tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836283916556666302024-03-13T02:54:09.150+00:00Miss Magpiestitching and crafting by the seaBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10659538159605104978noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-55168323618317973552014-04-19T13:52:00.002+01:002014-04-23T14:38:13.274+01:00By Hand London Anna Dress for Dolly Clackett<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Firstly I must apologise for my very long absence from blogging, for which I have no real reason. I have been making as much stuff as ever, but I just haven't felt the need to document it. The reason for today's post is a dress which I felt compelled to create because of <strong><a href="http://dollyclackett.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">another blogger</a></strong> who is getting married in May this year and in whose honour a <strong><a href="http://rhinestonesandtelephones.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/surprise-its-sew-dolly-clackett.html" target="_blank">sew-along</a></strong> was created.</div>
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I have been reading Roisin's blog for a while now and it always makes me smile, plus, she makes A LOT of pretty awesome dresses. Seriously, does she have a second home for her clothes?</div>
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Coming back to my blogger programme, I see that I had first intended to post about the Anna dress back in August of last year. I had bought the pattern after seeing some lovely versions made up by sewing bloggers and I duly completed my very first dress. The fit of this dress is great straight out of the packet but unfortunately the cheap-ish cotton I used to make it looked fine on the bolt but, I think has the unfortunate appearance of a hospital gown when made into an Anna. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_cxpRqmka_Y/U1ZEzQvOjeI/AAAAAAAABfQ/lAZ8kA8xOCc/s1600/my+anna.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_cxpRqmka_Y/U1ZEzQvOjeI/AAAAAAAABfQ/lAZ8kA8xOCc/s1600/my+anna.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Buoyed by it's sort of success, I then went on to make another for my daughter when she needed a frock for a wedding she was going to. At first I was really sceptical about the print that she insisted upon but I think it looks brilliant as a dress and had to concede that my daughter was right. So, apparently my fabric-choosing skills are sadly lacking when it comes to dress making. Unfortunately, my computer has decided to hide my old pictures away in an as-yet undiscovered file so you will have to make do with a hanger shot and a picture of a photo!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xo82Okf0SDg/U1ZE3hH4HpI/AAAAAAAABfg/yqPDA5OZe0I/s1600/panda+anna.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xo82Okf0SDg/U1ZE3hH4HpI/AAAAAAAABfg/yqPDA5OZe0I/s1600/panda+anna.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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I love how you can't tell what the print is until you get close and then suddenly you think 'Oh, Pandas!' Note to readers: my daughter looks decidedly unimpressed with her frock, but actually, she loves it. That's the closest thing you'll get to a smile from her.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NSzttIhuua4/U1ZEzigIAVI/AAAAAAAABfY/QE1ES46snfU/s1600/laurens+anna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NSzttIhuua4/U1ZEzigIAVI/AAAAAAAABfY/QE1ES46snfU/s1600/laurens+anna.jpg" height="400" width="237" /></a></div>
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Fabric-wise, I had read about the sew-along and had toyed with the idea of participating, but then, browsing through some home-furnishing fabrics whilst looking for some fabric to make a present with, I came across this fabric which immediately shouted 'Roisin' at me. May I present 'Anna in Paris'.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dSxVEKFf-Fg/U1JuF-jHFUI/AAAAAAAABd8/-stnXTlNClY/s1600/anna+inside+pic+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dSxVEKFf-Fg/U1JuF-jHFUI/AAAAAAAABd8/-stnXTlNClY/s1600/anna+inside+pic+cropped.jpg" height="640" width="410" /></a></div>
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Because of the print, I knew that the seven-piece Anna skirt would look very odd unless I was prepared to pattern match and waste metres and metres of fabric (I wasn't) so a gathered skirt it was to be. As a complete dress-making novice, I now realise that pleats might have been a better choice as they would not only have been more flattering, but they wouldn't have taken a whole morning to do because of repeatedly snapped gathering threads. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LsvngrmVa0Y/U1JsS0zGynI/AAAAAAAABdI/Sx2GBsGDLd0/s1600/anna+on+hanger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LsvngrmVa0Y/U1JsS0zGynI/AAAAAAAABdI/Sx2GBsGDLd0/s1600/anna+on+hanger.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I french-seamed the bodice sides initially, until I realised that my gathered skirt had a front piece and a back piece and therefore nowhere to insert the zip at the back, so I did an ordinary seam up the back and finished it with bias-binding. I un-picked one of the side seams and placed the invisible zip there instead.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg9jV7BLiOM/U1JsxQzUxSI/AAAAAAAABdw/rzJyb7h-PbY/s1600/inside+anna+dress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg9jV7BLiOM/U1JsxQzUxSI/AAAAAAAABdw/rzJyb7h-PbY/s1600/inside+anna+dress.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The waist seam was also bias-bound although the gathers made this a bit tricky, but the dress sits well on me so no harm done.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uhbP5YldgkQ/U1JuZAcDQQI/AAAAAAAABeI/z5WyKdGXXt8/s1600/full+skirt+anna+dress+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uhbP5YldgkQ/U1JuZAcDQQI/AAAAAAAABeI/z5WyKdGXXt8/s1600/full+skirt+anna+dress+cropped.jpg" height="640" width="348" /></a></div>
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I was just going to do a bias-finished hem too but I really liked the contrast so I decided to show the binding on the outside. It was also a perfect match for my purple shoes, which I bought years ago but have never had an outfit to match.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A1IojOeKN20/U1JuY3MqvbI/AAAAAAAABeE/VqaOshU4j3U/s1600/full+skirt+anna+back+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A1IojOeKN20/U1JuY3MqvbI/AAAAAAAABeE/VqaOshU4j3U/s1600/full+skirt+anna+back+cropped.jpg" height="640" width="364" /></a></div>
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I can even twirl like a princess and not feel remotely stupid as a middle aged woman doing so. Ahem. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p1UAQ52YzWw/U1Juzu1R7MI/AAAAAAAABeU/7OX-1qXKtuQ/s1600/full+skirt+anna+dress2+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p1UAQ52YzWw/U1Juzu1R7MI/AAAAAAAABeU/7OX-1qXKtuQ/s1600/full+skirt+anna+dress2+cropped.jpg" height="640" width="416" /></a></div>
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I'm not quite sure where I will wear this dress (although I will most likely be heading to Paris over the next twelve months) but I really enjoyed the challenge of making it and learned some new techniques along the way.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgNoHTV7TFU/U1J9wThVcnI/AAAAAAAABfE/lprORFTBO94/s1600/Beths+Dress+April+14+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgNoHTV7TFU/U1J9wThVcnI/AAAAAAAABfE/lprORFTBO94/s1600/Beths+Dress+April+14+%25285%2529.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I wish Roisin and Nic a very happy wedding day and a long and gin-filled married life. Congratulations chaps! xxUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-32359030974694761292013-06-03T11:28:00.000+01:002013-06-03T11:28:40.599+01:00Granny Stripe Blanket.....Done! I know I said I wouldn't be blogging so frequently any more, but I didn't really expect to be absent for quite so long. My apologies and grateful thanks to anybody visiting.......<br />
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Things have been busy as usual over at Magpie Towers and although there have been bits and bobs of crafting going on, not many of them have made it to the finish as yet.<br />
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With then kids back at school after half term, I am having the annual panic of thinking "S***, I've only got seven weeks in which to spring clean/redecorate/learn a new language/address monobrow, etc. before I have NO time in which to do these things because I will be performing earth mother of the year duties keeping my little darlings fully occupied and joyously happy for almost two months".<br />
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So, this week I will be attempting to clear a backlog of little jobs whilst having a little creativity thrown in.<br />
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I thought you might like to see that I can get some things finished. Here is the blanket which I started when I first learned to crochet last March, and which I finished a few weeks ago with a fetching border....<br />
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I am really happy with this, not least because it is finally finished, but because we have already been using it for over a year, it has been washed several times and still looks and feels lovely.<br />
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The only trouble is, there have also been a few tussles over who will get to snuggle under it at night, so it is back to the crochet hook for big blanket #2.<br />
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See you in another few months? <br />
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Beth x<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-44270779431272739912013-01-15T14:30:00.000+00:002013-01-15T20:29:22.396+00:00Colour Explosions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
.... It wasn't just me apparently, Blogger is having some issues at the moment. I have skirted around the problem by using a different browser. If only it would find the wordy part of the post that Blogger helpfully lost too!</div>
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Anyway, are you ready to have your day brightened up? These funky ripples are from the secret project I was working on before Christmas. They were to be turned into a cushion for Mr Magpie's sister.</div>
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I revisited the <strong><a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/neat-ripple-pattern.html" target="_blank">Neat Ripple</a></strong> pattern from Attic 24 for the cushion, it is so simple and effective and works up quickly. I did the ripples randomly, unlike my <strong><a href="http://missmagpiemakes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/ripple-baby-blanket-finished.html" target="_blank">Baby Blanket</a></strong>, which was more of a repeat.</div>
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To begin, I made a chain slightly shorter than the width of the cushion pad. I then rippled happily away until I was just short of the height, then made the reverse side with the same starting chain and the same number of ripples (forty-ish I think). Although the pattern was random, I did try to make sure that colours weren't used together too often and that the two sides weren't the same.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_D6Gyb2yS8Y/UPQPR493dXI/AAAAAAAABXE/ZjVx0d5TA6U/s1600/two+sides+finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_D6Gyb2yS8Y/UPQPR493dXI/AAAAAAAABXE/ZjVx0d5TA6U/s1600/two+sides+finished.jpg" /></a></div>
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I intentionally made the two sides smaller than the cushion pad as I wanted to use a new contrasting colour on the edgings. I did this by making two trebles in the end of each row along the sides, once I had woven in all the pesky ends.<br />
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I had intended to flatten the ripple on the top and bottom but when I held the sides together I realised that they interlocked perfectly and all that was needed to join them together was a row of single crochet.</div>
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When I had joined the wavy ends, I turned the cushion inside out and sewed a zip along the row of treble pairs. Once that was in place I trebled all down each side again and then joined all the edges with a final row of singles. I'm afraid I forgot to take close-ups of this part.</div>
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So this is the finished result. I must say I was very pleased with it left it on the sofa for a few days so I could admire it! The recipient was pleased too and has requested more cushions on each birthday and Christmas for several years to come. <br />
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The next present was the Spectra scarf I was making for my daughter, which ended up being finished over the holidays. Again, I was really happy with the finished item so wasn't <em>too </em>cross when, after trying it on for the first time and keeping it on for all of seven seconds it was pronounced 'too itchy' and handed straight back to me!</div>
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I've been struggling to find a way of photographing this scarf in a flattering way, it really does look a lot brighter in 'real life' and I love the way it drapes when worn. <br />
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As predicted, I have enough of the colourful Poems yarn left over to make another, which I will probably do.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUW90-KH-Mo/UPQPTy8FnyI/AAAAAAAABXM/76czzN-27h4/s1600/2012-12-16+09.05.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KUW90-KH-Mo/UPQPTy8FnyI/AAAAAAAABXM/76czzN-27h4/s640/2012-12-16+09.05.38.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qNNAGwF6CQI/UPVTSVhcopI/AAAAAAAABZk/VA-t0Z0cgvc/s1600/finished+spectra+jan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qNNAGwF6CQI/UPVTSVhcopI/AAAAAAAABZk/VA-t0Z0cgvc/s640/finished+spectra+jan.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The next colourful creation is my Granny Stripe blanket, which gets the odd row added here and there when I can wrestle it away from whoever is snuggling under it of an evening (or afternoon, it has been in great demand by the various poorly Magpies who have been using it as a comforter). It really is huge now and unless I continue with my original plan to make it double-bed sized, I think I will be adding a border soon so that I can pronounce it finished.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QwwwM46qjXs/UPQn2i-sKEI/AAAAAAAABYg/TWlZnCqBg9A/s1600/granny+Stripe+14-01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QwwwM46qjXs/UPQn2i-sKEI/AAAAAAAABYg/TWlZnCqBg9A/s640/granny+Stripe+14-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My thoughts have already been working out the next sofa blanket I need to make (necessitated by the arguments over the Granny Stripe) and I have been steadily stashing the Stylecraft ready to make a start.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yypc0Nqcai0/UPVTf_RIMtI/AAAAAAAABZ8/fG_yU0mooeQ/s1600/stylecraft+rainbow+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yypc0Nqcai0/UPVTf_RIMtI/AAAAAAAABZ8/fG_yU0mooeQ/s640/stylecraft+rainbow+(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Until I make a decision, I have decided to embark upon my own crochet cushion covers and am planning to make several in different colours, but using the same group of colours for each, starting with the purple shades.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8JoZGYOUOU/UPVTedN-niI/AAAAAAAABZ0/exG_g24E_Dg/s1600/purple+ripples.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8JoZGYOUOU/UPVTedN-niI/AAAAAAAABZ0/exG_g24E_Dg/s640/purple+ripples.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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To the untrained eye it looks as though I am rippling again. I am, but this time using a different pattern from my <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Essential-Handbook-Crochet-Stitches/dp/1844485110/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358259733&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><strong>Handbook of Crochet Stitches</strong></a><strong>. </strong>This pattern does a TR3TOG at the bottom of the valley, five trebles in between and a TR, CH, TR into the mountain, which produces the holes you can see below.</div>
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Currently I am trying to find a combination of knitting pattern and yarn I like, but not having much success. Looks like the crochet will be taking over again!<br />
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Thanks for stopping by,<br />
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Beth x<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-19018653897252218402013-01-14T09:18:00.002+00:002013-01-14T09:18:50.382+00:00TroublesI know it's been far too long since I last posted but I seem to be having a problem with blogger that has persisted for a few weeks now and I am at a bit of a loss as to how to fix it.<br />
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When I am trying to add photos to a post, I click the picture icon but the 'browse files' button fails to appear as it used to and I can't work out how to get it back.<br />
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Is anyone else having this problem? I've got loads to show you but I don't know how!<br />
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Hopefully I wil be back soon, problems solved,<br />
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Beth xUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-49463628452124681062012-12-07T11:39:00.001+00:002012-12-07T11:40:21.310+00:00Please can there be more days in December?I'm still in denial about Christmas (shhh!) here at Magpie Towers. My daughter is turning 16 next week and I'm desperately trying to get her something made that I can give her on the day, I've always been adamant that her day shouldn't coincide with the other one that happens on the 25th.<br />
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That said, poorly children and a poorly Mr have been cluttering up the house this week so not much making happening, just a bit of knitting.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7QSkC2iHp8/UMHUqbNr2SI/AAAAAAAABVg/y12qFmTr4Ho/s1600/2012-12-07+11.27.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7QSkC2iHp8/UMHUqbNr2SI/AAAAAAAABVg/y12qFmTr4Ho/s640/2012-12-07+11.27.22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Since this is not yet halfway through, the Spectra isn't a contender for most on time birthday present, but I am enjoying knitting it very much because of the short rows and the interest of getting to the next colour. I will definitely be making another for me.<br />
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Anyway, back to the sewing machine...........<br />
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Beth xUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-59560089274294260262012-11-22T10:46:00.000+00:002012-11-22T10:46:48.305+00:00In Which I Actually Make SomethingFirstly, I will say that I am no longer going to apologise for my irregular blogging. I used to aim to post on a weekly basis, but lately life gets in the way far too much and I am still sans laptop. This is likely to be an ongoing problem for some time, so from now on I will be a more infrequent blogger but I hope you will keep visiting me when I have something to show you.<br />
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Secondly, thank you for all your kind words regarding the burglary. Unfortunately, the police haven't managed to recover any of our possessions and as predicted, the insurance company is so far refusing to cough up; they don't know yet what a determined little beast I can be when I put my mind to something so I am hopeful that we may get some good news yet.<br />
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So, all that having been said, let me show you a little of what has been keeping me cosy of an evening.<br />
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First up is a shawl that has been incredilbly popular on Ravelry, the Color Affection. The idea is to take three different yarns (either lace weight or 4ply) and combine them in garter stitch rows to make a cosy wrap.<br />
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I had been wanting to try this for ages but hadn't found a colour combination I was happy with, so made sure to buy something specifically at Ally Pally. I cast on the day after I got back and finished last week. The last few rows are a bit hard-going as they take about 30 -40 minutes to complete.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AQVhza3WdoU/UK36hllrxcI/AAAAAAAABSY/Xuf93qzP_8A/s1600/Sea+Green+Color+Affection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AQVhza3WdoU/UK36hllrxcI/AAAAAAAABSY/Xuf93qzP_8A/s640/Sea+Green+Color+Affection.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I haven't blocked this monster yet; I need to get some advice from the girls at SnB. My problem is that as a tight knitter, my shawl has come out quite a bit shallower than it should have done and the top left edge (where the three-colour stripes start) is incredibly tight and I don't think blocking will relax it.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-23-SyF6VwRE/UK36mHXjsiI/AAAAAAAABSg/7nrJ3ElIFaY/s1600/Color+Affection+Closer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-23-SyF6VwRE/UK36mHXjsiI/AAAAAAAABSg/7nrJ3ElIFaY/s640/Color+Affection+Closer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For the bottom edge I used a different technique to cast off which made the edge loose. This was the most fiddly and time-consuming cast off I have ever done and I had to break it down over three sessions! I wish I had tried this technique on my Changeling Shawlette though as it would have solved the stretch issue, but you live and learn.<br />
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I have worn the Color Affection, which is more of scarf really and am happy to report that it matches my winter coat perfectly and the alpaca yarn (the green colour) makes it really swishy and snuggly. I might attempt another one day but I will have to address my tension issues first!<br />
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Before I had completed the marathon cast off, I snuck this little treasure onto the needles. It is another pattern that I have been itching to make, due to it's clever use of slow colour-changing yarn. Usually people kit it with Noro Yarns, but although I like the pictures I see of finished results with Noro, to me it looks un-appealing when I have seen it for sale and it feels really scratchy.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-teDuqyablWc/UK39XJ6RqTI/AAAAAAAABTY/RhGJ0UFDC3A/s1600/Spectra+and+Yarn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-teDuqyablWc/UK39XJ6RqTI/AAAAAAAABTY/RhGJ0UFDC3A/s640/Spectra+and+Yarn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My alternative is the Poems yarn I used in my Changeling Shawlette. It is lovely and soft and a good deal cheaper than the Noro too. I have a different colourway this time.<br />
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For this scarf you knit little wedges of the colourful yarn in between the solid sections of the contrast. So far I am still on the purple but you can see from the yarn that I will eventually have a myriad of jewel-coloured wedges, that turn inwards in a spiral.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RSk2ULU8gd4/UK4AHM8_aAI/AAAAAAAABUI/aUrsIWbkQug/s1600/Spectra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RSk2ULU8gd4/UK4AHM8_aAI/AAAAAAAABUI/aUrsIWbkQug/s640/Spectra.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Miss Magpie Jr has already staked a claim on this one, which I am really pleased about as she usually turns her nose up at my latest creations. Also, I think the Poems is long enough to get two scarves out of, and as a short-row project it is much easier to make time for.<br />
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I can't reveal too much of the final project as it is under construction for a present, but I can happily report that I have re-kindled my passion for crochet, which had been rather doused during Larmer Tree. I am also using my cheap acrylic yarn again and have surprised myself by loving it as much if not more than some of the 'posh' stuff I have been knitting with.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iLWxBrDU5H8/UK3_6KrxVfI/AAAAAAAABUA/jyIJcmsEfT4/s1600/Yarn+Basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iLWxBrDU5H8/UK3_6KrxVfI/AAAAAAAABUA/jyIJcmsEfT4/s640/Yarn+Basket.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So much so that I will be 'forced' to go and buy some more now ;). All I can give you is a little close-up, I don't want to ruin the surprise.<br />
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We have had the sniffles around these parts. Yesterday I spent a glorious day on the sofa in front of the fire with the littlest Magpie as we were both poorly but I got lots of hooking done and it was nice to be indoors. Today we are all going about our usual routines and I'd better get some housework done!<br />
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Thanks so much for reading,<br />
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Beth xUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-62742582772767172192012-11-07T11:27:00.001+00:002012-11-07T13:00:03.233+00:00Criminals, Camper Vans and CakeHi Folks, sorry it's been a while (again). One of the reasons for this is that I am now without a laptop. A couple of charming individuals did this to our dining room door, having slid open the half-painted sash that was without a lock.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0jAPDEI3K0k/UJo1DL2I9dI/AAAAAAAABNo/bpYAczYhZjk/s1600/burglars+did+this.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0jAPDEI3K0k/UJo1DL2I9dI/AAAAAAAABNo/bpYAczYhZjk/s320/burglars+did+this.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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They got a really good haul of all our electrical goods and even carted off my son's little home safe which he used to store his sweets in.<br />
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Lack of intelligence prompted them to use Mr Magpie's cards in two different cashpoints which had cameras on them and a car that was registered to their address. When the house was raided four days later our goods were long gone but other people's were found. A letter written to my son from his cousin (which had been in the safe) was also found, as was the tool that made the charming marks in our woodwork. This evidence was enough to charge a man with and he is now on bail pending a court date in the new year.<br />
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We are now waiting anxiously to see whether the insurance company will settle our claim since the window was unlocked (the lock had been removed for painting) even though the inner door was double locked.<br />
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Mr Magpie had a busy weekend after the robbery securing the house once more and adding window restricters and an alarm. I took the children up t'north to see family and we had a lovely time before coming back for our camper van adventure.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VGp1dT79DcE/UJo4Z_DdroI/AAAAAAAABO4/lcSXkWviiyc/s1600/T5+and+T4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VGp1dT79DcE/UJo4Z_DdroI/AAAAAAAABO4/lcSXkWviiyc/s400/T5+and+T4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We have owned our old T4 Van for about six years now and although we have added (and removed, and added) seats to it it has essentially been a builders van, very useful whilst we have been renovating the house and also handy for transporting off-road motorbikes. It is also brilliant for camping since we would never fit all we take in the car. I was however very envious of my friend and her old VW in the summer when we went camping. She pulled up, hopped into the back and put the kettle on. I pulled up, had to unload all our gear and then spend at least two hours setting up camp.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rv4YWfSlLE/UJo5UMn_7-I/AAAAAAAABPA/WOH2N7F2JOY/s1600/Camping+with+Beth+July+12+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rv4YWfSlLE/UJo5UMn_7-I/AAAAAAAABPA/WOH2N7F2JOY/s400/Camping+with+Beth+July+12+(5).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mr Magpie had been eyeing up camper vans for a while and spent much of his time at Larmer Tree sussing out the various options. We have been thinking of upgrading our T4 to a T5 so decided to hire one in half term to try it out. We weren't disappointed. Since we didn't want to spend hours driving we had a lovely little tour of the West Country and it was just what we needed. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j5jeejLuYyM/UJo9iwt3z6I/AAAAAAAABQg/a_C26L4_MFU/s1600/stonehenge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j5jeejLuYyM/UJo9iwt3z6I/AAAAAAAABQg/a_C26L4_MFU/s400/stonehenge.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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The van was toasty warm at night thanks to the heater and it was fab for the days out too since we could provide our own hot snacks, drinks and warm seating area. This was particularly welcome at Stonehenge where the wind was whistling across Salisbury Plain.<br />
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We hired our van from <a href="http://www.kamperhire.co.uk/" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong> </strong>and thought the service was excellent. Although the owner is selling one of his vans, the £34,000 price tag is slightly over our budget so we will be looking for an ordinary van and 'pimping' it ourselves. I would love to hear if any of you have any camper van tales to tell or wisdom to impart.<br />
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Finally the cake you were promised. I can't show you a true 'ta-dah' since it is still in the oven and will be for at least another three hours, but it is that time of year again. I love making my own Christmas cake and in doing so I give myself the metaphorical kick up the backside needed to kick-start our annual preparations.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K3yrlNIeoZc/UJpD5gn4yYI/AAAAAAAABRg/s_MUklXS1Qg/s1600/Christmas+Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K3yrlNIeoZc/UJpD5gn4yYI/AAAAAAAABRg/s_MUklXS1Qg/s400/Christmas+Cake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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They are on hold for one more week though as this weekend I will be having a stall at Karen's lovely fair, so I have got a little bit of sewing to do. I am looking forward to catching up with Karen, as well as some other blog land friends like <a href="http://katherine-homegrown.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Katherine.</a> <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-87Kd1w0EEqg/UJpCYmmkuUI/AAAAAAAABRY/uER3RVRYWfo/s1600/alderholt-vintage-xmas-fair-pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-87Kd1w0EEqg/UJpCYmmkuUI/AAAAAAAABRY/uER3RVRYWfo/s640/alderholt-vintage-xmas-fair-pic.jpg" width="486" /></a></div>
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If you can make it to Alderholt on Saturday I'm sure you won't be disappointed, Karen did a fantastic job last time and always has a great mix of stalls and entertainment. Make sure you come and say hello!<br />
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Thanks for stopping by,<br />
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Beth x<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-58054338861736380012012-10-22T14:14:00.001+01:002012-10-22T14:14:48.229+01:00My First Craft Swap (And one for you too!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last Thursday at SnB was swap night. We have spent a lovely few months collecting and making items for our various swap partners and we were all excited to be exchanging bags and opening parcels. We had five categories of items to be placed in the bag, with each item being given by a different member of the swap group.</div>
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Our categories were yarn, a pattern, accessories, a handmade item and an edible/drinkable item. I was lucky enough to be the recipient of Bex's handmade item, which is the handspun, hand dyed 3ply yarn you can see to the right of the picture. It is a mixture of bluey/greeny tones and has silver sparkle running through it too. </div>
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For my handmade item, I made my partner a needle case, which was a first time make for me. I looked at a few designs and then just sort of made mine up as I went along. I think I will have to make one for me too.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2JlZeBDtliQ/UIU75-XypnI/AAAAAAAABMA/FdepSFCBpmg/s1600/craft+swap+needle+case.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2JlZeBDtliQ/UIU75-XypnI/AAAAAAAABMA/FdepSFCBpmg/s400/craft+swap+needle+case.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I also made a little project bag, and a pear pincushion, but I forgot to take a picture of that. It's like the ones you can see in my sidebar though.<br />
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I find these little bags come in very handy for someone like me who always has at least three (ahem) projects on the go at once as they are big enough to contain the yarn, needles and the pattern safely. When I went to Ally Pally and my water bottle leaked inside my handbag, my knitting was safely tucked up in it's bag, which is lined with waterproof fabric and no harm befell it.<br />
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Anyhow, all this swapping gave me a real taste for another one and as it is almost my first blogiversary I have decided to host my own swap. Since this is my first time, please forgive me if I am not following standard practise, I'm hoping to appeal to other novices too and hopefully we will all muddle along together.<br />
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I am going to call this swap the <em><strong>Stash-Busting Swap</strong></em>. I have decided to limit the number of items to three to keep overall costs down. As the name indicates, the idea of the swap will be to use as much as you can from your own personal stash of resources. The key input required here is time, not money.<br />
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I am keeping the time frame relatively short as I am aware that there is a little event looming that will be keeping many of us crafters busy, so I want to get the swap completed before we are all frazzled. There will be just under four weeks to compile your parcel so please don't sign up if this doesn't give you enough time. I don't want to be the creator of head/heart aches!<br />
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The three items are:<br />
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1) Handmade item. This forms the main element of the swap and will be either sewn, knitted or crocheted, tailored to your partner's taste. We're not talking about extremely labour intensive pieces here such as a knitted jumper or double bed spread but it should have taken longer than a few hours to knock up. Think about the quality of item you would like to receive yourself.<br />
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2) Crafting accessories/stash items. Ideally plucked from your own stash, this will be an item/items of haberdashery, again taking account of your partner's preferences. The value of this item should be around £5.<br />
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3) Edible/drinkable item. Because we all love a little treat. The cost of this item should be no more than £3.<br />
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Once I have some swappers willing to participate I will be sending out questionnaires that will help your swap partner decide what to send you.<br />
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I will keep the sign-up list open until November 1st and will then coordinate all the details and assign partners by November 5th. It is then up to you to tailor your parcel to your partners likes and dislikes (stalk her blog if she has one).<br />
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Participants who blog will be asked to write a blog post on their parcels when they are received and non-blogging swappers will need to be able to email me pictures so that I can post them on their behalf. <br />
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As the swap hostess, I am not responsible for the content of the swap parcels, I am merely coordinating partners, but if you have any problems along the way, contact me and I will help if I am able to. I will make sure that everyone has someone to swap with, even if we have an odd number of participants.<br />
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<strong>To take part in the swap, please leave me a comment below, including your name, <u>email address</u> and <u>blog address</u> if you have one.</strong><br />
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Please do consider taking part, especially if you have never swapped before. As a newbie to this, I was surprised by how exciting I found the whole process (maybe I don't get out enough). We all love receiving parcels in the post and when they contain something made just for you, what could be better?!<br />
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Here's to a great swap,<br />
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Beth x<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-51329291243964808172012-10-18T10:07:00.000+01:002012-10-18T10:07:37.282+01:00Changeling ShawletteAs I was on my way home from Ally Pally on Sunday I managed to cast off my changeling shawlette. I am still very slow at this and it must have been painful for my seat companion to watch as she is a very experienced knitter. <br />
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I had bought this yarn back in the summer, originally intending to make a lacy shawl with it, but I decided that the colour change of the yarn would be more suited to a denser knit. The pattern I used (found on Ravelry, link <strong><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lalas-simple-shawl" target="_blank">here</a></strong> if you are a member) is really designed for a larger needle which would result in a bigger shawl, but I knitted mine on a 3.25mm 80cm circular.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LH9ToMJTOd8/UH_AI8ta8vI/AAAAAAAABIw/avRAieoTiq8/s1600/changeling+shawlette+beginning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LH9ToMJTOd8/UH_AI8ta8vI/AAAAAAAABIw/avRAieoTiq8/s400/changeling+shawlette+beginning.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The pattern suited my limited knitting ability, although I still managed to make a few errors, particularly around the centre yarn overs as I was having trouble with my improvised stitch markers but overall I am pleased with how the yarn and the pattern went together.</div>
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Throughout the process, I was aware that the shawl would need blocking after it was knitted as this would reveal it's pattern properly. Here's how it looked before blocking:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-drjvwdAvzRE/UH_CRlDQh2I/AAAAAAAABJA/UFbis3wDEDA/s1600/Changeling+Shawlette+before+blocking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-drjvwdAvzRE/UH_CRlDQh2I/AAAAAAAABJA/UFbis3wDEDA/s640/Changeling+Shawlette+before+blocking.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is a close up before blocking; you can see the garter stitch and stocking stitch sections, but not the lace pattern detail.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4wvEML0lUUU/UH_CxIxgs-I/AAAAAAAABJI/N5ROIWiQEzw/s1600/close+changeling+shawlette+before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4wvEML0lUUU/UH_CxIxgs-I/AAAAAAAABJI/N5ROIWiQEzw/s640/close+changeling+shawlette+before.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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To block the shawl, I rinsed it in lukewarm water with a bit of gentle washing liquid added, then rinsed it and rolled it up in a towel to squeeze out as much moisture as possible. I then laid a clean towel over some foam matting and pinned out the shawl.</div>
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I found this a bit tricky as my cast off edge obviously wasn't loose enough and couldn't stretch the shawl into a proper triangular shape.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djl8LS3ZlB8/UH_EB4SPSeI/AAAAAAAABJQ/VMLV8rctNKA/s1600/changeling+shawlette+blocking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djl8LS3ZlB8/UH_EB4SPSeI/AAAAAAAABJQ/VMLV8rctNKA/s640/changeling+shawlette+blocking.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I then left the shawl to dry for a few days. This is a close up afterwards, the difference is very noticeable.<br />
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The only problem I have now is deciding how to wear it!<br />
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Thanks for stopping by,</div>
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Beth x</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-90687896565716774912012-10-15T12:22:00.000+01:002012-10-15T12:24:11.860+01:00Ally Pally 2012Yesterday was my first visit to the Knitting and Stitching Show, which is held at <strong><a href="http://www.alexandrapalace.com/" target="_blank">Alexandra Palace</a></strong> each October. Just out of interest, you can read about the history of the building <strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandra_Palace" target="_blank">here.</a></strong><br />
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The inside of the show was vast, with two large (mahoosive) rooms and then further stands and displays in other smaller areas. The picture doesn't convey the scale of the area, the size was almost overwhelming.</div>
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From talking to other members of my knitting group who have been to the show before, I was expecting to want to spend lots of money, so had been saving in anticipation. I wasn't let down on the shopping front, there were LOTS of things I wanted to buy, but I had gone with a list of things I really wanted, which I stuck to, allowing myself to choose a few skeins of yarn too.</div>
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I have been looking at interchangeable knitting needles on line for a while and found this set for a good price, with no additional postage costs of course. Instead of buying a larger set, which I had considered, I decided to get a smaller starter set and bought additional needles in the sizes I know I will actually use as the bigger set had lots of larger sizes that I wouldn't use at the moment, given that all my latest yarn purchases have been 4ply and lace weight.<br />
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Mostly, I used the day to visit retailers I have previously bought from on line, so that I could get a feel for un-tried products in the flesh and also make some postage-free purchases. I visited <strong><a href="http://www.bloomingfelt.co.uk/" target="_blank">Blooming Felt</a></strong> to stock up a little.<br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.eternalmaker.com/" target="_blank">The Eternal Maker</a></strong> was selling Sherbet Pips fabric for a massively reduced £3 per meter. I stood patiently waiting to add to my collection but two ladies in front of me had also spotted the bargain, so by the time my turn came I only got one meter. I was still pleased. I love this fabric.</div>
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One of my favourite stands was <a href="http://www.fyberspates.co.uk/" target="_blank"><strong>Fyberspates.</strong></a><strong> </strong>I have long admired and coveted this yard when I have seen it being knitted up by SnB members and I made three separate visits to the stand before deciding on a couple of skeins. This picture does the yarn no justice, especially the colours. The bottom one is a really gorgeous kind of racing green with beautifully rich and deep tones. It is soft and lovely too.</div>
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Another lovely stand was <strong><a href="http://www.thecrochetchain.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Crochet Chain</a>. </strong>I have looked at their website a few times as they sell Drops Alpaca at a really good price. It was good to have a squish.</div>
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As the name suggests, the show is not just aimed at knitters and crocheters; there is also plenty to tempt the sewer. Lately, I have got my knitting head on and I really don't need any fabric but inspired by the quilt that Fiona made for her daughters sixteenth ( read about it<strong><a href="http://knitknatknotuk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/here-we-go.html" target="_blank"> here</a></strong>) I had decided that I will make my daughter a quilt for her birthday, which is in December.</div>
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I had already stared a quilt for her, using Clarke and Clarke fabric which she had chosen before the current Goth, sorry, 'Emo' phase but that has now been discarded as being too pink and flowery. Considering her current colour of choice (note, singular) and her love of horses, I chose these fabrics to try again with.</div>
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By the early afternoon, I was getting uncomfortably hot and was really rather shopped out, so I had a little stroll around the outside of the palace, which has the most amazing views of London sprawling away to the south.<br />
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I returned inside for the last hour and wandered around the exhibition pieces, which we were politely asked not to photograph. We were allowed to take pictures of this knitted village though, which was brilliant.</div>
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Whilst outside, I had a quick look at Twitter to see if anyone had mentioned the show. Angela from <a href="http://www.thisiswiss.co.uk/" target="_blank"><strong>This is </strong></a><a href="http://www.thisiswiss.co.uk/" target="_blank"><strong>Wiss</strong></a> had tweeted to say that<strong> </strong>she was helping out on the <a href="http://www.raystitch.co.uk/" target="_blank"><strong>Ray-Stitch</strong></a><strong> </strong>stand so when I went back in I went along to meet her which was lovely as I have been reading her blog for some time now.</div>
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Overall, I was pleased to be able to stock up on such lovely yarns and supplies in one place but was rather disappointed by the lack of inspirational content; it seems unfair to ask people to pay £15 to shop when you know that it would have cost the stallholders a small fortune to be at the show. <br />
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Travelling home on the coach, I managed to finish the shawlette I stared in <strong><a href="http://missmagpiemakes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/catching-up.html" target="_blank">this</a></strong> post. It needs blocking to finish it, which I have never attempted before, but I will poop back again soon to show you the results.<br />
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I can't wait to get started on my next project now that<em> </em>have lovely new needles and really lovely yarn so I will be getting lost in Ravelry for a few hours to decide on a project.<br />
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What are you working on at the moment? <br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
Beth xUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-81749640051502068162012-10-12T19:36:00.000+01:002012-10-12T19:36:40.013+01:00Rainbow Blue HatHi folks, this is just a flying visit before I head out into the cold wet night for another night shift. I know I have been neglecting my poor little blog of late but the painting is getting there and I will soon have some time for making and writing again. I can't wait.<br />
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I conquered (sort of) the Magic Loop technique in knitting with more help from Bex and got to work on a hat for the littlest, which he requested be a 'rainbow hat, but with just blue'. Hmmm.<br />
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Unfortunately, the end result was not a stunning success and is rather too small for his head, so it's back to the drawing board. I made a few mistakes too but I wanted this to be my practise hat with the new technique before hopefully moving on to greater things.</div>
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On Sunday morning I will be getting up very early to go to Ally Pally, to the <a href="http://www.twistedthread.com/pages/exhibitions/viewExhibition.aspx?id=39" target="_blank"><strong>Knitting and Stitching Show</strong></a><strong>. </strong>I have been looking forward to this (and saving my pennies) for ages, so I will let you know how it goes.</div>
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Thanks for stopping by,</div>
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Beth x</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-33402788965486875602012-10-03T21:50:00.002+01:002012-10-03T21:51:22.793+01:00Chaos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't seem to have found my crafting rhythm again yet since the children have gone back to school. The youngest is only doing two and a half hours of a morning until November, which is rather less than the three full (school) days he was getting at nursery and I spend my mornings frantically trying to fit in as much domesticity as I can so that he can have my attention in the afternoon. I have also been painting the bay windows at the front of the house (inside and out) but it has been tricky to fit this around everything else with the added element of the weather.</div>
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For a few weeks all my stuff was left in an awful muddle because I just couldn't get around to sorting it all out. The fact that this room is in the attic, and is accessed by a fold-down ladder which is only out when our time-share teenager is here means that it is very easy to ignore a mess as nobody can see it.</div>
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The need to get my sewing machine out and make some things for the SnB swap I'm participating in necessitated a quick tidy but there is still lots to do.</div>
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You can't really tell from the pictures, but there are several large Ikea bags stuffed behind the desk in the eaves space that need to be sorted out. Also when Mr Magpie brought my white drawer unit up, it got turned on it's side. I'll let you use your imagination as to the state of the drawers, in which I keep all my tiny oddments including needles, beads, ribbons and lots of other small objects. Picture, if you will, some kind of haberdashery soup and you'll get the idea. Still plenty for me to be getting on with before I can relax into creation up here.</div>
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I know that this yarn should really be packed away from moths and sunlight but it looks so pretty!</div>
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Just out of interest, this is the other side of the room. The bed is a double, so you don't really have to sleep squashed under the eaves, although I have done exactly that on occasion (sometimes we sleep up here when family comes to stay, we frequently play musical bedrooms in this house).<br />
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I'm actually getting quite excited about the SnB swap. It's the first time I've ever done one and I can already tell it won't be my last. This is a 'round robin' swap, consisting of five rounds. Every few weeks we pass the bags along having placed in our item for that round. There are five rounds altogether. Week one was yarn, week two accessories, last time it was a pattern and this week a handmade item (hence the need for me to sort out the craft space). The last item is something edible or drinkable.<br />
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None of us know who is getting what for who and the rounds mean that we get to choose things for five different people and our own bags will be a deliciously varied mixture, but hopefully chosen with the recipient in mind. I can't show you what I have made for the handmade round until the swap is completed but it was something new for me and I may now have to make something similar for myself.</div>
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My knitting is coming along well and will hopefully be finished soon. I even found some foam blocks at a charity shop last week which I'm reliably informed are brilliant for blocking on (more on that another time).</div>
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My Smoothie-hat knitting also got me thinking about trying to knit some hats for the Magpies again (questionable results achieved last time a few years back). I fancy trying to knit 'in the round' and need to have a play with some different techniques. If anyone has any advice I'd love to hear it. I'd also like to hear about any other hat disasters because it will make me feel better.</div>
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Thank you for reading, it's been lovely to have a little catch up,</div>
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Beth x</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-24052812877494646102012-09-20T15:55:00.002+01:002012-09-20T15:55:38.328+01:00Innocent/Age UK Big Knit 2012Just a quick post to tell those of you who don't know about the Big Knit which you can find out about <strong><a href="http://www.innocentdrinks.co.uk/bigknit" target="_blank">here.</a> </strong><br />
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These are the result of my efforts so far. <br />
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The hats are really quick to make and use the tiniest amount of leftover yarn. You could whip up one watching your favourite programme, no bother and would be helping to keep an older person warm this winter.<br />
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Why not get your needles busy this week? You have until October 1st to get them in.<br />
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If you don't have time to make a hat you can buy a be-hatted smoothie in Sansbury's from November 21st. I bought my first ever one to check the size of my hats, and as you can see, it is all gone. It was delicious. If you buy one during the event you will be contributing to charity as well as getting a scrummy drink and a free egg cosy.<br />
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Thanks for reading,<br />
Beth xUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-21439564930881984282012-09-12T16:41:00.000+01:002012-09-18T14:53:12.171+01:00Catching UpFirstly please let me apologise for another lengthy gap in posts but we are still not quite out of holiday mode here as the littlest Magpie doesn't start school until next Tuesday and there have been lots of other things happening around the nest.<br />
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September rather than January always feels like the start of the year to me (will I still feel that way when the pattern of our lives no longer revolves around school days?) and here at Magpie HQ we have been in a sorting out and re-arranging kind of mood.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NQ07w5sKWg/UFBdrTW9sDI/AAAAAAAAA9k/XWg1Q8iLdx0/s1600/drums+and+seat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NQ07w5sKWg/UFBdrTW9sDI/AAAAAAAAA9k/XWg1Q8iLdx0/s400/drums+and+seat.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Having admitted to ourselves that middle son was not enjoying the drum kit he was pleading for only two years ago, we decided to sell it to free up some room. The kit was in the attic, along with another instrument that has been massively underused. Make that completely unused. My Christmas present from last year, which Mr Magpie ordered me to sell and to buy with the proceeds something that I wanted instead, although not wool apparently (??).<br />
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Now that the attic room is no longer a music studio, it has been decided that <strike>my</strike> our lovely <strong><a href="http://missmagpiemakes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/craft-room-tour.html" target="_blank">dining/craft room</a></strong> should be transformed into a dining/computer/train track room and me and my 'crap' (his word, not mine) are to be shifted two floors upwards. <br />
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It doesn't look it from the pictures, but there is actually loads of floor space in this room and I'm thinking that my long white table will fit alongside the one you see with the computer on it, which is the same height and width. The computer will be going to live downstairs, so I will have loads of table space, and when I've re-arranged the space under the eaves I should be able to fit everything in neatly. I will be having a clear out though. This week I have bagged up two big bags of old clothes and sorted out perhaps half of my books to go to charity. It feels quite cathartic, so I will seize this mood to keep streamlining my possessions. Keeps Mr 'Neat Freak' Magpie happy too ;) .</div>
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I used to sew up here when I first started sewing regularly and it's actually a peaceful, sunny space to work in. The main reason for me moving into the dining room was to be on hand for the family, but as come November all the children will be at school full-time, I can cloister myself up in the eaves without having to navigate the ladder every ten minutes to answer demands for drinks, snacks, refereeing or bottom-wiping.<br />
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The room itself is in need of some sewing treatments. I promised the Mr I would make curtains to cover the eave spaces which run along both sides of the room, and we have actually bought the fabric for it. I also need to make two more blinds, like this one which I speedily constructed before the Magpie cousins came to stay, so as not to blind our guests with morning sunlight.<br />
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The dining room is going to get a make-over of it's own in due course when all the downstairs sashes have been winter-proofed and I have painted the exterior woodwork at the front of the house. So, it may be a while yet, but I will share the pictures with you in due course.<br />
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Knitting-wise, after a few false starts on projects where I just couldn't seem to get the perfect mixture of pattern and yarn, I have started a new shawl/shawlette with some yarn that was originally going to be used for a lace project, but didn't work.<br />
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The pattern for this shawl comes from Ravelry and is called La La's Simple Shawl, and it really is very easy to knit. The yarn I'm using is called Poems, by Rico and it changes colours gradually, instead of being flecked like my <a href="http://missmagpiemakes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/a-busy-summer-nearly-over.html" target="_blank"><strong>Hitchhiker</strong>.</a> <br />
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I was making fairly good progress to begin with, until my cheap-o bamboo circular decided to separate itself while I was pulling my stitches up and I had to make an emergency dash to the wool shop for a rescue operation. Work saved, I decided I couldn't wait for <strong><a href="http://www.twistedthread.com/pages/exhibitions/viewExhibition.aspx?id=39" target="_blank">Ally Pally</a></strong> to buy new needles and ordered an Addi Turbo needle online.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6Cu0MO0vcE/UFBqsi_T-pI/AAAAAAAABAs/jIqbEScv27w/s1600/DSC05451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6Cu0MO0vcE/UFBqsi_T-pI/AAAAAAAABAs/jIqbEScv27w/s640/DSC05451.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am so glad I did as this needle is just so much better than anything I have used before. I am a tight knitter and always struggled to move my stitches along the bamboo needles, and even on my ordinary straights it was challenging. The Addi needle tips are highly polished metal and my stitches really glide over them, making my knitting quicker. <br />
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Now that I am knitting more, and think that going to SnB will push me to challenge myself further, I am considering whether to get a set of circulars, perhaps like <strong><a href="http://www.hulucrafts.co.uk/knit-pro-interchangeable-circular-needles-starter-set-wooden.htm" target="_blank">these</a></strong>? I was just wondering what other people use and how they rate them. I'm not sure whether to get metal or wooden needles so any advice would be great.<br />
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I seem to have experienced a little flurry of new people following the blog, so I would just like to welcome you all along and thank you for stopping by in my little corner of the world. All of my readers help to keep me motivated to craft and blog, for which I am thankful and when I am followed by other bloggers I get a chance to peep into their corners too, which as a nosey person is a great treat.<br />
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I hope you are all well and enjoying the change of seasons. Thanks for reading,<br />
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Beth xUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-67002959345431166402012-08-31T10:52:00.001+01:002012-08-31T10:52:44.431+01:00A Busy Summer Nearly OverFirstly, please let me apologise for the lengthy gap in posts this time; we had a very busy week with the Magpie cousins and then this week I have been trying to catch up on boring things like house work and getting the children ready to go back to school. <br />
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This morning I was up bright and early in anticipation of our log delivery. Whilst Mr Magpie was flexing his muscles at the gym, I was flexing mine at home, busy turning this:<br />
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Into this. In just under an hour! <br />
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What kept me going when performing this task was the thought of all the knitting and crochet I will be doing in front of the fire this coming Winter. I was quite proud of myself, although this is only a temporary measure. Our proper wood store is under the decking at the back of the house but I knew that Mr Magpie would want to arrange it in his own special fashion. My haphazard stacking was done just so it is possible to access the front door without having to clamber over the pile. The postman got especially grumpy when faced with this task last Autumn.<br />
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Earlier this week I took the eldest two to buy their shoes and then went on to the uniform shop. Miss Magpie Jr's uniform can only be bought from one of two specialist shops. It is ridiculously expensive and shockingly bad quality. Somehow she had managed to get paint all over her blazer (bought only last year - I was hoping it would last her for her final two years) and it cost an eye-watering £34 to replace. <br />
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Between the shoes, uniforms and the holidays in general my purse is feeling the strain. Luckily it is the Bournemouth Air festival this weekend so we can amuse the children without the need for a second mortgage. <br />
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My own 'amusement' will be in continuing to sew name tapes into said newly purchased uniform. Now that there are four pairs of trousers, two skirts, six jumpers and twelve shirts, plus assorted P.E items, book bags, lunch boxes, coats etc, I am anticipating this occupation to last for some time yet. Ouch.<br />
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Happily, the outdoor knitting time I have been enjoying has seen the completion of Hitchhiker #2. <br />
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I only just managed 42 teeth on this one, and even then I was about half a yard short for the cast off row. I improvised by using some of the leftover yarn from Hitchhiker #1 but hopefully it doesn't notice. <br />
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Thankfully, this was the only mishap with this knit and I am really pleased that I got it finished. It definitely isn't as soft as #1 but I love the colours and will take extra special care of it. <br />
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Granny Magpie did suggest labelling it with my name and address, which I did give serious thought to but decided against in the end.<br />
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Next on the needles is an experiment with some lovely yarn I bought from <strong><a href="http://www.spinayarndevon.co.uk/index.asp" target="_blank">here</a></strong> a few weeks ago on a quick trip to Devon to see some friends. The shop was amazing and I was even made a cup of tea to enjoy whilst browsing. I will tell you some more about it at a later date.<br />
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For now, I must dash as I need to make a picnic to take to the beach so that we can see some of the air show. I have got lots of half-written posts waiting in the wings for pictures and some editing; I will be back to my regular-ish blogging self as soon as I have reclaimed the house. I've got a few new makes and tutorials to show you soon.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by,<br />
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Beth x<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-49750247917847822012012-08-15T17:02:00.000+01:002012-08-15T17:02:03.397+01:00A Few Quick MakesThe rain returned to Bournemouth again this morning, so apart from making the dreaded pilgrimage to the local shoe shop to buy the youngest his first ever pair of school shoes (sob!) I have had some time to sew.<br />
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First on the list was some bean bags, ordered by the Mr for his work's sports day on Friday. I whipped these up very crudely out of some bright waterproof material I've got. There were two reasons for using this. Firstly, it's the type of material I seem to remember our school beanbags being made of and secondly, they are slippery so there can be no cheating when balancing them on the noggin; it will be necessary to walk completely upright and straight to keep them from sliding off.<br />
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Technically, these are rice bags, not bean bags. I thought that beans would make a sticky orange mess so opted for a cheap rice from the supermarket. When I was trying to decide how many kilos of rice I would need to fill four bags I tested the weight of different packs by balancing them on my head. After several funny looks from the other shoppers I did decide to enlighten them lest I be carried away by security. One helpful lady pointed out that the rice would get mushy if it got wet so I shared my plan of using waterproof material with her. Anyway, I imagine that after their outing on Friday they will be destined to live in a cupboard.<br />
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My next make is a custom order for one of my knitting friends, who requested a simple little bag that could be used by a toddler. This is what I have come up with so far.<br />
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It has been lovely sitting and stitching for a few hours, hopefully I will get some more making time in the next few days before Mr Magpie takes a well-earned week off and the Magpie cousins come to stay.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by,<br />
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Beth x<br />
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p.s. I am joking about the beans. Just to clarify.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-8587983948153818072012-08-09T20:24:00.000+01:002012-08-09T20:24:13.799+01:00Holiday Fun (and a little bit of knitting and crochet)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The summer holidays are in full swing over here at Magpie Towers and we have been getting out and about as much as we can. Over the last week we haven't managed to get to the beach, but tomorrow's forecast is looking good so we will be getting out the buckets and spades once again.</div>
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In the last week or so we have enjoyed picnics aplenty in a variety of touristy destinations; it is great living in a seaside town, you feel you are on holiday just by popping a mile up the road. Actually, last year every time we went to the town centre, the littlest Magpie would gleefully announce 'We're at the holiday!'</div>
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As well as the picnics, we have been <strong><a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mudeford+quay&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=vgUkUIbDLsvtsga7_oEQ&sqi=2&ved=0CFIQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=628" target="_blank">crabbing</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.valleyleisure.co.uk/our-centres/rapids/swimming" target="_blank">swimming</a></strong>, walking, playing at the park (well, several parks) exploring a <a href="http://www.wimborne-modeltown.com/" target="_blank"><strong>model town</strong></a><strong> </strong>and having a few <a href="http://www.adventurewonderland.co.uk/" target="_blank"><strong>adventures</strong></a><strong>. </strong></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Examining the catch, the final tally was 7!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The littlest Magpie wanted to take this cutie home.</td></tr>
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My Hitchhiker#2 has been living in my handbag so that it can be whipped out at any available opportunity while the boys are otherwise occupied and has been growing steadily. The missing Hitchhiker#1 got to 45 teeth and I think that the yarn ball looked slightly smaller than this one. I'm on tooth 30 now, so still a way to go but I am proud to say that there are still no mistakes in this one and I aim to keep it that way!<br />
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I have also been adding the odd new stripe to my Granny blanket when I get settled enough of an evening. This picture shows 20 more stripes than when I last blogged about the blanket <a href="http://missmagpiemakes.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/granny%20stripe%20pattern" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a>. Because we have been using the blanket so much already I have changed my mind about making this double-bed sized because I think that if I do it will get left on a bed and would be too big to be carried around by the kids or to be a useful size.<br />
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I have just completed stripe 55 and think that I will probably continue to a nice round 60 before moving on to the border.</div>
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Granny Magpie has been making her very own Granny Stripe, her first crochet project and I can't wait to see it. A good friend of mine who asked me to show her how to crochet has also been making her own blanket so hopefully soon I can show you pictures of three finished masterpieces!</div>
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This weekend we will be having a visit from Grandad, who will be taking the middle-sized Magpie back up to the Midlands to spend a week with Granny Magpie. After a relatively quiet week we will be visited by the Magpie cousins and are looking forward to all the Magpies enjoying some holiday time together as Mr Magpie will be off work too.</div>
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I hope that you are enjoying your summer too,</div>
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Thanks for reading,</div>
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Beth x</div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-21777538026567479712012-07-30T16:53:00.000+01:002012-07-30T16:53:33.300+01:00A Quilt for SophiaSome of you may remember me starting to knit a baby cardigan back in February (see <strong><a href="http://missmagpiemakes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/knit-and-natter.html" target="_blank">here</a></strong>) The project was prompted by one of my best friends announcing her second pregnancy. The cardigan is, surprise surprise still incomplete and the news at the end of June that the baby born to my friend is a gorgeous little girl didn't give me the required impetus to complete the job.<br />
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I wanted to make something really special for Sophia and had also started a new crochet blanket, but when I learned that I was going to meet Sophia sooner rather than later (the family live a few hours away from us) I knew that the crochet blanket wouldn't be ready in time. <br />
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After toying with the notion of sewing up a little dress, I shelved that idea for the future and decided to make a quilt. I have made quilts for babies in the past, but not 'properly', with bound edges.<br />
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After tackling those on the <strong><a href="http://missmagpiemakes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/new-bed-for-old-friend.html" target="_blank">teddy bear sleeping bags </a></strong>I thought I could probably manage to reproduce the effect on a larger quilt.<br />
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I decided to make the quilt with a a selection of the lovely Aneela Hoey prints I have been stashing and had also used on teddy sleeping bags.<br />
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I didn't want to attempt anything too complicated patchwork-wise and spent some time doodling a few simple designs on paper before designing a layout I though would work well. I then had to work out a cutting diagram so that I would know which pieces to sew together in which order. I also devised a list of the various cuts needed.<br />
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The sewing itself was done in a bit of a frenzy over the weekend so I didn't really take any pictures during the process, I was just really enjoying the sewing. The piecing came together relatively simply, not much swearing required and then I chose to quilt using the 'stitch in the ditch' method, which is where you simply sew through all three layers (quilt top, batting/wadding and quilt back) following the lines of the patchwork.</div>
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In an ideal world, the quilt would be more quilted but I was worried about ruining what I had already done. I believe it is possible to send quilts off to clever people with specialised machines to achieve a traditional quilted finish so I might think about that for another time.<br />
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When I bound the sleeping bags, I cheated by using bought bias tape. I really wanted to use a contrasting edge on this quilt and did make my own binding, which I'm really pleased with. The only thing I wish I'd had more time for was the actual sewing of the binding itself. Ideally, it should have been hand stitched at the back but I knew that it would take me hours and I just didn't have the time.</div>
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(Also, while camping last week I managed to cut the end of my right index finger on some glass and it's still pretty sore so hand sewing would have been painful in more ways than one!)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fHkWIifbr74/UBaGITdfEeI/AAAAAAAAA2w/4JLwg2Fatwc/s1600/back+of+quilt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fHkWIifbr74/UBaGITdfEeI/AAAAAAAAA2w/4JLwg2Fatwc/s640/back+of+quilt.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The back of the quilt isn't the prettiest, but it is my first and I know it will stand up to lots of washing. I think machine-binding would get neater with practise.</div>
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Well, this morning I got to meet Sophia, now four weeks and two days old. She is very beautiful and was good enough to let me get some pictures of her on the quilt, so here she is.</div>
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While I am sewing, I do like to listen to music and often get fixated on a particular album. In my younger years (!) I think I was the wrong age to appreciate Kate Bush, but I have made a recent discovery of her and it was the album Hounds of Love that I had on repeat while making the quilt. For this reason, Sophia's quilt will actually be remembered by me as the 'Kate Bush Quilt'. </div>
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This week the house is a bit upside-down as we are doing more renovating and decorating, so the beautiful dining-cum-sewing room is out of action and there won't be many makes happening for a while, just my usual knitting and crochet but I'll keep you informed of any finished makes!</div>
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We're also hoping to do some more of this<br />
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And some more of this<br />
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But we'll see what the weather decides.</div>
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Thanks for reading,</div>
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Beth x</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-15443289725906102732012-07-20T10:29:00.000+01:002012-08-16T15:40:01.831+01:00My Hitchhiker Hitched a RideYou might recall me starting a knitted scarf at the end of May, from the Hitchhiker pattern; you can read the post <a href="http://missmagpiemakes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/hitching-and-rippling.html" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a>). Over the course of June, alongside crocheting the ripple blanket, I happily knitted away on the Hitchhiker. The pattern is very simple, perfect for me as it requires little or no concentration. <br />
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At the end of the month, just after I completed the ripple, my Hitchhiker was also finished. No sooner was it off the needles, I was wearing it almost constantly. I am something of a scarf junkie, never really feeling comfortable without something to keep my neck warm. A kind of adult comfort blanket, if you will.<br />
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I was waiting for a nice day to take some pictures of my beloved creation, but unfortunately, that day never came because the weather was so awful. It was however perfect weather for a wool scarf and I wore it daily.<br />
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Alas, one Friday night I wore it on a night out and consumed one too many Babychams. I became warm, put the scarf on my chair and then when I <strike>staggered </strike>walked home later, it got forgotten. When I realised that it was missing in the morning I made lots of strangled 'Noooooo' noises ( and a few swear words may have escaped my mouth) and did some frantic scurrying around trying to find it.<br />
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Two return visits to the local hostelery in question failed to yield my precious possession and even the power of Twitter was unable to help me; I have declared my scarf lost. Last night when telling the girls about SnB about it, I recounted the tale of when my car was stolen with my son's buggy inside it which had a rather funky liner that I looked for everwhere for ages afterwards. While telling the story I realised that losing the scarf was actually more annoying than losing my car, what does that say about me?! <br />
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My car was found, and although it looked like this, at least I knew what had happened to it, and got some compensation (three teenagers took it and were chased by the police before crashing, unfortunately they were un-injured and eventually not prosecuted either, grrr). Sadly, I may never know what happened to my Hitchhiker. I can only hope that some lucky (or un-scrupulous) person is enjoying wearing it as much as I did, and it is not currently residing at the local tip.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgDI39CslOU/UAkYhkLroPI/AAAAAAAAA1I/dbdyG7i_mik/s1600/Beths+driving+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgDI39CslOU/UAkYhkLroPI/AAAAAAAAA1I/dbdyG7i_mik/s400/Beths+driving+(4).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anyways, I have done my mourning, and yesterday I began Hitchhiker #2. This time I am using Arucania Ranco, which is not quite as nice as the hand-dyed yarn I bought from Bex and used last time, but is a passable substitute. To avoid the horrors of the four hour skein to ball nightmare I had last time, I enlisted some help to transform this one (thank you Teresa!). I also happened to have a perfectly co-ordinating project bag which was unsold from Larmer Tree to keep all my bits in. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_H7C5i-Cn5g/UAkemXXGtsI/AAAAAAAAA1U/1Nl9aYFJr3A/s1600/hitchhiker+%232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_H7C5i-Cn5g/UAkemXXGtsI/AAAAAAAAA1U/1Nl9aYFJr3A/s640/hitchhiker+%232.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This time, I will try not to eat Malteasers and watch tv while knitting, to avoid the mistakes I made last time. I have also devised a better way of keeping track of the row I am on, in the form of a little flip-chart (the green card you can see in the picture).It did annoy me that tooth 10 wasn't pointed on my original version, and the first 20 teeth are the most visible the way I wore it so this new scarf will hopefully be a vision of perfection.<br />
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Whilst browsing in Michelle's shop (Carly's Crafts) yesterday, I also found a reasonably priced sock yarn which I will use to attempt my first lace pattern, also a shawl. I just have to wait for some more needles and need to make some stitch markers.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y6DtMnZTGcc/UAkh5c2MDII/AAAAAAAAA1o/_ANRLEVhxxY/s1600/dragonfly+wings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y6DtMnZTGcc/UAkh5c2MDII/AAAAAAAAA1o/_ANRLEVhxxY/s640/dragonfly+wings.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;">If you are a member of Ravelry, you should be able to find the pattern <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dragonfly-wings" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong>.</a> If not, if you enjoy knitting or crochet you should join. It's free and is a fantastic resource for patterns (lots free), advice and inspiration.</span><br />
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Today is the last day of school for my children and I am really looking forward to a good long break with them. We have got a few things lined up to keep us busy, but mostly we will just be enjoying the change of routine and the chance to have some little adventures.<br />
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I hope you all enjoy your summers. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you soon,<br />
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Beth xUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-2221705910673555792012-07-17T17:10:00.002+01:002012-07-17T17:11:13.602+01:00Larmer Tree July 2012I promised you all that I would take loads of pictures and report back about my time at the festival but I may have sort of forgotten to get my camera out quite as much as I should have. Our old friend the British weather decided to get in on the festival action by providing several prolonged heavy downpours which made the event harder work than our long-lost friend Mr Sunshine would have done. <br />
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This was my stall all laid out on the Wednesday, before being opened to customers. I went with pretty much the same layout I had used in the last few fairs I did, but having seen some of the other stalls, I think I will make some changes in the future.<br />
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Below you can see my stall in the evening. I was lent a lamp, which did make a big difference. I had not thought I would need any extra lighting as the marquee was lit, but I see now that individual stall lighting can be really effective and next time I would definitely dig out the fairy lights.<br />
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In the picture below you can see some of the other stalls. The jewellery stall in the right of the picture was to my left. It belonged to the fabulous Annette, who became my festival heroine. Annette is a Larmer Tree veteran and was full of good advice and information, not just about Larmer Tree but about running a craft business and life in general. <br />
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Annette's jewellery is made from handmade glass and is just so colourful and gorgeous that I couldn't resist spending some of my profits on a few pieces.<br />
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I even got to design my own necklace, which wasn't as easy as you might think. It took quite a while to choose which colours to include, in which size, and in which order, but I love the finished piece. Please go and have a look at Annette's website, <strong><a href="http://www.wildscarlet.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Wild Scarlet</a></strong>. You won't be disappointed.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KhawrDzHQF4/UAWCXbzpEDI/AAAAAAAAA0w/buXF_jOhQak/s1600/lunapic_13425364635853_11.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KhawrDzHQF4/UAWCXbzpEDI/AAAAAAAAA0w/buXF_jOhQak/s640/lunapic_13425364635853_11.jpg" width="586" /></a></div>
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The festival itself is held in a really beautiful setting in the Dorset countryside and the organisers did a fantastic job of getting us all on site and into place. We got to camp directly behind the marquee and even had access to showers! Unfortunately for us, we had decided against taking our own marquee-like family tent as it is really huge and we were concerned about it getting ruined. We opted to take our old, much smaller tent, which turned out to be a mistake as it proved no match for the torrential rain we had over the first few days and leaked like a sieve.<br />
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Mr Magpie was understandably less than keen to spend his holiday sitting in a muddy puddle so we made the decision to return home for the night and ended up commuting to the festival daily for the duration. </div>
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Initially the rain helped to drive people into the marquee for shelter and was quite good for business; Thursday was my second best day sales-wise. However, it soon worked against us as the lush green fields we arrived to turned into a brown swamp during the first 48 hours. <br />
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To reach the Artist's Quarter you first had to cross a sea of mud, and many people chose not to do so. I don't really blame them. Indeed, I was so reluctant to cross myself that I made only a few trips into the rest of the festival and failed to see a single band or comedian all weekend, which had not been the plan at all.<br />
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Talking to the other traders, most of whom had been to Larmer Tree before, it seemed as though business was slower for most people this year. I know that this was the first year that tickets for the festival were still available as the gates opened, and from chatting to the visitors, many were planning on leaving early because of the mud.<br />
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I didn't sell as much as I'd hoped to, but I was happy with my takings all things considered and would definitely be up for a return visit next year if invited. The kinds of things that sold well at Larmer Tree were different to my usual best-sellers and I think I'd have a better idea of what to take next time and what changes to make to the stall. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uD9t9gW20kY/TxiyG14FduI/AAAAAAAAAOU/oXzQ2UKoVBw/s1600/fruit+basket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uD9t9gW20kY/TxiyG14FduI/AAAAAAAAAOU/oXzQ2UKoVBw/s640/fruit+basket.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Interestingly, although I displayed my fruit pincushions with a couple of decorative pins in, I didn't label them as such. I priced each item individually instead of my usual 'Fruit Pincushions £5' sign. Last time I did a fair I sold a dozen of them; this time only about five over the five days! It does seem that you really do have to spell things out for your customers!<br />
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All in all, I found the festival experience much more satisfying than selling at craft fairs. I have been on a steep learning curve and this experience taught me loads, as well as introducing me to lots of really lovely people.<br />
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For now, I am going to enjoy the last week before the children break up. I have got a few little sewing treats planned just for myself, as well as a bit more knitting and crochet. I can now resume Granny-Striping, yay!<br />
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If you were at the festival, I hope you managed to enjoy it and would love to hear from you with any thoughts you have on my stall.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by,<br />
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Beth x<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-21097196075569070812012-06-25T13:52:00.000+01:002012-06-25T15:54:38.125+01:00Ripple Baby Blanket - Finished!I'm a little bit late with this post, I actually finished this blanket over a week ago, but what with all the festival prep I hadn't managed to take any pictures.<br />
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You might remember me starting this blanket (click <strong><a href="http://missmagpiemakes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/hitching-and-rippling.html" target="_blank">here</a></strong> for the post about it) back in May. I was hoping to have it finished in time for Larmer Tree and the truly awful weather we've had over the last month has probably helped to achieve that aim. Because we had to cancel our camping holiday and instead had a last-minute holiday to Wales, I used the journey times to make good progress.<br />
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I still love the Rowan Handknit Cotton I used on this project, although I was a bit annoyed to discover halfway through a row that the white shade had a join in it which necessitated an extra two ends to be woven in, but hopefully you can't notice.<br />
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This time around I didn't knot the ends as I changed colours; I tied them loosely until I came to weave them in and then just made sure I wove the ends in under the crochet loops, being sure to change direction at least once and also to go through the strand of yarn a couple of times to really make the tail 'catch'.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AE2H0uDk5xk/T-gzPCEeyGI/AAAAAAAAAxw/Gznq30tylsg/s1600/ripple+edge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AE2H0uDk5xk/T-gzPCEeyGI/AAAAAAAAAxw/Gznq30tylsg/s640/ripple+edge.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not knotting makes for a much smoother edge.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BkRW6ohYJw4/T-gzu14-WpI/AAAAAAAAAyA/R1gWHpIyYGo/s1600/ripple+june+14th.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BkRW6ohYJw4/T-gzu14-WpI/AAAAAAAAAyA/R1gWHpIyYGo/s640/ripple+june+14th.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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With this blanket I purposely made the beginning and end purple sections larger than the ripples in the main body of the blanket and finished off by doing a row of single crochet down each side and then two rows of trebles. I think I may have put more stitches down one side as the border doesn't lie perfectly flat, but I haven't pressed or blocked the blanket yet so that may address the problem.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E2E2a1tD-ss/T-g0LWsbcsI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/vrqVZ2axSL0/s1600/baby+ripple+edge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E2E2a1tD-ss/T-g0LWsbcsI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/vrqVZ2axSL0/s640/baby+ripple+edge.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, here is the finished blanket in all it's glory, just in time for the festival.</div>
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Speaking of which, I really am upto my eyeballs in work so you won't be hearing from me for a few weeks now. I promise to take lots of pictures of the festival and do a big Larmer Tree post when I get back. Keep your fingers crossed that summer arrives just in time for me.</div>
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Thanks for stopping by,</div>
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Beth x</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-23213838786545115532012-06-14T12:28:00.000+01:002012-06-14T12:28:51.723+01:0070's Knitting and Crochet PatternsFor those of you who read <strong><a href="http://missmagpiemakes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/vintage-knitting-and-crochet-patterns.html" target="_blank">this post</a></strong>, you will remember that I have a particular fondness for vintage knitting and crochet patterns. Charity shops are my usual source, but a few weeks ago, my Mum decided to sort out her under stairs cupboard and unearthed some real gems in the process.<br />
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Mum had told me about her collection of Mon Tricot patterns and had thought them lost. Having looked through them, I am very glad that they weren't. Apparently, these pattern 'books' (they are more like magazines) were considered quite expensive in their time but I can understand why. I wish there was a modern-day equivalent; I am a bit tired of the current magazines on offer which seem to regurgitate the same old patterns and have endless ad pages.<br />
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The contents of this book alone could keep me busy for months.</div>
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Now that I have learned to crochet, I am seeing all sorts of possibilities in these patterns. Those little slippers are just so cute.</div>
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Not sure I'd be up to creating this monster, apparently it's meant to be a dolphin!</div>
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These would be great with leggings underneath, or maybe frilly pants?</div>
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And who could be without a pencil case in their scarf?</div>
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<br />There are lots of great home furnishing ideas, you just have to imagine different colours.</div>
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<br />These flowers could be adapted for all sorts of uses. I think they're very Attic24.</div>
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I am seeing crochet seat covers in a vintage VW camper, it's a shame modern headrest would complicate the pattern.</div>
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I think this wave pattern might just be my next blanket.</div>
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And we all know I like a good zigzag.</div>
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<br />Speaking of which.....too far?</div>
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This is also a zigzag design, but I could really see myself in this. But would I have the patience to finish it?</div>
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More dresses that could be made pretty funky!</div>
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I particularly like the middle (light brown) dress, but to make it I'd need 26 balls of 4ply yarn. Hmmm.</div>
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Can't you just picture the cheese and pineapple and the black forest gateaux?!</div>
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<br />Not sure about the socks, but the bag would be really simple to do.</div>
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<br /> These tank tops would be fab in modern colours and you only need three balls of yarn to make them.</div>
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Well, maybe not this one, and definitely not the hat!</div>
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I actually really love the bikini on the left, but if I made it I would not be going anywhere near water.</div>
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It's about time these came back isn't it?</div>
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<br />Er, Ron Jeremy?</div>
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Well, I leave you with these for now. I am meant to be stitching away but my machine has decided to go on strike so it's back to the brooches I think.<br />
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In camping news, we decided against roughing it in the tent last week in view of the weather forecast and had a little holiday to Wales in a caravan instead. Luckily we didn't get washed away and the journeys and the rain mean that my baby ripple blanket is almost done. I will show you pics next time.<br />
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I would just like to say a quick 'hello' to my new followers and to my overseas readers who I know are lurking around. Don't be shy, say hello and let me know what you think of these fab patterns, or anything else you'd like to share!<br />
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Hope you are all well and thanks for stopping by,<br />
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Beth x<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-11721250756267147942012-05-31T19:43:00.000+01:002012-07-20T10:29:41.133+01:00Hitching and Rippling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As predicted in my last post, I did cast on my Hitchhiker scarf over the weekend, which was easy, since the cast on row consists of only two stitches. The pattern is very clever really; you always increase on the toothless side (with a one row exception) which gives that edge the lovely curvy shape. </div>
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The pattern is worked in sets of eight rows, with one tooth being formed with every set. As you consistently increase by nine stitches in each set and only cast off five (the horizontal edge of the tooth) the scarf gradually grows outwards.</div>
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My mind is a strange world, and some things have to be ordered just so. In my said strange mind, it doesn't feel right to stop knitting until I have reached the end of a set of eight rows. This was fine when the rows were smaller, but I can see me having to have a word with myself soon to prevent myself from becoming chained to the spot until I finish a set.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qRceeKS8tZc/T8ESc3PV76I/AAAAAAAAAso/ka97RyhrV6A/s1600/hitchhiker+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qRceeKS8tZc/T8ESc3PV76I/AAAAAAAAAso/ka97RyhrV6A/s640/hitchhiker+(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anyway, I digress. This was my progress as of yesterday. I was going great until somewhere around tooth ten, which was reached on Saturday night, whilst channel hopping and eating Malteasers (other choccies are available).</div>
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I was reminded of why I fell out with knitting. I don't possess the necessary skill to knit backwards or to retrieve dropped stitches and I usually end up having to pull the whole lot of the needles (apparently known as 'frogging' so I'm told) and starting again.</div>
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I was determined to rescue my mistake and did eventually succeed in picking up all those tiny little 4ply loops with an even teenier DPN and managed to make a good impression of a salvage job. Tooth ten looks a bit different than it's pointier brothers but nonetheless, it's staying.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sum1ginT5lc/T8ev_32qQHI/AAAAAAAAAtE/wCm1jrsh-0w/s1600/hitchhiker+30th+May.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sum1ginT5lc/T8ev_32qQHI/AAAAAAAAAtE/wCm1jrsh-0w/s640/hitchhiker+30th+May.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I did manage to discipline myself enough to finish my zigzag baby blanket before casting on the Hitchhiker; I am really really pleased with how it looks and will be taking it with me to Larmer Tree. Thank you to everyone who has complimented me on it so far, it really means a lot.<br />
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In the end, I decided against my original plan of doing two rows of trebles along the long sides as I felt that my beginners luck in shaping the corners might not extend to a second row. Sometimes knowing when to stop can be an art form!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4zDnhY1tvs/T8ESVVAevqI/AAAAAAAAAsg/Zs7-ZdxKC3Q/s1600/finished+ripple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4zDnhY1tvs/T8ESVVAevqI/AAAAAAAAAsg/Zs7-ZdxKC3Q/s640/finished+ripple.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Since I managed to complete this project in under a month by utilising time that would normally be spent just sitting (on the bus, in the park, waiting for a train, watching rubbish TV with a bag of sweets) I decided that I should have enough time before the festival to hook up a sister blanket.</div>
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The pattern I decided on for this one is from Lucy of Attic24. You can view it<a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/neat-ripple-pattern.html" target="_blank"><strong> here</strong>.</a> I decided I would have to learn the mysterious tr2tog stitch and it turns out that it's really not that difficult, especially following Lucy's excellent instructions.</div>
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So here is what we have so far:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qxu5is4s6xg/T8ev3S_e0wI/AAAAAAAAAs8/iXPseG7NBeY/s1600/Baby+Ripple+30th+May.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qxu5is4s6xg/T8ev3S_e0wI/AAAAAAAAAs8/iXPseG7NBeY/s640/Baby+Ripple+30th+May.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm using Rowan Handknit Cotton again, which I have really come to love working with, it seems to suit crocheting perfectly. This time I am using less colours, and dividing each colour strip with a half-stripe of a lovely crisp white.<br />
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I have done a thick wedge of the gorgeous mauvey-purple shade at the bottom, which I will repeat at the other end and the around the sides at the end. There is also a green shade to be added (the same one as the darker green of my first blanket). </div>
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This pattern will not be random like the first, but a repeat. I didn't consciously plan to used red, white and blue together in the design, but I think my aforementioned scrambled brain carries on blithely without me sometimes, and sometimes things work out all the better for that.</div>
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Next week we are camping in the New Forest and it has been pointed out to me that it might be unwise to take a crochet project that involves a beautiful white yarn to a place where cleanliness may be somewhat compromised. With this in mind I have decided to take my <strong><a href="http://missmagpiemakes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/easter-crochet.html" target="_blank">Granny Stripe</a></strong> to work on, and no doubt some other little portable bits of stitchery that are festival-bound.</div>
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I wish you all a lovely Bank Holiday weekend however you are celebrating (or not) the Jubilee and look forward to updating you on festival and non-festival progress again soon.</div>
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Thanks for stopping by,</div>
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Beth x</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-73067901876835981962012-05-25T17:01:00.000+01:002012-06-25T13:54:15.665+01:00More Zips, More Ripples and a Tangled Mess<br />
After the success of my little Union Jack purse/accessory cover last week, this week I have been mostly making some more. I started off with the remainder of the scraps of blue fabric to make three more identical versions.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2vovaRQqAjg/T7-Lp2xMCBI/AAAAAAAAAqk/6gJuNmoDDUg/s1600/british+purses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2vovaRQqAjg/T7-Lp2xMCBI/AAAAAAAAAqk/6gJuNmoDDUg/s640/british+purses.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Blue fabric all gone, I turned to the rest of the hessian-type remnant and got busy with other scraps of fabrics and some more ribbons from my stash. The Cath Kidston Stars ribbon is a recent purchase. I finally got to visit the new store in Bournemouth, which unbelievably took me about three weeks to get round to!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1yGoWFZwrp4/T7-OFPqV_4I/AAAAAAAAArs/BXTzNWVXKHc/s1600/CK+British+Purses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1yGoWFZwrp4/T7-OFPqV_4I/AAAAAAAAArs/BXTzNWVXKHc/s640/CK+British+Purses.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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More stash-busting.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rcFSl53lhMA/T7-MA65hf2I/AAAAAAAAAq8/kvUtKW8vTCw/s1600/Ribbon+UK+purses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rcFSl53lhMA/T7-MA65hf2I/AAAAAAAAAq8/kvUtKW8vTCw/s640/Ribbon+UK+purses.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And finally, at Mum's suggestion (thank you Mum!) a way of using up some more Cath Kidston scraps and keeping our friends from across the pond happy. I really love how these two turned out but am resisting temptation to claim one of them. I need some stock to sell!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdceZpPiQng/T7-Mr63AOgI/AAAAAAAAArk/vnkCm1qH24w/s1600/usa+purses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdceZpPiQng/T7-Mr63AOgI/AAAAAAAAArk/vnkCm1qH24w/s640/usa+purses.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In crochet news, lots of happy outdoor time at the park in the thankfully arrived sunshine has provided plenty of hooking opportunity, and my baby ripple blanket is almost complete.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HN-KBH9ropE/T7-MXfU86BI/AAAAAAAAArU/1G2rBUSbkYs/s1600/Ripple+Progress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HN-KBH9ropE/T7-MXfU86BI/AAAAAAAAArU/1G2rBUSbkYs/s640/Ripple+Progress.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Having never got to this stage of crochet before, I asked my crochet guru Bex at SnB last night if I was edging it the right way. Apparently I am, so Yay! I firstly went along the edge in double crochet, and am now making my way back along with trebles. In some versions I have seen, people 'fill in' the ripples along the top and bottom, but it is the shape of the ripples that I love about this blanket so I want to keep them.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AVAltxbiDRo/T7-MOR4rP9I/AAAAAAAAArM/4o_kO6xBX8U/s1600/Ripple+Border.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AVAltxbiDRo/T7-MOR4rP9I/AAAAAAAAArM/4o_kO6xBX8U/s640/Ripple+Border.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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At the beginning, I shaped the corner by using a double crochet, then a half treble, before going on to the main trebling. I'm quite pleased with how it's looking so far.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOA9WbIGmHc/T7-MICi1ZLI/AAAAAAAAArE/3wEGV0VlGy0/s1600/Ripple+Border+Edge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOA9WbIGmHc/T7-MICi1ZLI/AAAAAAAAArE/3wEGV0VlGy0/s640/Ripple+Border+Edge.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A little gratuitous close-up shot to make your eyes go funny!</div>
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As well as being a crochet and knitting guru, Bex is also a spinner and dyer of yarns. She has a shop online which you can visit <a href="http://www.colourfuldesigns.co.uk/shop/" target="_blank"><strong>here.</strong></a><strong> </strong>I had been admiring many of the <strong><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hitchhiker" target="_blank">Hitchhiker</a></strong> shawls knitted by members of SnB and decided to have a go at one myself. I ordered the pattern and a needle and Bex very kindly brought me a lovely selection of yarns (see, I'm slowly coming around) to look through last night.<br />
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I settled on a lovely wool/nylon 4ply sock yarn dyed in gorgeous deep purple and turquoise tones and last night after SnB set about turning a skein into a ball. This was my progress as of 12.37 a.m.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5aHAIeeXyyc/T7-MkzU54sI/AAAAAAAAArc/cdjUQJEsIA0/s1600/tangled+mess.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5aHAIeeXyyc/T7-MkzU54sI/AAAAAAAAArc/cdjUQJEsIA0/s640/tangled+mess.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not really sure what I did wrong, but another hour or so this afternoon has left me with this.<br />
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I'm off dancing tonight so can't make a start just yet and it feels a bit ridiculous to start knitting a shawl when it's so blinking hot, but no doubt this will be another WIP by the end of the weekend!<br />
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Wishing you a lovely hot weekend with sun loungers and pina coladas.</div>
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Beth x</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628391655666630.post-8871735512728465592012-05-18T10:48:00.000+01:002012-05-18T10:48:54.401+01:00Inserting a Zip (The Magpie Method)I have been having a lot of stitchy fun this week whipping up a big batch of zippy pouches. Some have become purses, some pencil cases and others have evolved in padded accessory covers. All of these designs share one crucial design element, the Magpie Method of zip insertion.<br />
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When I was learning to insert zips I read lots of great tutorials. When I made my first zippy pouch I used <strong><a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=45b5d752fd6b018ddd6c2f54a07baa90&topic=176509.msg1824842#msg1824842" target="_blank">this</a></strong> tutorial.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bbfr4sFm-z0/TrbWrQeG-NI/AAAAAAAAAEE/RWXJSx2JbkA/s1600/DSC02357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bbfr4sFm-z0/TrbWrQeG-NI/AAAAAAAAAEE/RWXJSx2JbkA/s640/DSC02357.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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You might just be able to see that the zip has covered ends. If you read the tutorial you will see what I mean by that, and how to insert a zip using this technique. It is effective and I know some people prefer zips to be covered at the ends.<br />
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For me, I don't mind the look of covered zip ends, but they do create a couple of issues. Firstly, the presence of the covered end obstructs the opening of the pouch a little. This doesn't matter so much on longer items, but does have an impact when you are making little purses or phone cases.<br />
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Secondly, covering the zip ends makes for more work. You have to cut (and preferably interface) extra fabric, you have to sew that fabric over the zip ends, and it also helps to stitch the ends of the zipper together to keep everything neat.<br />
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I like neatness, but I am all for time saving too. With this in mind, I quickly abandoned covered zip ends and through the process of creating a multitude of wash bags, pouches and purses my own method has evolved, which I will share with you now.<br />
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For the process of this tutorial, I will be making a small, lined purse but the method would apply to a variety of pouches of all sizes, with straight bottom edges such as this one, or flat-bottomed. For items such as cushion covers I would use a different method, as this one does not give perfectly angled corners.<br />
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Firstly you will need to cut your fabric to the required size. As a general rule, I sew with a quarter inch seam allowance, so if I wanted my finished item to be 5 x 7 inches I would add half an inch to each measurement to give a cutting size of 5 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches. You need to cut two pieces of your outer fabric, plus two for the lining. If you are being really good, I would also recommend interfacing all four pieces, so you will need four pieces of Vilene (or equivalent) of the same size.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a3LUu8PNxHc/T7UD39qXuuI/AAAAAAAAAkY/hXddGNRChZ4/s1600/Cut+fabric+and+interfacing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a3LUu8PNxHc/T7UD39qXuuI/AAAAAAAAAkY/hXddGNRChZ4/s320/Cut+fabric+and+interfacing.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Since we are making a zipped pouch you will also be needing a zip. Here is where the Magpie method comes into it's own. When you buy a zip, they are sold in different lengths and the length usually corresponds to the length of the teeth. The actual length of the whole piece is normally an inch longer.<br />
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The tricky part about sewing in zips is avoiding the metal stopper and the zip pull itself.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y5_kCuiFqg8/T7UtScakQ6I/AAAAAAAAApY/bZ6ux6tn8FA/s1600/Zip+End.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y5_kCuiFqg8/T7UtScakQ6I/AAAAAAAAApY/bZ6ux6tn8FA/s320/Zip+End.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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In some methods, you start with the zip closed and then when you have sewn past the zip pull you have to raise the foot of the sewing machine and wiggle the zip pull open past it. When I was still new to zip insertion I found this a bit tricky. My method is simple; I choose a zip that is at least two inches longer than I need it to be to keep all of the metal parts away from where I am sewing.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3pda3XP6OE8/T7UEAFlIk1I/AAAAAAAAAkg/UJ7HkTWpSmU/s1600/ext+fabric+face+up%252C+zip+face+down.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3pda3XP6OE8/T7UEAFlIk1I/AAAAAAAAAkg/UJ7HkTWpSmU/s320/ext+fabric+face+up%252C+zip+face+down.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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At this point we need to rummage around to find the zipper foot for your sewing machine. Don't be scared of the zip foot, it's a great little helper. It looks something like this.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pQrBkpqSAgM/T7U8bK8dZnI/AAAAAAAAAqE/q2KF6LwUKpM/s1600/Zipper+Foot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pQrBkpqSAgM/T7U8bK8dZnI/AAAAAAAAAqE/q2KF6LwUKpM/s320/Zipper+Foot.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some machines have snap on feet, others have a little screw fixing which may need a screw driver, usually supplied with the machine. Normally you are able to attach it on either the left of the right side. I always attach mine to the left.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkasxfSkpN8/T7UEdkbmWwI/AAAAAAAAAlA/bltv6mZMhRs/s1600/foot+to+right.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lkasxfSkpN8/T7UEdkbmWwI/AAAAAAAAAlA/bltv6mZMhRs/s320/foot+to+right.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zipper foot attached on the right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eER-lf8K6pE/T7UEWzLAf7I/AAAAAAAAAk4/m-t2CJLSUPA/s1600/foot+to+left.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eER-lf8K6pE/T7UEWzLAf7I/AAAAAAAAAk4/m-t2CJLSUPA/s320/foot+to+left.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zipper foot attached to the left. This is where we need it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So, you have all your pieces assembled, interfacing ironed on, co-ordinating thread installed in the machine, zipper foot in place. The first step is to assemble what is commonly referred to as the zip sandwich. Place your exterior fabric right side up, then lay the zip on top, with the right side facing down. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWML_MoRQYc/T7YTOxsHGqI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/ZbgScfekuQY/s1600/ext+fabric+face+up,+zip+face+down.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWML_MoRQYc/T7YTOxsHGqI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/ZbgScfekuQY/s320/ext+fabric+face+up,+zip+face+down.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Align the edge of the zip with the edge of the fabric. When it is in place, you put your lining fabric right side down on the top. If the pattern of your fabric has a particular orientation, make sure you have it the right way up, the top is where the zip is.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UJj_nFNihb8/T7UFHRG-wUI/AAAAAAAAAlw/gjtlaeh_QM8/s1600/lining+fabric+on+top.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UJj_nFNihb8/T7UFHRG-wUI/AAAAAAAAAlw/gjtlaeh_QM8/s320/lining+fabric+on+top.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gzQmUQLDUmk/T7U8S0eLqNI/AAAAAAAAAp8/bTyNogWNREY/s1600/zip+sandwich.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gzQmUQLDUmk/T7U8S0eLqNI/AAAAAAAAAp8/bTyNogWNREY/s320/zip+sandwich.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now, you can pin everything in place, but it probably isn't necessary on smaller pouches and anyway, I like to straighten as I go. Take your little sandwich over to your machine, align the edge of the fabric with the outside edge of the zip foot, and bring the foot down into position.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IFJ3KvTpD38/T7UjWNOus8I/AAAAAAAAAnc/pbV3UOEoz68/s1600/sewing+first+side+of+zip.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IFJ3KvTpD38/T7UjWNOus8I/AAAAAAAAAnc/pbV3UOEoz68/s320/sewing+first+side+of+zip.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can make a few backstitches at the start of the seam but don't worry too much as the ends will be sewn over later. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1MBDVWo9Mo0/T7UjD3l_rvI/AAAAAAAAAnE/XJHUlh7X12E/s1600/sew+as+before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1MBDVWo9Mo0/T7UjD3l_rvI/AAAAAAAAAnE/XJHUlh7X12E/s320/sew+as+before.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Sew down the length of the zipper to the end of the fabric. Just ignore the ends of the zip hanging loose.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0GATHL-Veo/T7UEQUV6oHI/AAAAAAAAAkw/ivn_diEyM-g/s1600/first+side+sewn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0GATHL-Veo/T7UEQUV6oHI/AAAAAAAAAkw/ivn_diEyM-g/s320/first+side+sewn.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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At this point I like to iron the sides flat, and then bring the wrong sides of the exterior and lining together. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KNzAts1xalw/T7UiukcBOXI/AAAAAAAAAms/vW1qKf-TXQg/s1600/pressing+flat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KNzAts1xalw/T7UiukcBOXI/AAAAAAAAAms/vW1qKf-TXQg/s320/pressing+flat.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I then give another little press and fasten with a pin.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XKnXQTyoUeI/T7Ui1iG3E3I/AAAAAAAAAm0/Z3WaC74zUt0/s1600/pressing+side+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XKnXQTyoUeI/T7Ui1iG3E3I/AAAAAAAAAm0/Z3WaC74zUt0/s320/pressing+side+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now we repeat the zipper sandwich. Put your second exterior piece right side up.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_k3mgAUEPRc/T7UjmebUwcI/AAAAAAAAAns/nOed0l4yEkI/s1600/side+2+right+side+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_k3mgAUEPRc/T7UjmebUwcI/AAAAAAAAAns/nOed0l4yEkI/s320/side+2+right+side+up.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Place the sewn zip sandwich face down (so the lining is facing up) on top, lining up the unsewn edge of the zip with the top of your exterior fabric.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_1ZxDa8-LYc/T7YUG-Sr4lI/AAAAAAAAAqY/IrU3Lfi_g6I/s1600/2nd+side+of+zip+sandwich.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_1ZxDa8-LYc/T7YUG-Sr4lI/AAAAAAAAAqY/IrU3Lfi_g6I/s320/2nd+side+of+zip+sandwich.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lay your second piece of lining fabric right side down, again aligning the top edge to the top of the zip. Try to match up the side edges too as this will save too much wastage when you trim later on. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePIiEGyToqc/T7UDYIClvqI/AAAAAAAAAj4/KyWVtE2O5VA/s1600/add+lining+right+side+down.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePIiEGyToqc/T7UDYIClvqI/AAAAAAAAAj4/KyWVtE2O5VA/s320/add+lining+right+side+down.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Place your sandwich on the machine as before and sew along the fabric, aligning the edge of the foot with the edge of the fabric.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5QvdDuax1J0/T7Ujs0iyJiI/AAAAAAAAAn0/ARkc4o_PSIQ/s1600/side+2+sewn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5QvdDuax1J0/T7Ujs0iyJiI/AAAAAAAAAn0/ARkc4o_PSIQ/s320/side+2+sewn.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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When this is done, repeat the ironing and pinning, making sure to get the fabric as flat as possible and away from around the zip.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yhpLxVo4spo/T7Uiny9H31I/AAAAAAAAAmk/23i_Q1BVVHA/s1600/press+lining.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yhpLxVo4spo/T7Uiny9H31I/AAAAAAAAAmk/23i_Q1BVVHA/s320/press+lining.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now we are ready to topstitch. This step makes for a neat finish but also keeps the fabric from getting stuck in the zip when the pouch is finished. For personal preference, I do my topstitching with my ordinary foot; the zipper foot lets you get closer but I find that matching the edge of the zigzag foot with the zipper teeth gives me a line to follow, which helps keep the stitches neat.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_KvyxgQiCw/T7Uq4PrTuNI/AAAAAAAAAoY/NFJiekfa7dA/s1600/topstitch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_KvyxgQiCw/T7Uq4PrTuNI/AAAAAAAAAoY/NFJiekfa7dA/s320/topstitch.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Topstitch down both sides of the zip. Again, you can do a little backstitching at the beginning and end if you like, but the ends will be tucked in later so don't worry too much.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76jVLSeO7r0/T7Uj76mswEI/AAAAAAAAAoE/sUG7MuAoJfE/s1600/topstitch+side+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76jVLSeO7r0/T7Uj76mswEI/AAAAAAAAAoE/sUG7MuAoJfE/s320/topstitch+side+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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When the topstitching is done it is time to trim all the edges to make sure that they all get covered by the seam. I usually start with the bottom edges then move on to the sides. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iejfdJVecag/T7UsWAzbseI/AAAAAAAAAow/-ainc3xWbFs/s1600/trim+excess+from+bottom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iejfdJVecag/T7UsWAzbseI/AAAAAAAAAow/-ainc3xWbFs/s320/trim+excess+from+bottom.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Trim the side with the stopper first.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3CAV-jDWrXo/T7UseK_-CxI/AAAAAAAAAo4/0Mza-DbDJeE/s1600/trim+zip+stop+end.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3CAV-jDWrXo/T7UseK_-CxI/AAAAAAAAAo4/0Mza-DbDJeE/s320/trim+zip+stop+end.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next slide the zipper two thirds of the way down and trim the other end. <br />
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<img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zhwnTpVBMzk/T7UFXB_uaqI/AAAAAAAAAmA/W-ytdSqXOzY/s320/open+zipper+to+trim+zip+end.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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Don't do what I did twice this week which was cut the end with the zip pull on the wrong side of the cut. It can be salvaged but it is a complete nuisance and I did get a *little* bit cross about it. As well as saving you from making my mistake, it's also important to keep the zip open from this point as you will need the pouch open for turning out later on.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NaCvdTC2Eig/T7UsmlaQEZI/AAAAAAAAApA/fBv7rfGgf3w/s1600/trimmed!.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NaCvdTC2Eig/T7UsmlaQEZI/AAAAAAAAApA/fBv7rfGgf3w/s320/trimmed!.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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With your edges neat, you are ready to match up your exterior sides and the lining. Match the exterior sides first, pinning around the sides and making sure the zip itself is pushed towards the lining side. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PiLNTl4Vb1g/T7UuwQ89aaI/AAAAAAAAApo/DtGZsqGSzZ0/s1600/zip+lies+towards+lining.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PiLNTl4Vb1g/T7UuwQ89aaI/AAAAAAAAApo/DtGZsqGSzZ0/s320/zip+lies+towards+lining.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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If you want to add a little tag to attach a key ring to, now is the time. Make sure it is inserted right side <u>inside</u> the pouch. <br />
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<img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjdAhww9Mj4/T7UDg81N8iI/AAAAAAAAAkA/xeTzbLW8diI/s320/add+tag+right+way.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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Now pin the lining together. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fzj940Venwc/T7UFeCJQikI/AAAAAAAAAmI/93SHD1l3-fI/s1600/pinned+and+ready.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fzj940Venwc/T7UFeCJQikI/AAAAAAAAAmI/93SHD1l3-fI/s320/pinned+and+ready.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pinning done, go back to your machine and sew around the edges of the fabric, starting at roughly the point you see in the photo, i.e, about three quarters of the way along the bottom edge of the lining. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eaC_JDRaDW0/T7UjJ-LBSGI/AAAAAAAAAnM/-9eJkRNC43k/s1600/sew+edges.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eaC_JDRaDW0/T7UjJ-LBSGI/AAAAAAAAAnM/-9eJkRNC43k/s320/sew+edges.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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When you reach the corners, leave the needle down through the fabric, raise the presser foot and turn the fabric 90 degrees anti-clockwise. Bring the presser foot down again and continue down the lining towards the join where the zip is.<br />
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Go slowly over the zip. Because of the Magpie Method you can be confident that you aren't going to sew over any metal parts, but it is still tough for your machine over this part so go steady. I like to go over the zip part at least twice for extra strength, using the reverse button on the sewing machine.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8e4GeyMu6s0/T7UEkKC7KfI/AAAAAAAAAlI/TqdfJRIduWc/s1600/go+slow+over+zip.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8e4GeyMu6s0/T7UEkKC7KfI/AAAAAAAAAlI/TqdfJRIduWc/s320/go+slow+over+zip.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finish sewing roughly three inches away from the beginning of the seam; you need to leave a turning gap. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D-Ar1rFnKs8/T7UDoxcaSJI/AAAAAAAAAkI/I1ridQrzwaU/s1600/all+sewn+with+turning+gap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D-Ar1rFnKs8/T7UDoxcaSJI/AAAAAAAAAkI/I1ridQrzwaU/s320/all+sewn+with+turning+gap.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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When you have made sure that your seam has secured all the layers of fabric you can trim any excess away. Don't trim from the turning gap as it makes it tricky to oversew later, but cut all the corners off as close to the stitching as possible.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FeBi7gX-eD8/T7UsJbBIO_I/AAAAAAAAAoo/CfSA_P9a1r8/s1600/trim+corners.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FeBi7gX-eD8/T7UsJbBIO_I/AAAAAAAAAoo/CfSA_P9a1r8/s320/trim+corners.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now it is time to push the exterior through the gap in the lining and wiggle out all the creases. Grab your poking tool of choice (mine is a flat-ended screwdriver) to push the corners out as flat as possible. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xIkYKKGoD3c/T7Ui9gdW56I/AAAAAAAAAm8/rVqZC81g0iM/s1600/push+corners+with+tool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xIkYKKGoD3c/T7Ui9gdW56I/AAAAAAAAAm8/rVqZC81g0iM/s320/push+corners+with+tool.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You will have to manoeuvre carefully to push out the corners of the zipper.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xYLOzYznCJY/T7UtJjnMr9I/AAAAAAAAApQ/UTmpGGjSKFs/s1600/zip+edge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xYLOzYznCJY/T7UtJjnMr9I/AAAAAAAAApQ/UTmpGGjSKFs/s320/zip+edge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fl-J6LMywUk/T7Usu-UTybI/AAAAAAAAApI/Ga50vwciDIo/s1600/turned+out.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fl-J6LMywUk/T7Usu-UTybI/AAAAAAAAApI/Ga50vwciDIo/s320/turned+out.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here I like to give everything another little press while the lining is still on the outside. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nez9MMB3vhg/T7UE4rJRHrI/AAAAAAAAAlg/cbz0gQosQXs/s1600/iron+under.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nez9MMB3vhg/T7UE4rJRHrI/AAAAAAAAAlg/cbz0gQosQXs/s320/iron+under.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also iron the open seam underneath before stitching it closed as close to the edge as possible. You will need to backstitch the ends of this seam.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rhfvl50QhGc/T7UjQUBs2ZI/AAAAAAAAAnU/bLS5lv9Y5G0/s1600/sew+up+inside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rhfvl50QhGc/T7UjQUBs2ZI/AAAAAAAAAnU/bLS5lv9Y5G0/s320/sew+up+inside.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J2HFWoTOOZM/T7UFO7FTA2I/AAAAAAAAAl4/uIRyF39rwlY/s1600/lining+sewn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J2HFWoTOOZM/T7UFO7FTA2I/AAAAAAAAAl4/uIRyF39rwlY/s320/lining+sewn.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Stitching done, the lining can be tucked into the pouch, corners poked in and another little press given before hey presto! You did it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AKEUgSIuGlE/T7UEJPbhMaI/AAAAAAAAAko/bv03xRT-61A/s1600/finished%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AKEUgSIuGlE/T7UEJPbhMaI/AAAAAAAAAko/bv03xRT-61A/s320/finished%2521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once you have mastered putting in the zip itself you will be able to add all sorts of embellishments to your purses. Ribbons and appliques should be applied after interfacing but before the zip is sewn on. I like to put buttons on after sewing the zip in as you can get a better idea of where to place them then.<br />
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Also, once you are more confident about your seams it is possible to achieve a neater corner by positioning the metal stopper just inside the seam so that it is visible on the outside, but we'll leave that for another day, along with flat-bottomed pouches!<br />
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I hope you found the tutorial useful. Please feel free to get in touch if you need help with any part. I would love to see any purses/pouches you make too!<br />
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Thanks for stopping by,<br />
Beth x<br />
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<strong>p.s I have kept all but the top picture small to make the page load more quickly but if you need to see more detail, clicking on the pictures should enable you to enlarge them x</strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5