tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14233965605697223602024-03-28T11:22:59.599+00:00colour in a simple lifeKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-72611584007181311792014-02-02T13:05:00.000+00:002014-02-02T13:05:33.561+00:00P.S. I crochet is launched!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi Everyone, and welcome to my last post here at Colour in a Simple Life.<br />
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My new website is up and running; the link to P.S. I crochet is below -<br />
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<a href="http://psicrochet.com/">http://psicrochet.com/</a><br />
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I hope you come and have a look around - and let me know what you think! All of my free patterns from colour in a simple life are now over there and it will be the only place I post from now on.<br />
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<a href="http://psicrochet.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://psicrochet.com/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuk6y-SoFxAF66MaOgooRAPfLi4lBlZWi1I1FtBS_QcsFE9onyksLb2nAwPgwe_CMuqjC_7NbY8SA9cfS9slunmBOc-QtKtVYN9iyQyZAXry8cTZaESRyuaojq_SpRJA6VIwsusXihC8/s1600/New+Logo.png" /></a></div>
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I would like to thank you all who have followed and supported me while writing this, my first blog and it has been a hard decision to leave this blog behind and start anew, however a lot can change since I started colour in a simple life over 2 years ago, and I'm aware of possibilities for my blog that I could never have dreamed of back then. <br />
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I wanted to have the new website with lots of content on it before I went live, and while this has taken me quite a while I'm now confident that I have transferred all of the information that I want over there. <br />
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And to welcome you there is a brand new free pattern posted today - Pretty Coaster.<br />
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Sophie is modelling it nicely!<br />
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I've also started new P.S. I crochet facebook pages, a twitter account and google + pages - all are linked over there and it would be wonderful if you could follow me. Also there is an option to follow me by email.<br />
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So I hope to see you there!<br />
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Best wishes and thanks again<br />
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Karen<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com159tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-797173986716960172013-11-15T23:38:00.000+00:002013-11-15T23:39:02.168+00:00In Print at Last!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi Everyone<br />
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Just a very quick, and belated, catch up. I have been working hard, behind the scenes, on new and old patterns and my plan is to renew, and rebrand, this blog shortly with the aim that I will blog weekly (snort!) and seriously follow my dream to turn my hobby into a business. <br />
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I didn't mean to be absent for quite this long, and I must thank all of you who have sent me concerned messages of support. I'm afraid that my beloved Dad died recently; it happened very suddenly and came completely out of the blue. Because of this my rebranding plans have been set back a bit longer, but in this sad time I do have some exciting news to share - I have finally had a pattern published in a magazine!<br />
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I was asked ages ago to design an 'experienced make' granny square inspired by a flamingo. Yes.. you read correctly... a FLAMINGO! The pattern was to accompany the free gift given away on the cover. I must admit to not overflowing with flamingo inspired ideas at first, but after studying masses of flamingo images you would be amazed (and possibly appalled!) at the ideas that popped into my head. The inspiration that shone through for me came from the way the flamingos curl their heads around their bodies to sleep and I knew the square needed to be based around a spiral, along with a round of shells to suggest some plumage. I'm very pleased with it, and while it works as a square, I particularly like to not work the final row and instead of a granny square you have a fun flamingo inspired coaster - as in the picture above.<br />
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If you would like the pattern it is in issue 8 of Crafty Magazine (the current issue) and it comes along with the gorgeous cotton pink and grey yarn my sample was made from and a crochet hook. Along with my pattern another 2 designers have also designed flamingo inspired squares, one is a beginner square and the other is an intermediate make. Also the magazine is full of lots of other lovely makes and inspiration!<br />
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Another light in my life recently has been an addition to my family...<br />
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Sophie came home with me after a recent visit to an animal rescue shelter and she has been acquainting herself with most of my stash ever since! I'll introduce her properly another time.<br />
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In the meantime, happy crafting!<br />
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Karen<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-64959882320714256152013-04-21T13:13:00.000+01:002014-02-02T03:21:31.872+00:00A hunka hunka instant satisfaction!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Sunday <br />
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Forgive the title but I'm channelling Elvis this morning; can't get burning love out of my head!<br />
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Just dropped by because Sunday is the day that I often hunker (see!! he's still there...) after something crafty that's easy, and simple, but most of all quick, and while it hasn't been the sunniest start to the day here in South West Scotland I thought I'd quickly put together a tutorial for a coaster should you also fancy a quick fix.<br />
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I came up with this pattern a while ago when looking for a simple square crocheted coaster, nothing too fancy, or floral, or pretty, but with great texture. <br />
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I NOW HAVE A NEW WEBSITE AND THIS PATTERN CAN BE FOUND AT -</h2>
<a href="http://psicrochet.com/portfolio-items/simple-place-mat/">http://psicrochet.com/portfolio-items/simple-place-mat/</a><br />
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Remember I bought some gorgeous squares of fabric with the intention of making a quilt. I thought they were too green so vowed to buy some more fabric to bring some more blue to the mix.<br />
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This is what my shopping spree produced.<br />
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I think I've got a better mix now, so I've got a date this afternoon with a cutting mat and rotary cutter.<br />
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I guess it's now or never. (oh shove off Elvis...)<br />
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Happy crafting!<br />
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Karen<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-325392959046109592013-03-23T16:33:00.000+00:002013-03-23T16:33:53.264+00:00Colour in the Winter Blues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello<br />
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Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr........... It's freezing here! I've always lived near the west coast, whether that be in England or Scotland, and being near the sea the showers usually fall on us as rain, turning to snow as they get a bit more inland. But yesterday was blizzard like! Strong gusts of wind blew the snow sideways all day, and to make it worse we had a power cut that lasted from 1pm lunchtime to 11pm at night.<br />
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Thankfully it is a bit calmer today. Honestly, I look at the picture above and think that it doesn't really look too bad, but everything grinds to a halt here when snow falls. All of the surrounding roads have been closed, and drifts have made it difficult getting around. Having a prolonged power cut really makes you appreciate being able to just switch that light on or turn the kettle on! Everything is electric in my flat, so I had no light, heating or way to cook anything. Thankfully I had a fully charged kindle, which enabled me to snuggle under my duvet with some cheese and crackers (crumbly... duh....) by candlelight and read until the light finally came on at 11pm (hurrahhhhhh!) <br />
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The clocks go forward by an hour next weekend, and it can't come soon enough for me. Another hour of light in the evening will be so welcome. I find sunlight so energising; it makes me want to do things or create things, while I find dark evenings a bit of a slump.<br />
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Bags have continued to dominate my crocheting exploits lately. I've already shown you my samples of a new basic bag pattern, and I'm sorry to say that I have yet to find the time, or brightness, to take the photographs to accompany a pattern tutorial. But what is holding me back slightly is that I keep thinking of new motifs and incorporating these into the basic bag pattern. These will be separate, stand alone patterns, but I want to be able to offer the opportunity to buy 2 or more different bag patterns at a discounted price, and so I need all of the patterns finished before I publish any.<br />
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Works in progress include an adapted puffed daisy bag -<br />
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I've also come up with a completely new flower motif, and it can be done in two ways -<br />
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They are both made basically the same with just a slight adjustment, and each gives quite a different look. Subtler and all out in-your-face! The bottom one reminds me of a particularly garish swimming/shower cap! They will both be included in one pattern.<br />
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I'm also thinking of making a porthole one...<br />
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But there has to be a bit of variety doesn't there? Working on too many bags makes Karen very bored! So here is another new motif I'm going to call an English Rose, as it reminds me of the old emblems of the white rose of York, and the red rose of Lancaster. I'm making them into a scarf -<br />
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I really wish I had the strength of mind and will power to actually finish one thing before I start another... I have tried to make myself, but it's no use. I'll actually sit and do nothing rather than make myself finish something if there is another idea hammering at my brain... Shameful. Of course I usually get around to finishing the other item eventually... ahem....<br />
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Before I go I thought I would share some of my wisdom (lol, ok!). I recently had the following comment -<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/09316740401511417645" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1e91fc;">Judith van de Voorde</span></a> has left a new comment on your post "<a href="http://colourinasimplelife.blogspot.com/2012/02/lily-pad-hexagons.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1e91fc;">Lily Pad Hexagons...</span></a>": <br /><br /> This is absolutley gorgeous!! <br />I tried making one of the flowers but keep doing something wrong. I have just 11?? bobbles in the first round and then 7?? in the second :S<br />May I ask how many stiches are used to make on bobble? I believe I keep misreading but I can't seem to find where .<br />Thank you so much for sharing this great piece! <br />
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Ok Judith this is for you, but I thought others would benefit too, so... the problem here is identifying the correct loops to work the stitches in so that you end up with the correct number of stitches on the next round. I've been crocheting for many years now and I started with granny squares - easy because you always work in the spaces - big spaces that you can't get confused about. Eventually I moved onto working single/double crochet in rows and I remember struggling with knowing where the end stitch was to keep a straight edge, and working in rounds which brings its own difficulties. The difficulty in rounds is that when you join a round you are usually working a slip stitch into the starting chain, and the result is not as neat and compact as your other stitches.<br />
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The picture above shows a round of 12 dcs. The red arrows point to the 11 true dcs; familiarise yourself with the double crochet stitch (or any other stitch you are working on). Look at where the top loops lie in relation to the stitch post below. When you are working in rounds the top loops are always above and slightly to the right (when crocheting right handed) of the post of the stitch. Straightforward...<br />
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The green arrow shows the slip stitch that has been worked into the starting Chain 3. It looks just like the other loops, but the problem lies with the extra loops left behind from the beginning chain 3 and the fastening off shown by the blue arrows. These can be confusing when you are looking for the correct loops to work the next round in as these, along with the slip stitch, make it look as though there are 2 stitches to work in and not just one.<br />
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Now personally I am not too precious if you don't work into the correct loops, in this difficult area, as long as you work the correct number of stitches for the round. I don't usually start a new colour where the old colour finished - I don't like a line of chain 3s up my work, so I stagger them. This means that I will come across the green & blue arrowed loops mid round. Don't worry about the top loops so much, you need to be more aware of the stitch posts below, because they show you where the stitches are - look at the next stitch pasts the pesky chain 3 and identify it's top loops and then it becomes clear that while it may look like there are 2 stitches above the chain 3, you just need to pick one and work in it. If you miss the slip stitch and work in the other space the chances are it won't show as long as you keep to the correct numbers of stitches. And this also goes for when you are working in the front or the backs of the stitches - IDENTIFY THE POST OF THE STITCH, AND WORK IN A LOOP ABOVE IT, IGNORING ANY EXTRA LOOPS.<br />
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I hope that's understandable. I certainly know that at some point on my crocheting exploits I realised that I was aware of the anatomy of the stitches I was working on (ooooerr!) and had stopped looking at just the top loops and focused on the actual stitches below and suddenly I didn't have a problem knowing where to put my hook. Ok, wisdom over for one year!<br />
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I hope you have electricity where you are and Happy Crocheting!<br />
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Karen<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-51686208974112434452013-02-03T14:15:00.001+00:002013-02-03T14:16:00.321+00:00New Year, New Ideas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Well hello there!<br />
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It's been quite a while hasn't it... Sorry about that! I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and New Year; I spent the holidays with my family back in Cumbria and it was wonderful. It just whizzed past so quickly and before I knew it I'm back to short, dark, work-filled January days with occasional snow, but mostly rain. <br />
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However, it hasn't all been darkness and drudgery! The gorgeous flowers above brightened my day and I also met up with a lovely local lady called Rachel about setting up a knitting/crochet group. There is nothing like it in the area, and it was lovely to find that Rachel was a kindred crafting spirit! We will hold our first meeting soon, but in the meantime I have promised to make a poster to advertise the group locally and drum up some more like-minded crafters. But I've hit a bit of a block, because I don't know what to call it. I don't like 'knit and natter' as it makes it sound exclusive to knitters, and while 'stitch and bitch' is certainly apt I think it may put some people off... I want the group to mainly embrace yarn crafts, any yarn crafts, but it wouldn't bother me if other crafts were sampled now and then as well. So, I'm asking you, my wonderful readers, if you can please give me any ideas as to what to call the group? I'd be very grateful! We meet for the first time in a week - if by any chance any of you live locally, you are most welcome to attend!<br />
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I've been working hard on a new pattern over January, and I had hoped to have it ready by now, but unfortunately my time off has not coincided with enough bright hours to take good enough photographs to accompany the pattern. I've taken some pictures to show you today, but I'm afraid they haven't captured the colours and are a bit dull... I'm thinking of calling this pattern the 'Puffed Patchwork Purse' - what do you think?<br />
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It's been quite a marathon designing this, which is why it has taken me all of January. This is the fifth version and I'm finally happy with it. My flat is a study in evolution with neanderthal bags littering every surface - it wouldn't have surprised me to glance around and find Darwin perched at my dining table writing a paper on the origin of the puffed patchwork purse!<br />
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I think that it almost looks like cells under a microscope! It is the perfect shape for a bag - in my opinion! - fatter at the bottom than the top, but what I particularly like about it is the size; it's much bigger than the other bags I have designed. This is the latest colourway I am making...<br />
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Hopefully I will get the pattern written and photographed soon.<br />
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I also need to catch up with all of my favourite blogs - there just aren't enough hours in the day!<br />
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Keep well and happy crocheting!<br />
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Karen<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-19050959643450255002012-11-28T16:00:00.000+00:002014-02-02T03:23:52.873+00:00Hyacinth Cuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi, my lovely readers,<br />
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I've got a mid-week day off! What a treat... After working a lot of overtime lately I've got some time back. I feel quite odd, and a little bit naughty, as if I really should be somewhere else. And JOY of JOYS, the sun is shining!!! So a meander into town was in order, and I was delighted to find the hyacinths back in the supermarket.<br />
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I just adore hyacinths. One of my earliest memories of primary school was of a large, fragrant bowl of hyacinths in the classroom; the smell takes me back there now... I get them every year, but I've never obtained a pretty planter to put them in. Wherever I've bought my hyacinths, they are always in the same shaped plantpot; wide enough to take 3 bulbs, but just a tad squat! And I've never seen a planter to suit (not that I've done much looking!).<br />
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So with a gorgeous, bright, work-free day, perfect for taking photographs, in front of me I thought I'd prettify my latest pot and share my pattern with you guys.<br />
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I thought a plant cuff would be quite a good idea; made in cotton it can just sit around the outside of the pot, leaving the bottom bare for watering mishaps! And being washable I can bring it out year after year. AND being quite natural and plain it lends itself perfectly to being made-over every year with a different coloured ribbon, or applique, or buttons, or crocheted flowers......... I could go on and on! So, if you are interested, read on...............<br />
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<h3>
Hyacinth Cuff</h3>
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<h2>
I NOW HAVE A NEW WEBSITE, AND THIS PATTERN CAN BE FOUND AT -</h2>
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<a href="http://psicrochet.com/portfolio-items/hyacinth-cuff/">http://psicrochet.com/portfolio-items/hyacinth-cuff/</a><br />
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These would make a very special, but very inexpensive gift; I think I may just be making some more!<br />
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Happy crocheting everyone!<br />
<br />
Karen<br />
xx<br />
<br />Karen@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-42016859783351710182012-11-04T13:29:00.000+00:002012-11-04T13:29:21.757+00:00Just because...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi Everyone,<br />
<br />
Thanks for the great response from my last post, and when I have a bit more time I will start to publish some of the patterns I featured. It's a bit full on at work at the moment, but I really want to make the effort to post more regularly, and so I thought I would just pop by and share with you what has inspired me this weekend.<br />
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I bought the fabric charm pack above recently to try my hand at some quilting, and Saturday morning saw me laying all of the squares out and admiring the gorgeous colours. I loooooooooooooove pink, red and aqua, and have been lusting after some of the wonderful fabrics available online at the moment for ages. (Living in the back of beyond as I do, I'm afraid I don't have the luxury of having lots of wonderful fabric, or yarn, shops around, so I have to buy online) I saw this charm pack on folksy and thought it perfect; back at home I'm slightly disappointed that the aqua is slightly more green than I would have liked, and so I've decided to put off my quilting for now until I have bought some more fabric (any excuse!!) So, sewing out of the window, what's a girl to do but see if she has the right colours in yarn.... and what do you know.....<br />
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I just couldn't help myself.<br />
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Bright little girly grannies appeared as if by magic...<br />
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These are loosely based on the <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/summer-garden-granny-square.html" target="_blank">Summer Garden Granny Square from Attic 24</a>, but as ever I had to do it my way and changed a couple of things... If you would like to magic up some of your own here is the pattern...<br />
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I used a 4.5 mm hook, dk yarn, american crochet terms. Standard abbreviations and at the start of every row the 1st dc is worked with a chain 3.<br />
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To start, ch 5 (counts as 1st dc & ch 1); (dc 1, ch 1) 7 times into the 5th chain from hook. [So you have 8 dcs each separated by a ch 1]. Join to top of 3rd starting chain with a sl st. Fasten off.<br />
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Now into each space work 3 dc, ch 1. Join with a sl st and fasten off.<br />
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For the final round work * (dc 3, ch 2, dc 3) in space, ch 1, (3 hdc) in space, ch 1; repeat from * 3 times more. Join with a sl st and fasten off.<br />
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I'm making them just because... but if I make enough I may use them for a small/baby blanket to sell in my shop.<br />
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Enjoy............. by the way, I love these cushions I picked up in dunelm mills...<br />
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I went in to buy just plain square cushion inserts, but these were on special offer and with 5 cushions for £10 they were cheaper than just buying cushion pads... result!<br />
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I hope you all have a wonderful week :-)<br />
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Happy crocheting<br />
<br />
Karen<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-24074796073460529492012-10-21T20:23:00.001+01:002012-10-21T20:23:50.865+01:00Doesn't time fly...................<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Hi Everyone,<br />
<br />
It's a year since I wrote my first blog post! This year has just flown by...and it's been an absolute joy connecting with all of you through my blog during this time. I'm getting to know some of you more and more, and the friendliness and support that comes from all of you is truly wonderful.<br />
<br />
As I have made many friends over the past year, I realise that I haven't really shared much about me personally, and so I thought I would take this opportunity, on my blog's birthday, to tell you a bit more about me.<br />
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I have already shared that I am a Cumbrian girl, who moved to South-West Scotland in January to start a new job. I've shown pictures from my windows showing sheep and various wildlife filing past my flat, but if I point the camera a little bit to the left you can see this...<br />
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Not a bad view is it! I work as the Housekeeper in a Scottish Castle within a large estate; think Mrs Hughes in Downton Abbey (which I loooooooove), but with a lot more to do than mince around with a very large set of keys!<br />
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In fact it's much more likely you will find me fighting a war against moth and woodworm, while trying my best to care for and preserve the wonders inside the castle. For a history lover like myself it's a fabulous job and I love the camaraderie with the household and wider estate staff which is a wonderful community, most of whom have lived and worked on the estate for all of their lives. I'm only just starting to understand the broad scotch accent that many speak on the estate, ken!<br />
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The castle is sandwiched between two lochs, and the scenery is simply idyllic.<br />
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I took all of these photographs this afternoon; the sun was shining and there was barely any wind. It was amazing - I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else.<br />
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I share my garden with lots of red squirrels, hares, rabbits, hedgehogs, roe deer and pheasants, none of which stayed around long enough for me to photograph today!<br />
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I used to work as a PA for an English Peer on an Estate in Cumbria, but I'm afraid as I am getting older, a desk job just isn't good for my waistline and I decided to change to a more active job. While most of my leisure activities involve yarn and fabric I need to get my exercise at work!<br />
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When I've got this lot on my doorstep I have no excuse not to get out and exercise, that's for sure.<br />
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<br />
Well, I've waffled on for ages, and you still don't know much more about me!!! How about some random facts:<br />
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<ul>
<li>I love all animals, but especially cats... (in fact I'm considering fostering cats for the local cat protection league)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>After school I went to catering college in Kendal (home of the mint cake, yuck!) but I really don't like cooking - well I don't mind baking...</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>I also lack a green thumb, and doing anything in a garden other than sitting in it leaves me cold... (and I feel guilty about this as though I should enjoy it!)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>I love word games and puzzles.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Other than the occupants of the castle, my nearest neighbours are Len & Stella, the gamekeeper and his wife. I enjoy going to aquafit once a week with Stella at the local leisure centre. Spookily they also come from Cumbria (Penrith).</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>I am addicted to pinterest.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>After having my two daughters I went back to college to get secretarial skills - made sense when I can't stand cooking!</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>I can knit very well, but it's too slow going for me and I don't have the stamina to finish a garment... to my shame... I've made quite a few toys and I love Alan Dart's toy patterns. (Alan Dart also lives in Cumbria!!!).</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>I'm a perfectionist.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>I love strictly come dancing, and would love to learn to dance (perferably with Vinthent!)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>I would love to craft for a living.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>I don't have time to make all of the designs I think of.</li>
</ul>
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<br />
Do you want to see what my imagination has come up with lately...<br />
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I had an idea for a polka dot blanket...<br />
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A flower hexagon similar to my northern star hexagon...<br />
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Some whirly-gig squares...<br />
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Some fabric circles in crochet hexagons...<br />
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I'm not sure how to describe these... moon craters perhaps???<br />
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And some puffy flowers...<br />
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I'd be interested to know if there are any you particularly like and would like to see published...<br />
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So, here's to another great year!<br />
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Happy crocheting<br />
<br />
Karen<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-18682086381982546052012-09-16T17:53:00.002+01:002013-01-26T21:28:13.497+00:00Granny's Gone Dotty Square<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Hi Everyone<br />
<br />
Another pattern to share, but first I would like to shout out a very big thank you to all who took the time to drop me a line and show their support on my last post. I get quite a lot of pageviews, but only a special few go out of their way to comment, pretty much on each of my posts, and I really do appreciate hearing from you.<br />
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I hope you like this latest pattern. It actually came about as I was making another square and this was it part way made; I stopped for a coffee, looked at it and thought hey, that's really nice in it's own right. (By the way, I've recently given up caffeine... if you've heard it's bad then whoever told you underexaggerated! 1st day was hellish, followed by 13 days with a thick head... However, out the other side and I'm glad I made the effort. I definitely feel much better. Another addiction gone... Just sugar to conquer!) So here it is...<br />
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If you would like to purchase, the listing on Etsy is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/109617763/grannys-gone-dotty-square-crochet">https://www.etsy.com/listing/109617763/grannys-gone-dotty-square-crochet</a><br />
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Happy Crocheting everyone!<br />
<br />
Karen<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-30846942873546850542012-09-08T18:04:00.000+01:002012-09-08T18:04:24.038+01:00Cobblestone Square<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi All,<br />
<br />
I have a new design to share with you...<br />
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Before I get to the new pattern I want to apologise for the lack of posts lately; my last post was 6 weeks ago! I'm afraid I've been a bit disenchanted with the whole blogging and designing experience... I've been aware of another blog, in German, who has done a translation of my lily pad hexagon flower, complete with a photographic tutorial - pretty much a copy, picture by picture of mine, for a few months now. It crossed my mind that it would have been nice to have been asked, and I mulled over whether to do anything before thinking to myself that it wasn't worth getting my knickers into a twist over and forgetting about it. <br />
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Only I kept seeing it pinned on pinterest, and when I saw a couple of pins with the comment "pattern only in german, but with good pictures" I'm afraid my anger bubbled to the surface and I looked at the blog post again and with the help of google translate deciphered the post to find out if she mentioned the original source at all. Not once within the blog post did she mention that this was not her pattern, but after she had signed off at the very bottom of the post where nobody obviously reads, she had put a link titled "Translation in English here" - or something to that effect (I'm relying on google translate). She had lots of comments congratulating her on her tutorial and she had replied with thanks to all but one - from an english speaking person asking if she could do a translation in english... Blood boiling by this point I commented myself, pointing out that this was not her pattern nor tutorial, that I thought it, at the very least, good manners to ask the designer before publishing a translation of the pattern, that she hadn't featured my blog or credited me with the original nor, tellingly, responded to the commenter who wanted the pattern in English.<br />
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A couple of days later after not hearing anything from her I checked her blog again and found that she had removed my comment and, again at the bottom of the page after her sign off, she had replaced "Translation in English here" with -<br />
<br />
<strong><span><u> This is
the <span class="hps">original</span>, <span class="hps">on this page</span> <span class="hps">I</span> <span class="hps">found</span> <span class="hps">this
flower</span>.</u></span></strong>
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<br /><u><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://colourinasimplelife.blogspot.de/" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;" target="_blank">http://colourinasimplelife.blogspot.de/</a></span></b></u> </div>
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Something at least I guess... but I still feel that the original creditation should be within the body of her post. For anyone interested the blog post is <a href="http://elbeglueckmd.blogspot.de/2012/03/hakelblute.html">http://elbeglueckmd.blogspot.de/2012/03/hakelblute.html</a><br />
Am I being petty? Should my designs be considered fair game to pass off because I share them for free... I can't help thinking that she wouldn't have dared do this had she bought the pattern.<br />
<br />
Anyway I'm sorry to say that it has made me reconsider sharing so freely, and while I will no doubt offer the odd freebie I have decided to open an Etsy shop and sell my patterns from now on. It is something I was planning on doing eventually anyway, just not quite yet... At the same time I have been asked by a few people if I would produce my patterns in a printable pdf format. When time allows I am going through my patterns, producing both a pdf photographic tutorial and also a brief non-photographic written pattern (to aid in printing) of all my past patterns, and I am adding them to my Etsy Shop. The charge for these will be half that of any new patterns that have never been published publicly before..<br />
<br />
So, my first brand spanking new pattern in my brand new Colour in a Simple Life Etsy Shop is the Cobblestone Square...<br />
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I originate from Ulverston, a small market town in South Cumbria (also the birthplace of Stan Laurel - it's only claim to fame!) where the market street is cobbled, and these squares remind me of the textures of it's old streets. The pattern pack includes a photo tutorial to produce a Cobblestone Square, plus directions and photographs to show how to 'join as you go'. Adaptable to lots of different things - blankets spring to mind - I have also given simple directions how to make them up into a cushion cover.</div>
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Illustrated in bright colours with a cream background they also look fabulous with bright backgrounds...</div>
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So come visit my shop - <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/108929316/cobblestone-square-crochet-pattern">https://www.etsy.com/listing/108929316/cobblestone-square-crochet-pattern</a></div>
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I really hope to see you there...</div>
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To all my fellow musers out there (muse to lose blog); in my misery I have hurled myself off the wagon most spectacularly, but I hope to clamber on again very soon. I quite understand if you have all lost patience and abandoned the cause...</div>
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Happy crocheting everyone!</div>
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Karen</div>
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xx</div>
Karen@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-53420376509755338422012-07-29T12:47:00.000+01:002012-07-29T12:47:20.258+01:00It's a Girl.......!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyz8GjXZx5tYisNEWvnH4bTQw4auDNYZaeNCiSlEKv20ZM7OCevQPcv4RyoVA5ZuwFQVBlfn9pA0giy6Q3hwS2gYrsK4DicH9961aVPK2zEWzJMNjd9Ohjs0MVabE1lFF4q2ZgX2ZGQE/s1600/IMG_1257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyz8GjXZx5tYisNEWvnH4bTQw4auDNYZaeNCiSlEKv20ZM7OCevQPcv4RyoVA5ZuwFQVBlfn9pA0giy6Q3hwS2gYrsK4DicH9961aVPK2zEWzJMNjd9Ohjs0MVabE1lFF4q2ZgX2ZGQE/s640/IMG_1257.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Hi Everyone<br />
<br />
Regular readers will remember that way back in March I started on a baby blanket for a friend. I didn't know what flavour it was going to be, so I had to make both a girls and boys option. A link to my original post is <a href="http://colourinasimplelife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/spring-abundance.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I was convinced it was going to be a boy, and along with the excitement of the boy's pattern being a new design - <a href="http://colourinasimplelife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/northern-star.html" target="_blank">Northern Star</a> - and my all seeing eye sure it was going to be a boy, I have been steadily working on the star design, secure in the knowledge that the daisy blanket would get there eventually... So with the star blanket almost finished I was caught on the hop when Jill appeared instead of Jack! (names have been changed to protect the innocent obviously!) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlCSYlO4-QlsZSqdlnyPPcbKVmcwMgxj8ZoitUMb7xInKrk_DQr28_dVbOqv8qUFEI589vxUCCj_ITm0rcApnRrNaV30elZXrCZggxirq_SeaKExwaoNii59v5nhKLkXIsCI_9PJEIVg/s1600/IMG_1254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlCSYlO4-QlsZSqdlnyPPcbKVmcwMgxj8ZoitUMb7xInKrk_DQr28_dVbOqv8qUFEI589vxUCCj_ITm0rcApnRrNaV30elZXrCZggxirq_SeaKExwaoNii59v5nhKLkXIsCI_9PJEIVg/s640/IMG_1254.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Particularly when I realised I didn't have enough white yarn to continue with the colour arrangement I had chosen, so a rethink was needed. Instead of the background hexagons being different colours I used up some stashed cream sirdar snuggly bamboo yarn, which actually contrasts beautifully with the white daisies. (I can't really capture it on my pics, but it's quite subtle and looks fab). There is also a gorgeous sheen on the whole blanket, from the bamboo I guess, and it feels amazing and is surprisingly heavy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjnDBNRh4kH2Rr2nRWbnD2RmBDCSLh3uPV7_3qrI0AGqg1PLNb2Myw8uARJEji-1IO45FwuVm9_Xu0zyRI-MQbYJk_-lYh3TuZUf2OxxD2srcB9MYk8rnEZ3WFjS-RG4PeEGZKWr83hg/s1600/IMG_1260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjnDBNRh4kH2Rr2nRWbnD2RmBDCSLh3uPV7_3qrI0AGqg1PLNb2Myw8uARJEji-1IO45FwuVm9_Xu0zyRI-MQbYJk_-lYh3TuZUf2OxxD2srcB9MYk8rnEZ3WFjS-RG4PeEGZKWr83hg/s640/IMG_1260.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, it's 60 daisies, with a border of hdcs and scs.<br />
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Not huge, but big enough to use as a cot bedspread or a pram blanket.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgme563Ea2vgWOASpMQhTKFdIbhYFbhglrhOAhhLtwXLhwNXsjPY7BaLSlsc0ALcjgekajM2PKzySetcNw-FevKkQ7M1s_MM0qFbBEdXfYmEWSnc4BjRE_iX8h0CmQ4TetiQsbcs3HjldE/s1600/IMG_1258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgme563Ea2vgWOASpMQhTKFdIbhYFbhglrhOAhhLtwXLhwNXsjPY7BaLSlsc0ALcjgekajM2PKzySetcNw-FevKkQ7M1s_MM0qFbBEdXfYmEWSnc4BjRE_iX8h0CmQ4TetiQsbcs3HjldE/s640/IMG_1258.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'll be back soon with the star blanket tadah!! Although I'm not sure what I will do with it now...<br />
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Thank you, thank you, thank you to those of you who leave such wonderful comments on my blog. I really can't express how much I love to hear from you; you make it so worthwhile continuing to share my blog and patterns. I love the lot of you! You make me feel like a star!<br />
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Happy crocheting<br />
<br />
Karen<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-31769000069889660122012-07-21T18:33:00.000+01:002014-02-02T03:26:32.102+00:00Porthole Square<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5VqwhgvdlF3z6z5ayhKaXSJbfSK6PaaxSEL09lWaOrbW-DRQiSYrK4bswpWC8aSznVadT7-v1gy37z8rZKQEEp8WjqHFTW2v5AFnW81I30dbRUBlRC72iE_GFkMRK84-32MwWrENUBE/s1600/IMG_1233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5VqwhgvdlF3z6z5ayhKaXSJbfSK6PaaxSEL09lWaOrbW-DRQiSYrK4bswpWC8aSznVadT7-v1gy37z8rZKQEEp8WjqHFTW2v5AFnW81I30dbRUBlRC72iE_GFkMRK84-32MwWrENUBE/s640/IMG_1233.JPG" height="524" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hi Everyone<br />
<br />
So, Porthole Square... intrigued??? This is something I came up with a few months ago, and I thought it was about time to share it with you all. I love 'em, and can think of lots and lots of uses in many different ways. I'm planning on making a mobile case and possibly a laptop and kindle case; I also have a couple of ideas to make these into bags. Anyway... you don't particularly care about that do you... you just want to know what they are and how to make them right?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWmyL1BBeVXbFXu7E-i2ZLtKHwbdPQFbAmuRFuU2_uwq3RKkzFF18d2FXnzhE9CE8wU-X9HMmHGGE7_o7oqwdj9epOuFKvnz4LkDy-i_EzsVn97RHlRerUmJnC3GjdzX0MTdzlX8Xc-k/s1600/IMG_1214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWmyL1BBeVXbFXu7E-i2ZLtKHwbdPQFbAmuRFuU2_uwq3RKkzFF18d2FXnzhE9CE8wU-X9HMmHGGE7_o7oqwdj9epOuFKvnz4LkDy-i_EzsVn97RHlRerUmJnC3GjdzX0MTdzlX8Xc-k/s640/IMG_1214.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Don't you love them? I adore the way the outer circle is pulled into a perfect circle when you join the top layer to the bottom... Not difficult to make, I'll walk you through it below.<br />
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<br />
<h2>
I NOW HAVE A NEW WEBSITE AND THE PATTERN CAN BE FOUND AT -</h2>
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<a href="http://psicrochet.com/portfolio-items/porthole-square/">http://psicrochet.com/portfolio-items/porthole-square/</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Jgw_2fty4J68SpQoua5ULBiLHJ89t-SkB0j9XihUdMmTGwEmPNo3vdw3MNhYiNG6C5wtoj6HPwwSihE3cfu9tMskpyVlDj8obLEb-I1wnPvCXg0JPvkRQHqz4h9bfJo4Uu4LtMq29H8/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Jgw_2fty4J68SpQoua5ULBiLHJ89t-SkB0j9XihUdMmTGwEmPNo3vdw3MNhYiNG6C5wtoj6HPwwSihE3cfu9tMskpyVlDj8obLEb-I1wnPvCXg0JPvkRQHqz4h9bfJo4Uu4LtMq29H8/s640/IMG_1150.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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One Porthole Square... but you don't have to put the inner circle in if you don't want to... Just leave it out, and start with the outer circle... you can put fabric behind instead if you prefer...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNBsJkLZciqX9l62jFouWae_5EFJG2ZnhyphenhyphenDMwf20n7yJKLr1A-yfsZoeK90XVET824mTA410Wx0z3WqhvWl41I7AplX16Tal7BZ8IOyfumSfW0c2rB-VFvUk2A9XS2NS1T49Qg1pSNqY/s1600/IMG_1228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNBsJkLZciqX9l62jFouWae_5EFJG2ZnhyphenhyphenDMwf20n7yJKLr1A-yfsZoeK90XVET824mTA410Wx0z3WqhvWl41I7AplX16Tal7BZ8IOyfumSfW0c2rB-VFvUk2A9XS2NS1T49Qg1pSNqY/s640/IMG_1228.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Let your imagination run away with you... ok, I'm off now to fight my sweet cravings!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpz52dqLyD8UmVkT3BEZMGhUbMP3rK2rlbpRuo7DFzmAvIv2xhv_AxOPkb5J3fTSNZr_U6Mf_PnTILpsS3jWiUGalCPU-SM1eKwMYUX1QMP5UdDuvNMLg5frnMeoHTkJRuGY09fr5IFBY/s1600/IMG_1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpz52dqLyD8UmVkT3BEZMGhUbMP3rK2rlbpRuo7DFzmAvIv2xhv_AxOPkb5J3fTSNZr_U6Mf_PnTILpsS3jWiUGalCPU-SM1eKwMYUX1QMP5UdDuvNMLg5frnMeoHTkJRuGY09fr5IFBY/s640/IMG_1216.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Happy crocheting everyone!!<br />
<br />
Karen<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-42639771847590157912012-06-30T18:44:00.003+01:002014-02-02T03:28:02.204+00:00Granny Bobble Spiral<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LgFUkrc9QmPylv3sdnQ2UJIiGafNcH3Tqzzk0Qc-IjkGfpj3-l6E3yjLgTJH7qYtnYDKduimpshmgqTFnuCYcFGi5tx6LpBchPj4l6SbkDdta6RJNkXY_WYlzl6bKMjV5rVIl_vofWo/s1600/IMG_1027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LgFUkrc9QmPylv3sdnQ2UJIiGafNcH3Tqzzk0Qc-IjkGfpj3-l6E3yjLgTJH7qYtnYDKduimpshmgqTFnuCYcFGi5tx6LpBchPj4l6SbkDdta6RJNkXY_WYlzl6bKMjV5rVIl_vofWo/s640/IMG_1027.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hi all, <br />
<br />
My attempt at a spiral bobble pattern posted here - <a href="http://colourinasimplelife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/catching-up.html">http://colourinasimplelife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/catching-up.html</a> has been a hit with all you pinners out there, and so I have refined the pattern... <br />
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<h3>
Granny Bobble Spiral - </h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h2>
I NOW HAVE A NEW WEBSITE AND THIS PATTERN CAN BE FOUND AT THE FOLLOWING LINK -</h2>
<br />
<a href="http://psicrochet.com/portfolio-items/granny-bobble-spiral/">http://psicrochet.com/portfolio-items/granny-bobble-spiral/</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCYkGUAotQzLNAVOS_K81Joeuy6PP9tkpaTUFC9sVFTXfC3f3id3VpV2qXTR9AmSrwazrMrzptwhNgt-6zSQhp35rJNcpMo3h13vHa9k5COtU9ZluyJ9GmDBoV8C8Le2gay-jmBYKFDM/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCYkGUAotQzLNAVOS_K81Joeuy6PP9tkpaTUFC9sVFTXfC3f3id3VpV2qXTR9AmSrwazrMrzptwhNgt-6zSQhp35rJNcpMo3h13vHa9k5COtU9ZluyJ9GmDBoV8C8Le2gay-jmBYKFDM/s640/IMG_1026.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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And there you have it. It's a bit fiddly at first with lots of ends and loops, but once you get past the 2nd row and the pattern is set the only problem is keeping the 4 balls of wool untangled!<br />
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Anywho, I hope you like it...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwi_0JwXqDvae6E9ahJ5EGMa_3FbJv4WQHauTmmFi0j4N1W6P5KHbOy5mvgrai_c_2ETzzU9zkly4Tj3RqgZixfRpE4ACyS2vlHQhK0Pcc-0gBCL6NuZl8YearhqfrW0m57qFKxLmuyaM/s1600/IMG_1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwi_0JwXqDvae6E9ahJ5EGMa_3FbJv4WQHauTmmFi0j4N1W6P5KHbOy5mvgrai_c_2ETzzU9zkly4Tj3RqgZixfRpE4ACyS2vlHQhK0Pcc-0gBCL6NuZl8YearhqfrW0m57qFKxLmuyaM/s640/IMG_1029.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Happy crocheting,<br />
<br />
Karen<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-42632359356275382182012-06-23T22:17:00.000+01:002012-06-25T17:17:45.289+01:00London calling...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi everyone; just back from a wonderful few days in London. The visit was predominantly for me to view my youngest daughter, Emma's, photographic exhibition in Brick Lane. Emma graduates next month from Roehampton University in London. She took photography and art history and I'm incredibly proud of her. I hadn't seen her since Christmas (I don't count skype!) and so I have been looking forward to this visit for months!<br />
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Emma met me from the train at Euston station and we went to a local pub for lunch. On showing her my camera she insisted on taking a flattering picture of me...<br />
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I didn't even know my camera could take these effects... (I'm not one to show pictures of myself, but I had to show the picture at the beginning of this post to prove that my nose is not really that big!!!!!). Of course I insisted on repaying the compliment -<br />
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Bless her... <br />
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So, lunch done we made our way over to Brick Lane to view her exhibition. On the way music was gradually getting louder and louder and we rounded a corner to see this -<br />
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OMG..... loads and loads of people were tangoing (should that have a 'e' in it???). It was AMAZING!!!! The music was traditional tango music and all the couples had obviously tangoed before. They were all dancing cheek to cheek and wafting their legs about... Look how strongly and purposefully the men are holding their women... ohhhhhh..... I drooled for a while, until Emma offered to <strike>round up</strike> bribe a man for me to dance with; I did seriously consider this for a minute or so, until sensibly coming to the conclusion that despite me dancing the tango expertly and elegently, just like these people, in my head, in reality no-one would appreciate my blundering 'one together, two together' or god forbid involuntary leg jerks...<br />
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It seems that the impromptu tango spectacle was due to summer festival celibrations at Spitalfields. It's times like these that I wish I lived nearer to a city...<br />
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So we carried on to Brick Lane and Emma's exhibition.<br />
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For Emma's final project she visited Askham Grange Women's open prison in York and photographed some of the women prisoners and the facilities there. She did very well to get permission to do this (her tutors didn't think the authorities would allow her), but with persistance she managed it and took some amazing and interesting photographs.<br />
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It was fabulous, as were many of the other's on her course who also were exhibiting. Well done Ems xxx.<br />
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The following day we took a bus out to Hampton Court Palace. This was King Henry VIII's favourite palace, and I last visited when I was about 9 years old on a school visit; I've been keen to return for ages. After watching <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Tudors-Complete-Season-1-4/dp/B005KJ6ECY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340544806&sr=8-1" target="_blank">the Tudor's</a> box set recently Emma was also very interested, and we weren't disappointed.<br />
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Before the entrance is a wonderful walled rose garden, full of old fashioned tea and climbing roses, all in flower; they were stunning...<br />
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Then on to the main event; the palace is spectacular and the experience is enhanced by a very good audio guide system (included within the entrance ticket price) that gives loads of extra information as you visit each room.<br />
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We started at Henry's kitchens -<br />
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You can't really see the scale of the fire above, but if you look closely you can see a couple of spits (for roasting meat) in front of the fire - the top one was about 4 foot off the ground. The whole thing was massive.<br />
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On to the Great Hall; I couldn't get a very good overall picture in here - it came out too dark, but I did get the beautiful tapestries at the side of the Hall -<br />
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Engrossed, I turned to find King Henry VIII walking towards me...?<br />
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"Good Day to you my Lady" he said to me as he passed...! Now given that I was gawking at him from the middle of the path that he was (quite briskly) walking down, and he practically had to hurdle me, I can only surmise that this meant "shift woman" in the 16th Century... Frankly he should have been thankful that I didn't poke him as he walked past me to see if he was solid!<br />
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Outside the architecture is amazing.<br />
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They were getting ready to stage a concert in one of the inner courtyards -<br />
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Quite an impressive concert venue!! I hope they took umbrellas.<br />
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Anne Boleyn was also wandering around...<br />
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Mercifully with her head still attached. After 3 years at University Emma now wants to jack photography in and waltz around in costume all day at Hampton Court! I have to say they added enormously to the experience.<br />
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I searched and found a secure, lockable room -<br />
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And locked Emma in there until she gave up on the career change ideas...<br />
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The gardens are equally as impressive -<br />
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There are some amazing trees -<br />
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All in all it was a grand day out... and we finished it off with Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre in the West End. My third time of watching and still brilliant.<br />
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They were very strict that no pictures were to be taken when the performance started, so just one snap of the covered chandelier just before it all kicked off.<br />
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We exited out onto Leicester Square.<br />
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They had been staging the premier of Spiderman at the Odeon Cinema and the clear up was in full swing.<br />
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AND THAT WAS JUST THE FIRST FULL DAY!!!!!!!</div>
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I can feel your boredom now, so I won't inflict you to much more, but I have to share that I visited a yarn shop...</div>
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<a href="http://www.iknit.org.uk/" target="_blank">I Knit London</a> is just off from Waterloo Train station and chock a block full of luxury yarns. And once again I was seduced by 2 hanks of variegated loveliness...</div>
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I know, I know.... after my earlier remarks about <a href="http://colourinasimplelife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/graduated-granny-blanket.html" target="_blank">variegated yarn</a> I can sense your disdain from here, but look at the colours... I just need to come up with something that makes the most of it....</div>
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Well I commend you if you are still reading... you have staying power!</div>
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Happy crafting!</div>
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Karen</div>
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xx</div>
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<br /></div>Karen@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-80755774049505037202012-06-05T16:19:00.000+01:002014-02-02T03:29:34.682+00:00Who loves ya Daisy???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi everyone,<br />
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Two posts in two days! I think this long bank holiday weekend is bringing some inspirational magic... To be honest I intended to draft this post and publish it when I had nothing to say, but I just can't wait!!!!!<br />
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This daisy square came about because of a free gift in a magazine. This came with an edition of 'simply Homemade' a few months ago now.<br />
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A flower loom isn't something I would probably have bought myself, but in a fit of boredom I decided to give it a try. I got onto youtube to see how it worked (as the magazine is long gone) and made a couple of flowers. I thought they were quite nice, but I didn't know what I would do with them.<br />
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Then the 'what ifs' started... you know the 'I don't like the middle of these flowers... what if I crocheted a middle?' what ifs... I think all my patterns come from 'what if' moments. So began my quest to create a flower loom crocheted square which utilised the best bit of the flower made from a loom - the petals - with a crocheted middle and an attached square. And 'Who loves ya Daisy Square' is the result!<br />
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They're a wee bit fiddly to make, but oh so worth it I think. You don't even need a fancy flower loom to make them; I found a great link to make a homemade flower loom <a href="http://www.knitting-and.com/small-looms/ice-cream.htm" target="_blank">here</a>. So if you fancy giving them a try here's a tutorial to get you started...<br />
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Who loves ya Daisy Square</h3>
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I NOW HAVE A NEW WEBSITE AND THIS PATTERN CAN BE FOUND AT -</h2>
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<a href="http://psicrochet.com/portfolio-items/who-loves-ya-daisy/">http://psicrochet.com/portfolio-items/who-loves-ya-daisy/</a><br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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I'm back at work tomorrow, so you may not hear from me again for some time!<br />
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Happy crocheting!<br />
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Karen<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-49818818013285805212012-06-04T13:03:00.002+01:002012-06-04T13:20:50.561+01:00Jubilee Mmmmmmmmnesssss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi Everyone,<br />
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I'm sure you're aware that here in Britain our wonderful Queen is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee. Union Jacks and bunting are festooned everywhere you look, and we are all enjoying an extra long bank holiday to add to the celebrations. So, to keep to the jubilee theme, my union jack cake tin is muscling in on all my pics today, so the least I could do is fill it first!<br />
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Custard Shortbread mmmmmmmmmmmmmmness; recipe link <a href="http://www.aspoonfulofsugardesigns.com/2012/04/custard-shortbreads.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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These shortbreads really do melt in the mouth; they are much more like viennese biscuits than shortbread really with a yummy vanilla custard taste. (but none of that piping nonsense).<br />
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So, tin full, time to unearth my sewing machine...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(can you spot tin? It's turning into where's Wally!!)</td></tr>
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I love my machine. I think that I have mentioned before that I was taught to sew (and bake, knit and crochet) by my fantastic Nanna. As my parents worked in the afternoons, my brother and I would always go to Nanna & Grandad's house after school, where there was always scrumptious home baking and wonderful grandparents who had endless patience. Nanna, although retired had been a trained tailor, and she taught me to sew, initially with an old, very small singer machine that produced chain stitches when you turned the handle (when it wasn't jamming, which I remember was often), and then on her electric singer sewing machine. Years later I inherited that sewing machine, which sat in it's own table and I had it for quite a lot more years, until I started to make noises about wanting a more modern machine and my husband bought me a new one. This was a toyota, and a good machine, but a few years later, now separated from said husband, I started to yearn for a machine that I had actually chosen myself, just to suit me. And so I bought this one...<br />
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A brother; I remember we used brother sewing machines at school (where I made a floral blouse, <em>nice</em>, and a pair of navy cord peddle-pushers, <em>I know... I've always been a special trendsetter... or maybe just special...)</em><br />
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Overall I am still very pleased by my choice (the only downside is there are only two needle positions, on the left and the middle - no right, which you would think wouldn't matter until you want to sew in a zip without bothering with the zipper foot!! But it does do one-step buttonholes!<br />
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And what did I dust my beloved machine off for I hear you ask? Well, I have been tempted with some fabulous sewing tutorials on pinterest (where else!). This one <a href="http://sewlikemymom.com/cosmetic-bag-tutorial/" target="_blank">here</a>, particularly caught my eye. Brilliant tutorial and a great blog. And this was the result -<br />
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Not bad eh... lovely clear instructions; this is slightly smaller than the one in the tutorial, as I made up my patchwork rectangle first and worked from the size the patchwork was rather than the precise measurements from the pattern. I then added wadding and quilted this first before making the rest of the bag.<br />
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Inside is lined with some gorgeous aqua gingham, and I covered the raw seams with some white bias binding.<br />
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When I make another one I'll take the time to sew the side tabs instead of lazily using some ribbon (the result of which is a bag that is sticking it's tongue out a both sides and blowing a raspberry...)<br />
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On a roll, I also thought I'd quickly try out <a href="http://flossieteacakes.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/bound-edge-drinks-coaster-tutorial.html" target="_blank">this pattern</a>. This also is a lovely blog, with some great free tutorials and also a few patterns to buy. This was a quick make and produced this-<br />
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Very nice, as long as you don't look too closely at the outer seams and corners... So I'm off to make up some more to redress the coaster defecit in my house.<br />
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Happy crafting everyone!<br />
<br />
Karen<br />
xx<br />
<br />Karen@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-35427192491933343222012-05-30T19:21:00.000+01:002012-05-31T21:48:39.980+01:00Catching Up...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi everyone,<br />
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First of all can I say thank you so, so much to everyone who left me such wonderful kind words following the death of our gorgeous Cleo. All were amazingly heartfealt and I appreciated each and every one of them. Thank you, thank you, thank you xx<br />
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It's been quite a while hasn't it; sorry about that, but real life took over my crafting time for a little while. That's not to say that I haven't grasped some crafting time here and there, but I've dabbled with this and that and finished nothing!<br />
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I wondered what a granny bobble spiral square would be like, so I started this -<br />
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I think it looks promising, don't you? When bobbling I also liked the thought of doing a smaller granny bobble multiple squares blanket, so this followed -<br />
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I also played around with a comparison between a granny bobble square, a plain granny square and a granny triangle... -<br />
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I might look into some bobble/plain combining in the future...<br />
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Another day saw me playing with my gorgeous cotton/cotton mix stash to produce this -<br />
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You will also spy my current dvd obsession behind... I love Dr House... Not as much as yarn obviously, but he's nearly up there.<br />
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As well as going where my imagination and hook has taken me I have also started 2 other projects that are not my designs. The first came from working with my cotton yarns and spying <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lacy-v-shopping-bag" target="_blank">this</a> on ravelry. It's a very nice design and I've come to a stop as I'm unsure what to do about the handles... This is my progress so far -<br />
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It doesn't really show here but it's huge! The other project I just couldn't resist; I saw a picture of a vintage pattern months ago and loved it; I can usually work a pattern out for myself, but this one didn't seem that straightforward to me and I gave it up as I never hoped to get a copy of the vintage pattern. The picture cropped up on pinterest again recently and with not much hope that it linked to a pattern I followed the link to find <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/78589363/vintage-crochet-pattern-201-pdf-granny" target="_blank">this</a>... ohhhhhh I can't describe my delight in finding this. I bought the pattern immediately and this is my progress -<br />
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I am not disappointed; this one will definitely get finished! The etsy shop that provided the pattern was lovely and the owner couldn't have been more helpful providing loads of extra information on the pattern and crochet in general; I highly recommend it and will certainly buy for them again.<br />
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So, that's about it craft wise... I have been steadily working on my boys blanket; it's brown all the way now as I work the last round of the hexagons and then join them together, so you can imagine that I need some other, more colourful relief between these sessions!! This is my latest progress picture -<br />
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We've been enjoying some wonderful weather here since I blogged last; my last late hyacinth made the most of the sunshine -<br />
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I've nearly been up here in Scotland for 6 months now, and I remember threatening you with some pictures of the lochs I live next to way back just after I moved. With the glorious weather we have been having I have had no excuse not to get those photos taken in the sunshine so I leave you with these pictures now...<br />
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Happy crafting everyone.<br />
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Karen<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-518066053290084222012-05-14T18:41:00.000+01:002012-05-14T18:42:21.364+01:00Cleo...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sadly Cleo our cat died today; she was 18 years old. She joined our family when my two girls were still small, and she was only about 5 weeks old... too young to leave her mother really, but we were told that she was an unwanted farm kitten that was going to be 'disposed of'... how could they? She was so tiny and scared, but she gradually learned to trust us and love us.<br />
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I think that she lacked any human social contact in her first few weeks of life and that left her very wary of strangers; she also hated to be picked up and would only tolerate so much of being petted before batting your hand away, but at the same time she enjoyed being around our immediate family and liked our company and a warm lap to snuggle into. She actually got much more affectionate during the last year of her life which was nice for all of us.<br />
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She was a healthy cat, who never suffered through any illnesses or injuries. Her social phobias meant that trips to the vet were truly an ordeal for her; her last regular visit to the vet was about 6 years ago when I took her for her annual booster, but she was shaking so badly, and was so scared that she was actually panting. I made the decision then not to take her annually to the vet any more, she was 12 years old, had always been healthy and I didn't want to put her through it again. Thankfully I've never had to regret that decision and apart from going deaf about 3 years ago, she's kept the flu and other diseases at bay. The last couple of years had seen her gradually slowing down, and getting thinner, but she did ok until suddenly she deteriorated very quickly and seemed very weak and was stuggling to walk on her back legs and so an appointment was made to take her to the vets. She died about an hour before she was due to go... to be honest I am so glad that her last moments were at home and not in her cat box or the vet's surgery which she always found so distressing.<br />
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Anyway, the reason I am posting is that I just wanted to recognise, and celebrate really, her life on my blog; as I said she had a long, happy and healthy life and she loved and was loved very much, so all in all she was a very lucky cat! She was part of our family for 18 years and we will all miss her. God bless you Cleo xxx<br />
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xx<br />
<br />Karen@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-88465363561242231902012-04-21T11:28:00.001+01:002014-02-02T03:31:06.005+00:00Graduated Granny Blanket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have a crush on granny squares... I love that they inspire infinite possibilities of colour play, and shape and size combinations, to create something unique every time. It's the staple pattern that so many of us always come back to when the enthusiasm of a new pattern has been satisfied; and it is the basis of the pattern that I share with you today.<br />
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Now something that I am not quite so keen on are variegated yarns; they look so appealing in the shop with some lovely combinations of colours, and I've succumbed to the colourful lure of them more times then I care to remember. But I have almost always been disappointed with them once I work something up - it must be the control freak in me that just can't give control to the wool! I saw a blanket made by someone on the internet this week that was absolutely stunning; it had been worked up in lots of different shades of blue and the creator described how she put all of her various blue shades into a bag and randomly took one for each round. And it looked really, really great. I must do that, I thought to myself; and then I thought hang on, that is just impossible for me - there is no way that I can just pull a ball out of a bag and not have a heated debate with myself deciding if I like how this is going to look. This will inevitably be followed by me having another delve until I find something that I like better... hmm, it is no wonder I have a problem with variegated yarn! Give me gorgeous, solid colours any day.<br />
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What I do like about variegated yarns is the blending of one colour into another, and so I decided to play around with using multiple strands of different solid colours together to produce different effects - and it is quite addictive! And exciting as you never know what new, blended yarn you are going to create on each round - endless possibilities... And you can decide where a colour change will occur on your work... AND as you are using multiple strands, as well as a big chunky hook, your work grows incredibly fast - as well as using up a wool stash quicker than you can say "honey........ my wool basket is empty...... I need to buy some more..." Everyone's a winner!<br />
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So, I give you, the <em>Graduated Granny Blanket</em> -<br />
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I NOW HAVE A NEW WEBSITE AND THIS PATTERN CAN BE FOUND AT -</h2>
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<a href="http://psicrochet.com/portfolio-items/graduated-granny/">http://psicrochet.com/portfolio-items/graduated-granny/</a><br />
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One rainbow graduated granny. I do hope I have inspired you to try some yarn blending and maybe a graduated granny of your own.<br />
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The colours blend so beautifully together...<br />
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I hope you have a wonderful, colourful week.</div>
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Happy crocheting!</div>
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Karen</div>
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xx</div>
Karen@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-42329963284992640332012-04-15T12:09:00.000+01:002012-04-15T21:45:53.383+01:00Inspiration vs. Motivation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi everyone,<br />
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Loving the weekend here in sunny Scotland! I've been busy busy busy this week working on my baby blankets, but I also squeezed in, and completed, something new - a great stash-busting dollop of instant satisfaction (well nearly.. a couple of evenings will do it). I'm saving it up for another post, but that might be a quick glimpse above...<br />
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Along with crocheting my week away I have spent far too many hours picking through the delights on pinterest. It is the font of most of my inspiration nowadays, and I thought I might start sharing with you just a couple of pins each week that have particularly inspired me.<br />
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The two I have chosen this week share a theme...<br />
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<a href="http://heirloomphilosophy.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/seasonal-palette-color-of-love.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" closure_uid_9zk3na="8" height="640" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjap0lPMUeIueOCCugyQdsCvA8bJGHFN2aRv8LKlnjewj6Y87MR6GwTUqqLznXX7P9Ghs4hrsE5V8QvHkWq66ShQCIPofhwvuzr0fJIgPlmdKElmKlGn9nff5PI7p6uYyWCPXlBngnXtzBi/s640/DesignSponge.jpg" width="425" /></a><br />
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I love everything about this room; the simplicity; the distressed wood; the stripes; the red chairs; the delicate pink blossom.<br />
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And then this -<br />
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<a href="http://www.tantemonica.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/jul-pa-soverommet.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" closure_uid_1suepp="3" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SJlRE-pGFkROUpbuS9Rk4wz6_KDK2jyUV-SR6FNOY_t6GY_ftrGDR23s5UOt7fpeS4ufyTUfINHWkpQud9FkXnVoKIc8OD-0vZ0zS3ukX9flVCbWmlu3eMN89gzLRuhuVitLy7xdeUg/s640/8.JPG" width="448" /></a><br />
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Red gingham & white bedding... need I say more! <br />
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I think that it says a lot about my motivation this week that when browsing pinterest I pinned this -<br />
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<a href="http://tonedcurves.tumblr.com/tagged/run" target="_blank"><img alt="" height="427" src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx1rjonxuK1r8f3bco1_500.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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closely followed by this -<br />
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<a href="http://elizabethsedibleexperience.blogspot.co.uk/2009/03/cake-cravings.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" closure_uid_opwwt1="2" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319510794042664466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab1Z-qlMuOi124Lh8CwLLZ6n1_chq_QR5zQsvC-SgMwfDNkreyEtaKFpRn6l7L8mDLij-LRkd4Un-nk6T3Yz-37618XF8qjkzE7zLdaf3zgR_o1GJYIE5T_bHOI2VL-_ISC1JeQHkO-g/s600/IMG_6574_edited.jpg" style="display: block; height: 560px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 600px;" /></a><br />
I think that in 365 days I will have kept my current figure, and greatly added to it... unless I learn to run away from the cake!<br />
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Have a great week everyone.<br />
Happy crafting.<br />
Karen<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-4388001368882372012-04-09T19:52:00.000+01:002014-02-02T03:32:36.238+00:00Northern Star<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi everyone; my second, baby boy option, blanket is now decided upon. I wanted a blanket covered in 5-point stars, made up of hexagon motifs similarly to my baby girls puffed daisy blanket. This wasn't the most straightforward project to design, and I have to admit that I don't think I could just write the pattern down in a way that most people would be able to understand easily, so a comprehensive photographic tutorial is essential for this project. I would have loved to have made a video tutorial for you, but with only 1 pair of hands I'm afraid it is beyond me! (I suddenly feel the need for a large rubber band to hold my camera to my forehead! I joke, but part of me thinks I may just try it!!! But not today...) It is quite easy to work, once you are familiar with the pattern and where the stitches are placed. (I surely hope)....<br />
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</h2>
<h2>
I NOW HAVE A NEW WEBSITE AND THIS PATTERN CAN BE FOUND AT -</h2>
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<a href="http://psicrochet.com/portfolio-items/northern-star/">http://psicrochet.com/portfolio-items/northern-star/</a><br />
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Back view below.</div>
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My boys baby blanket is in shades of blue, green, white, grey and dark brown. I've made pretty good progress so far.</div>
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Go on, give it a go... It's not difficult honestly!!</div>
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Happy crocheting</div>
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Karen</div>
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xx</div>
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Karen@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-55531017918758011022012-04-09T01:05:00.000+01:002012-04-09T11:17:12.696+01:00Easter Holidays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Happy Easter Everyone! I have my parents visiting with me at the moment, and with the very welcome bank holiday giving me a long weekend off work we have been exploring the Southern Scottish countryside. We drove up the western coast yesterday to Ayr, and I spent far too much money in the shops there. Today we drove to the southernmost point of Scotland, the Mull of Galloway.</div>
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Unfortunately the good weather we have been enjoying has fled south, and it was a cloudy and blustery day by the lighthouse.<br />
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On a good, sunny, clear day the information in the visitor's centre said that you could see (my homeland) the Cumbrian fells in England to the east, the Isle of Man to the south, and Ireland to the west. Alas, the weather was not that kind to us and there was no sign of Cumbria...<br />
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But we could just make out some distant hills that must have been the Isle of Man...<br />
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And similarly we could just see Ireland to the west.<br />
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It was lovely, but a bit blowy and cold, so we came home again to hot, sausage sandwiches, coffee, dvds and, for my part anyway, crochet...<br />
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I am getting on with my girly puffed daisy baby blanket, but I also haven't been able to resist trying out some ideas for a baby boys blanket. As I'm doing flowers for a girls blanket, I really wanted to do stars for a boys blanket, but I couldn't find any designs out there that suited me. What I wanted really was a basic 5-point star that was worked in the round, similarly to my daisy flowers, but all the patterns I could find had the points of the stars worked sideways which wasn't what I wanted. When I started to play with a pattern myself I realised why these stars were worked sideways; it's difficult to get a good point worked in the round, but I persevered and I now have my boys star blanket pattern. I will eventually do a photographic pattern tutorial for it, but for now I give you a sneak peek...<br />
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Happy holidays and crocheting!<br />
Karen<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-65602325141181794582012-03-25T13:46:00.000+01:002012-03-25T13:58:03.927+01:00Spring Abundance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At last Spring is here and along with it some very unseasonally great weather - even for Southwest Scotland! The landscape is filling with colour as daffodils and rhododendrons appear and there seems to be wildlife scampering and flying around in pairs wherever I look - all very fertile, which is providing some very timely inspiration for me as I need to make a baby blanket for a friend before July. Actually I want to make 2 baby blankets as I don't know if it's for a boy or a girl, so I need to get cracking.<br />
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Now I have a <u>very</u> large stash of yarn; mainly acrylics, in nearly every colour you can think of, but for these projects I wanted to treat myself to new yarn bought specifically for it - something I rarely do as money is not unfortunately no object for me - but I came across a great deal on the net that provided too much temptation to resist. <a href="http://www.kempswoolshop.com/" target="_blank">Kemps</a> wool shop is fantastic; I have used them before and the service they provide is great - quick delivery and everything packaged perfectly. But the very best thing about them is their clearance wools section - you can get some amazing bargains on there, and I find myself <strike>torturing myself</strike> looking every week to see what new offers they have added. And what I thought would be perfect for baby blankets was Twilleys of Stamford Freedom Gorgeous DK - which I am pleased to report that I found on delivery was an aptly named gorgeously soft blend of 75% bamboo and 25% nylon. It looks quite cottony and has a lovely silky sheen to it which I like very much - it's also a liiiiittle bit splitty, but thankfully not enough to annoy me, with a great colour range and at £1.29 for a 50g ball a bargain.<br />
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Now, colour choices... for a girls blanket I adore various shades of pink with greens and white - but I didn't want it to be too sugary and sweet, so I added purple, dark brown, a natural linen beige colour and a light grey. I also ordered some lovely light blue which I will use with green and the brown/grey neutrals for a boys blanket. I eagerly awaited delivery, which was a thankfully short wait, and excitedly opened up my parcel, impatient to start my girly blanket... .... ... and felt a little bit disappointed............ just a little bit flat................................... It was the greens, you see... they were just a little bit bleurghhhh.............. don't get me wrong, they are not bad colours... they are just not quite the colours I was seeing in my mind, in my blanket with the lovely shades of pink... and the strong pink was also a little bit too strong... again not awful, just not as I had envisaged. You see I looooooooove green; it is probably my most favourite colour; but I don't love all greens - in fact there are a few greens that I absolutely loath - in particular the greens that you would never see in nature, like that shade that was so popular in the 1980's which they called jade... I hate it - not like real jade at all, just a most un-natural colour... my taste in greens really swing more to the more yellowy-green shades rather than the bluey-green shades; the limes, both light and dark - shades that are quite difficult to find in most yarn ranges - particularly the budget lines... the rowans and debbie bliss ranges have lots of lovely green shades, but they are just a bit out of my price bracket... Even the stylecraft special dk range that I love has a bit of a disappointing green section...<br />
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Anyway, I've meandered off the point; I was a bit disheartened and I played with the different colours, trying to find a combination I was happy with, and decided I would take out the green altogether and just use the pinks and purple along with the neutrals.<br />
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Now I started this blanket a week ago, but I took these photographs today, and I have to say that the whole combination, with the greens, has grown on me over the week - the pyramid of yarn photo above appeals to me much more now than it did when I first opened up my package - my mental picture coloured my first impression I think... too late now as I have made quite a bit of progress on my blanket, which is bereft of green, but I am happy with it anyway.<br />
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Now pattern... the reason that I am starting with the girly blanket is because I know what pattern I want to use - my <a href="http://colourinasimplelife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/puffed-daisy-hexagon.html" target="_blank">Puffed Daisy Hexagon</a> pattern is perfect for a baby girl. At this stage I don't know what to do for the boys blanket - nothing I've seen so far really jumps out at me... I may have to create something new... but the girly blanket I know what I want, and I'm really pleased with my progress so far...<br />
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Every hexagon will contain white, along with a random choice of the other colours. After starting a few, joining as I go, I am now making lots, production line style, up to round 2 so that they are ready just for the joining, hexagon colour.<br />
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I'm unsure what the ideal size for a baby blanket is... any suggestions greatfully appreciated please...<br />
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I was about ready to publish when this little lot paraded past my window...<br />
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Don't they look fat and full of lambs...</div>
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I thought he'll be lucky to get this lot around the corner, and not straight ahead towards my flat!</div>
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But then I saw the trusty sheepdog at the back, expertly directing them...</div>
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Fantastic!! Have a great week everyone!<br />
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Happy crocheting!!<br />
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Karen<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-61693930593142435322012-03-03T16:29:00.000+00:002014-02-02T03:34:10.604+00:00Granny Bobble Stripe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Did I ever mention that I like bobbles? ... perhaps? ... once or twice? ...<br />
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Despite feeling sure that there are many now bellowing at their computer, "Karen, will you change the record, give us something different PLEASE...", I must return to an old favourite for just one more tweak.<br />
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I was inspired this week by the phrase "I think I can, I think I can" which I came across while blog surfing on MAD MAD ME blog - <a href="http://032ad8a.netsolhost.com/madmad/">http://032ad8a.netsolhost.com/madmad/</a> Charissa used the phrase while blogging her progress on creating her own Almond Blossom Bag (or Bohemian Purse). Take a look over there; she has a great, humorous style of writing that I personally love... (course, ahem, she was very complimentary about me, but that's not why I urge you to take a look honestly ... she genuinely is really good!)<br />
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Anyway, it took me back to when I was working on my Granny Bobble Blanket and while looking at the rounds of colourful bobbles develop it struck me one day how great it would look in stripes rather than rounds.<br />
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With usual abandon I flung my granny bobble blanket aside and set about turning the pattern into flat stripes instead of rounds, and to my frustration found that I couldn't... You see the problem was that the bobbles are only ever worked on the front side of the work, the work is never turned. Working only on the front side, from right to left, on each row is fine on rounds, but worked flat and never turning can cause the crochet to gradually skew to one side, making your lovely crocheted rectangle turn into the leaning tower of Crochet! I think this is due to the chain loops at the top of the stitches (the bits that you work your next stitch in) just sitting to the right to the rest of the stitch below, so each subsequent row is slightly to the right. (or could be left don't quote me!) I tried various ways to get my stripes right, before admitting "I don't think I can"... and that was that... until I read Charissa's blog this week. It made me want to look at it again; I knew there must be a way and... wait for it.... wait for it..... de dat de dat de dat de daaaaaah.................................. there wasn't!! <br />
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Naaaaaaaaah.... sorry couldn't help myself, there was really.... it was nearly a blog post to nothing there...<br />
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I found that where I had been going wrong was in starting my new rows by working my first stitches of the row directly into the stitches of the row below; that doesn't work and sends you squewy. What does work is to work into the spaces created by the stitches below, that keeps you nice and straight. <br />
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So, do you want the pattern? Okey dokey...<br />
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<em><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Granny Bobble Stripe</span></em><br />
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I NOW HAVE A NEW WEBSITE AND THIS PATTERN CAN BE FOUND AT -<br />
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<a href="http://psicrochet.com/portfolio-items/granny-bobble-stripe/">http://psicrochet.com/portfolio-items/granny-bobble-stripe/</a><br />
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I knew I could!!! <br />
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Now, I have a few ends to sew in....<br />
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Happy crocheting...<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423396560569722360.post-44366533624430945272012-02-25T16:02:00.000+00:002012-02-25T16:02:42.657+00:00Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello; Happy Weekend! My posts ususally come along at the weekend, which is when I get most of my crafts done. I absolutely adore waking up on a Saturday and Sunday knowing that I can do whatever I like ALL DAY!!! And the best bit of all is that I always want to create something and I get on and do it; unlike evenings when I don't get much done - and I could kick myself for it... I get home from work during the week, have some supper and settle down for the evening and I could easily have 4 crafting hours... but I'll think about it... and think a bit more... and look at what projects I have on the go... and see what is on the TV... and as usual switch off the TV again... and think it's now getting later... is it worth starting something... and turn on my laptop... and browse pinterest, ravelry and blogs... and finally get inspired to do something and AAAARGHHH!!! It's bedtime!!! Honestly I get so frustrated with myself and it's just because I have a limited amount of time available to me and not all day. Am I on my own with this affliction or are there any more sufferers out there? Actually, I think part of the problem at this time of year is the hours of darkness; I always feel more inspired during the daylight hours... <br />
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But enough of that... today I want to talk about COLOUR...<br />
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I love it. It affects my mood. It lifts my spirits. It makes me happy. And part of the appeal of crochet to me is the colour play you get with creating stripes or fitting modular squares/hexagons/shapes together. I can waste loads of time just looking at the colour explosion I have created with a hook and seeing particular combinations of colour within that I love, sometimes quite surprisingly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwX5k9AytvcNmfon761W2stig2k_fMNEoZFvYED5Kk4COCPcvKPeftx23c5h4fzHKVwU_rSK1i7Yz-qsefgczCiOD4uoAFofKo5I1nbnsfumRyTKYiXbtAOWPiqeAnVwRK1CZSNJeMEY/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwX5k9AytvcNmfon761W2stig2k_fMNEoZFvYED5Kk4COCPcvKPeftx23c5h4fzHKVwU_rSK1i7Yz-qsefgczCiOD4uoAFofKo5I1nbnsfumRyTKYiXbtAOWPiqeAnVwRK1CZSNJeMEY/s640/IMG_0015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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But really 'just looking' at a piece of work you have created isn't a waste of time is it? We don't put all this effort into making something that will be stored away and never looked at (well apart from the disasters anyway!) And I feel varying emotions when I look at my work; I can feel pride, and accomplishment, and sometimes relief that it's done. But because I love colour so much, mainly when I look at my work it lifts my mood and brings me happiness. I think it can be classed as Art. Britannica Online defines Art as "<em>the use of skill and imagination in the creation of aesthetic objects, environments, or experiences that can be shared with others</em>." Yes, definately Art. So, with that in mind I decided to experiment with some crochet that doesn't have any use other than to be looked at; just displayed on the wall. As expected my taste in art is very colourful. So I decided to create a very simple striped picture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEU61qD-Re8SHTrODtlW2xCXGrWr820ZXPI1kn4fu23mDauiTZyKU9PUHKSKY-OUQT27VDc0Hi_HGHCb8iOfBbjKX_8hznApEWdJV_qQiHxE7B2pG-rKQQPHMlomx4KPIs_b6-bLftd48/s1600/IMG_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEU61qD-Re8SHTrODtlW2xCXGrWr820ZXPI1kn4fu23mDauiTZyKU9PUHKSKY-OUQT27VDc0Hi_HGHCb8iOfBbjKX_8hznApEWdJV_qQiHxE7B2pG-rKQQPHMlomx4KPIs_b6-bLftd48/s640/IMG_0208.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I bought a very inexpensive stretched canvas, and a glue gun, and set about making a long rectangle of stripy goodness that roughly fit symetrically within the canvas. I used my usual 4.5 mm hook and dk yarn and did 2 colour stripes of single crochet with 15 stitches until I reached the desired length. I edged the whole thing with 1 row of single crochet in charcoal.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48KQDDC9QTrjLi73iy6gw1KxPW5xSvnHegeAQopAB0lppPOMtxMx7Xk2HnQRwHziTPEvpO7hkzvggKs0NuTXtXsjUefnQNHSv6rv1LeRZEPrTD-3qOIuZAzZkSKeBg57rKojITlP9B_I/s1600/IMG_0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48KQDDC9QTrjLi73iy6gw1KxPW5xSvnHegeAQopAB0lppPOMtxMx7Xk2HnQRwHziTPEvpO7hkzvggKs0NuTXtXsjUefnQNHSv6rv1LeRZEPrTD-3qOIuZAzZkSKeBg57rKojITlP9B_I/s640/IMG_0209.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm not the most precise worker, so in order to aid me in lining my (blocked) crochet up visually, I stuck strips of sellotape along each edge of the frame to make the inner space smaller - this helped me to centre the crochet visually within it -<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYCwU5yB1EAmBgQ90SzOSPZgqA0hIB6hLLnvQVN20EHQql19Gkwsygdz4z5TDPLftPK96CIdGStD7tMCasnXAM-zKtG5ypNFQbkOmoD6_-koj_7YrMh29NpBAzfKseQi8flNBu8sY9ms/s1600/IMG_0217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYCwU5yB1EAmBgQ90SzOSPZgqA0hIB6hLLnvQVN20EHQql19Gkwsygdz4z5TDPLftPK96CIdGStD7tMCasnXAM-zKtG5ypNFQbkOmoD6_-koj_7YrMh29NpBAzfKseQi8flNBu8sY9ms/s640/IMG_0217.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I then stuck the edges down with a hot glue gun.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpwVqB01wFHLzBzNtQ_DTnm3ctJxzr5A2_QGbIOTVYk-lyDptawpdeE82tS3HB7LeeVse_8ifk51O3g5eLOfTMjr_nAjfi-cxHWvckg3spF1LkPdWdhBrtscXKGvtHWJy4_siw44ldmw/s1600/IMG_0219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpwVqB01wFHLzBzNtQ_DTnm3ctJxzr5A2_QGbIOTVYk-lyDptawpdeE82tS3HB7LeeVse_8ifk51O3g5eLOfTMjr_nAjfi-cxHWvckg3spF1LkPdWdhBrtscXKGvtHWJy4_siw44ldmw/s640/IMG_0219.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And placed pins at the sides to keep in shape until dry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6O4ItE_wbbhGs5SPNp1aVd0PmOYn40QBZszw9cybIap63kXAQ3eGtxqhZXiK6mo9AtiVnyM2m3xxx67koQvmwJQ8zr_fQ8kLBcT0AkMw_BdZ9lWpU-C7uAPIo2NR0tmt_XwHqsq-URU/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6O4ItE_wbbhGs5SPNp1aVd0PmOYn40QBZszw9cybIap63kXAQ3eGtxqhZXiK6mo9AtiVnyM2m3xxx67koQvmwJQ8zr_fQ8kLBcT0AkMw_BdZ9lWpU-C7uAPIo2NR0tmt_XwHqsq-URU/s640/IMG_0220.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The glue didn't take long to dry at all, and the 'art' could be hung on the wall within half an hour.<br />
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What do you think? Is it art? My verdict is that I like the idea, but not my sloppy execution! I think the charcoal edging looks messy, and it looked better without it. Worth more experimentation me thinks! Watch this space...<br />
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There has been an amazing response to the Almond Blossom Bag and I've received lots of fantastic comments. Thank you sooooo much!<br />
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Until next time; happy crocheting!<br />
xxKaren@colourinasimplelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899833970819347228noreply@blogger.com34