've had fathers day... the girls are very pleased with daddys breakfast in bed.. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TB84DB3GFJI/AAAAAAAAAls/8RIhWgAvKwE/s400/fathers+day.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485164495850837138" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">you can't beat a plate full of cupcakes for brekkie ;) </div><div style="text-align: center;">the cupcakes spell out</div><div style="text-align: center;">we love dad xxx</div><div style="text-align: center;">they also made the most amazing little pots at the <a href="http://stripeymonkey.blogspot.com/p/open-studios.html">studio</a> aided by <a href="http://www.vickiecovacic.co.uk/">vickie</a> - must get some pics!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and lastly a lovely mystery... the most enormous bunch of flowers left on my doorstep on friday, gorgeous, huge and lushious peonies, always one of my favorites - no note so no idea who left them but thank you so much!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 231px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TB83q6w8rbI/AAAAAAAAAlc/O6ezfwQP4NY/s400/peonies.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485164081629146546" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">love and peace always</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">linda</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"> :)</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">x</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-1963409567046547139?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-59495061910246398052010-06-14T10:37:00.011+01:002010-06-14T11:03:21.034+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TBX5M8mySbI/AAAAAAAAAks/ynpjigsNess/s1600/beach+treasure.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TBX5M8mySbI/AAAAAAAAAks/ynpjigsNess/s400/beach+treasure.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482562122215999922" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://helloowl.blogspot.com/">my place and yours</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">this weeks theme is 'treasure' picked by me - yay me!</div><div style="text-align: center;">(thank you danielle)</div><div style="text-align: center;">play along too at <a href="http://helloowl.blogspot.com/">helloowl</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">my home and my life is filled with treasure!</div><div style="text-align: center;">it was so hard to pick just a few things</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">i had to include my beach treasures</div><div style="text-align: center;">everywhere you look in my home you see old jars filled with pebbles, stones, seaglass, driftwood - even bits of old string or fishing nets</div><div style="text-align: center;">now i look i realise my obsession is not restricted to those treasures found on the beach - i also seem to have an alarming amount of rusty old bits of metal and paint peeling pieces of wood picked up on my travels - i just can't seem to resist :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm one of those people that don't look where there going as my eyes are always on the floor looking for more treasure! i've done it ever since i can remember</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and of course any knitter will tell you the real treasure is to be found under the bed/in the kitchen cupboards/spare room or in my case under the stairs... yes it's our stash! and here is just a little yummy taste of mine...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TBX6tpv2hiI/AAAAAAAAAk0/TOGOKXUwsWg/s400/yarn+treasure.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482563783601063458" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">but i have to say what i really treasure in my life is sunny days with my family, just chilling out, walking or playing... these are the real things to be treasured and loved...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TBX7kcJctDI/AAAAAAAAAk8/jnDGX_3ttOQ/s400/em.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482564724843131954" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TBX8BLptguI/AAAAAAAAAlE/JCXA1xPZpWo/s400/issie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482565218631254754" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">look for the love in your life and try to enjoy every moment</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6633FF;">love and peace</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"> :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TBX8TWUVf7I/AAAAAAAAAlM/zlBQjHPDfno/s200/em+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482565530732036018" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">linda</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"> x</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-5949506191024639805?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-57613184997308723312010-06-10T21:03:00.008+01:002010-06-10T21:17:58.304+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TBFFci3c3RI/AAAAAAAAAkE/efeLF3Zlvl8/s1600/oxidised.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TBFFci3c3RI/AAAAAAAAAkE/efeLF3Zlvl8/s400/oxidised.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481238578184641810" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kootoyoo.com/">my creative space</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">with a couple of days till <a href="http://stripeymonkey.blogspot.com/p/open-studios.html">open studios</a> starts</div><div style="text-align: center;">it's all about my workbench today</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">a pile of earrings drying after oxidisation</div><div style="text-align: center;">waiting to be polished</div><div style="text-align: center;">i love how they look all jumbled together!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">mass production ;)...</div><div style="text-align: center;"> pieces wait to be filed and sanded</div><div style="text-align: center;">my backs aching by this time from bending over to saw!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TBFFzhOqWAI/AAAAAAAAAkM/ZFR7TjJjfGo/s400/filing.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481238972882114562" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">at least somethings finished!...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 189px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TBFHD2vdBPI/AAAAAAAAAkk/CUvqNsQN_8I/s400/earrings.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481240353046332658" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">heres to another busy day tomorrow :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">linda</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999900;">:0</span> (thats a yawn) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">x</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-5761318499730872331?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-77200510381148823642010-06-07T10:37:00.005+01:002010-06-07T17:53:20.897+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TA0dykFSyYI/AAAAAAAAAj0/JzL3uIU4nGQ/s1600/back+door.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TA0dykFSyYI/AAAAAAAAAj0/JzL3uIU4nGQ/s400/back+door.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480069076096305538" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><a href="http://helloowl.blogspot.com/">my place and yours</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">the view through your window</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">a great pick from karin at <a href="http://theyellowhouseintheu.blogspot.com/">the yellow house in the u</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">the top pic shows the view through my back door windows</div><div style="text-align: center;">this is my little terrace - one of my fave areas of our house</div><div style="text-align: center;">especially on a lovely day like today :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">although this pic does remind me that i want to paint my shed - that brown is yuk and as usual i need to get round to raking the fallen leaves off the grass!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">this next pic is the most interesting view at the mo...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 355px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TA0dk6LuQXI/AAAAAAAAAjs/15mWZjPBCqk/s400/home+farm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480068841510682994" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">this is the view from the back window and shows what i call my home farm (i wish!)... i've got potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, chillis, rasberries, strawberries and rocket all growing in that little space - plus you can see the girls sunflowers doing well on the outside window ledge</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">the glass frame is fab (it protects my chillis and peppers) and was made by my man from next doors old windows! in fact all of the plants are growing in recycled/reused containers.... my strawberries are even growing in an old shopping basket!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">you can see the area at the end where i sit and knit and admire my farm ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">last is the view from the top window... i can see right up and down the street from here and its the perfect place to stand and nose at all my neighbours gardens and see what they're up to! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">off to nose at all your views now</div><div style="text-align: center;">play along too at <a href="http://helloowl.blogspot.com/">helloowl</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">linda :)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"> x</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TA0iWeOKfpI/AAAAAAAAAj8/53QWFA2bx84/s400/back+view.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480074091044699794" /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-7720051038114882364?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-5428348617984762292010-06-05T18:52:00.004+01:002010-06-05T19:18:28.874+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TAqS9OnCvrI/AAAAAAAAAjU/eMXiL5zBoOA/s1600/five.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/TAqS9OnCvrI/AAAAAAAAAjU/eMXiL5zBoOA/s400/five.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479353477241159346" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); ">i'm so excited!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">the countdown has begun....</div><div style="text-align: center;">my friend vickie and i are taking part in <a href="http://www.bucksopenstudios.org.uk/exhibitor_details.asp?id=703">bucks open studios</a>..</div><div style="text-align: center;">the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">'see my work'</span> link on the right will tell you all about it</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">i have so many ideas for new pieces buzzing around in my head - i'm hoping i have the time to get some of them completed before the event starts</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">vickies work is of course gorgeous and we both love that sort of slightly grungy look so work great together... you can see above a piece of vickies work that would have been available next week but i've decided i just can't resist and am keeping it for myself!! you can see more of her pieces <a href="http://www.vickiecovacic.co.uk/">here</a>... i especially love the <a href="http://www.vickiecovacic.co.uk/assets/images/large_img/pot_l004.jpg">hanging plant holders</a> and am after one of those too ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">i really hope some of you can make it to this event</div><div style="text-align: center;">the kettle will always be on!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">linda</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">x</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-542834861798476229?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-51888569939417613532010-05-04T13:50:00.007+01:002010-05-04T14:11:51.117+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S-AcDXGB8bI/AAAAAAAAAiU/3jhUz6NsB-g/s1600/my+first+time+1+blur.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S-AcDXGB8bI/AAAAAAAAAiU/3jhUz6NsB-g/s400/my+first+time+1+blur.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467400791692276146" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">at last... my babys finished :)... i'm so proud!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">my first homespun</div><div style="text-align: center;">a 70 metre <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">r</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6666CC;">a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">n</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;">b</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">o</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">w</span></span> of yumminess</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S-Ab3JOrMwI/AAAAAAAAAiM/yuHCnAHt8Qg/s400/my+first+time+2+edge.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467400581812007682" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">i can't believe i actually made this myself</div><div style="text-align: center;">(well with a little help from a few sheep and </div><div style="text-align: center;">the fabulous <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/therainbowroom?ga_search_query=therainbowroom&amp;ga_search_type=seller_usernames">rainbow room</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;">((ok a lot))</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">check out my last two posts for how i made this</div><div style="text-align: center;">(yes...me!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">and for suppliers details</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S-Abpys793I/AAAAAAAAAiE/NPYejMAO_zo/s400/my+first+time+3+blur.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467400352426620786" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">must spin more... must spin more...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">linda</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"> ;)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"> x</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-5188856993941761353?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-37659438959085023482010-05-03T12:26:00.008+01:002010-05-03T12:49:28.572+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S962vC90VKI/AAAAAAAAAh8/CB7ac_0pPN4/s1600/2+ply+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S962vC90VKI/AAAAAAAAAh8/CB7ac_0pPN4/s400/2+ply+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467007917040620706" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">my first spinning adventure continues......</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">the finished single ply yarn off the spindle</div><div style="text-align: center;">(after nearly cutting off my circulation trying the <a href=".com/watch?v=KmOEACBtZEU&amp;feature=channel">andean bracelet</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;">i had to resort to my own method of getting my yarn into a two stranded ball!</div><div style="text-align: center;">((involving much swearing, a sort of willing partner and a table - don't ask!))</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S96zKJBvYpI/AAAAAAAAAhU/se0XvVom0fc/s400/finished+single.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467003984477643410" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">spinning the yarn again into a two ply yarn,</div><div style="text-align: center;">i wasn't expecting it to be quite this puffy but i think i like it...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S960noSCjUI/AAAAAAAAAhc/VwjpWIWjsd4/s400/more+2+ply.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467005590595341634" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">my spindle full of yummy yarny goodness....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S961F5SdGLI/AAAAAAAAAhk/yt_8oYsk4tg/s400/full+spindle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467006110556559538" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">soaking the yarn... i'm loving the crazy colours!....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S961xuEIVnI/AAAAAAAAAhs/M3K76gIygX4/s400/soaking.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467006863457932914" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">finished yarn hanging up to dry.... can't wait!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S962cK1LZiI/AAAAAAAAAh0/8cSjtytIcIQ/s400/finished+two+ply.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467007592734352930" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">i said i was in love in my last post but actually i think i am addicted!</div><div style="text-align: center;">i can't believe how much i miss spinning since the yarn came off the spindle </div><div style="text-align: center;">and it's only been a day... </div><div style="text-align: center;">even knitting doesn't seem to satisfy my craving</div><div style="text-align: center;">oh dear... i think i need help ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">spin... spin... spin...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">linda</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"> x</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-3765943895908502348?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-16063601410909251762010-04-29T11:21:00.009+01:002010-05-03T14:53:32.093+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S9ll8BllJHI/AAAAAAAAAhM/Ha4zoO3Pf9M/s1600/spin+yellow.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S9ll8BllJHI/AAAAAAAAAhM/Ha4zoO3Pf9M/s400/spin+yellow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465511704683422834" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">my creative space...</span> play along too at <a href="http://www.kootoyoo.com/">kootoyoo</a></span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">yes, today my creative space is my garden</div><div style="text-align: center;">there are so many things i should be doing inside</div><div style="text-align: center;">but the lure of my spindle and comfy old lloyd loom is strong!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">it's true, i think i have officially become obsessed</div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm spinning a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">r</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6633FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">i</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">n</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">b</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">o</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">w</span></span> yarn from a gorgeous </div><div style="text-align: center;">merino and silk blend from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/therainbowroom">the rainbow room</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(discovered at wonderwool last weekend,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and based just a few miles from my mums!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">their <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/therainbowroom">etsy shop</a> is well worth a visit</div><div style="text-align: center;">me and my girls are seriously coveting the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">p</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6666CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">o</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">c</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">k</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">e</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">t</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">r</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">i</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">n</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">b</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">o</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6633FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">w</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">s</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S9llVnjT_BI/AAAAAAAAAg8/HudDnNHzyEw/s400/spin+blue.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465511044859558930" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">my spindle was also found at wonderwool</div><div style="text-align: center;">(i'm so glad i made the effort to go!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">hand crafted by <a href="http://www.High-lowwhorldropspindle.co.uk/">whorl-drop-spindle</a> in lancashire</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S9lk3P1YsdI/AAAAAAAAAg0/fR4OqbY4Yxs/s400/apple+blossom.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465510523096838610" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">spring has truly sprung in my little patch</div><div style="text-align: center;">the apple tree is getting it's blossom</div><div style="text-align: center;">and for company we have at least two families of baby birds</div><div style="text-align: center;">keeping their mamas busy back and forth with food</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S9lln2NJwXI/AAAAAAAAAhE/WRHyFzUBzsI/s400/bird+house.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465511358030791026" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">who knows if my yarn will ever be useable??</div><div style="text-align: center;">i have dreams of a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">r</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6633FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">i</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">n</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">b</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">o</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">w</span></span> cushion</div><div style="text-align: center;">but whatever, i'm loving every minute of this ancient craft</div><div style="text-align: center;">it really is calming and connecting, try it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm so in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">love</span></span> :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">spin, spin, spin.....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">linda</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"> x</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-1606360141090925176?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-27973977360783721872010-04-27T12:23:00.013+01:002010-05-03T14:53:54.357+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S9bMLsxaUfI/AAAAAAAAAgM/1b04pfEnhcw/s400/keys.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464779699229708786" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;">my place </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;">and yours...</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">this week its keys, of course mine have a cute monkey on them</div><div style="text-align: center;">(no surprise there!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">and he's stripey and has buttons for eyes - so perfect!</div><div style="text-align: center;">he was a pressie from one of my bestest friends and she gave me two </div><div style="text-align: center;">so when he wears out i'll still be able to monkey up my keys :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">the monkeys on my house key, then i also have some chunky letters</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> for </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">issie</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">e</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> for </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">em</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">i've had these since the girls were babies</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">then also boring but v. handy clubcard and car key</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">i hope your all enjoying this gorgeous <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">sunshine</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm just off to sit in the garden and play with my new toy </div><div style="text-align: center;">i got from wonderwool this weekend!</div><div style="text-align: center;">i've wanted to have a go at spinning for ages so i treated myself to </div><div style="text-align: center;">a spindle and some fluffy stuff</div><div style="text-align: center;">watch this space for the results!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">i also got some great advice about dyeing yarn</div><div style="text-align: center;">but that will be an experiment for another day</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">while your waiting (if you can bear the suspense)</div><div style="text-align: center;">for my possibly dubious results</div><div style="text-align: center;">have a look at the other goodies i couldn't resist...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S9bNhooG3bI/AAAAAAAAAgU/NBBa7utt7NU/s400/yarn.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464781175585693106" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">some <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">yummy yarn</span></span> from two of my favorites</div><div style="text-align: center;">dazzle from the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><a href="http://www.thenaturaldyestudio.com/">natural dye studio</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">and sparkle sock from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><a href="http://www.fyberspates.co.uk/">fyberspates</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">...i got the last ball! yay me :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">i met amanda from nds and jen from fyberspates </div><div style="text-align: center;">and they were both really really lovely :) </div><div style="text-align: center;">and from I knit some really cute stitchmarkers...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S9bOXYLJhQI/AAAAAAAAAgc/KAEkGKmMgzg/s400/lego.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464782098882200834" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">enjoy the</span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">sun</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 204, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">shine</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">everyone</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">linda</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">x</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-2797397736078372187?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-35130797442500583342010-04-12T10:03:00.007+01:002010-05-03T12:51:45.733+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">just got back from a lovely week away at mums...</div><div style="text-align: center;">a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">fab time</span></span> was had by all!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S8LjDoWyjHI/AAAAAAAAAfs/Sz0lA4icBS0/s400/waterfall.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459175349838580850" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">beautiful scenery, walks and wanders...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S8LjVABrVBI/AAAAAAAAAf0/d7D5W3LKnTM/s400/train.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459175648250254354" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">fun on the train... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">choo.. chooo!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 179px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S8LjqFBYlxI/AAAAAAAAAf8/Gg9FDbpKxXo/s400/castle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459176010368456466" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">whos the king of the castle...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S8Lj5De4EiI/AAAAAAAAAgE/CX1l9-cxwnc/s400/beach.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459176267653321250" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and no break would be complete</div><div style="text-align: center;">without a bit of sun, sea and sand!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">i feel sooo relaxed :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">i hope it lasts!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;">linda</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">xx</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-3513079744250058334?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-18364019208472127012010-04-05T12:33:00.010+01:002010-05-03T12:57:56.431+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S7nM0raOcCI/AAAAAAAAAfE/CMcu-a1ePWU/s400/choc.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456617628914053154" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">we can't be the only family overrun by these this weekend</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC99;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">yum...</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CCCCFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">yum...</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">yum!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">a happy easter to all my fab followers, online friends</div><div style="text-align: center;">and those just stopping by :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">i hope you are all having a lovely weekend with friends and family</div><div style="text-align: center;">and of course the odd piece of chocolate! ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S7nNH0627UI/AAAAAAAAAfM/hW42s24KTtM/s400/cake.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456617957884357954" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">in-between munching on all those bunnies</div><div style="text-align: center;">(with a little help of course)</div><div style="text-align: center;">i will be indulging in large slices of</div><div style="text-align: center;">my favourite cake ever</div><div style="text-align: center;">this was handmade and delivered yesterday by my</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">lovely sis louise :)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">luckily for me it's becoming a bit of a tradition</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">oh the joys of having a sister who can bake!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">love, peace and chocolate <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;">:) linda <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); ">x</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#00CCCC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 116px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S7nPm7VaEhI/AAAAAAAAAfk/iK5rVwTW8Yo/s400/easter+avatar.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456620691205526034" /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-1836401920847212701?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-18420286048251485312010-04-01T16:48:00.009+01:002010-05-03T12:57:02.843+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S7TCQ40cliI/AAAAAAAAAe8/kL5e5z8Vw3g/s1600/proof.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S7TCQ40cliI/AAAAAAAAAe8/kL5e5z8Vw3g/s400/proof.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455198644038571554" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><div style="text-align: center;">my creative space...</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">today has been a busy day with three creative spaces!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">above, some proofs waiting to go back to the printers after checking</div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm loving the photography of animals and birds in this</div><div style="text-align: center;">set of leaflets i've designed</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S7TCA7i_5II/AAAAAAAAAe0/5eBuLz4TBA8/s400/workbench.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455198369892787330" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">next up, some bracelets i'm working on... </div><div style="text-align: center;">soldering and oxidising done... now rubbing back</div><div style="text-align: center;">these will have some 1950s charms on them eventually</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and last but by no means least a relaxing end to the day...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S7TBgZMNGiI/AAAAAAAAAes/Vec6wxCFGQ8/s400/crochet.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455197810914564642" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">picking up my crochet for a short chill out time</div><div style="text-align: center;">before the evening rush of tea.. kids to bed etc etc!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">check out more creative spaces at<a href="http://www.kootoyoo.com/"> kootoyoo</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-1842028604825148531?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-49075137197338997142010-03-22T11:43:00.005Z2010-05-03T12:55:38.780+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S6daJrPk7wI/AAAAAAAAAec/TIYnfwJU9pI/s1600-h/kitchen+draw.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S6daJrPk7wI/AAAAAAAAAec/TIYnfwJU9pI/s400/kitchen+draw.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451424996228656898" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">my place and yours... top drawer...</div><div style="text-align: center;">ok so my drawers are maybe not as neat as some but here goes!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">this is one of my kitchen drawers... </div><div><div style="text-align: center;">i have four of these but this was the most <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">c</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">o</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">l</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;">o</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">u</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">r</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">f</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 204, 0); font-size:large;">u</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">l</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">all th C's... </div><div style="text-align: center;">christmas decs, cupcake cases, candles and closey thingeys</div><div style="text-align: center;">who knew i was so organised!</div><div style="text-align: center;">how many different shaped ice trays does one family need anyway?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">but it does give me a chance to show off a weeny bit of my </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#9999FF;">fabulously shiny 1950s aluminium kitchen..</span></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;">ok, maybe not quite so shiny in places if you look closely </div><div style="text-align: center;">and please don't examine the state of my kitchen floor...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">and now for something more cerebal...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S6dbQQGS5yI/AAAAAAAAAek/6rcTe9aG6T8/s400/workroom+draws.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451426208712681250" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">these are my workroom drawers... there is a stack of six</div><div style="text-align: center;">these are drawers four and five so not strictly top drawer </div><div style="text-align: center;">but i can't reach the real top one so it doesn't count :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">stuffed full of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;">yummy vintage fabrics</span></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;">all waiting for me to have time to think about what to do with them!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm off to rummage through all your top drawers now....</div><div style="text-align: center;">play along too at <a href="http://helloowl.blogspot.com/">helloowl</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">linda<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"> x</span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-4907513719733899714?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-69702862886696631742010-03-21T12:46:00.012Z2010-05-03T12:54:40.955+01:00<img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S6YVwarm1TI/AAAAAAAAAd0/P2mCDFOSnjA/s400/cast+on.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451068320518690098" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">i <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">love</span></span> weekend knitting!</div><div style="text-align: center;">theres something so very satisfying about casting on a few stitches on </div><div style="text-align: center;">a friday evening... and ending up with a new member of the family </div><div style="text-align: center;">by sunday afternoon...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 324px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S6YWGMOZ2dI/AAAAAAAAAd8/Y_pDnOHgRjk/s400/manfred.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451068694595230162" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">this lovely little pattern is by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pug-with-anorak">fuzzy mittens</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">you can find more of her gorgeous designs on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/barbara-prime">ravelry</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">i promised em when she was four or five that we would get a dog </div><div style="text-align: center;">by the time she was seven</div><div style="text-align: center;">rash you may think, but it seemed so very far away at the time!</div><div style="text-align: center;">do you think this would do?</div><div style="text-align: center;">a pug is the dog of choice after all!</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S6YYkow7-2I/AAAAAAAAAeU/iPyK494SZL4/s400/happy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451071416675597154" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">as happy as she is now i suspect not!</div><div style="text-align: center;">but what more could a mum want from a weekend knit </div><div style="text-align: center;">than that face :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">i expect this will be one of a pair of course</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">ps. he's just been named harry :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6600CC;">linda x</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-6970286288669663174?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-33880428440951208172010-03-17T11:25:00.003Z2010-03-17T11:37:10.265Z<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 164px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S6C8uIx4g3I/AAAAAAAAAdk/bFPNvfg6OZU/s400/thankful+for+soft.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449563049935012722" /><div style="text-align: center;">it's so <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6666CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">cold</span></span> again! </div><div><div style="text-align: center;">but today i am thankful for all things soft and snuggly :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. new yarn and a new project</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. a new crochet pattern to learn</div><div style="text-align: center;">join in on ravelry, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/english-country-garden-cal">english country garden cal</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">3. and a good nights sleep under vintage crochet and quilts</div><div style="text-align: center;">zzzzzzzz......</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-3388042844095120817?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-906507160702512602010-03-15T14:05:00.006Z2010-05-03T12:53:49.655+01:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S54_uo5gsgI/AAAAAAAAAdU/sknfniLxnww/s1600-h/pink.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S54_uo5gsgI/AAAAAAAAAdU/sknfniLxnww/s400/pink.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448862669650047490" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">my place and yours, i'm playing along :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">you want <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">pink</span></span>... i can give you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">pink! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">there's more, oh so much more, i'm knee deep!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(two six year old girls can create a whole lot of pink)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">play along too at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><a href="http://helloowl.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-place-yours_15.html">helloowl</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">linda</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">x</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-90650716070251260?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-59981697679047046792010-03-14T18:21:00.009Z2010-05-03T12:53:05.213+01:00<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 387px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/S50pk8uXbCI/AAAAAAAAAdI/O-zOFZvfrJs/s400/qpc+display.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448556838940797986" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">pot my projects!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">a display of my knitting groups goodies at my local arts centre</div><div style="text-align: center;">spent part of yesterday setting this up... </div><div style="text-align: center;">there are a couple of wips in there too that are going to be having a </div><div style="text-align: center;">little holiday for a couple of weeks :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">it's great fun being part of a group and productive too!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">linda</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">x </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">ps. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">emmie... HELLO! :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">thank you for your lovely message last week </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">it really spurred me on to get on with this!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">so much catching up to do</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;">keep in touch </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;">xxx</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-5998169767904704679?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-16029050411457828622009-10-19T14:37:00.009+01:002009-10-19T17:42:48.758+01:00<img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/StxsCplyBTI/AAAAAAAAAYk/jhQQ7bBMLJs/s400/araucania+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394305246462870834" /><br />well i promised i'd let you see my little stash from the knitting and stitching show last weekend...  first up is this gorgeous shade of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/araucania-ranco-multy">araucania ranco</a>, i think this is destined to become a simple beanie hat for me to wear this winter, i also treated myself to a set of <a href="http://www.knitpro.eu/welcome.aspx">knit pro</a> dpns to go with the yarn... i've been totally converted since buying some knit pro interchangeable circulars for <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/stripeymonkey/owls">my owls jumper</a>.. super smooth and an absolute joy to use, and so pretty too!<div><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/StxujllLprI/AAAAAAAAAYs/Tt3kRUULfOc/s400/ems+owls+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394308011345553074" /></div><div>i also got some seriously reduced rowan cashsoft chunky in a lovely dark lilac from <a href="https://secure.theblack-sheep.co.uk/">the black sheep</a>, as you can see above it's already knitted up into a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/stripeymonkey/owlet">junior owls jumper</a> for em... now of course i need to make one for issie too! should have bought more!!!.. in fact i did buy more but it's aready earmarked for my next crochet project ;)</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Stxu70Kj9MI/AAAAAAAAAY0/9cUcKa-33YQ/s400/clothkits.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394308427577291970" /></div><div> </div><div>last but by no means least was also for the girls... i spent a large chunk of my childhood dressed in <a href="http://www.clothkits.co.uk/">clothkits</a> dungarees and wild green apple print trousers so my first stop was the clothkits stand... i've not sewn any clothes since making my own bondage trousers/pretend seditionaries tops as a teenager so this may be a bit of a challenge for me but i've bought two skirt kits in the most adorable little bird prints... watch this space for my progress!!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>the most impressive thing there though was this fantastic knitted boat... and they had pictures of it actually sailing!! i just wish i'd been able to take part in such a fantastic project... it was complete with ships cat, a pair of seals and of course loads and loads of fish... what a fun and inspiration filled day it was, can't wait till next year! linda :) x</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Stxv_Ufe0HI/AAAAAAAAAY8/F-TRt7V-5m4/s400/DSC00528.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394309587306205298" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Stxwn5TZzQI/AAAAAAAAAZM/zjDiWqMa0ZM/s400/DSC00530.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394310284382424322" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/StxwW4IVSGI/AAAAAAAAAZE/b_HyQV_S-78/s400/DSC00529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394309992009779298" /></div><div> </div><div> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-1602905041145782862?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-60080395180855267362009-10-15T10:09:00.004+01:002009-10-15T10:18:28.356+01:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Stbo1jmmZzI/AAAAAAAAAYc/cD7leeUdMw4/s1600-h/church+window+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Stbo1jmmZzI/AAAAAAAAAYc/cD7leeUdMw4/s400/church+window+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392753610610599730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/StbosIaZPyI/AAAAAAAAAYU/Bz0dtX606NY/s1600-h/blackcurrant+jelly+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/StbosIaZPyI/AAAAAAAAAYU/Bz0dtX606NY/s400/blackcurrant+jelly+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392753448692825890" /></a><br />well the knitting and stitching show was fab! a bit overwhelming but all good :) of course i got myself a few goodies... i'll try to get round to taking some pics of my spoils soon but to keep you going heres a some other prettiness...<div> </div><div><br /></div><div>i've been trying to restock etsy with some more vintage charm bracelets.. i made these two last week, i was lucky enough to sell 'church window' (the top one) straight away just the day after it was finished so that won't be making it to the shop! i'm hoping to make a couple more over the next few days too, i'm also working on some custom charm bracelets... but there under wraps for now, watch this space! linda ;) xx</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-6008039518085526736?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-82369913635067656072009-10-04T16:23:00.005+01:002009-10-04T16:52:30.238+01:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SsjBsEaj5LI/AAAAAAAAAYM/hr0Haztu_VI/s1600-h/button+packs.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SsjBsEaj5LI/AAAAAAAAAYM/hr0Haztu_VI/s400/button+packs.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388769916992349362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SsjBlnICa-I/AAAAAAAAAYE/6NuFp9C1H-Q/s1600-h/button+packs+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SsjBlnICa-I/AAAAAAAAAYE/6NuFp9C1H-Q/s400/button+packs+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388769806050814946" /></a><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div>the last couple of days have been spent packing up dozens and dozens of buttons for the <a href="http://www.twistedthread.com/pages/exhibitions/viewExhibition.aspx?id=23">knitting and stitching show</a> at alexandra palace next week<div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>a fabulous selection of my vintage buttons will be available from the <a href="http://www.theknittinghut.com/The_Knitting_Hut/Knitting_Hut_Home.html">knitting hut</a> stand... sue at the knitting hut has been stocking my buttons since the beginning of the summer, her store is also stuffed with loads more tempting items... it's where i bought most of the noro for my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26573145@N03/3641226008/in/set-72157622431182706/">favorite granny blanket</a> and my latest purchase from her has been some gorgeous <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26573145@N03/3976623417/in/set-72157622306456001/">zauberball schoppel woole</a> yarn... not sure what this is going to become yet but i just couldn't resist!</div><div><br /></div><div>i'm looking forward to visiting the show myself of course - just got to work out what my budget is going to be!! better sell a few more buttons between now and then ;) better get packing! bye for now, linda :) x </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-8236991363506765607?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-39860796430293780172009-10-01T17:45:00.005+01:002009-10-01T18:03:06.457+01:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SsTgwYy8U4I/AAAAAAAAAX0/rlE-s2HrbsU/s1600-h/the+olive+sun+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 397px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SsTgwYy8U4I/AAAAAAAAAX0/rlE-s2HrbsU/s400/the+olive+sun+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387678176136418178" /></a><br /><br />oh well... so much for regular blogging! i think it's just best if i don't make any promises and just see what happens don't you?<div> </div><div>anyway a couple of things to keep you going until i return (and no, i won't be promising when that will be)... i've been working on more new pieces, the picture shows another of my amulet necklaces that was particularly hard to part with! lots more pieces in the pipeline too, i have a couple of events coming up in the next few weeks that i'm trying to get stuff finished for</div><div><br /></div><div>lately tho, the jewellery has taken a backseat (again!) due to more design work coming in which is all good but i really need to get back to my workbench... unless you are easily offended do have a look at this fab <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfprIxNfCjk">you tube video</a> to see what my life is really like, and yes it is really like this!! <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:12px;"></span></div><div><br /></div><div>big news on the button front is that i'm so pleased to be able to say my buttons will be available at the knitting and stitching show at alexandra palace next week... more details coming soon (there i go promising again!).... bye for now, linda xx</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-3986079643029378017?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-73762690302708802052009-08-30T12:08:00.004+01:002009-08-30T12:22:06.182+01:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SppgL4dKjsI/AAAAAAAAAXk/OMDEvebkegs/s1600-h/etsy+new+items.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SppgL4dKjsI/AAAAAAAAAXk/OMDEvebkegs/s400/etsy+new+items.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375714862469648066" /></a><br />well after the pretty much the whole summer off from work/etsy/blogging etc, i'm back! i spent all day yesterday listing <a href="http://www.stripeymonkey.etsy.com">new etsy items</a> and am really excited to get back into everything<div> </div><div><br /></div><div>i've tried to improve my camera skills over the holidays... i'm pleased with my results so far, i hope you agree the shops looking good, i've updated everything, just a few descriptions to finish and i think i'll do a new avatar to go with the new banner, there are still a few new items not on there yet but after all it wouldn't do to finish everything now would it! (plus a sketchbook stuffed with new ideas!)</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>next week the girls go back to school and my design work starts back up again, luckily i've got a fair bit lined up but i'm hoping i can be a bit more organised this year and keep everything going along together better... stock for the 'real' shops has so been ignored lately, i worry they may throw me out! </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>i'm hoping to spend some time in the next day or two catching up with my online blogging friends, love to you all till then :) linda x</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-7376269030270880205?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-50893635801296081452009-06-29T11:04:00.009+01:002009-06-29T11:34:11.310+01:00<img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SkiVSei4BFI/AAAAAAAAAXE/AfDmQeR_YdU/s400/giant+granny+11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352692301799359570" /><br /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SkiU95ofPPI/AAAAAAAAAW8/08StbMfwt6c/s400/giant+granny+8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352691948293405938" /><br />i just had to post a gratuitous shot of my giant granny square now it's finished even though some of you may have already seen it on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/stripeymonkey/giant-granny">ravelry</a> or <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26573145@N03/sets/72157616888221285/detail/">flickr</a>...<div> </div><div><br /></div><div>i'm so in love with it and i have to say i'm totally converted to knit and crochet blankets... even though it's super hot here at the moment theres still nothing nicer to snuggle up in when it gets a little cooler in the evenings... after years of knitting garments with very mixed results! and i have to say many disappointing moments (hang on a minute, why don't i look like the model in the book when i've got it on!) blankets are well worth the time you put in..</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>what's not to love.. you get all the gorgeous yarn to choose and play with and then you end up with something that looks and feels divine, makes your home look lovely and it's actually useful!! so fab :) i'm in the midst of my next two already (one knit and one crochet) and have plans for many more!</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>it's not all about needles and hooks here, i have actually been trying to do a little work too (i have a big event coming up on friday) so heres a couple of shots to give you a taster of some of my latest pieces.. i'm off to photo more now so will try and keep you posted :)</div><div><br /></div><div>i hope your all loving these sunny days as much as me :) linda x <br /></div><div><br /></div><div> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 372px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SkiVlwR1HYI/AAAAAAAAAXM/SijG3QdoMEQ/s400/fishbone+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352692632977218946" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SkiV_Aguo-I/AAAAAAAAAXc/zqBBILiRuT4/s400/hammered+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352693066831406050" /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-5089363580129608145?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-40320544171576201862009-06-14T16:19:00.007+01:002009-06-14T16:56:38.801+01:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SjUaXrs3GeI/AAAAAAAAAWw/KXCI-ZZHpz4/s1600-h/knitting+bag+4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SjUaXrs3GeI/AAAAAAAAAWw/KXCI-ZZHpz4/s400/knitting+bag+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347209126742530530" /></a><br /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SjUY0640NHI/AAAAAAAAAWY/jAtLM1FULn4/s400/knitting+bag+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347207430012154994" /><br />it's a long while since i've bought anything from etsy but i just couldn't resist this gorgeous bag when i saw it on the front page<div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>i've been after a new knitting bag for a while... after all what knit girl can manage with just the one! my bag winged its way to me all the way from the other side of the world, it was beautifully packaged with a hand written note and i was so excited to get it! i fell in love with the adorable fabric as soon as i saw it but i love it even more now i have it in my hands and can see how beautifully the bag is designed and made and how perfect it is for my two latest projects... i've been taking it with me everywhere for the last week just to show it off!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>my bag is from australian designer bobishi and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5428800">her shop</a> is really worth a visit, as well as more lovely bags there is also some amazing resin work in some scrumptious colours</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SjUZJUt0E_I/AAAAAAAAAWg/pzSZgs_63oM/s400/knitting+bag+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347207780542714866" /></div><div>the perfect size and shape to fit lots of balls of yarn and a couple of pattern books, and just look at that cute fabric and gorgeous lace detailing</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SjUZsGoa5CI/AAAAAAAAAWo/MAWbnzZWzZ0/s400/knitting+bag+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347208378057417762" /> </div><div>just look at the lining... it has little gingerbread men on it, so sweet! attention to detail is fab, it even has a zipped inside pocket for those annoying little bits and pieces that usually get lost at the bottom of your bag!</div><div><br /></div><div>just in case you were wondering, in my bag is some scrummy stormy grey rowan kidsilk haze, i'm planning on making 'jetsam' from studio book 15... and some pea green araucania ranco, i've just started a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/97-18-tailored-cardigan">cute little cardi</a> from drops design with this... also peeking out is ysolda teagues fab little book <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/whimsical-little-knits">whimsical little knits </a></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>anyway enough mooning over my bag for now! i hope your all enjoying the sun just like me, happy sunday everyone :) linda x</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-4032054417157620186?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-11930935461599109852009-05-31T12:07:00.009+01:002009-05-31T12:36:28.201+01:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SiJpyIh0fTI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/VWoARUwYnwY/s1600-h/sock+dog+1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SiJpyIh0fTI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/VWoARUwYnwY/s400/sock+dog+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341948418018540850" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SiJpb5gptKI/AAAAAAAAAWA/VSbP9GNT4f4/s1600-h/sock+dog+3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SiJpb5gptKI/AAAAAAAAAWA/VSbP9GNT4f4/s400/sock+dog+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341948036029985954" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SiJpBVwYwJI/AAAAAAAAAVw/HuHNLJydj4w/s1600-h/ishbel+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 336px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SiJpBVwYwJI/AAAAAAAAAVw/HuHNLJydj4w/s400/ishbel+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341947579755708562" /></a><br />i love this sun! bliss for me is sitting in my garden in the sun, knitting in my hands :) and yes of course occasionally joined by a large glass of wine and a good supply of chocolate!<div> </div><div><br /></div><div>it's been a wonderful week with the girls off school, all so relaxed and lots of time spent with family and friends... my crochet <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/stripeymonkey/giant-granny">giant granny</a> is becoming a bit of an obsession and is looking fab... i have promised myself i will stop though after the next four balls! after all i have got my eye on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/babette-blanket">another crochet blanket</a> on ravelry that i'm dying to have a go at... i've also started my first <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/stripeymonkey/ishbel">lace knitting project</a> (pictured above) which is proving a bit of a challenge for my concentration levels but i think i could be hooked on lace now too ;) it's from the most gorgeous little book by the clever and talented scottish designer ysolda teague available <a href="http://ysolda.com/store/whimsical-little-knits/">here</a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SiJpm6Y26eI/AAAAAAAAAWI/QuigLNWRLIc/s400/sock+dog+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341948225244293602" /></div><div> </div><div>those of you who know me well know that i'm an avid fan of all things sock monkey and have made more than my fair share over the last few years! but above you can see my first foray into other creatures... this cute little sock dog/hippo??!! has been ems half term craft project and i think he's adorable, she did all the stuffing for me which i was most impressed with as it's the bit i always hate when making monkeys... so guess who'll be doing that for me from now on! <br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>anyway i'm off to the garden again for a few more rows... if you have the sun where you are i hope your making the most of it too, talk soon... linda xx :)<img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SiJpOp-Sh0I/AAAAAAAAAV4/dcmzcyNieBo/s400/sock+dog+with+em.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341947808521029442" /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-1193093546159910985?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-42573512857503830542009-05-24T11:16:00.006+01:002009-05-24T11:34:56.880+01:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/ShkiP0yxQLI/AAAAAAAAAVY/BQv73Eta4RQ/s1600-h/crochet+stack.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339336488489402546" style="WIDTH: 317px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/ShkiP0yxQLI/AAAAAAAAAVY/BQv73Eta4RQ/s400/crochet+stack.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/ShkiFM5CptI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/lq_cUnIwYRk/s1600-h/noro+crochet+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339336305979598546" style="WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/ShkiFM5CptI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/lq_cUnIwYRk/s400/noro+crochet+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Shkhy5TDPeI/AAAAAAAAAVI/JGzxi2GHTA8/s1600-h/noro+crochet+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339335991482334690" style="WIDTH: 235px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Shkhy5TDPeI/AAAAAAAAAVI/JGzxi2GHTA8/s400/noro+crochet+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>yes, at last i've got a camera again... so no excuses now for not keeping up with my blogging! i've missed having a camera so much and i'm soooo excited to have a replacement :)</div><br /><div>first up is an update on my granny a day challenge... i've been flitting between two projects as i run out of yarn and wait for more supplies but i'm really pleased with my progress so far on both... i've completed 21 squares for my seventies retro blanket, shown here in a lovely squishy stack... only another 123 to go!!! and don't even mention all the sewing in of ends and joining together of squares that this project will eventually involve! but my star of the day really has to be the noro giant granny i'm working on.. i absolutely love it! it's getting pretty big as you can see from the photos above but i'd love to do it about twice the size... sadly i think i'll have to stop well before that to stop me going bankrupt!! ;) i love the way i'm getting so many unexpected colour combinations that all just seem to work and its super snuggly too</div><br /><div>promise i'll be back soon with more stripey monkey news... especially for those of you who love vintage buttons and live in the bedfordshire area! ;) linda xx</div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-4257351285750383054?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-18542968221679291552009-05-03T20:59:00.008+01:002009-05-03T21:44:20.789+01:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Sf38yjb9VLI/AAAAAAAAAUw/cpeLpiaetfo/s1600-h/fyberspates+stash.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331695479312700594" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Sf38yjb9VLI/AAAAAAAAAUw/cpeLpiaetfo/s400/fyberspates+stash.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Sf389GWlvNI/AAAAAAAAAU4/v1-tY_3NNhg/s1600-h/noro+silk+garden+lite.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331695660484115666" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Sf389GWlvNI/AAAAAAAAAU4/v1-tY_3NNhg/s400/noro+silk+garden+lite.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div>okay so i've not so much fallen off the wagon as leaped off it into a gorgeously soft and sumptuous pile of yarn! yes, more scrummy yarn purchases have been made! i just couldn't resist... firstly i had a bit of a binge on the wonderfully tempting <a href="http://www.fyberspates.co.uk/mall/departmentpage.cfm/Fyberspates/_243494/1">fyberspates</a> website, the british merino dream sock yarn (pictured in purple/black and pansy) certainly lives up to its name and i'm positive it will knit up as good as it looks and feels in the skein and the superwash merino sock in choca moch (the chocolatey coloured one) is gorgeous too and i'm hoping to use it for the infamous <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/whisper-cardigan">whisper</a> from interweave thats been all over <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">ravelry</a> for the last few weeks... there are so many inspiring versions i've seen that i can't wait to get started :)<br /><br /><div>the second pic down shows more shameless purchases... this is noro silk garden lite, this is for the second project i'm doing for my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1037596@N25/">granny a day</a> challenge... the picture below shows my progress so far! i'm really pleased with the way this is going and i love the way that you never quite know with noro what colour the yarn is going to go next... i just picked up random balls that i liked the look of but they all have colour surprises hidden inside! i'm not sure how big i'll go with my giant granny but i feel this won't be the last of this yarn i'll be buying ;)</div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>for any of you who are reeling at my extravagence take heed from this wonderful passage from the book i am reading at the moment...</div><div></div><div><em><span style="color:#663366;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="color:#663366;"></span></em> </div><div><em><span style="color:#663366;"></span></em> </div><div><em><span style="color:#663366;">"I think of my willingness to use the best materials available as a way to value my talent and my time... I have allowed myself in knitting every liberty, evey indulgence, every aspect that would make it an activity of pure pleasure and enjoyment..."</span></em></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>wise words indeed! taken from <em><span style="color:#663366;">knitting heaven and earth</span></em> by the late susan gordon lydon</div><div>enjoy and love all your knitting, crochet and other crafts girls! talk soon, linda :) x</div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Sf39I1jCj0I/AAAAAAAAAVA/lTHCGWP794w/s1600-h/giant+granny+7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331695862131363650" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Sf39I1jCj0I/AAAAAAAAAVA/lTHCGWP794w/s400/giant+granny+7.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-1854296822167929155?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-80327045488384823182009-04-27T13:48:00.003+01:002009-04-27T14:02:33.041+01:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SfWp_Mh9J0I/AAAAAAAAAUo/9yrrUPGxbRE/s1600-h/soft+and+pretty.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329352637223348034" style="WIDTH: 345px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SfWp_Mh9J0I/AAAAAAAAAUo/9yrrUPGxbRE/s400/soft+and+pretty.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>monday must be my lucky day for getting treasuries!</div><br /><div></div><div>a calming selection of all that is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=54801">soft and pretty</a> :) enjoy, linda x</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-8032704548838482318?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-63335932033135425762009-04-25T20:38:00.005+01:002009-04-25T21:09:41.582+01:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SfNnM1m3FKI/AAAAAAAAAUI/Hgwz8z_FNs0/s1600-h/giant+granny+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328716254355592354" style="WIDTH: 379px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SfNnM1m3FKI/AAAAAAAAAUI/Hgwz8z_FNs0/s400/giant+granny+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SfNnBSMCm_I/AAAAAAAAAUA/u-99VujmKSE/s1600-h/four+squares.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328716055869299698" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SfNnBSMCm_I/AAAAAAAAAUA/u-99VujmKSE/s400/four+squares.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SfNnsEI1a0I/AAAAAAAAAUY/Z4l9NrAZG50/s1600-h/cupcakes.jpg"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SfNnf4DweNI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/7xs7TpXVUN8/s1600-h/red+white+and+blue.jpg"></a><br /><div>i'm loving doing my granny a day! it's definately worked to get me back into crochet - i must admit i had to relearn how to do the granny square again but it didn't take me long to pick up this time! for those that don't know i've wanted to create a granny blanket for years and learnt how to do the granny square last summer - i decided to do a sort of 70s retro style blanket in classic orange, brown, yellow and purple... after about 10 squares (some more more successful than others!!) it got put into a bag and possibly would never have resurfaced again had it not been for the fab <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1037596@N25/">'granny a day' group</a> on flickr started by pip of <a href="http://www.meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com/">meetmeatmikes</a></div><div></div><div> </div><div>the only downside is of course seeing all the colours that others have used making me bored of my own colour scheme - after all i've got the prospect of 144 of these squares to do to complete my blanket! i have now solved this dilema by starting another project ;) it was really because i'd run out of yarn and i didn't want to fail in my 'one a day' challenge but it has the added bonus of satisfying my lust for more colours :)</div><div></div><div> </div><div>if you love granny squares do take a look at the pictures <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1037596@N25/">here</a>.. there are some gorgeous examples and colour schemes.... happy crocheting everyone, linda :) x </div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-6333593203313542576?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-26036514631161205832009-04-18T12:52:00.007+01:002009-04-18T13:31:34.073+01:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SenBMoeZMlI/AAAAAAAAATg/QTHF_jrjRMI/s1600-h/square+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326000457109811794" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 330px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SenBMoeZMlI/AAAAAAAAATg/QTHF_jrjRMI/s400/square+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div>i know i'm a couple of days late in starting this but i'm going to try to keep up from now on!<br /><div></div><div>this is an idea from pip, posted on her gorgeous and inspiring blog <a href="http://www.meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com/">meet me at mikes</a>... it's a granny a day till the end of may! above is my first offering - okay, so i know it's not actually finished yet but i promise faithfully it will be by the end of the day, just two more rounds to go :) i probably won't get round to photographing my squares every day but i will be doing them and will post a pic of my progress when i can... why don't you join in too, i can't wait to see everyone elses squares :) if you want to join in click on the granny a day image on the left to link to pips flickr group... i'm hoping this will spur me on to finish the blanket i started last summer but only ever got a few squares finished!</div><br /><div>other than making my first granny in a while i've been packing up more buttons today, i still haven't got anywhere near enough done but it's rainy outside so i've got no excuses this afternoon! linda :) x</div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SenD9IPdSnI/AAAAAAAAATo/lSolQH9IjkQ/s1600-h/black+and+gold+pressed+glass.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326003489294076530" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SenD9IPdSnI/AAAAAAAAATo/lSolQH9IjkQ/s400/black+and+gold+pressed+glass.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SenEOrKLmuI/AAAAAAAAATw/utgG_I_dx80/s1600-h/button+packing.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326003790724963042" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SenEOrKLmuI/AAAAAAAAATw/utgG_I_dx80/s400/button+packing.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-2603651463116120583?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-6011292700573612522009-04-13T17:05:00.005+01:002009-04-14T20:36:44.810+01:00and i grabbed myself a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=52337">treasury</a> :) for once i was in the right place at the right time!<br /><br /><div>surround yourself in all things soft and squishy....</div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SeNjz_pXqiI/AAAAAAAAATQ/nRXCIYMQu1o/s1600-h/treasury+surround+yourself.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324208929391487522" style="WIDTH: 333px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SeNjz_pXqiI/AAAAAAAAATQ/nRXCIYMQu1o/s400/treasury+surround+yourself.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-601129270057361252?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-82261302749367223542009-04-12T15:34:00.006+01:002009-04-12T15:47:06.394+01:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SeH9uxLpZ2I/AAAAAAAAAS4/OjD0ZQ3Mx4A/s1600-h/eggs+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323815214446634850" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SeH9uxLpZ2I/AAAAAAAAAS4/OjD0ZQ3Mx4A/s400/eggs+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div>i've eaten too many of these! have you? :)</div><br /><div>a happy easter to all my blogging friends, i hope you have all spent time with your friends and family... we're having a quiet weekend here and despite the rain we've still managed to have fun with an easter egg hunt :)</div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SeH9-RhbKjI/AAAAAAAAATA/84m6cbl-VpI/s1600-h/eggs+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323815480825948722" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 269px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SeH9-RhbKjI/AAAAAAAAATA/84m6cbl-VpI/s400/eggs+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>i've been keeping mself busy completing a few custom orders, packing up some buttons and of course mostly just relaxing, knitting and eating chocolate!</div><br /><div>yum yum :) linda x</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-8226130274936722354?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-88045015043265206902009-03-30T19:53:00.012+01:002009-04-01T09:58:47.018+01:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SdEX1gKxY2I/AAAAAAAAASg/n-Li26KsVwU/s1600-h/helens+ring+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319058842836886370" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SdEX1gKxY2I/AAAAAAAAASg/n-Li26KsVwU/s400/helens+ring+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>it's been a slow week this week... i seem to be finding it difficult at the moment to get anything on my uber-long to do list done! maybe it's the weather (i want spring proper to turn up!) or maybe it's other things on my mind... my girls are in their last week of part time school and after easter they will be going all day, every day - eek!! i feel in a bit of a limbo at the moment...kind of just waiting for it all to happen so we can move on to this next phase of life! it's all going far too quickly for my liking and i'd really just like to rewind a bit to those fabulous days of me and them just mooching about all day every day with nothing to do but what we felt like!!</div><br /><div></div><div>also my lovely camera has got broken :( so my blog posts have been a bit thin on the ground! i did manage to take this picture on my friends camera of the ring i made her for her birthday a couple of months ago... i never managed to get a picture before i gave it to her and was really pleased with the way it turned out so i'm glad i have one now... Helen is one of those best friends everybody needs and she deserved something special that shows just how much i love her... the ring has a little 18ct gold heart and is gently oxidised... it's photographed nestled up to one of my three kisses rings......</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>i've spent most of the last few days just knitting and sitting, something i always turn to when i need to zone out and not think about things too much! i've got a few wips finished at last and also made the cutest pair of frilly topped socks for em... i have to also confess to having completely fallen off the wagon as far as 'not buying any new yarn and only using my stash' goes ;) the evidence of this can be seen on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/stripeymonkey">my ravelry page</a> (complete with dodgy pictures taken on my phone!) in a gorgeous new project knitted in the most divine, softest and scrummiest <a href="http://www.eisakunoro.com/html/kochoran/index.html">noro kocheron</a> yarn... mmmmm, think i'll go and do a bit more now! have a happy week :) linda x</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-8804501504326520690?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-35162800996586827082009-03-23T10:30:00.008Z2009-03-23T11:43:20.316Z<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/ScdlafucAQI/AAAAAAAAASQ/3tCBGVgDK94/s1600-h/mummy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316329391001436418" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 318px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/ScdlafucAQI/AAAAAAAAASQ/3tCBGVgDK94/s400/mummy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div>i hope all you mummys, mums, mams, mas and moms all had a wonderful day yesterday! of course i want to say a big 'i love you' to my own mum and thank you too for putting up with me for all these years!!<br /></div><div></div><div>above is a little picture em did for me... i love these sort of things the best, it's just done on a tiny scrap of paper but i think it's so cute - this morning i've put it in a little antique frame so i can keep it forever :) </div><div><br />i also would love to say thank you to emma lamb for giving me my first blog award!!!</div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/ScdohMcHbAI/AAAAAAAAASY/sULWkxssenM/s1600-h/spanishaward_Proximidade.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316332804618284034" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 174px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/ScdohMcHbAI/AAAAAAAAASY/sULWkxssenM/s400/spanishaward_Proximidade.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><em><span style="color:#993399;">"This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY--nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. The kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers!"</span></em></div><div><br /></div><div><em><span style="color:#993399;"></span></em></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">emma started off as a customer in my etsy shop and we have encouraged each other in our blogging endeavours... now we have come full circle and i am a customer of her wonderful etsy shop! the most important thing though is that although i have never met emma in person i now count her as one of my friends... it's amazing and wonderful how a real sense of community can be created on line</span></div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#000000;">i hope to make many more friends through blogging... i think working from home can become quite isolating and to have a network of friends and other creative people on line can go someway to filling that gap... before i had the girls i used to work in a busy studio and adjusting to working on my own has been a bit of a culture shock!</span></div><div> </div><div>as well as emma who i will of course throw this award straight back to, i also have a couple of other people i would like to pass it on to: </div><div> </div><div>emmie who writes <a href="http://extractsfrommycreativejournal.blogspot.com/">extracts from my creative journal</a> always seems to make me laugh... and emmie and i have bonded over our mutual love for vintage buttons! </div><div> </div><div>viv from <a href="http://hensteethart.blogspot.com/">hens teeth</a>... i have only recently discovered her blog but viv as well as being amazingly talented and producing a gorgeous looking blog always takes the time to read and respond to comments and i feel really lives by the spirit of this award </div><div> </div><div>i can't help but mention a knitters blog too of course... courtney and <a href="http://ravenscauldron.blogspot.com/">her little knitting nook</a> is a wonderful part of the online knitting community and alwys worth a visit for friendly words and luscious yarn</div><div> </div><div>there are so many great blogs out there i know, i've only mentioned a few but i so look forward to discovering more and making more lovely blogging friends, linda :) x</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-3516280099658682708?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-79029264545690950152009-03-17T20:17:00.006Z2009-03-17T20:37:34.160Z<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=46371"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314254108346709970" style="WIDTH: 335px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/ScAF9JYqd9I/AAAAAAAAAR4/-Klno5Py4d4/s400/last+flakes+treasury.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>it's been an absolute age since i last did an etsy treasury... i never seem to be in the right place at the right time! i was lucky enough to grab one yesterday though and had great fun assembling all these beautiful soft and snowy goodies.. i think the little hints of blue and red make it all the more scrummy, hope you like it too :)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/ScAHLLYfH3I/AAAAAAAAASI/fhoJVi99WB8/s1600-h/emma+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314255448912633714" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/ScAHLLYfH3I/AAAAAAAAASI/fhoJVi99WB8/s400/emma+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/ScAHGO1tDMI/AAAAAAAAASA/K6ZCCZX0Ge8/s1600-h/emma+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314255363941141698" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/ScAHGO1tDMI/AAAAAAAAASA/K6ZCCZX0Ge8/s400/emma+1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><div><div></div><br /><div>and talking of etsy an exciting package arrived at my door this morning containing the two gorgeous cards i had asked the lovely <a href="http://www.emmallamb.blogspot.com/">emma lamb</a> to create for me... soooo beautiful, the one with the darker background will be wending it's way to wales this week for my mum.... i know she'll just love it :) </div><div> </div><div>emma also very kindly included a couple of her equally gorgeous knitting patterns that she has recently published on ravelry... do check her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6206870">etsy shop</a> and her <a href="http://www.emmallamb.blogspot.com/">blog</a> (you can link to the patterns from there), you will find many lovely things!</div><div> </div><div>have a wonderful few days, till next time :) linda x</div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-7902926454569095015?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-36532923164553082112009-03-13T10:42:00.009Z2009-03-15T16:49:09.899Z<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Sbo5jr05cbI/AAAAAAAAARw/cpXyuFmX6jE/s1600-h/spaceman+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312621995659719090" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Sbo5jr05cbI/AAAAAAAAARw/cpXyuFmX6jE/s400/spaceman+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Sbo5aTTAwKI/AAAAAAAAARo/gBWm_UVTx7k/s1600-h/spaceman+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312621834456318114" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Sbo5aTTAwKI/AAAAAAAAARo/gBWm_UVTx7k/s400/spaceman+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Sbo5Qt2ilLI/AAAAAAAAARg/b2lWI6FhpuA/s1600-h/sad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312621669785965746" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Sbo5Qt2ilLI/AAAAAAAAARg/b2lWI6FhpuA/s400/sad.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Sbo5EJfWNGI/AAAAAAAAARY/Z3Sn4MWd5qY/s1600-h/buddah.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312621453866579042" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 309px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Sbo5EJfWNGI/AAAAAAAAARY/Z3Sn4MWd5qY/s400/buddah.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Sbo47r4dHAI/AAAAAAAAARQ/P0_PtTIEqD0/s1600-h/gun.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312621308479872002" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/Sbo47r4dHAI/AAAAAAAAARQ/P0_PtTIEqD0/s400/gun.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />"a wall has always been the best place to publish your work... some people become cops because they want to make the world a better place. Some people become vandals because they want to make the world a better looking place" <em>banksy</em></div><em></em></div><em></em><br /><p>i'm a big fan of banksy... i took all these pics in the back lane behind our house.. i think we have a budding banksy in the neighbourhood! i love the little spaceman who's popping up in lots of unexpected places at the moment... i'm far too old and out of shape to join in myself nowadays(couldn't run away from the aforementioned cops!!) - besides i'd have to drag two five year olds around with me to carry my spray cans - but i'ts great to see some graffiti with a bit of imagination in our local area </p><p>to see more of banksy from the comfort of your home read wall and piece published by century or check out <a href="http://www.banksy.co.uk/">www.banksy.co.uk</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-3653292316455308211?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-46348279305638071432009-03-09T20:28:00.006Z2009-03-09T20:55:54.955Z<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SbWAop2a2zI/AAAAAAAAARI/ruHXz5P-Y_4/s1600-h/xxx+ring+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311292771470596914" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 313px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SbWAop2a2zI/AAAAAAAAARI/ruHXz5P-Y_4/s400/xxx+ring+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SbWAfHSTgvI/AAAAAAAAARA/NML28zOcwuk/s1600-h/hanging+pods+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311292607573492466" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SbWAfHSTgvI/AAAAAAAAARA/NML28zOcwuk/s400/hanging+pods+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SbWATZKHvkI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/4v5mH0iNuig/s1600-h/lucky+fish+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311292406212574786" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 370px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SbWATZKHvkI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/4v5mH0iNuig/s400/lucky+fish+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>my poor <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5193527">etsy shop</a> has been seriously ignored lately but at last i've got around to making and listing some new items! </div><br /><div>theres some <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12040446">new earrings </a>and a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22004459">cute owl necklace </a>already listed and hopefully i'll get around to putting the ring and necklaces shown above in the shop tommorow or the next day... i'd really like to try and get someone to model a few of the pieces for me to show them at their best... the vintage pods necklace above is a sort of very long y shape which is always so difficult to show when someones not wearing it! </div><div></div><div>the lucky fish necklace is my favorite, in fact i have to admit it may not actually make it to the shop ;) the little bottle contains many sweet treasures including a lucky 21, an 1860s trade bead, silver spirals and a gorgeous little pearl</div><br /><div>it feels great to be finally doing something with the shop again... i came back from our last break away with so many new ideas and i just don't seem to have had the time lately to get on with them... i love the fact that i kind of have about four jobs!!.. but all to easily some things can get pushed to the back of my priorities and it's always the things that i'd like to be working on the most! you see, i do need that lucky little fish to keep me going!! :) linda x</div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-4634827930563807143?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-65636798366838981082009-03-07T17:10:00.010Z2009-03-07T17:45:29.570Z<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SbKt76JbQFI/AAAAAAAAAMg/RPZHANxDFyI/s1600-h/bohemian+wood+mix.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310498155355914322" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SbKt76JbQFI/AAAAAAAAAMg/RPZHANxDFyI/s400/bohemian+wood+mix.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SbKsY31zrAI/AAAAAAAAAMY/ydkA7ylCUJM/s1600-h/bohemian+wood.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310496453929708546" style="WIDTH: 313px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SbKsY31zrAI/AAAAAAAAAMY/ydkA7ylCUJM/s400/bohemian+wood.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SbKxFxvkzZI/AAAAAAAAAMw/nJ3QvElzj2c/s1600-h/sandwich+flower+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310501623433579922" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SbKxFxvkzZI/AAAAAAAAAMw/nJ3QvElzj2c/s400/sandwich+flower+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SbKvSdC_HRI/AAAAAAAAAMo/6RSB7WbBgg8/s1600-h/wood+ship.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310499642192895250" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SbKvSdC_HRI/AAAAAAAAAMo/6RSB7WbBgg8/s400/wood+ship.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>a little eye candy today for all you button lovers! all the buttons above are hand carved wooden buttons made in bohemia between the world wars ... so rustic and tactile<br /><br /><div>i love the sandwich buttons in the third picture down (you can also see a little green one in the top pic)... as the name suggests these were made using layers of wood sandwiched together and then the top layer cut into to reveal the colour below, they come in numerous variations</div><br /><div>the ship button is also quite special as it is so detailed.. it's also huge at about 50mm or 2" across! i have these in a beautiful handcarved bird design too and in several shades of wood, perfect for just one feature button on a chunky knit perhaps</div><br /><div></div><div>i've been stock taking in the 'real' shop today and it seems the buttons have been getting really popular again... i'm hoping to try and get about another 150 packs ready and into the shop over the next week so that should keep me busy for a bit! got to keep us knitters and crafters satisfied! linda x :)</div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-6563679836683898108?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-30231529320300125672009-02-23T17:33:00.008Z2009-02-23T17:56:31.309Z<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SaLfOWEyeBI/AAAAAAAAALo/Rk3VlOBc2cQ/s1600-h/parisienne.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306048748532693010" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SaLfOWEyeBI/AAAAAAAAALo/Rk3VlOBc2cQ/s400/parisienne.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SaLeyXCwXtI/AAAAAAAAALg/0ef7ef4FgPs/s1600-h/one+zero.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306048267756265170" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SaLeyXCwXtI/AAAAAAAAALg/0ef7ef4FgPs/s400/one+zero.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SaLel3CBi7I/AAAAAAAAALY/ieG0YeLv-_o/s1600-h/graffiti.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306048053004831666" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 306px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SaLel3CBi7I/AAAAAAAAALY/ieG0YeLv-_o/s400/graffiti.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div>well i promised you some yummy yarny goodness and here it is!<br /><br /><div><div>my latest purchases from <a href="http://www.colinette.com/">colinette</a>... the top pic shows <a href="http://www.colinette.co.uk/index.php?cPath=6_13">parisienne</a>, i can never resist the texture and colours of this beautiful yarn... second down is <a href="http://www.colinette.co.uk/index.php?cPath=6_26&amp;osCsid=ac877ba0ad51e101bd411d753f074563">one zero</a>, i've wanted some of this for ages and have always resisted but i had to give in this time - i was going to go for the plain black but then felt that i really ought to go for something a little more exciting!.. the bright red is <a href="http://www.colinette.co.uk/index.php?cPath=6_27">grafitti</a>, a total impulse purchase, i found this <a href="http://www.colinette.co.uk/index.php?cPath=4_54">great kids pattern book </a>reduced to £1 with the cutest hodded top and it only needed three balls (i hope!) so just had to sneak that into my basket!</div><br /><div></div><div>if your ever in that part of wales (it's on our way home from mums) you have to visit, it really is a treasure trove, and the huge sale area is always worth a rummage.. although at least i resisted that this time round ;)</div><br /><div>sea, sand and yarn! what could be better... can't wait till our next break :) linda x</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SaLiDugKuNI/AAAAAAAAALw/_gebyqmI8R8/s1600-h/sea+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306051864646301906" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 295px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SaLiDugKuNI/AAAAAAAAALw/_gebyqmI8R8/s400/sea+4.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-3023152932030012567?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-24366185336074250962009-02-21T12:46:00.007Z2009-02-21T13:00:19.553Z<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SZ_59ZyvqBI/AAAAAAAAALQ/6mC9iSxpCmw/s1600-h/sea+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305233719356794898" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 279px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SZ_59ZyvqBI/AAAAAAAAALQ/6mC9iSxpCmw/s400/sea+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SZ_5zr_h9CI/AAAAAAAAALI/NRYg0uMXp_Y/s1600-h/sea+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305233552443569186" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SZ_5zr_h9CI/AAAAAAAAALI/NRYg0uMXp_Y/s400/sea+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SZ_5l_GeHII/AAAAAAAAALA/qXhf3m5PBWo/s1600-h/sea+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305233317054782594" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SZ_5l_GeHII/AAAAAAAAALA/qXhf3m5PBWo/s400/sea+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div>we've just got back from our half term holiday at my mums... and it was fab :)</div><br /><div>the weather was amazing, with some great time spent on the beach... who would have thought it was snowing the week before (mind you i love snow on the beach!)</div><br /><div>i managed to get some photos taken for a brochure i'm working on and i'm really pleased with the way they came out, i especially like the twisted, frayed and faded ropes... i've come back full of inspiration as always and have a little sketchbook stuffed with new ideas </div><br /><div>of course no trip to that area of wales is complete without a visit to <a href="http://www.colinette.com/">colinette</a>, where of course i tried to be restrained but stocked up on a few goodies even though i shouldn't! in my next post i'll show you my spoils, i just need to take a few pics... yummy! </div><div></div><div>linda x :)</div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-2436618533607425096?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-38840576884473419182009-02-12T16:15:00.009Z2009-02-12T16:50:48.815Z<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SZRQI2JH8-I/AAAAAAAAAK4/rbT4M_-1F8I/s1600-h/emmas+card.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301950774224876514" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SZRQI2JH8-I/AAAAAAAAAK4/rbT4M_-1F8I/s400/emmas+card.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SZRQCb6q5WI/AAAAAAAAAKw/dpeQ8VgniBc/s1600-h/crochet+flowers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301950664105715042" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SZRQCb6q5WI/AAAAAAAAAKw/dpeQ8VgniBc/s400/crochet+flowers.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>yesterday morning i got the most exciting package... yes, it was another etsy purchase!</div><br /><div>the gorgeous card pictured above is from the very talented and lovely textile designer emma lamb, i bought this card as a valentines for my man but i think i'm pretty safe posting it early here as he's not looking over my shoulder at the mo! emmas work really is beautifully executed and so perfectly designed... i've already framed the card in a lovely cherry wood frame and it looks fab :) </div><div>as a lovely surprise emma also included in my parcel the adorable crochet flowers you can see in the second picture, what a beautiful gift and so pretty.... i think they may end up sewn on to my jeans... that is unless my girls get them first! </div><br /><div>even though it's not been open long <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6206870">emmas shop </a>is full of lovely things already... i've fallen in love with her fabulous retro crochet cushions and am saving up for my own, they're amazing and they even each have thier own name... how cute is that! you simply have to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19811625">see them </a>:)</div><br /><div>if you'd like to know more emma also writes her own <a href="http://www.emmallamb.blogspot.com/">blog</a> that is full of more gorgeous examples of her work, lots of inspiration and many of her own favorite etsy finds</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>i've already ordered my next etsy treat... naughty me!.. well, it was on sale ;) look out for it soon, linda x</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-3884057688447341918?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-249326405083724972009-02-06T19:51:00.009Z2009-02-06T20:31:19.258Z<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYyZ8tpIiUI/AAAAAAAAAKI/YWCyB-qZN6w/s1600-h/bluefaced+leicester+dk.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYyZsqNTT-I/AAAAAAAAAKA/J34jLuxn40w/s1600-h/debbie+bliss+cotton+both.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299779854031605730" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 382px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYyZsqNTT-I/AAAAAAAAAKA/J34jLuxn40w/s400/debbie+bliss+cotton+both.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYyZeqzk0sI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/3C6a0QremjI/s1600-h/collinette+mint+and+pink+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299779613673968322" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 399px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYyZeqzk0sI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/3C6a0QremjI/s400/collinette+mint+and+pink+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYyZTIO2j9I/AAAAAAAAAJw/b4FZDfEovfs/s1600-h/natural+dye+studio+5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299779415414575058" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 394px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYyZTIO2j9I/AAAAAAAAAJw/b4FZDfEovfs/s400/natural+dye+studio+5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>another snowy day... it was the kind of snow today that somehow looks better when your just admiring it from a warm and cosy fireside :)</div><br /><div>i took some time out whilst keeping cosy to delve into my almost out of control yarn stash! <a href="http://http//www.ravelry.com">ravelry</a> is such a great place but i never realised it might also come in handy for controlling said stash - why on earth i thought, would anyone take the time to photo their unused yarn and log it on a computer when they could be spending the time knitting with it! now i know ;) it's fab! as i trawled through bags and boxes that had been unopened for months (if not years!) i unearthed all sorts of amazing forgotten treasures... now i simply need to look at my stash page on <a href="http://http//www.ravelry.com">ravelry</a> to feel enthused and inspired.. </div><br /><div>hopefully this will also have the added benefit of being able to feed my yarn habit for free for a little while... i think i sorted through about a quarter of it today and came up with many yummy goodies so i've really got no excuse for yarn shopping for sometime (yeah right!) </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>yarns shown above from top, 1. <a href="http://www.debbieblissonline.com/">debbie bliss</a> pure cotton... lovely, i'd forgotton i even had this, 2. one of the many mystery yarns i found! it's from one of my trips to the bargain bucket at <a href="http://www.colinette.com/">colinette</a> but i've no idea what it is and 3. one of my all time favorite yarns, super soft alpaca and silk from the <a href="http://www.dyestudiowoolshop.co.uk/">natural dye studio</a>... this comes in a yummy array of colours and is the yarn i have used to make all the mittens i have sold in the uk shop over the last couple of years... </div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>enjoy! :) linda x</div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-24932640508372497?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-45710251519688779172009-02-05T11:30:00.006Z2009-02-05T11:42:57.026Z<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYrPpR_74fI/AAAAAAAAAI8/Szutye8-G_8/s1600-h/snowman.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299276219667964402" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 282px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYrPpR_74fI/AAAAAAAAAI8/Szutye8-G_8/s400/snowman.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYrPZfugmcI/AAAAAAAAAI0/gdPZ0depTng/s1600-h/bird+house.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299275948475062722" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYrPZfugmcI/AAAAAAAAAI0/gdPZ0depTng/s400/bird+house.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYrPNsU2zVI/AAAAAAAAAIs/1fQmCoVF0tA/s1600-h/our+house.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299275745698696530" style="WIDTH: 309px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYrPNsU2zVI/AAAAAAAAAIs/1fQmCoVF0tA/s400/our+house.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>we woke up to the classic winter wonderland! it all looks so beautiful and the schools shut today too so we wrapped up and headed straight out to enjoy ourselves! </div><br /><div>i took some pretty shots of the house... and of course of our snowman, i don't know why he's so grumpy - maybe we need to make him a friend!</div><div> </div><div>we're snuggled up indoors now and i'm trying to decide if i should be responsible and try and get a bit of design work done, work on some jewellery designs or just hunker down with my knitting... it must be something to do with the weather but i know which ones going to win... k1, p1, k1, p1 ;) </div><div> </div><div>linda x</div><div> </div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-4571025151968877917?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-28785518605416259952009-02-01T16:53:00.005Z2009-02-01T17:02:57.005Z<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYXVUJq2UII/AAAAAAAAAIU/l8JLKBo1K5I/s1600-h/wendover+camp+jan+o9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297875078840995970" style="WIDTH: 352px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYXVUJq2UII/AAAAAAAAAIU/l8JLKBo1K5I/s400/wendover+camp+jan+o9.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>its soooo cold here this weekend... not raining though so we've been trying to make the most of it! </div><div>we made this great camp in the woods to try and keep us warm and it did actually work although it wasn't really big enough for us all!! i think it's really just a weekend for snuggling up in front of the fire with your knitting which is exactly what i'm going to go and do now... now where did i put that chocolate.... ;)</div><div>linda x</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-2878551860541625995?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-4902670089099247992009-01-30T10:25:00.005Z2009-01-30T10:46:01.683Z<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYLYeLHPiYI/AAAAAAAAAIM/89Y6SAmKtmo/s1600-h/melbag+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297034124631968130" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYLYeLHPiYI/AAAAAAAAAIM/89Y6SAmKtmo/s400/melbag+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYLYRcf1dsI/AAAAAAAAAIE/PjSFVUlsVjM/s1600-h/melbag+1.jpg"></a><br /><div>it's not often that i get to see any of my vintage buttons again after i send then off into the big wide world! this gorgeous bag is made by my wonderfully talented knitty friend melinda - find more of her beautiful work on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">http://www.ravelry.com/</a> under the user name melindarosa</div><br /><div>melinda has used some of my 1940's american flower buttons in pretty pink.. the bag is great for carrying her projects to our local stitch &amp; bitch group (sorry, should that be knit and natter?!!) and i love the chunky stitch and deep purple colour she's used - simply gorgeous :)</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-490267008909924799?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-8973591192767340792009-01-26T20:17:00.003Z2009-02-04T17:01:45.417Z<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYnJ4WraAFI/AAAAAAAAAIc/GSbRryxGqSg/s1600-h/coombe+hill+em.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298988406575595602" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYnJ4WraAFI/AAAAAAAAAIc/GSbRryxGqSg/s400/coombe+hill+em.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>this photo goes with the post below... i'm having a nightmare loading my pictures!!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-897359119276734079?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-14758174256310572582009-01-26T19:58:00.005Z2009-02-04T17:04:15.335Z<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYnKgZqZdBI/AAAAAAAAAIk/_A4rLtcqpJI/s1600-h/cake+and+issie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298989094571439122" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SYnKgZqZdBI/AAAAAAAAAIk/_A4rLtcqpJI/s400/cake+and+issie.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>well, it's been a while but i'm back in blogland! considering my only new years resolution was that i would blog at least once a week that kind of didn't work! or maybe i could kind of look on this as a bit of a slow start ;) theres been a lot going on here, we've had christmas of course - which seems an age ago now and the girls have had their birthdays too!<br /><br />i had the most wonderful surprise just before christmas when i made the front page of etsy!! something i didn't think would happen for a long time - it's made me even more determined to make my shop the best it can be this year :)<br /><br />sadly, the snow had gone now but we did have a beautiful few days of gorgeous whiteness that we made the best of...<br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">i promise i'll be back sooner next time ;) linda x</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-1475817425631057258?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-22224244299978272362008-11-24T15:47:00.006Z2008-11-24T16:22:56.466Z<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SSrUardAPEI/AAAAAAAAAHs/zuk-Vody8kw/s1600-h/skinny+scarf.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272259868596649026" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SSrUardAPEI/AAAAAAAAAHs/zuk-Vody8kw/s400/skinny+scarf.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SSrTdEL4orI/AAAAAAAAAHk/qRl8fNACZ9I/s1600-h/brooch+xmas.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272258810083844786" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SSrTdEL4orI/AAAAAAAAAHk/qRl8fNACZ9I/s400/brooch+xmas.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SSrS1Pl7R9I/AAAAAAAAAHc/Ny36HBCP0j4/s1600-h/brooch+sparkle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272258125951092690" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 209px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SSrS1Pl7R9I/AAAAAAAAAHc/Ny36HBCP0j4/s400/brooch+sparkle.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>it's freezing cold here today, drab, wet and horrible but i'm starting to feel christmassy already despite the snow we were promised not turning up!! </div><br /><div>it might have something to do with all the wonderful christmas items that are in 'home and colonial' (the shop that stocks my buttons) at the moment.. we visited at the weekend - the first time for a while - and the shop has been transformed into a <span style="color:#993399;">gorgeous sparkly winter wonderland! </span></div><br /><div>i've stocked up my little corner of the shop for christmas too, after packaging up about 50 vintage brooches (no mean feat!) i've certainly added to the sparklyness myself! there are also snuggly handknitted mittens and scarves in the softest hand dyed alpaca, vintage knitting needles and of course as always a lovely selection of buttons - i've got some really great vintage brooches this year especially good for christmas stocking fillers including snowflakes, leaping reindeers and crystal stars from the 1940s and 50s... why go for the vintage trend brooches available in many stores when you can indulge in the real thing!</div><br /><div>i've been asked by many of my knitting friends for the pattern for my <span style="color:#993399;">vintage style mittens</span> and i promise you all it is coming soon.. i'll try and post it in time for you all to make your own pair for christmas! :)</div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-2222424429997827236?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-90817580670601574702008-11-07T20:45:00.009Z2008-11-07T21:10:04.537Z<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SRSs4ApjMpI/AAAAAAAAAHE/vgZxk_Y67VE/s1600-h/pale+pink+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266023942549877394" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SRSs4ApjMpI/AAAAAAAAAHE/vgZxk_Y67VE/s400/pale+pink+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SRSsIwo7QuI/AAAAAAAAAG8/nHRfKAclVZ8/s1600-h/casein+flowers+1.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SRSr4WPb_wI/AAAAAAAAAG0/jNIG6DbVtQ4/s1600-h/glass+tulips+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266022848834305794" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SRSr4WPb_wI/AAAAAAAAAG0/jNIG6DbVtQ4/s400/glass+tulips+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SRSrOB7edrI/AAAAAAAAAGs/ivz73t7yu3A/s1600-h/pink+flower+mix.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266022121827366578" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SRSrOB7edrI/AAAAAAAAAGs/ivz73t7yu3A/s400/pink+flower+mix.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#993399;">hello again :)</span> it's been a beautiful day here today so i thought i'd take advantage and get some photography done - it's getting harder and harder as the days are getting darker and darker so i hope i made the most of my time!</div><br /><div>i'm trying to get more images of my vintage button collection out there but it always seems to get pushed to the bottom of my list! so thats what i thought i'd concentrate on today... at a (very) conservative estimate i've worked out that i have at least 20,000 (<span style="color:#6600cc;">yes, i did say twenty thousand!!</span>) buttons all waiting to be photographed or carded up and put in the shop</div><br /><div>it's difficult to know where to start sometimes so i thought to remind us all of long gone spring i'd do <span style="color:#cc33cc;">flowers</span> today... i took just a small selection of the many colours, types and ages of flower buttons available, heres a few to wet your appetite but if you'd like to see a larger selection of the pics i took today then please check out my <span style="color:#6600cc;">flickr account <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26573145@N03">http://www.flickr.com/photos/26573145@N03</a></span></div><div><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#330033;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#330033;">please contact me if you are intersted in buying any of the buttons you see... the quantities available of the buttons vary hugely, from just one button, just one set or right up to about 50 sets...</span><span style="color:#993399;"> i will always try to help with any request you may have :)</span></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-9081758067060157470?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-73217282970388982622008-11-02T20:04:00.006Z2008-11-02T20:13:07.855Z<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SQ4JG_3OrMI/AAAAAAAAAGc/mgl4HL2mbO0/s1600-h/paper+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264155030269635778" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 317px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SQ4JG_3OrMI/AAAAAAAAAGc/mgl4HL2mbO0/s400/paper+1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SQ4JRURTB2I/AAAAAAAAAGk/B5usco7Qw-E/s1600-h/paper+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264155207546373986" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SQ4JRURTB2I/AAAAAAAAAGk/B5usco7Qw-E/s400/paper+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#663366;">i had a lovely surprise this weekend! :)</span></div><br /><div>i have found fame and fortune (ha ha!) at last in my local paper - they wrote an article about a craft fair i was showing at and i was lucky enough to have my name mentioned - even better than that they featured two photos of my work, one that took up a big chunk of the page!! i was very chuffed that they picked my work to feature - obviously my super dooper new camera is paying off! ;) </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-7321728297038898262?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-27655002728836976862008-10-17T13:38:00.005+01:002008-11-03T20:59:34.265Z<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SPiIS6WjNuI/AAAAAAAAAGU/jZENKNil1_E/s1600-h/stef+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258102423437915874" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SPiIS6WjNuI/AAAAAAAAAGU/jZENKNil1_E/s400/stef+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>so sorry my blog has been ignored lately! i've been super busy with commissions waiting to be completed, heres one i finished a couple of days ago, there are more in progress!</div><div> </div><div>how i made this piece will be featured in a guest article i have written for the etsy owls team blog... coming soon, i'll let you all know when it's published :)</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-2765500272883697686?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-90248982061647407802008-09-03T20:52:00.004+01:002008-11-08T16:25:56.683Z<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SRW9fBh2idI/AAAAAAAAAHU/VLvogS9Yw8Y/s1600-h/off+to+school+08.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266323679963679186" style="WIDTH: 385px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SRW9fBh2idI/AAAAAAAAAHU/VLvogS9Yw8Y/s400/off+to+school+08.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SL7rx09AjPI/AAAAAAAAAGM/Q5IwDXLsUwo/s1600-h/off+to+school.jpg"></a><br /><div><span style="color:#993399;">the big day has arrived at last and my babies are off to school...</span> they looked a lot more enthusiastic about the whole thing than i was! i can't imagine what my life will be like without them around me all the time - now i've got no excuse not to get on and do some work! (at least in the mornings anyway as they will only be part time till easter)</div><br /><div></div><div>notice the lack of hand made cardi's! both my mum and i have them on the go but i got the starting dates of school wrong and thought we had an extra week - we came back from our holiday on sunday only (luckily!) to find out that they were starting in a couple of days - a mad scramble ensued to buy uniforms, sew on name tapes etc etc etc!</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-9024898206164740780?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-63191282652950579212008-08-21T20:35:00.010+01:002008-08-21T21:08:53.933+01:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SK3EQNIFyhI/AAAAAAAAAF8/5LqHi_GV2IM/s1600-h/schwanda+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237057724382300690" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SK3EQNIFyhI/AAAAAAAAAF8/5LqHi_GV2IM/s400/schwanda+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#993399;">i'm featuring glass buttons today... the selection above are all made in the 40s and 50s in west germany by schwanda<br /></span><br />you can see the many colours sizes and textures these come in... i love the little hand painted flowers, what great attention to detail - and some of my favorites schwanda buttons are the candy stripe shown in the middle of the picture, these come in gorgeous colours and two different textures - the deep almost sea shell like finish you can see in the red and blue colourways and the much smoother frosted finish of the green and turquoise<br /><br />another type of button worth mentioning are the moonglow examples, schwanda started making these in 1953 and they were made in large quantities right into the 1960s - moonglows have always been popular with collectors and are still made today for the collectors market in th czech republic - moonglow buttons come in many shapes and designs but by definition have a clear layer of glass over the top of the colour or design (you can see this if you hold the button up to the light) and this gives them a beautiful quality<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SK3I4TX-lFI/AAAAAAAAAGE/Ru_zS436izo/s1600-h/schwanda+moonglow.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237062811300828242" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SK3I4TX-lFI/AAAAAAAAAGE/Ru_zS436izo/s400/schwanda+moonglow.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />my favorite moonglows are the plain colours especially in tiny sizes as shown above left, these are just adorable on babies clothing - this is one of the things i love about this era of vintage glass button, many of them are perfect to use on our projects today being able to withstand the rough and tumble (and washing machines!) of 21st century life!<br /><br />if you would like to see more pictures of west german schwanda buttons from the collection please click <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26573145@N03/2777883987/in/set-72157605898218425/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/26573145@N03/2777883987/in/set-72157605898218425/</a><br /><p>all my buttons are genuine vintage, i have thousands of buttons in stock ranging from beautiful handmade victorian glass or pearl right up to fun and funky designs from the 1960's and 70's<br />buttons are available to buy mail order direct from me, to view a sample of stock (usually about 200 packs available to buy plus vintage knitting pins and accessories) visit 'home and colonial' in hertfordshire, for details check <a href="http://www.homeandcolonial.co.uk/">http://www.homeandcolonial.co.uk/</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-6319128265295057921?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-16250791201778875892008-08-17T17:41:00.005+01:002008-08-17T17:53:38.466+01:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SKhWxLvtghI/AAAAAAAAAFs/OkGm92ybzig/s1600-h/green+fingers+08.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235529969784685074" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SKhWxLvtghI/AAAAAAAAAFs/OkGm92ybzig/s400/green+fingers+08.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div><span style="color:#999900;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#999900;">maybe its all this rain but our gardening attempts this year seem to be super successful!</span></div><br /><div></div><div>we've had a bumper crop (about 12!) of apples from our little tree and they taste really delicious plus the girls have both grown beautiful big sunflowers</div><br /><div></div><div>we are also growing some mystery plants from seed, they seem to be growing huge - i'm not sure what they are going to end up as, some sort of courgette or cucumber i think, but they are getting huge! (pictured on the left if anyone has any ideas!)</div><div> </div><div>already planning a list of what to grow next year now i know the girls have super green fingers...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-1625079120177887589?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-44755713377600230752008-07-27T21:00:00.008+01:002008-12-10T13:07:44.091Z<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SIzUoO7REDI/AAAAAAAAAFE/IEpG6qr-jf4/s1600-h/button+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227787055136837682" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SIzUoO7REDI/AAAAAAAAAFE/IEpG6qr-jf4/s400/button+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>i've ordered my new moo cards for the berkhamsted shop at last! i've chosen a selection of images from my collection - the picture above shows a beautiful card of 1930's british buttons in a gorgeous pink colour - i love this era of british buttons, there are the most fabulous shades of pink and green that make me think of english village fetes and pretty floral tea dresses - more tea vicar!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SIzU-473HEI/AAAAAAAAAFM/1liGmRSb5Ms/s1600-h/button+6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227787444370742338" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SIzU-473HEI/AAAAAAAAAFM/1liGmRSb5Ms/s400/button+6.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div>an original colour sample card from samac buttons of new york - i love the little scribbled notes from the salesman that used this card</div><div></div><div>order your own moo cards from <a href="http://www.moo.com/">http://www.moo.com/</a> - have fun!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-4475571337760023075?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-31713664108616382252008-07-27T20:19:00.003+01:002008-12-10T13:07:44.893Z<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SIzMyPmsNoI/AAAAAAAAAEk/z2wBZs3p2WQ/s1600-h/coombe+hill+08.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227778431024641666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SIzMyPmsNoI/AAAAAAAAAEk/z2wBZs3p2WQ/s400/coombe+hill+08.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div>i don't want to speak too soon but it feels like summer is actually here at last!</div><br /><div></div><div>these pictures were taken just a few days ago up on the chiltern hills... a beautiful sunny day but the girls still in their woolies! it's a different story now with the outfit of choice being just a pair of knickers! it's too hot to do much at all except jump in and out of the paddling pool and relax.. but will it last?? heres hoping...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-3171366410861638225?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-23656551033238333252008-07-20T12:14:00.009+01:002008-12-10T13:07:45.067Z<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SIMt6HhpBAI/AAAAAAAAAEc/gKsRB736LtM/s1600-h/casein+buttons.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225070469155718146" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SIMt6HhpBAI/AAAAAAAAAEc/gKsRB736LtM/s400/casein+buttons.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div>every week i will be featuring a different style of speciality of vintage button from the stripey monkey collection - the buttons i am featuring today are bright and beautiful vintage casein</div><br /><div></div><div>casein plastic was introduced at the beginning of the 20th century and is made from the protein in cows milk - buttons were usually stamped out from large sheets but were also sometimes cut from rods (like many vintage knitting needles) - casein was able to be easily dyed in a range of colours and could be polished to a high shine - the buttons above were all made in the usa in the 1940's, they show the wonderful array of colours and amazing shapes that were available - as well as these beautiful bright colours there were delicate pastels, pearls and mottles </div><br /><div></div><div>unlike most other early plastic it was ''resistant to washing and dry cleaning and could even withstand momentary contact with a hot iron'' - after about 1945 its use gradually declined as the range of plastics available widened - despite the advertising i have found that the lovely high polish (created by a chemical dip) can be damaged in really hot water</div><br /><div></div><div>the casein buttons i have available are all unused ex-factory stock, these buttons retail at about £4.50 a pack - quantities within a pack range from two to twelve depending on size, colour and rarity - the photo above shows a tiny taster of colours and styles available!</div><div></div><div></div><div>new zealand and australia still produce a small amount of casein buttons and knitting pins today - i love knitting with casein needles and find them easily the nicest to use - i have a selection of vintage needles available or you can buy them new from <a href="http://www.snokistfarmgirl.etsy.com/">http://www.snokistfarmgirl.etsy.com/</a> <br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>all my buttons are genuine vintage, i have thousands of buttons in stock ranging from beautiful handmade victorian glass or pearl right up to fun and funky designs from the 1960's and 70's</div><br /><div></div><div>buttons are available to buy mail order direct from me, to view a sample of stock (usually about 200 packs available to buy plus vintage knitting pins and accessories) visit 'home and colonial' in hertfordshire, for details check <a href="http://www.homeandcolonial.co.uk/">http://www.homeandcolonial.co.uk/</a> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-2365655103323833325?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-59647631620919989622008-07-12T15:17:00.003+01:002008-12-10T13:07:45.212Z<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SHjA7jztIsI/AAAAAAAAAEM/RNP04mRLVe0/s1600-h/hoodie+book.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222135897393013442" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SHjA7jztIsI/AAAAAAAAAEM/RNP04mRLVe0/s400/hoodie+book.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div>yay! i've joined ravelry - the most fantastic website for all of you who love to knit and crochet</div><br /><div></div><div>i've been spending far too much time over there lately - believe me its addictive! you can organise your projects (downloading your images direct from flickr), talk to other knit and crochet obsessives and search a huge database of patterns - i think my favorite feature is being able to link to others that are working on the same project as you are and see how it turned out or discuss how its going - you can even create a queue of projects you would like to do, a list that in my case could get very long indeed</div><br /><div></div><div>if your already a member, get in touch and if you haven't yet joined do it and you can make stripey monkey your first friend! check out <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">http://www.ravelry.com/</a> </div><br /><div></div><div>the pic shows one of the many projects i have on the go at the moment 'imogen' in colinette iona, a gorgeous luxuriously soft mix of wool, kid mohair and silk, for info check</div><div><a href="http://www.colinette.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=Array&amp;products_id=3">http://www.colinette.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=Array&amp;products_id=3</a> i bought my yarn direct from the colinette workshop where i spent far too much money last time i was there!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-5964763162091998962?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-28646840998147408252008-07-07T13:11:00.006+01:002008-12-10T13:07:45.483Z<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SHIK-pMIpTI/AAAAAAAAADs/lpruLjFY2d4/s1600-h/blob+people.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220246989400745266" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SHIK-pMIpTI/AAAAAAAAADs/lpruLjFY2d4/s400/blob+people.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>i was just starting to tidy my 'studio' as this is where my mum and dad sleep when they stay with us and they're due next week (yes it will take at least a week to tidy - yikes!) and i came across some pictures of these little guys and thought i'd share them with you.</div><br /><div></div><div>this was a design job i did for one of my clients who works in childrens education - they needed something that the kids could easily replicate themselves out of modelling material, the idea was that they each represent different emotions - just look at that sad little one all on his own on the right and how about mr. angry there in the middle, my personal favorite!</div><br /><div></div><div>this was a fun project and i know i'm very lucky that i get paid to 'play' - most of the design jobs i work on are usually a little more restrained! </div><div></div><div><span style="color:#6633ff;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#6633ff;">for info: i made my models out of sculpey and created my background on adobe illustrator</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-2864684099814740825?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-12548304141259053692008-07-01T11:05:00.008+01:002008-12-10T13:07:46.957Z<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SGoEmN1mwFI/AAAAAAAAADg/PjoEF2-CJrI/s1600-h/mermaids+kiss+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217988172858179666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SGoEmN1mwFI/AAAAAAAAADg/PjoEF2-CJrI/s400/mermaids+kiss+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SGoEXMwETwI/AAAAAAAAADY/lQNAJKhEoIA/s1600-h/mermaids+kiss+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217987914868477698" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SGoEXMwETwI/AAAAAAAAADY/lQNAJKhEoIA/s400/mermaids+kiss+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SGoEAt0d2EI/AAAAAAAAADQ/HwhlVKV_t3Y/s1600-h/mermaids+kiss+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217987528608307266" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SGoEAt0d2EI/AAAAAAAAADQ/HwhlVKV_t3Y/s400/mermaids+kiss+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SGoDtZHFVVI/AAAAAAAAADI/Kl2fUSXXrFQ/s1600-h/mermaids+kiss+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217987196631733586" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SGoDtZHFVVI/AAAAAAAAADI/Kl2fUSXXrFQ/s400/mermaids+kiss+4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />so we come home and i can't help but get the hammer out, greeny blue visions of twisted seaweed and pearls are in my head.....</div><div><br /></div><div>i've hammered and twisted the silver into spirals and stamped them with kisses... these are combined with turqoise cheyenne trade beads from the 1800's, black irridescent freshwater pearls and some gorgeous 1920's vintage crystals.. only to be worn by the most gorgeous mermaid!</div></div><div></div><div><div><br />this piece won't be appearing in my etsy shop as i was lucky enough to sell it the day i finished it (wow!) to kate, one of my favorite customers, but lookout for more sea inspired pieces coming soon... now where did i put that hammer............</div><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">see post below for more info</span></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-1254830414125905369?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-2828580224433397112008-07-01T10:59:00.005+01:002008-12-10T13:07:47.414Z<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SGoBHpXZ2jI/AAAAAAAAADA/hG9aBYPNKTs/s1600-h/beach+finds.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217984349136869938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SGoBHpXZ2jI/AAAAAAAAADA/hG9aBYPNKTs/s320/beach+finds.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>while the girls are happy digging and building i just can't help looking about for some goodies! the pic shows a haul of inspirational finds including sea glass, drift wood and some beautiful sea pottery including a piece from an old victorian bottle and a worn old piece of plate in a lovely greeny blue</div><div></div><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">see post below for more info</span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-282858022443339711?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-66021634911187396482008-07-01T10:37:00.006+01:002008-12-10T13:07:47.556Z<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SGn9BkE5wwI/AAAAAAAAACw/Z0bXq0MrWc8/s1600-h/aberdovey+08.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217979846591365890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SGn9BkE5wwI/AAAAAAAAACw/Z0bXq0MrWc8/s400/aberdovey+08.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div>sometimes people ask me how i get inspiration for a piece of jewellery.... inspiration can come from anywhere but i find i get many of my ideas when i'm at the beach, maybe its because i'm relaxed...... maybe its the bits and pieces i can't help but pick up...... or maybe it's just the amount of time i spend staring out to sea wondering what lifes all about!!! who knows? </div><br /><div>anyway we've just come back from a quick trip to the sea in wales where my mum and dad live and i thought you might like to see how that trip transformed into a piece of jewellery</div><div></div><div></div><div>above you can see my girls enjoying the sun and getting down to some serious sandcastle building!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-6602163491118739648?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-47301668936442816642008-06-29T16:01:00.007+01:002008-12-10T13:07:47.722Z<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SGek_btfvfI/AAAAAAAAACo/qCKcxYxayM0/s1600-h/cupcake+pics.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217320103009304050" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vSbh8N1GKSA/SGek_btfvfI/AAAAAAAAACo/qCKcxYxayM0/s400/cupcake+pics.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#cc33cc;">lazy sunday... yum yum, we made cupcakes today...</span> </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">i've shown the prettiest cake, i'm afraid they didn't all look this good... </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">some little people got a bit carried away with the buttercream!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">i'm so glad i wasn't the one who did the washing up <span style="color:#993399;">;)</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#cc33cc;">click on the image above to get the recipe</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">cupcake is photographed on a piece from my vintage crockery collection... </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">domino by midwinter designed by jessie tait in the early 1950's</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">find out more at...</span></div><div><a href="http://chinasearch.co.uk/store/midwinter/red-domino/">http://chinasearch.co.uk/store/midwinter/red-domino/</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-4730166893644281664?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015254133583326669.post-75759711254966831532008-06-26T21:03:00.001+01:002008-06-26T21:04:46.220+01:00this is my first post....... just testing :)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1015254133583326669-7575971125496683153?l=stripeymonkey.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>hellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16167624559434435647noreply@blogger.com0