tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284587172024-03-13T21:03:21.182+00:00The Sewcial CircleAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.comBlogger327125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-85211855175751172672013-11-19T09:31:00.000+00:002013-11-19T09:31:06.253+00:00beaufoy christmas marketit's that time of the year. every weekend in london seems to be filled up with holiday markets, events and design fairs. renegade has been and gone and now it's full-speed ahead to december. after finally getting my act together, i will finally be showing off my hand-sewn things at two christmas events this year.<br />
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i will be at Artyard Handmade with a table during the december 4th and 5th <a href="http://artyard.co.uk/content/christmas-craft-night-and-shopping-evening-0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MAKE, DRINK, SHOP</a> event. dec 4th is sold out but there is still space available on the 5th to join in with a cup of mulled wine and a crafty evening making ornaments and of course, shopping handmade.<br />
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and second, the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BeaufoyChristmasMarket" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">beaufoy christmas market</a>! i am most excited about this one on december 7th because it's in the great hall of the most amazing old school at 39 black prince road (near vauxhall). an amazing space and i'll not only have a big table full of wonderful things but will also be running two workshops throughout the day: painting clay ornaments and block-printed christmas cards.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wm7QQAZjy6E/Uosvf-r5LyI/AAAAAAAACWc/vR7AryodayU/s1600/beaufoychristmasmarket.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wm7QQAZjy6E/Uosvf-r5LyI/AAAAAAAACWc/vR7AryodayU/s400/beaufoychristmasmarket.jpeg" width="282" /></a></div>
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bring on the mulled wine and shortbread biscuits!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-71628329045823831892013-09-12T09:53:00.003+01:002013-09-12T09:56:16.822+01:00learn to knit: hand warmerswhere did this chill come from? it seems like summer ended pretty abruptly, and now we're in full swing of a grey, drizzly autumn. the windows are shut, likely till next spring, and we've even pulled out our blankets from the closet.<br />
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while i do wish for sunny and crisp autumn days like i'm used to in niagara, i don't mind snuggling up in bed with a cup of coffee and my laptop. working from bed is so much better than the office. colder days means one thing: knitting season has arrived. i never really feel like knitting in summer, it just doesn't feel right but i've pulled out my needles now, printed off some new patterns, notable is this <a href="http://www.shopwiksten.com/product/jul-hat-knitting-pattern-pdf-download" target="_blank">jul hat</a> from wiksten.<br />
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cooler mornings mean it's about time to pull on the handwarmers. that next step before it's full-on mitten season. here's a very simple pattern to follow if you're just starting out with knitting or want a quick project to whip up in a weekend.<br />
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i've just started a pair myself and think they'd look pretty precious with some buttons sewn along the side. photo on the way!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-51521300538276950102013-09-10T15:35:00.002+01:002013-09-10T15:36:52.369+01:00grey expectationsjust thought i'd share a page out of my sketchbook from recently.<br />
also, loving my new nail polish, aptly named <i>grey expectations.</i><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-63341209203991110202013-09-05T11:32:00.001+01:002013-09-05T11:32:15.522+01:00crazy for crosseslearning to sew piped cushions was on my list of things to master this summer. they're so simple, why have i avoided them for so long? a friend asked me to sew six small accent pillows in some pretty luxe fabric (£55/metre!!!) with silk trim in july. i think i'm an old hand at them now and show no signs of stopping.<br />
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my love for cross-patterned things came out on this pillow which is destined for someone else's home. i printed the fabric the old fashioned way, using a potato stamp. the last time i used a potato stamp was probably kindergarden, twenty-odd years ago but i find it's one of the easiest ways to print on fabric because of the natural sponginess of the spud.<br />
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here you are, a potato-stamped cross pillow with an envelope back and turquoise piping.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-67906537372692255472013-09-03T18:29:00.001+01:002013-09-03T18:29:05.310+01:00flower bomba little flowery goodness does the soul good. i make it a habit to go out to the new covent garden market every couple weeks to buy flowers for the flat. it's a little luxury that definitely makes working from home that much more bearable.<br />
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plus i always have something fresh to draw when i need a few minutes for my mind to breathe between articles.<br />
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i'm loving these by essex-based artist <a href="http://guycatling.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">guy catling</a>. there's just something so comforting about blooming florals juxtaposed with black and white photographs.<br />
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i actually wish hipsters and boarders would start wearing floral-printed tshirts. it's a good look for them, don't you think?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-24195215536505837552013-09-03T15:26:00.003+01:002013-09-03T15:40:17.112+01:00knit cactiwell don't i feel like a sham of a blogger neglecting this space for so long. it would be a lie to say not much has happened here in the last half year, frankly a lot has happened!<br />
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for one, this happened!<br />
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and we even have the first three months of marriage under our belt but we can catch up on life a bit later. </div>
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next, knit cacti.</div>
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they're everywhere and the most darlingest cacti i have ever seen. and are easy enough to make on your own. flick on the iplayer this is the most brilliant idea to use up odd balls of green wool you have at the bottom of your stash and the best part is, there's no real pattern to follow. use a smaller needer than the recommended size for your wool and go for it, knitting a narrow rectangle. i've done mine in k1, p1 but i've seen others in moss stitch that look really cool too.</div>
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once you have a rectangle as large as you want it, loop your tail through the remaining stitches on your needle to create the top of the cactus and stitch down the sides. stuff and close, nestling it in a jar of garden stones. pin the hell out of it because these make mighty fine pin cushions.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-267944142534515492012-12-07T10:41:00.000+00:002012-12-07T10:42:37.707+00:00twine tawashisi'm a bit tired of buying kitchen sponges. i gave up buying the cheap coloured ones long ago but even the re-washable ones aren't proving to be the best deal either, especially when it's so hit and miss if they're even stocked at our local shop when it comes time to replace them. so to the internet i went to find a simple alternative i could whip up at home.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">left: <a href="http://www.kurasukoto.com/store/products/original/004216.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">acrylic tawashi</a> / right: <a href="http://www.3191milesapart.com/?p=1613" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">scrubbie</a></span><br />
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4 balls of garden twine: 99p<br />
knitting needles: already had them<br />
wool batting: £2.50 (enough filling for 6 or so)<br />
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introducing the tawashi (japanese for scrubbing brush)<br />
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the garden twine is brilliant for this type of thing. it's rough on the dirt and very durable. i've made a flat one which works great for scrubbing at the tough grime and a padded one (with wool inside) to get the suds up. they both dry relatively quick and the little loops on the end make them easy to hang up on the balcony to dry after dish-washing time.<br />
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twine is tricky to knit with as it has zero stretch but after i got the hang of it, these knitted up quite quick.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-55753417710753752392012-08-17T13:47:00.001+01:002012-08-17T13:47:06.917+01:00the story of a succulent<div style="text-align: left;">
i've not had good luck with succulents in the past. some say they're the easiest plants to take care of yet until now i've successfully managed to down a few to death. last year at ikea we were choosing plants for our new flat and i picked up another succulent. david asked, "are you sure?" i love how they look and i thought, this time i can do it.</div>
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people, i've had a breakthrough.</div>
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but, first this happened...</div>
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one year later and the succulent was growing so tall i had to prop it up with a stick so it wouldn't break under its own weight but one day, snap. my succulent was in two pieces on my desk. i was devastated. another epic succulent growing fail. </div>
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there is good news however. </div>
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after a bit of quick research i broke off a few leaves to save for propagation (i know), and the other bit i simply replanted and it worked! not only have i revived my original plant but i've made succulent babies from it!!</div>
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a few weeks later the succulent is happy and small again in its pot and i have many new succulents just starting to get roots. this weekend's project is to pick up some more cactus soil and drill holes into some spare jars for planters, like <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/138204282285786546/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this</a>.</div>
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succulent success at last!</div>
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(look at the tiny succulent roots growing! an honest miracle.)</div>
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not like i'm an expert but if you have a bad track record for <b>keeping succulents alive</b> here's my advice:<br />
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- when you feel inclined to water it, hold yourself back (unless you live in a very hot, sunny place [ie. not england] then it only needs water once a month or even less)<br />
- give it as much direct sun as possible<br />
- when replanting or transplanting, make sure your soil is specifically for cactus/succulents<br />
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don't be shy, tell me if you've ever killed a succulent (i can't be the only one!).Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-33410002152619987722012-08-07T14:06:00.003+01:002012-08-08T12:17:33.679+01:00knits for little ones<div style="text-align: left;">
you know when you reach that age and it feels like every single on of your friends is either getting married or having a baby. me right now. so i've been knitting up little knits for soon-to-be-born babes. this pair in cream white because one friend decided not to find out the sex until the birth.</div>
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it's ready for the post in a package addresses to canada in hand-stamped arrow kraft paper. remember those <a href="http://kfar.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/stamp-making.html">stamps</a> i made a few weeks ago? i have a feeling they're going to be stamping a lot of gift paper in the future. </div>
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the pattern used is from a <a href="http://www.debbieblissonline.com/Book.asp?bid=43" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">debbie bliss book</a> i took out from the east sheen library called <i>simply baby</i>, two-toned socks (although i kept them single-toned) made to fit a 3-6 month old (i heard babies grow really quick so i figured to go a bit bigger than the smallest ones).</div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-53400342224382428832012-07-12T20:04:00.004+01:002012-07-12T20:04:48.695+01:00stamp making<div style="text-align: left;">
i'm quite bad at hoarding craft materials until i find the perfect thing to do with them. hence why i've carried around a speeball rubber pad from canada to hungary (twice) and to england for the past three years hoping that one day i would decide what to carve into it and finally make some use out of it. that day came this week after i saw this pin from <a href="http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">poppytalk</a>.</div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.lovelyindeed.com/diy-rubber-stamps/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">lovelyindeed.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/poppytalk/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Jan</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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the simple shapes were a definitely draw, so i decided to finally cut up my pink pad and gouge into it with my carver. i skipped the striped one and embellished the house. lessons learnt: take your time. even the slightest knick can screw up the shape. patience, patience, patience.</div>
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the process.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-31001445400030240832012-06-11T17:37:00.002+01:002012-06-11T17:37:54.804+01:00you said it<div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/16607092346425669/' target='_blank'><img src='http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/249175791853566934_RPmUtFie_c.jpg' border='0' width='350' height ='371'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://blog.shopbop.com/2012/06/wise-words.html'>blog.shopbop.com</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/erinloechner/' target='_blank'>Erin</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-83779830258270548112012-05-03T13:31:00.000+01:002012-05-03T13:31:27.214+01:00knitting at the speed of starsi've got a lot on the go right now. i'm a couple weeks away from moving into a new flat (although i'm secretly sad to leave this little studio... it's been my little den for the last half year and despite its small kitchen, it's actually perfect for us). our new place is closer to the city which is more convenient on all fronts. there will be a post on my new haunts as soon as i move. otherwise, i've been knitting my dear little heart out as much as i have time for.<br />
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we're getting into the "knitting off-season" if there's such a thing. i don't particularly enjoy knitting in summer or at least i haven't done it too much in summers past but i've been eyeing these pieces and patterns, and well, there's just too many knits to knit to have an off-season.<br />
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plus, world knitting day is coming up next month!<br />
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tuques with pom poms, neutrals with a bold kiss of colour, bows and ascot neck ties, cabled cowls and socks. i'd even like to attempt the teddy.<br />
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from top left: <a href="http://www.purlsoho.com/purl" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wool</a> / <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/knitted-neck-scarf?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/gifts-for-her#" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ascot</a> / <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62032471/massive-pom-pom-hat-in-dark-grey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">giant pom pom hat</a> / <a href="http://www.ohleander.com/product/casual-scarf-in-heather" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">bow scarf</a> / <a href="http://witchesandslippersandhoods.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">white tuque</a> / <a href="http://shop.creaturesofcomfort.us/wool-and-the-gang-sideline-top-navy-white.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">stripe tee</a> / <a href="http://www.woolandthegang.com/en/articles/view/357" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">florence sweater</a> / <a href="http://emmadimeknitted.bigcartel.com/product/the-tiny-bow" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">bow headband</a> / <a href="http://500px.com/photo/3091542" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cable cowl</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-57426650579387050922012-05-01T11:32:00.000+01:002012-05-01T12:02:36.947+01:00lately<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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ONE // london weather has been the pits lately. non-stop rain. but it's spring, right? couldn't resist this classically london shot while walking across the waterloo bridge between rain showers. hello, big ben! this city never ceases to impress me.</div>
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TWO // the rain and wind has stripped all the trees of their spring-time blooms. when the wind gets blowing, they look like pink snow or baby pink wedding confetti.</div>
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THREE // when you're on house arrest because of the foul weather, there's nothing to do except watch back episodes of gossip girl, paint your nails and knit. at least that's what a few of my days looked like last week.</div>
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FOUR // rainy days call for outings to museums. i won a ticket to the cecil beaton photography exhibition at the <a href="http://www.vam.ac.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">v&a</a> on twitter and took advantage of the chance to see other corners of the museum i haven't see before. this is one of the most beautiful rooms there, golden and gilded.</div>
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what have you been up to lately?</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-51258319605430733712012-04-27T11:42:00.000+01:002012-04-27T11:42:22.388+01:00double explosions...otherwise known as double exposures.<br />
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after seeing a <a href="http://www.kmillerphotographs.com/photography-tips-tutorials/double-exposures-in-photoshop/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">tutorial</a> on how to do this in photoshop, i can't stop. i'm not that great in photoshop yet but i'm trying to learn a new trick every day or so. what i love about lomography cameras is that you can do multiple exposures on one frame, that's what hooked me on the holga when i was a teenage. of course, doing it digitally does feel a bit like cheating but there is the plus of not wasting film on potentially bad shots. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4vdEH9kFJsg/T5kyOpAKN4I/AAAAAAAABps/vz8D63P3qMY/s1600/kitty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4vdEH9kFJsg/T5kyOpAKN4I/AAAAAAAABps/vz8D63P3qMY/s640/kitty.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<i>fitting room katie meets old door near old street station in london.</i></div>
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<i>nude on a spanish beach meets craggy early spring gardens in richmond park.</i></div>
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what do you think? </div>
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are there any good photoshop tutorial sites i should check out?</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-33085898469498910832012-04-26T12:24:00.000+01:002012-04-26T14:38:20.963+01:00rainy nights mean craft nightsi am totally enchanted by the incredible things you can make out of paper. one of the ladies i work for at the <a href="http://www.artyard.co.uk/" target="_blank">artyard</a> is a master of this medium. the entire studio is filled with papier-mache creations from life-sized deer heads, dainty designer shoes to paper roses and cakes. last night i ducked down to the studio for an evening of craft and all i have to say is wow!<br />
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when the weather has been such a muck lately, i can think of few things better to do than tuck into and evening of crafting with a glass of wine. </div>
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love this herringbone navy and white fabric, perfect for the outside of this clasp purse with a touch of pink for the liner. it's a bit lop-sided but for my first purse attempt, i think it's pretty alright!</div>
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i was surprised how much i got into the paper crafts last night. there is no limit to the things you can make. here is my trio of tarts and cakes i made out of various bits of papers and cardboard.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-60323036343387395862012-04-24T15:50:00.001+01:002012-04-24T15:50:51.444+01:00pretty in pink<div style="text-align: left;">
there is a lot of hot neon pink going on lately. i can't get enough of it. i even painted my nails pink today, not something i would normally do on a tuesday morning but it was raining and i finished my work early. bring on the blush, i've very tempted to buy a spray can of my own and touch up a few things around this flat, just not sure if pink is really davey's colour. don't want to scare him!</div>
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from top left: <a href="http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/house-tour-the-dickensons/item/316604" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">neon table legs</a> / <a href="http://theproperpinwheel.com/2012/04/tut-tuesday-neons-where-its-at/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ikea hack pots</a> / <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/117867715217646292/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ikea hack stool</a> / <a href="http://confettigarden.tumblr.com/post/18588453168" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pops of pink</a></div>
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digging the pink?</div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-77727577016434718402012-04-19T20:22:00.000+01:002012-04-19T20:22:03.527+01:00self portrait<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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i always feel bad to leave this place empty when not too much is going on. so i leave you with this drawing for a rainy thursday night. it's my attempt to draw more which really means not that often at all. but i'd like it to be more often.</div>
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that cup of coffee in the drawing is steaming, you just can't see it. </div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-46036751719897447072012-04-18T17:24:00.002+01:002012-04-18T17:24:39.732+01:00kew gardens<div style="text-align: left;">
when you live so close to a place it's hard to make it a priority to go there. kew gardens will always be there, i thought. we'll go, one day. it's still there but finally some friends pinned down a date and rain or shine we'd go. luckily there was more shine than rain and it was a gorgeous day for touring the gardens.</div>
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here are a few shots from the day. i mostly used by diana mini that day but these iphone photos will have to tie you over until my film gets back from the lab. </div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-19575793725503945832012-04-04T13:27:00.000+01:002012-05-01T11:48:23.306+01:00cooking frenchi have to admit, i'm a bit obsessed with this new cooking show on bbc2, <i>little paris kitchen.</i> think julia&julia in the form of a cooking show. introducing rachel khoo.<br />
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synopsis: south-london girl moves to paris with €800, enrols at <i>le</i> c<i>ordon bleu</i> cooking school and opens an underground restaurant in her 21 square metre flat. her kitchen? 2 gas rings and a small cooker. the food? amazing!<br />
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i went to a similar restaurant in budapest, no name on the door just an apartment with an open plan kitchen. we were seated around the dining room table, our place settings of mis-matched china and silverware, a menu of gourmet yet traditional hungarian dishes (with palinka of course). there was even a piano in the flat, which proved entertaining after a few glasses of wine. i love the idea of an underground restaurant, inviting people into your home for some good cooking! have you been to a restaurant like this? if you know any in london, please let me know.<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?q=rachel+khoo&hl=en&client=safari&sa=X&rls=en&biw=1161&bih=684&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnsoe&tbnid=LQ94m3ZSIEsCjM:&imgrefurl=http://frenchforfoodies.com/2011/01/12/la-petite-cuisine-a-paris-paris-private-dining-for-two-chez-rachel-khoo/&docid=iEQBwJul6HT7VM&imgurl=http://rachelbajada.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/rachel-khooimg_3882.jpg&w=3888&h=2592&ei=EMR0T9rZMIK30QXtif0H&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=594&vpy=118&dur=531&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=93&ty=90&sig=102565830595246111298&page=2&tbnh=160&tbnw=229&start=15&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:17,s:15" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">google.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/carolyn_carter/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Carolyn</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01f9r18/The_Little_Paris_Kitchen_Cooking_with_Rachel_Khoo_Episode_2/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">bbc.co.uk</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/hotdancingtuna/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Melanie</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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i picked up her cook book at whsmith the other day for £15 and it's half romantic paris look-book/food porn and half recipes. nicely bound in blue canvas. so far, so good but there isn't much i can cook without an oven (thank goodness we're moving next month!). look this girl up!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-89715361050261394182012-03-26T14:28:00.002+01:002012-03-26T14:28:45.193+01:00quote no. 18<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mhUo6w0yHrI/T3Bu8-EIe5I/AAAAAAAABls/1h_WwEcy_Pc/s1600/quote+john+burroughs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mhUo6w0yHrI/T3Bu8-EIe5I/AAAAAAAABls/1h_WwEcy_Pc/s400/quote+john+burroughs.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-61268905741103875032012-03-22T16:41:00.002+00:002012-03-22T16:41:24.376+00:00simple handwarmers<div style="text-align: left;">
finally the afternoons are warm enough to venture to the park without a jacket but when the sun hides or you catch a shadow it's still fresh and chilly, even more so at night. these hand warmers are perfect for cycling home from the city after it gets dark.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DZLPh_nC8Ns/T2tTc72BOhI/AAAAAAAABlU/2WQc-WpmDnQ/s1600/simple+handwarmers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DZLPh_nC8Ns/T2tTc72BOhI/AAAAAAAABlU/2WQc-WpmDnQ/s400/simple+handwarmers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>MATERIALS:</i></div>
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-any dk wool</div>
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-one pair 4mm knitting needles</div>
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-darning needle</div>
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<i>PATTERN:</i></div>
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<i>cuff</i></div>
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cast on 42 sts (approx 7 inches wide), leaving a long tail for sewing up later</div>
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knit 14 rows of (k2, p2) ribbing</div>
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<i>body</i></div>
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row 1: knit</div>
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row 2: purl</div>
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row 3: *(p1, slip 1 pwise to last 2 sts), p2</div>
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row 4: purl</div>
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repeat until there are 9 ridges in total (or more depending how long you want your handwarmers)</div>
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<i>top</i></div>
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knit 4 rows of (k2, p2) ribbing</div>
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cast off loosely</div>
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<i>finishing up</i></div>
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using tail from top, sew edges together 1.5cm down.</div>
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using the tail from the bottom, sew edges together, leaving around 3cm hole for your thumb</div>
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weave in ends</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-80392099194055717852012-03-16T12:24:00.000+00:002012-03-16T12:24:02.508+00:00fly me away, someplace warmwe had one day of pure sunshine, yesterday.<br />
it was heavenly and a big tease. grey/gloom/fog/rain/clouds are in the forecast for the next few days. why, london, why must you be so grey when spring is practically here?<br />
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few things make me feel better on days like these than looking at bright and cheery photographs of places i'd die to be right now.<br />
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happy friday friends!<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/56224695317448160/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="333" src="http://media-cdn6.pinterest.com/upload/56224695317448160_KbCY21iD_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=28458717" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">uploaded by user</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/agataz/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">MorgenStern</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lolitanie/4649741521/sizes/l/in/photostream/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">flickr.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/teodorik/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Teodorik</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://blog.gohoto.com/blog/2010/07/16/crete-holiday-lovers-paradise-on-mediterranean-sea/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">blog.gohoto.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/chelseybrown11/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Chelsey</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wlMkGJHnDDw/TjsyuzJprxI/AAAAAAAAGhE/Yp3lNl5ZFOA/s600/25.jpg" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">2.bp.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kfar53/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">katie</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-2942429874412189332012-03-13T07:59:00.002+00:002012-03-13T07:59:54.684+00:00simple #knittingsimple can mean a lot of things.<br />
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<i>easy to perform</i><br />
<i>plain in looks</i><br />
<i>honest in nature</i><br />
<i>naturally ordinary</i><br />
<i>pure</i><br />
<i>classic, timeless</i><br />
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simple, in terms of knitting, is so beautiful. this garter stitch scarf for example. it's the first stitch everyone learns when they first pick up the needles. simple. but so lovely.<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/138204282284954072/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/138204282284954072_DbZDvYZ0_c.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/striped-cotton-cowl/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">purlbee.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kfar53/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">katie</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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this simple scarf somehow looks so chic with a badass leather jacket.<br />
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Source: <a href="http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/2010/10/on-streetfalls-knocking-new-york.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">thesartorialist.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/tentenknits/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Margaux</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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and jenny's handknit dishcloths over in her <a href="http://www.shopwiksten.com/" target="_blank">wiksten</a> shop.</div>
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there is a certain charm to simple knits and simple stitches. new washing up cloths have been long overdue in our flat and this week i had some extra time for knitting up a few in moss stitch. it's a small project, but a good one for practising the basic stitches, even nicer when knit in 100% natural cotton. the project is taken from a book (very lovely) appropriately named <i>simple knitting </i>by erika knight. </div>
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i've got another pair of hand warmers on my needles now, a mock-up for my knitting class at the end of the week. this is the first time i'm teaching a knitting class and i have to say, i'm a bit nervous! </div>
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-8198549044286698732012-03-12T08:49:00.000+00:002012-03-12T08:49:39.008+00:00london coffee culture<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
tea may be the most iconic drink in britain, but in london coffee is definitely king. i can't imagine london without its independent coffee shops but turns out the coffee bandwagon didn't arrive until 1952, when the first espresso machine arrived from italy to a small bar in soho. (is it just me, or did everything great come from soho?)<br />
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cool to think that what we enjoy at typical cafe culture was really trial and error in desperation to break even. for every three cafes that opened, two would close. i love the narrator's subtle humour as he walks us through london's main coffee houses. neighbourhood to neighbourhood.<br />
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get a load of the clothing and style!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='560' height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/B92MnoPVtGs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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i wonder if any of the coffee shops featured here are actually still around. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28458717.post-66765834599590375572012-03-09T10:54:00.001+00:002012-03-09T10:54:56.425+00:00catching dreamsdream catchers are so magical. so whimsy. some nights i sleep so soundly, knowing the catcher in the window by my pillow will catch the bad dreams. other nights, i'm not so sure. i think my dream catcher may be flawed, or at least it doesn't know that freakishly strange dreams are also bad. i've been having a lot of those lately. return of the repressed is an understatement.<br />
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loving these images of dream catchers.
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Source: <a href="http://beautiful-wild.blogspot.com/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">beautiful-wild.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kfar53/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">katie</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://crushhhed.tumblr.com/page/32" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">crushhhed.tumblr.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kfar53/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">katie</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/95874074@N00/5933746160/in/photostream/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">flickr.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kfar53/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">katie</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Source: <a href="http://blog.lenacorwin.com/post/1302" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">blog.lenacorwin.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/kfar53/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">katie</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941669882724700489noreply@blogger.com0