tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29574246203403392582024-02-19T14:45:05.572+00:00Diary of a croaperRantings & ramblings of a wannabe really good soapmaker who got a bit sidetracked....Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-64901041561299267772012-10-28T19:47:00.000+00:002012-10-28T19:47:41.801+00:00Celebration cakeYet again time has flown by. I can't believe it's nearly That Time Of The Year again (I REFUSE to say it out loud in October).<br />
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Anyway, my Mum & Dad have just celebrated their 54th Wedding Anniversary, and with a couple of other family things worth celebrating, I decided to have a go at a cake that was a technical challenge on this year's Great British Bake Off.<br />
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So, here goes, this is my first ever attempt at <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/fraisier_cake_75507">Mary Berry's Frasier Cake</a>. It tasted gorgeous and was light and fluffy, not at all heavy or stodgy. Yum :-) It took a good while to put together, but was well worth the effort if anybody wants to have a go. I just need to work on my piping skills (and presentation too as I've just noticed the cake tin base and cling film showing. Ooops).<br />
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<br />Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-48509666601389464462012-07-25T19:29:00.001+01:002012-07-25T19:34:59.793+01:00Bits n bobs<div style="text-align: justify;">
Time really flies - I didn't realise how long ago I last posted. It only seems like yesterday :-/</div>
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Anyway, while I'm stuck at home and busy job-hunting, I have to do something (other than much-needed housework) to pass the time. </div>
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So, opinions please! Do you like/dislike both the wristwarmers and the pincushion? </div>
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And for no other reason than this little dog is very special soul, here's a couple of pics of Miss Dharma who came to visit while I was on holiday in Portugal. I can't tell you how special this little dog is - she was rescued by my friend Isabel, and not only does she know it, she makes sure you know she's eternally grateful :-)</div>
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<br />Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-77154959335030356762012-05-20T14:31:00.000+01:002012-05-20T14:31:02.094+01:00Why not...<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's been a long time since I've posted, but I've still been fiddling and faffing about with things. Tea cosies seem to be claiming my attention lately and I've struggled with patterns. I never knew there were so many different sized teapots around, so in the end I just came up with my own pattern. For no other reason than "why not?" I decided that as we've a Jubilee coming up, I'd have a go and see what I could do in red, white & blue. What do you think? Enough roses, not enough roses, enough leaves, not enough leaves? Decisions, decisions...</div>
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Does the basketweave stitch work? I'm very unsure...I need help! Should I make more? How much would I sell it for?</div>
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I've made a lot of other flowers too which are really difficult to photograph, but here are a few. I've got a lot of ideas floating around in my tiny mind, but working out how to press/stiffen/attach the things is proving hard!</div>
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And finally, just because....here's my beautiful house guest who's been a very poorly boy lately. He's on the mend now which is a huge relief, but I'm really going to miss him when he goes home.</div>
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Aww, Reggie :-)</div>
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Off to stare at some more crocheted flowers now, to scratch my head and wonder how to bring it all together </div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-12979352175624447242012-02-20T19:00:00.000+00:002012-02-20T19:00:28.293+00:00Erm...<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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For some strange reason, I got the urge to make an owl doorstop. I played around and figured out a pattern and fiddled about making feet etc. Wasn't quite expecting him to look so sinister...I was aiming for cute but something went wrong. More work needed on the finishing I think.<br />
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<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-30695029924422880172012-02-12T19:47:00.000+00:002012-02-12T19:47:22.735+00:00Boob hatInspired by something shared on Facebook, I was asked if I could make a boob hat for a baby girl. The original idea came from knitted boobs to aid new breastfeeding mothers, but there are a few boob hats around now.<div>
So, I fiddled about with a basic pattern, but I'm not 100% happy with it. Any opinions? I think it needs to be made slightly differently so you don't get the holes on the increases.</div>
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<br /></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-37989321568410394632012-01-18T14:21:00.000+00:002012-01-18T14:21:41.881+00:00FFOs<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finally Finished Objects!</span><br />
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My time stuck at home with Horrid Bug 2 hasn't all been wasted. Yes, I've actually managed to get some bits and bobs finished at long, long last so here are a few pics (bad ones, sorry) of things I've had lying around just waiting for the dreaded ends to be sewn in. <br />
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This was the first ruffle cushion I did but never got round to finishing off<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEFVAo9aXoG8uXWZvGHgI6TUl8ZeXrta82yeH4jt1Sgt_SlTbCNHTmpWHbpfEkG1IsAekbH9KEnjVWWHRfbXs67eT2BjZDWfnPzZk77Z0r8gbKgYc-YXZVN7Nm-Eox0lmWTWGONwUzzdA/s1600/SDC10955.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEFVAo9aXoG8uXWZvGHgI6TUl8ZeXrta82yeH4jt1Sgt_SlTbCNHTmpWHbpfEkG1IsAekbH9KEnjVWWHRfbXs67eT2BjZDWfnPzZk77Z0r8gbKgYc-YXZVN7Nm-Eox0lmWTWGONwUzzdA/s400/SDC10955.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This one's a teaser - the recipient knows who she is and just a glimpse will be enough to drive her mad :-)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60z9o6BX7C7Ryg08OvsyRrcF_xSeA04-9u44DBEladBVRtn5J90t_QRdTWtmxtCraJwspFLPC0KS-jrfxbZnM1dMsx_Fd0dDmN0iKtswQRma-D3onNn_aLODEHyVi0m6eQUvNRcoKf45C/s1600/SDC10945.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60z9o6BX7C7Ryg08OvsyRrcF_xSeA04-9u44DBEladBVRtn5J90t_QRdTWtmxtCraJwspFLPC0KS-jrfxbZnM1dMsx_Fd0dDmN0iKtswQRma-D3onNn_aLODEHyVi0m6eQUvNRcoKf45C/s400/SDC10945.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">A lap blanket I made way back last year. I'm not too pleased with the way I put the blocks together, but it's too late now, and it's only for me</div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnr8tlYDxKIPKnPYiqsni8mkvpfgno_5-Bo1lhObw6Oi83qLKA_UuHvSeGDTkmUqikvwL9bennz9aWuKSawxyuyO26ForQAAHtHHupNSHkgicO5e_2fqKg_DpRGZs7OBSMGf964IM4iBW/s1600/SDC10940.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnr8tlYDxKIPKnPYiqsni8mkvpfgno_5-Bo1lhObw6Oi83qLKA_UuHvSeGDTkmUqikvwL9bennz9aWuKSawxyuyO26ForQAAHtHHupNSHkgicO5e_2fqKg_DpRGZs7OBSMGf964IM4iBW/s400/SDC10940.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
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I used to be more of a knitter than a crochet fiend, and for a change I picked up some needles and made quite a few cowls/slouchy neckwarmers/snoods or whatever you want to call them for Christmas presents, and just for fun. I'm sure I made more than this though but mustn't have taken pics before I gave them away <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtuHksY4TAWgdJg9drK5EfnMqPkNCANbgPp5-dYp7lVDPeOImZOnAKNu8PugGsIjPAKab5YtGzoV-tUlNofr3lut45ioY_-dSjeIJf8kRRBMKaJyQOvSyBLEjfvDjZVvGn45bWxRNQjEH/s1600/Cowl.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtuHksY4TAWgdJg9drK5EfnMqPkNCANbgPp5-dYp7lVDPeOImZOnAKNu8PugGsIjPAKab5YtGzoV-tUlNofr3lut45ioY_-dSjeIJf8kRRBMKaJyQOvSyBLEjfvDjZVvGn45bWxRNQjEH/s400/Cowl.jpg" /></a> <br />
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I know I took pics of a couple of other things too, but I can't find them anywhere on my computer :-(<br />
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So, that's the FFOs for now, but here's my house guest Reggie. My sis is recovering after a knee operation so I've got this beautiful boy staying with me for a while. There may be a custody battle when it's time for him to go home - he's my new best friend and has been dishing out lots of love and cuddles. We think he's a Norwegian forest cat, but one of the vet nurses seemed to think he could be a Maine coon. Whatever he is, he's a very beautiful boy and I'm more than a bit in love with him :-)<br />
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Time to find something else to do now after all that blogging. <br />
TTFN!<br />
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</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-70608283175632686112011-12-27T16:30:00.000+00:002011-12-27T16:30:55.984+00:00Christmas cake 2011I didn't realise I hadn't posted anything since July! That's dreadful, but life has just kind of got in the way again. I'll try to do better in 2012. I've been making loads of crochet/knitted stuff, but I just haven't had the time to take pics or do any blogging (anyone using Picasa to upload pics having the same trouble as me? It just refuses to work, I don't know why).<br />
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I wasn't going to do my usual cake this year, but I started out with the marzipan and a box of coloured icing, and about 5 hours later I'd forgotten I wasn't doing anything fiddly this year! Here's the result - I try to make my family smile when I turn up with a surprise decoration on the cake. I think this one worked......and I had fun making it :-)<br />
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Merry Christmas and a very happy and healthy New Year to all my friends out there in blogland.Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-31799021457236213462011-07-12T17:25:00.000+01:002011-07-12T17:25:35.309+01:00Back!<div style="text-align: justify;">I haven't been around for a while, but I'm back now IF Picasa and Blogger will work. Anybody else having trouble? It's driving me insane telling me the security certificate isn't valid, and Picasa refuses to upload photos straight to Blogger. Grrrrrr</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyhow, after a pretty traumatic time lately, I've been in Portugal for a lovely break. It was an, erm, interesting break to say the least - with spooky goings on among other things. I don't recommend anybody sprays fly spray and then shuts the door and has a nice warm bath by the way - it makes you feel VERY ill! What an idiot, I should know better, and I do! Good job I can laugh about it now.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, true to form I had to make some Diabolical Doilies, but no beading this time around. I took some lovely Lanarte cross-stitch with me to do for a change (I managed to sew my dress to that too!) but I didn't get very far. In fact, I'm not quite sure what I did manage to achieve other than reading a fair few books and some crochet.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, this year's Diabolicals are coming up :-)</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbOGlgrShyphenhypheny5ZZ7tJ8erS72RVinBXHs0Feh3jmWUgeJcaMDwIjTW-JItCrrU1LH_fXo-t0mEDUIuQgyu-vO2WyeKT1OuvYm453xXfYwdC80HFZUx3FciH33QLiTjYEuFiFexrR1LS-LRB/s1600/SDC10858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbOGlgrShyphenhypheny5ZZ7tJ8erS72RVinBXHs0Feh3jmWUgeJcaMDwIjTW-JItCrrU1LH_fXo-t0mEDUIuQgyu-vO2WyeKT1OuvYm453xXfYwdC80HFZUx3FciH33QLiTjYEuFiFexrR1LS-LRB/s320/SDC10858.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I did make a couple of filet crochet mats too. Not quite sure what happened to the pic of the second one, but here's the other - it's quite large (would fit a large tray) and took the best part of 5 days to do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Forgot about these! Just seen them in my album. I was just fiddling about with the threads I had and decided to make a few coasters and a bigger version to put under a bowl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I think that's about it. I'm sure there's other stuff lying around I've forgotten to take pics of. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And finally, just when you think the hols can't get any weirder, in the middle of nowhere in the Portuguese countryside, what else would suddenly appear trying to get a drink out of the pool?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Well, obviously it's a very tame budgie. What else? We managed to catch it and it now has a nice new home along with another rescued budgie :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbM7uXN7y_iiIh_jAPDJer8qlbf_fab-CIIgvla9NtPkEkeyhLvVnKDkpqwHcbo5HgyPsnPyM2vhpKMkQiUJBaEtlsE-_9-VwlsLEY_KiuP1rMTv6zya-Iy-aHhR4I35QjB7SzvNfGducw/s1600/SDC10843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbM7uXN7y_iiIh_jAPDJer8qlbf_fab-CIIgvla9NtPkEkeyhLvVnKDkpqwHcbo5HgyPsnPyM2vhpKMkQiUJBaEtlsE-_9-VwlsLEY_KiuP1rMTv6zya-Iy-aHhR4I35QjB7SzvNfGducw/s320/SDC10843.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bye for now!</div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-34322166814804183992011-04-05T20:14:00.000+01:002011-04-05T20:14:15.868+01:00Trying again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've given up trying to get Picasa to post pics to Blogger - the "fix" they say works just plain DOESN'T. Grrrrr. If this method works, I'll try to repost the pics from the previous post!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, to test out another way of doing it, here're a few pics of some earrings I fiddled about with last week. The bigger ones are made with regular #11 seed beads, and the smaller ones with #15s.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMboVfegBxWYy1oUQR1lgkaYx57Y7jZiyLfLn5qkTlzxtn1MFhVJSVN-Itkn00JaonuodXo7GAa83L_jTg7fdOWsIlkGKc75LSc3o3M4jGoBzmjHY4nrye8Zm-8WUz_S1_vXS76YhVfKN/s1600/SDC10800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMboVfegBxWYy1oUQR1lgkaYx57Y7jZiyLfLn5qkTlzxtn1MFhVJSVN-Itkn00JaonuodXo7GAa83L_jTg7fdOWsIlkGKc75LSc3o3M4jGoBzmjHY4nrye8Zm-8WUz_S1_vXS76YhVfKN/s400/SDC10800.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib08JSm-BMbWIQzz-Ue2NVN5knG4fB8bWV6CVpM-d2duCFAAYs4aBLeRGpUy9NkLcufXq2Htq1iM3W3flPjsU-uJC-lTN-FbQXDWUxJW_nvbs1B61FpmiZX95Fq4JZGe_iais6N-umzU-5/s1600/SDC10804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib08JSm-BMbWIQzz-Ue2NVN5knG4fB8bWV6CVpM-d2duCFAAYs4aBLeRGpUy9NkLcufXq2Htq1iM3W3flPjsU-uJC-lTN-FbQXDWUxJW_nvbs1B61FpmiZX95Fq4JZGe_iais6N-umzU-5/s400/SDC10804.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-11983471576442381632011-03-30T14:23:00.027+01:002011-04-03T17:52:33.153+01:00A weird week<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">I'm having a bit of a weird week - no change there then! I didn't know gardening was hazardous - I managed to pop something in my back and pinch my finger in the cutters all in the space of an hour on Saturday. I've been stuck at home ever since trying to move about slowly but with a lot of grunting and groaning like an old lady. Anyhow, I had some physio today and it's a bit easier so fingers crossed it'll ease up a bit now and I can get back to work - minus the hot water bottle stuffed down my trousers, lol. Then my laptop did very weird things and I thought it'd died - black screen, white screen, wouldn't switch on or off. I unplugged it, took the battery out and let it sulk in the corner overnight. It seems to be playing nicely again now though so I thought I'd do a blog post while the going's good.<br />
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So, stuck on the sofa, I got some beads out and had another play - the pattern is from Beadwork Feb/Mar 11 issue but I adapted the beads and style a bit. It's a modified St Petersburg stitch, which is really simple once you get the hang of it. The finished necklace is about 17" long and drapes quite nicely. The green version was made with 1.3mm cubes and the red one with ordinary #11 seed beads - both work well.<br />
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</div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Right, off to walk around for a while - I'm told it's good for me, but it might take me some time to launch myself off the sofa :-)<br />
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Edited to add: the week gets weirder - Blogger ate my pics so I hope they're here now. Grrrrrr.<br />
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Edited again 3rd April - Blogger and Picasa have an "issue" which supposedly is fixed. IT'S NOT, grrrrr. You can't upload multiple pics and you can't edit the html code as they suggest, because the code they tell you to edit isn't there. Anybody else having this problem? It's driving me insane.</div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-2959056535451876772011-03-21T19:11:00.001+00:002011-03-21T19:13:46.842+00:00Busy beading (mostly)<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Too many things on the go keeping me busy, but this one had to be ready for tomorrow for my Mum's birthday. The pattern was in the Feb/Mar 11 issue of Beadwork magazine and was easier to make than I thought it would be (even though it was fiddly and took a bit of getting used to as it's a lonnnng time since I got round to any serious beading).<br />
Anyhow, the result is a bracelet for Mum, made with Toho and Miyuki seed and delica beads and Swarovski crystals in the middles and for the button. Sorry the pics aren't up to much - photography is NOT my strongpoint - but I hope you get the general idea :-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlr22JXMGn9Tc4DGB81i3jbLV7ZCZbl0icudzrUmufi2e-QL36q-fysS9EVSqk7A8NZdn8BY_9AhyphenhyphenBzVBHA_lGqTKPd829_1Pt2tR7-UJ7cAKMk3URQBvgvuaz2L2TGHD1zrrgHSh3dZtm/s1600/SDC10778.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlr22JXMGn9Tc4DGB81i3jbLV7ZCZbl0icudzrUmufi2e-QL36q-fysS9EVSqk7A8NZdn8BY_9AhyphenhyphenBzVBHA_lGqTKPd829_1Pt2tR7-UJ7cAKMk3URQBvgvuaz2L2TGHD1zrrgHSh3dZtm/s400/SDC10778.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGJES-9lL1PreNDZDLTDbLEgjsat4Rb8jzs-pn39KxokY91keb1Hg3ec0Fibn5CiicqDhMPXHOJCNdDQb5oYy8DZ-wSapa6WzXb9PpEVr2xQoLAH0X_wqYCksR3jH0vXpdix0B9WB8dhO/s1600/Mum%2527s+bracelet+Mar+11.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGJES-9lL1PreNDZDLTDbLEgjsat4Rb8jzs-pn39KxokY91keb1Hg3ec0Fibn5CiicqDhMPXHOJCNdDQb5oYy8DZ-wSapa6WzXb9PpEVr2xQoLAH0X_wqYCksR3jH0vXpdix0B9WB8dhO/s400/Mum%2527s+bracelet+Mar+11.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I ought to show you these cute little pieces, found at the Antiques & Collector's fair in Brighton a couple of weeks ago. <a href="http://www.lululizinlalaland.blogspot.com/">Lizzie </a>came over from Hastings (EXPERT bootfair rummager/collector, so she led the way) and we spent a fun couple of hours rooting about. We spotted these - one little crochet hook and one, erm, prodder I suppose you'd call it (although I have no clue what it's actually for) with mother-of -pearl handles which aren't split anywhere (which I'm told is good) - and I was busy admiring them when Lizzie stepped in and bought them. I had no clue she was buying them for me, so I came away very chuffed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCQ3UloxZKQbV_oOSATfmPTKpJqi5cqb1aKNGvCqwtVpcl4ghPLqP4zXo0Nm2NSeGiaABkoPMMOLLjvWKO1gh8T0krUBML0XpgKzrljPZmSswm9RNRWXNgcJ4o7H9lFabtjB_DQiSjiHF/s1600/SDC10786.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCQ3UloxZKQbV_oOSATfmPTKpJqi5cqb1aKNGvCqwtVpcl4ghPLqP4zXo0Nm2NSeGiaABkoPMMOLLjvWKO1gh8T0krUBML0XpgKzrljPZmSswm9RNRWXNgcJ4o7H9lFabtjB_DQiSjiHF/s400/SDC10786.JPG" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONal5dVAi9xu6TALG7hnsJlQ-JPoQlJlRudBAgV2y-SuO0yQ2ogodUpfecGIEBvy9dWfWtfkhu0gvxyODAf7_7lOJk2hbQpNy5iUOg0M25K7izwmB6FCBr0HwqNiylH29bqoS22fC5dEk/s1600/SDC10788.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONal5dVAi9xu6TALG7hnsJlQ-JPoQlJlRudBAgV2y-SuO0yQ2ogodUpfecGIEBvy9dWfWtfkhu0gvxyODAf7_7lOJk2hbQpNy5iUOg0M25K7izwmB6FCBr0HwqNiylH29bqoS22fC5dEk/s400/SDC10788.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I'm mid-way through crocheting another ruffle cushion (that'll be 4) and trying to knit, yes knit a corgi. I can't say as I'm enjoying that corgi very much - it looks more like a dinosaur to me at the moment - but it's another one to add to my CV I suppose, lol. Before anybody thinks my plot has gone even further into hiding, the corgi is for a Royal Wedding window display in my friend's wool shop, and not just something I've decided to do at random :-) TTFN</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-71274383251842829412011-03-06T18:04:00.000+00:002011-03-06T18:04:53.482+00:00Crochet bits<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">I've done a fair bit of crochet lately, just haven't got round to blogging about it. Just a couple of bits to show so far - camera battery has died and the light has gone now. Never mind, maybe it'll inspire me to take more pics another day and blog a bit more often :-)<br />
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So, first up is a baby blanket I did for somebody at work - they knew it was going to be a boy so I chose blues but tried to lighten it up with yellow and green. It's the same pattern as <a href="http://croapqueen.blogspot.com/2010/10/playing-hooky.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">here</span></b></a>, but I didn't join this one as I went (wish I had!) and it's amazing how the dark outer colour changes the look of the whole thing. I didn't like the look as much when it was sewn together so I did a raised join in light blue - gave it a nice textured finish.<br />
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After that, I was fiddling about with some ancient wool (which kept breaking it was so old) and found a ruffle cushion I wanted to have a go at. Mum spotted it and asked if I'd make her one - next thing I know I had a bag of new wool to play with so I had to abandon mine immediately and play with the new stuff :-)<br />
Here's the end result - same cushion, just different light. The last pic is probably the nearest to the true colour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrx4l28rNc_I4BiVuxCbf01uQmnRB0aV0wKhzQuiDjApO4t8d5WaV-qHZAX9jTo8eykNUmnjbdmhkjfmD4uP7y8AlNrKS6quYZuJBm8L6QkQYOl95pACQajRp7kmV7b1jU5d2F3WzgH58/s1600/SDC10773.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrx4l28rNc_I4BiVuxCbf01uQmnRB0aV0wKhzQuiDjApO4t8d5WaV-qHZAX9jTo8eykNUmnjbdmhkjfmD4uP7y8AlNrKS6quYZuJBm8L6QkQYOl95pACQajRp7kmV7b1jU5d2F3WzgH58/s400/SDC10773.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwPIVd45lrRt9gf-5f9VqDVYVL8RKNCtX4YddTCkuRVkniZkKVJj_9AbI3ExwhRPu9oZ03vxd8y31iFvNvUBTRNfELxcYix_G0jhpMUYSyuqp7QpgRVumV7Ch36sZBYo1ZjfSECDmuB5S/s1600/SDC10775.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwPIVd45lrRt9gf-5f9VqDVYVL8RKNCtX4YddTCkuRVkniZkKVJj_9AbI3ExwhRPu9oZ03vxd8y31iFvNvUBTRNfELxcYix_G0jhpMUYSyuqp7QpgRVumV7Ch36sZBYo1ZjfSECDmuB5S/s400/SDC10775.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7wNqEXR0FWbsHvojx3akMfSSP7mtajEx4v6Jwi6AjK2fV_COo-RwljAkRoQLxKXDpvt83buBLle5RjzB1vQzIrQK1T2o9-uj1tcJVJNQj9l5S8i8UpjfVizKA8BP5jedP7jf8g98KQwZ/s1600/SDC10776.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7wNqEXR0FWbsHvojx3akMfSSP7mtajEx4v6Jwi6AjK2fV_COo-RwljAkRoQLxKXDpvt83buBLle5RjzB1vQzIrQK1T2o9-uj1tcJVJNQj9l5S8i8UpjfVizKA8BP5jedP7jf8g98KQwZ/s400/SDC10776.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhckT0F3XHssc3uVw7JQW4vbhxwsKhZFMEgkdSY7lEKpDQ_C5Grb5BFwRTPWvJ814my8YfseFEcQuhZ2KX3Ye7FbIGn3CoO7DxS7yiMj6n9-lM_YawK7NcMuQQ49n8GDYPeuWLoC-VGqyE/s1600/SDC10777.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhckT0F3XHssc3uVw7JQW4vbhxwsKhZFMEgkdSY7lEKpDQ_C5Grb5BFwRTPWvJ814my8YfseFEcQuhZ2KX3Ye7FbIGn3CoO7DxS7yiMj6n9-lM_YawK7NcMuQQ49n8GDYPeuWLoC-VGqyE/s400/SDC10777.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">I'm sitting here trying to remember what else I've made but forgotten to photograph - will have a root about this week and see what I can find.<br />
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<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-58953185031574858082011-02-23T21:00:00.000+00:002011-02-23T21:00:27.016+00:00Seen on a mug, and makes me smile<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: x-large;">I try to please at least </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: x-large;">one person a day</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Today isn't your day</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: x-large;">&</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: x-large;">tomorrow's not looking </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: x-large;">too good either</span></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-77278428777648252542010-12-21T18:04:00.000+00:002010-12-21T18:04:39.628+00:00Christmas cake 2010<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">I had no clue what to do on my cake this year and then it came to me as I was trudging through snow and ice the other day. I always make the cake myself and give it a good drinkie of brandy (to preserve it of course) and then spend hours agonising over what to do for the decoration. <br />
After a few hours of faffing, this is the result - pics aren't very clear though, sorry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOW5MDYRKNmIxab3JxFjf1p6atl3GmWrZyJcJ3sDF1E-YhVnPtu2Tszt3s5B_IJmaUS7SjyP2v8M6Q90qiSmMAVkj63VKlfPdVxFgtaDisxpwszhValln7ZaDz0g3EPCbgtvLwITgdXPr/s1600/SDC10727.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOW5MDYRKNmIxab3JxFjf1p6atl3GmWrZyJcJ3sDF1E-YhVnPtu2Tszt3s5B_IJmaUS7SjyP2v8M6Q90qiSmMAVkj63VKlfPdVxFgtaDisxpwszhValln7ZaDz0g3EPCbgtvLwITgdXPr/s400/SDC10727.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZpAKTw1cux8K9VFxOadOR-OX9piYlAsENxk-zvFb7NYOscfh0S1NuezHSToczB3bLT5uXJdI1aSrOqw5j43S1WwGYUPXRynG8p_HnONFQ8cidgWebUygMCWz2zqcRVPoq_I7sOLewiSU/s1600/SDC10730.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZpAKTw1cux8K9VFxOadOR-OX9piYlAsENxk-zvFb7NYOscfh0S1NuezHSToczB3bLT5uXJdI1aSrOqw5j43S1WwGYUPXRynG8p_HnONFQ8cidgWebUygMCWz2zqcRVPoq_I7sOLewiSU/s400/SDC10730.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCveNJwKJcwxSxGTFdEjaJbto3hApaOiqDRsc4dVS-oDhF2KbtZ_dw5eMw2K_ZdaKpt3kPY64aNedQAMmKhJyZavkupEDnvAILlhko5KIwUxYm1NgYPQswaqjNWGTjvXY05V66IVVNC5E4/s1600/SDC10731.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCveNJwKJcwxSxGTFdEjaJbto3hApaOiqDRsc4dVS-oDhF2KbtZ_dw5eMw2K_ZdaKpt3kPY64aNedQAMmKhJyZavkupEDnvAILlhko5KIwUxYm1NgYPQswaqjNWGTjvXY05V66IVVNC5E4/s400/SDC10731.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-36439092652980237192010-12-04T13:44:00.000+00:002010-12-04T13:44:09.651+00:00Not sure where November went!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
It really doesn't seem long since I posted but the time has flown by and we're into December already. Other than working, I've been doing a bit of playing here and there - mostly crochet and playing with my new 200 recipe cookie book :-)<br />
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I did go to visit my friend <a href="http://www.lululizinlalaland.blogspot.com/">Liz </a>in Hastings though, and look what I came home laden down with! Liz managed to be in the right place at the right time when a wool shop had some stock ruined by a flood - all salvageable but not to be sold. She rootled around in a skip apparently (I'm very proud of her for that, but glad I was in Portugal or I'd have had to be in there with her) and spent ages carefully washing her treasures. Bless her, she showed me her finds and gave me, yes gave me all these beautiful yarns. Aren't I the lucky one - thanks Lizzie.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0Ve3EQjeXPUOFkIc9f5VUXiz1HAe0LsIK4dxcvUuXwVC38LEMcSw-_WSpYs95q65rUiVydx7QMAY_O2-hPxqdneJvQSS5c860NYNjtWqDVWsO-zFis1nNFFF3uUWaCdA4x99D9vS-xTY/s1600/SDC10696.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0Ve3EQjeXPUOFkIc9f5VUXiz1HAe0LsIK4dxcvUuXwVC38LEMcSw-_WSpYs95q65rUiVydx7QMAY_O2-hPxqdneJvQSS5c860NYNjtWqDVWsO-zFis1nNFFF3uUWaCdA4x99D9vS-xTY/s400/SDC10696.JPG" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIxGDFQmw6yBcxxgekpMVmyWb8RUqnCqBRzrkaDc3jMsCraWsKIFGCu6TdbDup3Imq40VcmOw7iFsqPmQeNT3kyYjegf43J1BQHEAeEkgINadu5T_c3dru1-n3qIs1zRMrq3jaypjTJ4l/s1600/SDC10714.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIxGDFQmw6yBcxxgekpMVmyWb8RUqnCqBRzrkaDc3jMsCraWsKIFGCu6TdbDup3Imq40VcmOw7iFsqPmQeNT3kyYjegf43J1BQHEAeEkgINadu5T_c3dru1-n3qIs1zRMrq3jaypjTJ4l/s400/SDC10714.JPG" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy2tAMmYNPxXzi47U3nsvFsyhx6UNDm_c4xMH0s6R8QrV_Rd9dVbXboFzfvaZW7I3VX65LnW2m0w2naX7d-EiS_4JIDrRJOueuVdBF8fnAUu7-b8KZrq1vhrdwo7fAQFEkDAgaWHogaoS/s1600/SDC10716.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy2tAMmYNPxXzi47U3nsvFsyhx6UNDm_c4xMH0s6R8QrV_Rd9dVbXboFzfvaZW7I3VX65LnW2m0w2naX7d-EiS_4JIDrRJOueuVdBF8fnAUu7-b8KZrq1vhrdwo7fAQFEkDAgaWHogaoS/s400/SDC10716.JPG" /></a> <br />
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Anyway, after a cuppa, much scoffing of biccies I'd taken with me and a lot of oohing and aahing at yarns and the beautiful things she creates up in her eyrie, she decided that sitting around nattering just wasn't allowed and I was going to do some papercrafting (at which I'm really rubbish, and try to avoid like the plague). I can't take any credit for the pleated star as she'd already done that bit, but I spent a very happy couple of hours cutting, gluing, sticking and colouring-in. Not bad for a novice, but then I had a good teacher, lol.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnyQjVMEn48ngu13Xc-yOoOVQ3Kw7D-W2vvrU-h6yMeoAgnKMCa7nmS87wL1rXinjaRE5vVLYJJ9v_j_HNLhbSrvDkMhiOiGwGdOsEXwnhlOlAlHyGEBxYcVzbm2YDPT2TCk53_3Yv5gJ/s1600/SDC10719.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnyQjVMEn48ngu13Xc-yOoOVQ3Kw7D-W2vvrU-h6yMeoAgnKMCa7nmS87wL1rXinjaRE5vVLYJJ9v_j_HNLhbSrvDkMhiOiGwGdOsEXwnhlOlAlHyGEBxYcVzbm2YDPT2TCk53_3Yv5gJ/s400/SDC10719.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHFjNw60XsRRgG0oiai71LOxpdZC6SBKC_6bPocKDl4WvIM87PH-rHbDMZXthi9mqp0QmbyCFxxmrNfeP5oc0KmPEBbvDkkY61Rrs76fsX66L5jcGZpEAHIKgoDIFN_XI214cG6C5LfQ_/s1600/SDC10718.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHFjNw60XsRRgG0oiai71LOxpdZC6SBKC_6bPocKDl4WvIM87PH-rHbDMZXthi9mqp0QmbyCFxxmrNfeP5oc0KmPEBbvDkkY61Rrs76fsX66L5jcGZpEAHIKgoDIFN_XI214cG6C5LfQ_/s400/SDC10718.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
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It was a good job I went over to Hastings when I did because the weather turned foul after that and it was bitterly cold, even down here on the south coast. I should've known better than to say we had no snow, nothing, zip, nada. This was taken at about 9pm and I thought that'd probably be it<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6KXO1kp3OvT2STWamKQW3va9dMDz9h-uM8PY8BzXp_1ys_xOI2OV30zz50sLVM1VpYc5FYL_FL7hyR4jpP1OxYlEyDGSFZrE8zK1Ip_s84pWtl8ZWTKd_BmMaeGjKJgQsoINcoAXHFcB/s1600/SDC10706.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6KXO1kp3OvT2STWamKQW3va9dMDz9h-uM8PY8BzXp_1ys_xOI2OV30zz50sLVM1VpYc5FYL_FL7hyR4jpP1OxYlEyDGSFZrE8zK1Ip_s84pWtl8ZWTKd_BmMaeGjKJgQsoINcoAXHFcB/s400/SDC10706.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
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This was the result the next morning - 7 inches of snow which did not budge at all for the next 3 days. Luckily for us, it rained heavily last night and it's all gone - our council isn't exactly what you'd call good at gritting/salting roads and pavements and the trudge to and from work the past week has been pretty horrendous.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUrMylpFZO91v0ArPt_pi3AXSpbCGnxQSflGIKNjGsrjkGxVahXEaV7uLySY6_kPrHI_YZiJOpZDq_uGhec2QmxXb6c-fm7MFMc4QUjkKSwH4fB17B_RprWCsnSl_jXaBmtMmHKK-ICyf/s1600/SDC10711.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUrMylpFZO91v0ArPt_pi3AXSpbCGnxQSflGIKNjGsrjkGxVahXEaV7uLySY6_kPrHI_YZiJOpZDq_uGhec2QmxXb6c-fm7MFMc4QUjkKSwH4fB17B_RprWCsnSl_jXaBmtMmHKK-ICyf/s400/SDC10711.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
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Still, a girl has to cheer herself up when it's horrible outside and I had a recipe for Bailey's and white chocolate fudge which had been niggling at me for a few days. I haven't made fudge for at least 30 years and I'd forgotten just how easy it is.<br />
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In went the cream, sugar and Baileys - melted and stirred slowly over a low heat until the sugar dissolved<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtb4FA5z59dfIan41hWg3XPIZm5t9kptoFRz4SLXYWP4tQiYeZwJdkf-xf8aPR-qd6ZS8rrZhUfqgBwGc5rW80otuBUw75s33NvxAZVsYk4yUz9tNdoZJMtEbotg_DlsEPZSJ2UNjxoXa/s1600/SDC10697.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtb4FA5z59dfIan41hWg3XPIZm5t9kptoFRz4SLXYWP4tQiYeZwJdkf-xf8aPR-qd6ZS8rrZhUfqgBwGc5rW80otuBUw75s33NvxAZVsYk4yUz9tNdoZJMtEbotg_DlsEPZSJ2UNjxoXa/s400/SDC10697.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
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Brought to a rolling boil with great big unruly bubbles and then turned down slightly<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcc0XCDD1cBH4L4TM_Vs0-F5yj0UeWA7AKiagXPJx75M-JuJGV7z_aLu_be_SETv7ZfbIlFxDt7oWTXy3ynIbkQn57CgmN5GliJE4s_IL5OD3q4X-cswbzbbJGvt0AMTECsGcyW0fquX8/s1600/SDC10701.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcc0XCDD1cBH4L4TM_Vs0-F5yj0UeWA7AKiagXPJx75M-JuJGV7z_aLu_be_SETv7ZfbIlFxDt7oWTXy3ynIbkQn57CgmN5GliJE4s_IL5OD3q4X-cswbzbbJGvt0AMTECsGcyW0fquX8/s400/SDC10701.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
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Stirred occasionally until the bubbles were smaller and more even and a small amount dropped into a glass of cold water formed a ball which could be scooped out without dissolving<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejwsi65WEjwl3oHc1Utdtdmkf4q_3trJISshlx-anI5jdMl_TU4G3YaITPEitw83mJoj8D45MJOWlXURT46FJvQhJLSFi883ggZ4scIt0VgWD7icNkktopIBMupovuIxaR56NHJoDVpvB/s1600/SDC10704.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejwsi65WEjwl3oHc1Utdtdmkf4q_3trJISshlx-anI5jdMl_TU4G3YaITPEitw83mJoj8D45MJOWlXURT46FJvQhJLSFi883ggZ4scIt0VgWD7icNkktopIBMupovuIxaR56NHJoDVpvB/s400/SDC10704.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
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Stirred in chopped up chocolate (I'd probably chop it even finer or even melt it next time). It reduced to a lovely thick gooey, gorgeous-smelling concoction..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZEOm7waZncQUAm5mEldvVAgSJ-4rQQju0vh_dcRRJirRd9PWNGo1_RVQzKfezB3-AbY7zpFuEMo9WbRpQ_eT7l9E1TcVU3ofgLt5oIX-J7Ch_gtPAYuJ0NV0b9px4et-Wj00DPQ_OqqR/s1600/SDC10703.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZEOm7waZncQUAm5mEldvVAgSJ-4rQQju0vh_dcRRJirRd9PWNGo1_RVQzKfezB3-AbY7zpFuEMo9WbRpQ_eT7l9E1TcVU3ofgLt5oIX-J7Ch_gtPAYuJ0NV0b9px4et-Wj00DPQ_OqqR/s400/SDC10703.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
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Finally - into the tin, smooth the top and wait patiently (not) to cut into chunks and then scoff delicately at every opportunity :o)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tmU7M0jyGPa-iNlDTSCzKjlEA1jzcgW3zPUjHMQdHYoRmHXkyeR9jpIR2pnRWz33SXyfP7jozjSVi7eXpMch47PINvhmfYi-lV8A5CanGuLI11PFuBbZ7isLMFtdpJwXOqRHmOkm8M-l/s1600/SDC10705.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tmU7M0jyGPa-iNlDTSCzKjlEA1jzcgW3zPUjHMQdHYoRmHXkyeR9jpIR2pnRWz33SXyfP7jozjSVi7eXpMch47PINvhmfYi-lV8A5CanGuLI11PFuBbZ7isLMFtdpJwXOqRHmOkm8M-l/s400/SDC10705.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
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I took some into work this week and was told it was the best fudge they'd ever tasted. The texture was really good and it sort of melts on your tongue, but for me there wasn't enough of the Bailey's flavour and I think I'd prefer a mix of milk & plain choc as the white choc was way too sweet for my taste.<br />
The recipe I used can be found <a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/68602/baileys-and-white-chocolate-fudge">here</a>. Enjoy!<br />
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So, now the snow has disappeared, hopefully our supermarkets will start getting supplies again and I can trundle off in the next week or so to buy more ingredients to play with. Life's a swine sometimes isn't it, lol.<br />
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Well, I've done the housework and it's raining/sleeting hard so I think it's time for playing hooky making crochet snowflakes for my friend's shop display, a nice cuppa and maybe the odd piece of fudge.<br />
Have a lovely weekend x<br />
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<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a><br />
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</div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-70501393785587397972010-11-13T17:02:00.000+00:002010-11-13T17:02:59.411+00:0018th birthday cake<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px">Today is my beautiful niece's 18th birthday (doesn't seem possible!) and I was asked to make the cake. <br />After a bit of a major disaster (had to make a second cake late last night as the first one sank, and not blowing my own trumpet, but my cakes don't normally do that!) I was up at 7am this morning trying to work out what to do for decoration.<br /><br />A bit bleary-eyed about 4 hours later, this was the final result - a rich chocolate cake with ganache covering, topped with sugar paste flowers and white chocolate shavings. I made 2 smaller "cakes" for the sides to hold the candles - the "E" candle was a sparkler one and I didn't want the sparky bits going all over the chocolate.<br /><br />I managed to get it to the restaurant in one piece thanks to a lovely cab driver who drove very carefully after I pointed out he may not want to work the rest of the day covered in a pink/white/brown gooey mess, lol.<br />Stuffed as we all were after a lovely meal, everybody managed a sliver (or 2) so it seemed to go down very well.<br /><br />Next week it's going to have to be Christmas cake weekend or it won't have time to absorb all the brandy I'll treat it to in the run up to the big day :-)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRT15Hn8I8ILOBfpzGh9SodZKWIS_KJntoWLFQEtLMnIVwFBzZTqvdRxgHpFA_ShuT3BMhPkiSp525JMhyphenhyphen0jdwLXYhVyGYNyjLjVdqlK0FjUDIqM1wZAXlpIcUGeLk2mpDI-6NuXa1kgFR/s1600/SDC10681.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRT15Hn8I8ILOBfpzGh9SodZKWIS_KJntoWLFQEtLMnIVwFBzZTqvdRxgHpFA_ShuT3BMhPkiSp525JMhyphenhyphen0jdwLXYhVyGYNyjLjVdqlK0FjUDIqM1wZAXlpIcUGeLk2mpDI-6NuXa1kgFR/s400/SDC10681.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVceRa8-_AU3iyC1GgjZd93f_YM4gwnR95TKCfOKnE7mDlBxBEcAnJY2Ci-6bcBrC-bZ8B_h0vgrRGZzaBo_ggz4Y3K4-3G3bZNCgF84J6rC51V8BWNi_aPbWr6SAgYBChN6Y0gtS0HGgr/s1600/SDC10686.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVceRa8-_AU3iyC1GgjZd93f_YM4gwnR95TKCfOKnE7mDlBxBEcAnJY2Ci-6bcBrC-bZ8B_h0vgrRGZzaBo_ggz4Y3K4-3G3bZNCgF84J6rC51V8BWNi_aPbWr6SAgYBChN6Y0gtS0HGgr/s400/SDC10686.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQTrBDtU-xajTky-33RBmu8AG7GmaJgvK_hkZESxkP92iavQ3XTZ_ksia8S0EDuT8x34jsfJkSs_TyI4d4WRhFv_QqavetKXnBixPbz0UWjvbOIEOynMA8RltEupyKaXOyDfEsMpubB7G/s1600/SDC10685.JPG"></a>Off to slump on the sofa now to wait for the effects of the wine and choc cake to wear off :o) </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-71829401615540307382010-10-31T12:41:00.000+00:002010-10-31T12:41:51.050+00:00Playing hooky<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Well, finally Picasa and Blogger are working together on my computer, so here we go!<br />
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Now then, a girl just has to take some yarns and crochet hooks with her when she goes away. This is the result and I'm a little bit chuffed with the way the colours and the pattern have worked together. Yippee! something I quite like at last, lol.<br />
I made the whole thing in one week (and then ignored it for a bit because of all the ends to sew in) but I actually finished it.<br />
Thanks again to <a href="http://solgrim.blogspot.com/2009/06/sirkel-i-kvadrat.html">Solveig </a>for the inspiration :-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGeZsR9SswoX_udAa4yzanlOpPdzPCIFvblCwB9cKTpEskYT6Mfq77ArpdlVdiAvc1n-I9ZFSNoUFxzNBMN7Cs_wWrD0Y4GWr9MCzQMwX_14JgAGrTcp-_QcMegyofHpMWpItERYZ5zh2/s1600/Portugal+blanket.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGeZsR9SswoX_udAa4yzanlOpPdzPCIFvblCwB9cKTpEskYT6Mfq77ArpdlVdiAvc1n-I9ZFSNoUFxzNBMN7Cs_wWrD0Y4GWr9MCzQMwX_14JgAGrTcp-_QcMegyofHpMWpItERYZ5zh2/s400/Portugal+blanket.jpg" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksiHR5QkOrxt8EnVBZqT2orSO9G9qWGTkd8zslDtjKnfjZJ6RZxDMIuF8NT3hIbUfrKvNnqK_CLG0RKVrUg6jbn5Oc9VGA0Dx4Zc7dr1SvfMJQDwpH0Kas_MGj1h0nSTOVV_aCNKoZP4W/s1600/SDC10626.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksiHR5QkOrxt8EnVBZqT2orSO9G9qWGTkd8zslDtjKnfjZJ6RZxDMIuF8NT3hIbUfrKvNnqK_CLG0RKVrUg6jbn5Oc9VGA0Dx4Zc7dr1SvfMJQDwpH0Kas_MGj1h0nSTOVV_aCNKoZP4W/s400/SDC10626.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgqeD27NMG22RRX2SP8Nd4zADw9CFCGyj4UpnkOAB7xIFUwWilc5y072Okhmj8hR6RusFZKwgJG1_xXaZRty-iUFDNOvbEUeDMZrz1OHHZMekChdPMioZBcEh22Iau3UIS6HKW_tQ0eBR/s1600/SDC10627.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgqeD27NMG22RRX2SP8Nd4zADw9CFCGyj4UpnkOAB7xIFUwWilc5y072Okhmj8hR6RusFZKwgJG1_xXaZRty-iUFDNOvbEUeDMZrz1OHHZMekChdPMioZBcEh22Iau3UIS6HKW_tQ0eBR/s400/SDC10627.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxwAhV1_A672RXUVf9WfGEXlJ3H5wbXOMbpmEEudoZwDUqCDX1MSg0a9dLNqim1z323_U1C9TwMl5dk4_vs6uxo7BXSiYBB_pL9_yFTQ9gnRg687uN1jOYbfbS0IQZYMEh0M5Z9HUhfl1/s1600/SDC10635.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxwAhV1_A672RXUVf9WfGEXlJ3H5wbXOMbpmEEudoZwDUqCDX1MSg0a9dLNqim1z323_U1C9TwMl5dk4_vs6uxo7BXSiYBB_pL9_yFTQ9gnRg687uN1jOYbfbS0IQZYMEh0M5Z9HUhfl1/s400/SDC10635.JPG" /></a> <br />
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I played around with the African flower pattern and made myself a little bookmark<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghv-4HqrRGvvAW72aZG2kC3RZv2SNFF67NPETGz_aktBWY52iobYIfoMe6IMVLskyr-46JeWR0YvBzlADjnT_25VEa3nX9OcqDk381L4gagX5ApY6eAZfApmxUZDxTCouYP2QexY5Le_aN/s1600/SDC10643.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghv-4HqrRGvvAW72aZG2kC3RZv2SNFF67NPETGz_aktBWY52iobYIfoMe6IMVLskyr-46JeWR0YvBzlADjnT_25VEa3nX9OcqDk381L4gagX5ApY6eAZfApmxUZDxTCouYP2QexY5Le_aN/s400/SDC10643.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
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Stand by - here come the doilies (and there are more lurking unironed in my suitcase which I've yet to unpack)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJd0NLW07-i1Xz6GhbQCbC7gQ9lBBYSwXMddIsBo4KlbaeD9aK2P1BGXHVFxpeU1Ej5JiN7GU-gbhgMogdasavAsibyrKi0_93GJmSmviNq1b71-uharAwn5vhiOFuoyMFlkfD_D0Ts3Sq/s1600/SDC10638.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJd0NLW07-i1Xz6GhbQCbC7gQ9lBBYSwXMddIsBo4KlbaeD9aK2P1BGXHVFxpeU1Ej5JiN7GU-gbhgMogdasavAsibyrKi0_93GJmSmviNq1b71-uharAwn5vhiOFuoyMFlkfD_D0Ts3Sq/s400/SDC10638.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4oEP2etGSU_33NZRnQENLT9Jl__cEuxJ3jR-75t05HTxff07mKBzSZ2i00F82j5-teFn5i0MFSaRDzYAeWWpi8cP3k1DGIDt_Ag90oROEMW6N9yAilxzF_xI9b1yM6dr0pf05-tjDIae/s1600/SDC10639.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4oEP2etGSU_33NZRnQENLT9Jl__cEuxJ3jR-75t05HTxff07mKBzSZ2i00F82j5-teFn5i0MFSaRDzYAeWWpi8cP3k1DGIDt_Ag90oROEMW6N9yAilxzF_xI9b1yM6dr0pf05-tjDIae/s400/SDC10639.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6r0ozSiJI1d0idE9PwJuwfUc-zJwGVsEPH1mi_7m4SRDUzw0AipIdS364fbdXmKtTxc_Fi29lA02ZZJHVsTpVEeM_7Cfa9pyXpCWbdRCZxc7N11bu9MaRC5k63_U6YIpXpB_BJst7cVR/s1600/SDC10640.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6r0ozSiJI1d0idE9PwJuwfUc-zJwGVsEPH1mi_7m4SRDUzw0AipIdS364fbdXmKtTxc_Fi29lA02ZZJHVsTpVEeM_7Cfa9pyXpCWbdRCZxc7N11bu9MaRC5k63_U6YIpXpB_BJst7cVR/s400/SDC10640.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
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I'm a bit cross with my lack of photography skills on the next one - it was a lot prettier in real life<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyFdV7wS22_7caLEzH18KjyUtKzTXUkqhitv4vfrMeYqEZNohKTyglriOqqmIC33a4HvLdcwnaKDMyp2LNr-KkV67-GZwfKc2uLyNA27yuUBmshK4KadldnA1y1A6LSRPLNDQFybJboKu/s1600/SDC10636.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyFdV7wS22_7caLEzH18KjyUtKzTXUkqhitv4vfrMeYqEZNohKTyglriOqqmIC33a4HvLdcwnaKDMyp2LNr-KkV67-GZwfKc2uLyNA27yuUBmshK4KadldnA1y1A6LSRPLNDQFybJboKu/s400/SDC10636.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
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And finally, here they are - what you've all been waiting for - this year's Diabolicals. Heehee.<br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLw1hCYV4CDBXKzReSi1EWYARTE5JarbJYcp-FsAzjutsXeBAe8VlsGFgo-VMapxwB1WPQ5G1Z9e8kA9nOKi6QctZBfTtf7tqXivC8ZN4h-4ZC_f39D5kmlf-G0y_cf6nqnFMzZQrVuba/s1600/SDC10641.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLw1hCYV4CDBXKzReSi1EWYARTE5JarbJYcp-FsAzjutsXeBAe8VlsGFgo-VMapxwB1WPQ5G1Z9e8kA9nOKi6QctZBfTtf7tqXivC8ZN4h-4ZC_f39D5kmlf-G0y_cf6nqnFMzZQrVuba/s400/SDC10641.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJqhyiAll6QXYvtn1tMUajUBKf_vrQ-uUShXaPVPHD3zLr95H4BgFH2OTBn0g8-x0FRAnY-VM33xC7Yzk-1MdSja2QhL-_gOQ3iGU0vHW8Hnlhuke97UNhbfZIy86Ut1cRMffM7o3XiBH/s1600/SDC10642.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJqhyiAll6QXYvtn1tMUajUBKf_vrQ-uUShXaPVPHD3zLr95H4BgFH2OTBn0g8-x0FRAnY-VM33xC7Yzk-1MdSja2QhL-_gOQ3iGU0vHW8Hnlhuke97UNhbfZIy86Ut1cRMffM7o3XiBH/s400/SDC10642.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I think that's it for now - I'm having a trial run of a yummy chocolate ganache cake which I've been asked to make for my niece's 18th in a couple of weeks' time. It was my Mum & Dad's anniversary this week so it's a perfect excuse to try out a cake don't you think? Pics to follow (if it works, lol).</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">See you soon!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; cursor: move; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a></div></div><br />
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</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-45890268625777741512010-09-19T18:38:00.000+01:002010-09-19T18:38:39.807+01:00Stash-busting hooky and a bit of baking<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Inspired by this <a href="http://solgrim.blogspot.com/2009/06/sirkel-i-kvadrat.html">pattern and blog</a> (thanks for sharing the pattern Solveig) I was a bit bored yesterday afternoon so I whipped this up. It will be a cushion cover, honest - the sides are already joined together and ready to go, but my camera has just died. The optical illusion you get from this pattern is amazing - edge it in a light colour and you get a star effect, edge it in a dark one and you get a pinwheel. Very clever. I will adapt the pattern slightly though so that the edges aren't quite so wonky.</div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOm1fLyLsTMvFfLN4xi7jFzs-vkHZAEp2QzcJPl6jePXaigYhvDRWaQ0VudEjGCGWL0dnhCrNCqoSb13Pa_7RaocEvfT-faLg5PGZw2zkZNLD9Xtb6jTWqUAJmSEW_1s_XESN80r0w451z/s1600/SDC10589.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOm1fLyLsTMvFfLN4xi7jFzs-vkHZAEp2QzcJPl6jePXaigYhvDRWaQ0VudEjGCGWL0dnhCrNCqoSb13Pa_7RaocEvfT-faLg5PGZw2zkZNLD9Xtb6jTWqUAJmSEW_1s_XESN80r0w451z/s400/SDC10589.JPG" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLXlZuU0JwweiXkHVMcVTjCySrdKQvmkVPVoBI0Hnuf412rA11ChZd0YGS0z1r89eoND5Zd-atEjui7kMR_eZYdkeQ5P_7Y5BDBPl6v1ShklHj24w6asKV1JZj6LPmPKepbq7sGoeTxSr/s1600/SDC10590.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLXlZuU0JwweiXkHVMcVTjCySrdKQvmkVPVoBI0Hnuf412rA11ChZd0YGS0z1r89eoND5Zd-atEjui7kMR_eZYdkeQ5P_7Y5BDBPl6v1ShklHj24w6asKV1JZj6LPmPKepbq7sGoeTxSr/s400/SDC10590.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznmRUcjF5-mV1y74s_Pze5chq16PMBLO3RGpRCXB429Ui_X5346RW9mgMzYZ_syQWwI_L6kGz8acEqh80sWdVbBGj02-gsDmBdcdxUmTQulqIO1R6Vhe0QcNjKxtY7DOLy0ohEx_0ydel/s1600/SDC10591.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznmRUcjF5-mV1y74s_Pze5chq16PMBLO3RGpRCXB429Ui_X5346RW9mgMzYZ_syQWwI_L6kGz8acEqh80sWdVbBGj02-gsDmBdcdxUmTQulqIO1R6Vhe0QcNjKxtY7DOLy0ohEx_0ydel/s400/SDC10591.JPG" /></a> <br />
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So, with that pattern in mind, I trotted off to the wool shop on Friday, to stock up on a few yarns to make a blanket in Portugal. All of this cost me less than £10, and even though it's acrylic, it's really soft and doesn't squeak when you work with it :-) I've been a VERY good girl and haven't touched it, even though my fingers have been beside themselves to get going.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamF41GRFKTcpkh3Jd7vi9NT2qRP6p-sNl_VyzbQ2_5NVuKER1-KFSVUEk5UP-iTXErF0irOBeD4s8dzySXy2UuEh7BCK7FD5Lgx2pche6dut3G_FGHrvI8aXLvCfL7QiNKl52EUgfYRvk/s1600/SDC10587.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamF41GRFKTcpkh3Jd7vi9NT2qRP6p-sNl_VyzbQ2_5NVuKER1-KFSVUEk5UP-iTXErF0irOBeD4s8dzySXy2UuEh7BCK7FD5Lgx2pche6dut3G_FGHrvI8aXLvCfL7QiNKl52EUgfYRvk/s400/SDC10587.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
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And finally, this week's baking - more oaty bakes, this week made with whizzed up blueberries and peaches. Not quite as yummy as last week's but I'll soldier on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNugtTIcpiIR2vptuSkqGYriem2d1EVlHbkGtTmPyjoiZP_frHg3WnuwPdsXoT9DX8UPdRgrrMtZt_DqebrgW1wJKbwUCMdaiRj768mnrCrfqEF4dwCS5hQpdPwQiHG0WEUQvmarNrumY/s1600/SDC10593.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNugtTIcpiIR2vptuSkqGYriem2d1EVlHbkGtTmPyjoiZP_frHg3WnuwPdsXoT9DX8UPdRgrrMtZt_DqebrgW1wJKbwUCMdaiRj768mnrCrfqEF4dwCS5hQpdPwQiHG0WEUQvmarNrumY/s400/SDC10593.JPG" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
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And on that note, I'm off to Portugal for a little holiday. Ahh, happy hooky, beady and reading time all to myself. Bliss.<br />
See you soon. Jo :-)<br />
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</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-5496786090886978342010-09-12T16:02:00.000+01:002010-09-12T16:02:18.115+01:00Bakey, hooky, croapy and beady stuff<div style="text-align: center;">It's been a while since I blogged, but I've been busy doing other stuff.....</div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll start with some yummy Sunday baking - a tray of oaty bakes made with coconut, dried apricots and some white-fleshed necatrines which I whizzed up in my new gadget. They smell gorgeous and I've had to sample 2 bits just to make sure they taste ok. They're a bit squidgy in the middle but I'm not complaining :o)</div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAy41dJYUPG8c9o8PtDbSsGUTyWSxPGE6fKd3fh_JlUQzRizg1qzmEVQ70Q9dI6bHME6EeO3t80EiIBUndJWLrIb-VWR8tWHAsupRnRJl7jBGuvjnOlgr-m0XMQzdxp2zZ5q_BWKCi_Br/s1600/SDC10571.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAy41dJYUPG8c9o8PtDbSsGUTyWSxPGE6fKd3fh_JlUQzRizg1qzmEVQ70Q9dI6bHME6EeO3t80EiIBUndJWLrIb-VWR8tWHAsupRnRJl7jBGuvjnOlgr-m0XMQzdxp2zZ5q_BWKCi_Br/s400/SDC10571.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Right, down to business. This was a little lap blanket I made for my Mum. I forgot to take a pic when it was finished, but you can get the general idea. I edged it in dark brown with one narrow row of the other colours. Mum loves it - now just got to make another for the other room. Oh, and one for my sister, etc etc!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyumkjYg4JT8KzrTL3KU1N70tsO3iTEFW1tmxky0OmEUTsJwJ5lolMyPav1xvxJDsFj8X89CA0xHLWxqNsPRBnJiGlVunHdG5zTR1bMkC0hegFVGlKtOrCeTu9q9hOTcC8EkkvhnD1IS2w/s1600/SDC10560.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyumkjYg4JT8KzrTL3KU1N70tsO3iTEFW1tmxky0OmEUTsJwJ5lolMyPav1xvxJDsFj8X89CA0xHLWxqNsPRBnJiGlVunHdG5zTR1bMkC0hegFVGlKtOrCeTu9q9hOTcC8EkkvhnD1IS2w/s400/SDC10560.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Then there's the slight flower scarf addiction I seem to have developed lately (Emily, I know you're with me on that one!). The annoying thing is that ALL of these yarns claim to be "double knitting" thickness - look how different they all are!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Gk1msRPBcMyf6s0T7jDZvtsKrSg0eGieo02ZBSmnt7Df9bmxSN94cHkweg9q00hR7f9N8mqT5itAd7SPsaqr6RNz83aRHR0xp6MUL-K5_WtvI6VC4rVGMFZGGY2v4jLg2Bm-Xogm_di_/s1600/SDC10572.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Gk1msRPBcMyf6s0T7jDZvtsKrSg0eGieo02ZBSmnt7Df9bmxSN94cHkweg9q00hR7f9N8mqT5itAd7SPsaqr6RNz83aRHR0xp6MUL-K5_WtvI6VC4rVGMFZGGY2v4jLg2Bm-Xogm_di_/s400/SDC10572.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYj5L8UP40styrpfCH-anf_do4_sKpJli3uunIPtNayhi7KqEDBq4lvFceO4fQT9MGo0tFoTOz4yze2skXvf_DOOoEz3BRntm1dQR-ZAfOCpHqAMgC4mgOH6FZQ4-rVJwkXv0dwhsUOoq/s1600/SDC10575.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYj5L8UP40styrpfCH-anf_do4_sKpJli3uunIPtNayhi7KqEDBq4lvFceO4fQT9MGo0tFoTOz4yze2skXvf_DOOoEz3BRntm1dQR-ZAfOCpHqAMgC4mgOH6FZQ4-rVJwkXv0dwhsUOoq/s400/SDC10575.JPG" /></a><br />
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Then there's a stash-buster lap blanket I thought I'd do for my niece who has splashes of bright pink in her bedroom. Yet another WIP....</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_3PO6p1b-kkB4zZkxPgLWGd7Xpn7OHISnyTrw2ib3HSFapeLib1_ZoMhbfZ3984vsMNyT5bQdcKFz27A0ZJB8OS4jXPXGau7VIj856AXc1yPggx3fLwgEZIZ_uOiptPihT0Qrw5jQ-CD/s1600/SDC10576.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_3PO6p1b-kkB4zZkxPgLWGd7Xpn7OHISnyTrw2ib3HSFapeLib1_ZoMhbfZ3984vsMNyT5bQdcKFz27A0ZJB8OS4jXPXGau7VIj856AXc1yPggx3fLwgEZIZ_uOiptPihT0Qrw5jQ-CD/s400/SDC10576.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Oh, and there's a shrugelero thingy, just another WIP...... all those wonky squares have got to be sewn together and made into a curvy edging. <br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeohMA7g_uWr6fKnTBkN6PqvYkWg9EpQVvVRtOz-x3zTmDxmgc6Zn3YTKz-MmFJO8Fdaat6KAp2VGXNCSXDvCannVYsdV2RIFSrr2mMBUVZHSenkC5SMqzr3E5OSLZyygRTG7eZcWf-Zcr/s1600/SDC10584.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeohMA7g_uWr6fKnTBkN6PqvYkWg9EpQVvVRtOz-x3zTmDxmgc6Zn3YTKz-MmFJO8Fdaat6KAp2VGXNCSXDvCannVYsdV2RIFSrr2mMBUVZHSenkC5SMqzr3E5OSLZyygRTG7eZcWf-Zcr/s400/SDC10584.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
Then, there's this luscious stuff lurking in my stash. When my sis asked me what I'd like for my birthday as we happened to be sitting in a coffee shop next door to the yarn shop...well, I didn't physically drag her to the display, but you get my drift :o)<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8Qvp3SFFHNALSxX5Dw-a57wZGJDvMFmbp4TChsAtO3pZVn6VOhuLQjigyAzyizaXfqRpt5yIQMceQigNX_OyC0AY6gSByQZeIpUQXO6tPMvoYfOdH5NdBKSp4P18isFJ7pWYB3cZDrou/s1600/SDC10578.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8Qvp3SFFHNALSxX5Dw-a57wZGJDvMFmbp4TChsAtO3pZVn6VOhuLQjigyAzyizaXfqRpt5yIQMceQigNX_OyC0AY6gSByQZeIpUQXO6tPMvoYfOdH5NdBKSp4P18isFJ7pWYB3cZDrou/s400/SDC10578.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
That's all the hooky stuff for now. There is a shawly wrap thing lurking too, but there are far too many of those offending loose ends to sew in yet.<br />
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***************<br />
And so, after almost a year, I finally croaped. Oh yes, my croap crown is safe, and I am indeed the Croap Queen. I so want to be a decent soapmaker when I grow up. They NEVER turn out like the image I have in my head. Quite why I get such bad ash on the tops is beyond me too. <br />
The blue one is scented with "Blue Amberwood" which is a lovely spicy unisex scent, but for some reason the FO misbehaved and has left brown traces in the soap. It's also going through the curing stage still so I expect that yellowish colour to change again.<br />
The purple one is scented with Geranium & Lavender. It's a new FO from <a href="http://www.sensoryperfection.co.uk/">Jo</a>, and it behaved beautifully in CP soap, and is holding the scent well so far.<br />
Neither soap has palm oil in, but is loaded with shea butter and other goodies.<br />
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This is the purple one before it went through the gel process. Quite interesting how the colour changed afterwards. Those "peaks" didn't last too well, but never mind.</div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FKOSM6iz_2Pf6yLtMtn5_MCqCCVqeRfHkiN7s-pVXmKsa5PQsddLFQawd4HJ65_84JHIiXpH36mY9oLhe4L8lCFZHewSMiQDuLDbproJMaGD_AjLBNxa9h0xyn89VzGBpKM8ODAsT_pr/s1600/SDC10570.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FKOSM6iz_2Pf6yLtMtn5_MCqCCVqeRfHkiN7s-pVXmKsa5PQsddLFQawd4HJ65_84JHIiXpH36mY9oLhe4L8lCFZHewSMiQDuLDbproJMaGD_AjLBNxa9h0xyn89VzGBpKM8ODAsT_pr/s400/SDC10570.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7ED2nRUz0G-jxOlTnb17mMTmDskF3bSvISwTrLxziDvsn3Xpz9fNzamszHUjIxUmPjjV4vEzkG8BsoPJUk9pQaTWH7cqEpumGLNxe7df8PJWKmath_0n6jXis5PZzMSvDbWm76sTHV-J/s1600/SDC10586.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7ED2nRUz0G-jxOlTnb17mMTmDskF3bSvISwTrLxziDvsn3Xpz9fNzamszHUjIxUmPjjV4vEzkG8BsoPJUk9pQaTWH7cqEpumGLNxe7df8PJWKmath_0n6jXis5PZzMSvDbWm76sTHV-J/s400/SDC10586.JPG" /></a> </div>And finally, how's a girl ever supposed to get anything done when they keep issuing mags like this, and she keeps getting reminders from people that they're waiting for the jewellery they were promised. I'll have to have a beadfest when my poorly neck gets sorted out. Yipppppppppeeeeeeee.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2o-8cYMW554mSdeW7IXGzI9R9DOGo8-RuJJUwH2WIqovTgcFI-auseqXRx691sg8-UiKa2JSQRw8XK-MSRwQx9gOYbOkPKXvMTc-Q4b8_a0x_Ci_cVoPaDV8fnu2rqbIcKK1TM-HABlZ9/s1600/SDC10583.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2o-8cYMW554mSdeW7IXGzI9R9DOGo8-RuJJUwH2WIqovTgcFI-auseqXRx691sg8-UiKa2JSQRw8XK-MSRwQx9gOYbOkPKXvMTc-Q4b8_a0x_Ci_cVoPaDV8fnu2rqbIcKK1TM-HABlZ9/s400/SDC10583.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, I think that's me for now. No doubt I've forgotten something and will get told off by <a href="http://www.lululizinlalaland.blogspot.com/">Lizzie</a>. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Think I'll go and sit in the sunshine with a cuppa and a smallish chunk of oaty bake while my horrid neighbours are out and it's nice and quiet.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
Hope you're all having a lovely Sunday. TTFN.</div></div></div><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"></div></div></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-52426640988767223152010-07-29T12:27:00.001+01:002010-07-29T19:11:25.790+01:00Yummy yarn and some AFOs!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">When I visited Lizzie a couple of weeks ago, she took me to a lovely little yarn shop she'd discovered.<br />
Lurking in the bargain bin was this yummy yarn. It's not silk or cotton but it's got a beautiful feel to it (splits like mad but you can get past that bit if you try). Any guesses what it's made from?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc59ZZOxFKrnIaEh0U9q0wSxTs_VtZU4Ta-_fXEOPT3F0aydEiC2JWLrjSf_ubINHXAD-myKYCwmv6n3sSukL2YtqHT-ykB87S29Kceiw6HYfn_CGgPe5K7gDBIAIQmCBiCzNxsU6gJ3u/s1600/SDC10554.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc59ZZOxFKrnIaEh0U9q0wSxTs_VtZU4Ta-_fXEOPT3F0aydEiC2JWLrjSf_ubINHXAD-myKYCwmv6n3sSukL2YtqHT-ykB87S29Kceiw6HYfn_CGgPe5K7gDBIAIQmCBiCzNxsU6gJ3u/s400/SDC10554.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyway, being the patient soul I am, I ditched all other WIPs and UFOs immediately to dive in and have a go. I have a huge dislike of sewing in ends etc so I found a join-as-you-go pattern (yay!) which I adapted to make a wide wrap. My aunty saw it half-finished and snaffled it! I made her a floppy flower brooch to hold it together, and here's my lovely little Mum modelling for me :-) Now all I have to do is make another one for little ol' me.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Here's where the AFOs come in - yes, blogland, I have some Actual Finished Objects. Oh, I'm so proud of myself, lol.</div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMm9NA1J8KV4bhmO8Ad7obF3AsKXpqvEUfoDiVmadWVfuAEt3OagUfoM1_dU_jJp3soItt-oPMz9cNz-nfSz4k2kDc8rhmOcS8vFPpezKVsdQVSotaNa9eGRVBGke_tLuOXq8vKwVsamv6/s1600/Crochet.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMm9NA1J8KV4bhmO8Ad7obF3AsKXpqvEUfoDiVmadWVfuAEt3OagUfoM1_dU_jJp3soItt-oPMz9cNz-nfSz4k2kDc8rhmOcS8vFPpezKVsdQVSotaNa9eGRVBGke_tLuOXq8vKwVsamv6/s400/Crochet.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">While the camera's out, my aunty asked me to make her a couple of flower brooches, so I had a play and came up with these 2.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBVw7Y55AdFk50Gzx6YHGabVHg9CocaL6Fy5oRgiB4fMchYrE7Qh8tbIp-hpsDEdNFR2TnsFhQghs80Zjk6KMg-Pg8iD-fAyTHkBxwgWZEZ_lNzol9DvRiQlamaVj2ShLMzx0U5dL8Kmg/s1600/SDC10546.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBVw7Y55AdFk50Gzx6YHGabVHg9CocaL6Fy5oRgiB4fMchYrE7Qh8tbIp-hpsDEdNFR2TnsFhQghs80Zjk6KMg-Pg8iD-fAyTHkBxwgWZEZ_lNzol9DvRiQlamaVj2ShLMzx0U5dL8Kmg/s400/SDC10546.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnDmo2iG5aRcT5uL65Mi1-anIlWLhuOv-PJ1BKW10BA986lihyphenhyphenq9hNcHnQZXsFcNjsdyFq7lwlVqntJHcvPo2YvD3zh28lXJl4-b4jdu9kFWd1P_HKi2QY_Mfc45QwavAsCf73qz-7RV-/s1600/SDC10544.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnDmo2iG5aRcT5uL65Mi1-anIlWLhuOv-PJ1BKW10BA986lihyphenhyphenq9hNcHnQZXsFcNjsdyFq7lwlVqntJHcvPo2YvD3zh28lXJl4-b4jdu9kFWd1P_HKi2QY_Mfc45QwavAsCf73qz-7RV-/s400/SDC10544.JPG" /></a><br />
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Right, off to mess about with the 3 scarves, doilie and almost-done wrap I've made this past week while I've been off work with a horrid virus :-)</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-71714955977313041212010-07-27T11:55:00.000+01:002010-07-27T11:55:01.064+01:00A lot of effort for a courgette<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Following yesterday's grumpy post, brace yourselves. Look what they've done overnight :-((<br />
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I checked under the leaves last night and there was no creature in sight -<br />
overnight something's eaten most of the leaf they started on the day before....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU61ToG2ilKbgB9gBX8VmEzXhnUMHSLlyJ31p23V-Zigbjph6gqvQJjKbwKmnl6WLWDM1MtzCNNSP1-ZDtNYxMaIAR5AYrDMJmUInzEfF0VitV6rliz7OL9MCGVoyQL-YTDyVLhvPv0AZ3/s1600/SDC10540.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU61ToG2ilKbgB9gBX8VmEzXhnUMHSLlyJ31p23V-Zigbjph6gqvQJjKbwKmnl6WLWDM1MtzCNNSP1-ZDtNYxMaIAR5AYrDMJmUInzEfF0VitV6rliz7OL9MCGVoyQL-YTDyVLhvPv0AZ3/s400/SDC10540.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Flower? What flower? I suppose that means no courgette now....</div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmkJo2fwcweIJZKKu5RrcFpDtfzc8nkOjqgJjQrWEUYm49Z99nv56jlDXvfixKr5l57pvmjSWz4Hl2zc-ZY7c6SlUHhVQB5XMKN7mRzsq_pO25x9FbVQoRyuRxnuWmRaifaGpq3lIoXJ_/s1600/SDC10541.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmkJo2fwcweIJZKKu5RrcFpDtfzc8nkOjqgJjQrWEUYm49Z99nv56jlDXvfixKr5l57pvmjSWz4Hl2zc-ZY7c6SlUHhVQB5XMKN7mRzsq_pO25x9FbVQoRyuRxnuWmRaifaGpq3lIoXJ_/s400/SDC10541.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Rooting around in the shed, I found this. This is the last ditch attempt - after this, I give up...</div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_i0l6CIXD_hgYY6Z2ANFNrDUuTgeolV-bR9tGKPQrB_aQ1j_wBkDHL5yLEQWIaTs76IJId3n9h7mymJUPbCc5hRbEANipSw8KS5qF3KC8jBU-m1OWeWFarH_qOiByEunP1rMRwMOIA_r/s1600/SDC10542.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_i0l6CIXD_hgYY6Z2ANFNrDUuTgeolV-bR9tGKPQrB_aQ1j_wBkDHL5yLEQWIaTs76IJId3n9h7mymJUPbCc5hRbEANipSw8KS5qF3KC8jBU-m1OWeWFarH_qOiByEunP1rMRwMOIA_r/s400/SDC10542.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Ta da!. Must be the world's best-protected courgette, surely...</div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisYuiQUk3QMv9J0HGR7sd1bLQvBe3BnZBCTqB_wXj3CHq1cGVG65D8PfbFqOFNzElE9SjGFOzy4EmvmCfRF24m_rcIC7oLSsDrMKO_DG2KhPztryqUgc_kBf04Ft2rElI2VLHuFrsfMIf/s1600/SDC10543.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisYuiQUk3QMv9J0HGR7sd1bLQvBe3BnZBCTqB_wXj3CHq1cGVG65D8PfbFqOFNzElE9SjGFOzy4EmvmCfRF24m_rcIC7oLSsDrMKO_DG2KhPztryqUgc_kBf04Ft2rElI2VLHuFrsfMIf/s400/SDC10543.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-24796136673955850562010-07-26T14:02:00.000+01:002010-07-26T14:02:41.275+01:00Why I loathe slugs & snails<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Well, hmph, and double hmph.<br />
I've been trying for ages to grow things other than flowers in my teensy garden but have always been thwarted by slugs and snails.<br />
Yet again they've attacked and I'm MIFFED to say the least. Look what they've done to my courgette plant (given to me by Lizzie when I visited her a couple of weeks ago) - I mean, it's not like I didn't try to protect it, is it? Top left - all comfy and well-protected in her new home and surrounded by enough shells to put off even the most determined creature. Look what they've done to it in the next 2 pics - grrrrrrrrrrr. <br />
Bottom right - I'm not holding out much hope for my attempt at being green/eco-friendly - seeds I saved from a red pepper ages ago have sprouted into 5 fairly healthy looking little seedlings, and that's my very own egg-shell snail/slug deterrent - shells dutifully washed and saved and ground with a pestle and mortar. Wonder how long the poor little things will last - the dreaded S&S have scoffed my rocket too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAd9kYbwS9_Ln_gEfkjeai17y4IsDC9VpSo8Km0eorFg4XQgPUt2lHcDmCtkavOLaIk79AQMwVxhxv53zVaPxkGA4ZaenLlH2TaBIjnEXN1FYTOTXh8uLHJ-M2VUL7VBT00wp8DmoYBcrd/s1600/Courgette.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAd9kYbwS9_Ln_gEfkjeai17y4IsDC9VpSo8Km0eorFg4XQgPUt2lHcDmCtkavOLaIk79AQMwVxhxv53zVaPxkGA4ZaenLlH2TaBIjnEXN1FYTOTXh8uLHJ-M2VUL7VBT00wp8DmoYBcrd/s400/Courgette.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">This is where I get even more miffed - I treated myself to a beautiful little plant which was packed with amazing flowers - all different and pretty shades of pinks/creams.</div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutJ5GuO2NXjh8Sn2LdqvrCtSQfu3Ouphi6MRNxKX8S9Yr_FjXU_8CBmJUXlKrluL2poaCtN4TCk0XmnL94RORj1I7CoZtWcTIO4PecLkgLCzpMqsTEDE9bvxS-ozF4Fk-oKSHB1tooFQM/s1600/SDC10532.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutJ5GuO2NXjh8Sn2LdqvrCtSQfu3Ouphi6MRNxKX8S9Yr_FjXU_8CBmJUXlKrluL2poaCtN4TCk0XmnL94RORj1I7CoZtWcTIO4PecLkgLCzpMqsTEDE9bvxS-ozF4Fk-oKSHB1tooFQM/s400/SDC10532.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Look what's left of it! They used the corks as stepping stones I think - corks obviously don't bother the horrid things around here.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm going to hmph again now - HMPH.</div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSGHhcoNP4TFe0pP2sBGMcZKA3T3aeh8Nhv8wyhloUU3ONJWTvPNsApUGlJF49XGHcl_Ae7LTCUfm2AVDrfi6GUlskRYodIg4ytrapMFochURoz6GhPDUN9WnfhTwto2zfcXSpzTjOoWr/s1600/SDC10533.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSGHhcoNP4TFe0pP2sBGMcZKA3T3aeh8Nhv8wyhloUU3ONJWTvPNsApUGlJF49XGHcl_Ae7LTCUfm2AVDrfi6GUlskRYodIg4ytrapMFochURoz6GhPDUN9WnfhTwto2zfcXSpzTjOoWr/s400/SDC10533.JPG" /></a><br />
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I shall go and carry on with my crochet to soothe my hmphedness and my summer cold - maybe it's the cold that's making me more grumpy than normal, lol.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-34151423366374516562010-07-04T13:47:00.002+01:002010-07-29T18:47:54.692+01:00Long time no blog!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Thought it was about time I updated my blog as my ears are ringing from the nagging from certain persons (begins with "L" and ends with "izzie"). This may be a long post, so brace yourselves :-)<br />
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Well, I swanned off to Portugal for a little while in May/June and because they've had such a wet winter/spring all the wildflowers were still out and it was a real pleasure to see. Just after I'd taken these pics, and been crawling about in the "mato" or scrubland, my neighbour was busy strimming all the wildflowers around her house. I accused her of being a flower killer but she pointed out it was because conditions were perfect for snakes to start breeding/hiding/lurking! Glad I didn't know that before I wandered about in my flipflops.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDiHiUsNos8J82cLvHNq7NRlqvCUIxvyWt5lso7m6dgA-UB26wUh4DL1CDMTuRWL0_Ft_Aa_taVkCqYWxoAF0ynA11q1ZSeBBTQ65hspYyq4u0WmH0sBD5qBBpbHyXFZ1zn4lmjVLvBRw/s1600/SDC10466.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDiHiUsNos8J82cLvHNq7NRlqvCUIxvyWt5lso7m6dgA-UB26wUh4DL1CDMTuRWL0_Ft_Aa_taVkCqYWxoAF0ynA11q1ZSeBBTQ65hspYyq4u0WmH0sBD5qBBpbHyXFZ1zn4lmjVLvBRw/s400/SDC10466.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbOyZqCp_xnpMYP7XiyclMKbbMN_XLmKZBd_iQMwcd4ynsei8zusBJW_eEDEUWyhHtj9cni2lXYgj8gwaEv8Uh5d3Ku2hNl_UvR8_IsFofAV9sOHMphJuIhOs42jMN0Rj3hSLrHhS_V4q/s1600/SDC10467.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbOyZqCp_xnpMYP7XiyclMKbbMN_XLmKZBd_iQMwcd4ynsei8zusBJW_eEDEUWyhHtj9cni2lXYgj8gwaEv8Uh5d3Ku2hNl_UvR8_IsFofAV9sOHMphJuIhOs42jMN0Rj3hSLrHhS_V4q/s400/SDC10467.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">The weather was really weird for the time of year - either cold and windy and we were sitting about in fleeces (in June!?) or it was a heatwave. Very peculiar and I've never seen it like that in all the years we've been going there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgGT6q-4SiA8_aHegZEHp3brYv9rHAKSsqnzdYpwc_oz-2g0I9j4at8FndG4IFScwj866dJfVIdG_5jTE-JR_tuArtbwHv9IIDcnovn_-q3UICPHiOoc3ot-xiVtLFZO5IT6P3gf8hoqk/s1600/SDC10487.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgGT6q-4SiA8_aHegZEHp3brYv9rHAKSsqnzdYpwc_oz-2g0I9j4at8FndG4IFScwj866dJfVIdG_5jTE-JR_tuArtbwHv9IIDcnovn_-q3UICPHiOoc3ot-xiVtLFZO5IT6P3gf8hoqk/s400/SDC10487.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Even this poor "Dama de noite" or night-blooming jasmine was a bit confused - the flowers usually close up tightly during the day. Although the beautiful scent didn't arrive until night, it was very odd seeing the tiny flowers open all day long.</div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"></div><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJ8SwOxH9e791gGVMJEmF6O_1ttxer3I2neYLBrjORA_517WGdpG5B8x_G-m-wxXiC6IcUoNjiENXs3eCYUzVwizGlSB-yLNm5e6lAalTgQLQlaGm-k-hXD0jV6YOmcpGAOh8FtmvQAGd/s400/SDC10488.JPG" /><br />
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So, whatever the weather, a girl has to get her crochet hook out - it's the law :-)<br />
Our lovely neighbour had been into the house and made it ready for us - we had no idea she was going to do that and I was really touched by her kindness. She even climbed over the wall to get in because she couldn't get the gates to open. Anyway, I thought I'd make her something to say thank you so I had a little play about and came up with a little cotton bag/pouch and a beaded bracelet.<br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtOkoKucxyPhPENd5bLs7_v2Ya0scTGSzFoOpGiyF3F42YEAzzTCHKVjxyV6udv-73zm1Dxwkk_NhbfbxUW2E0czp0BtsmkQQDUU545qAn9E4M59L1pEbfNaUV287xGe7LBq_h8SkBAm_/s400/SDC10480.JPG" /><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQLAJJaMjHfumM3D8rgS1Mi2eAF-fntOiJq-1MPBR6UCHXy_7tCBJw4GCdUYCTx9Br_Wog60M8aqwrCbn8ICGwZHq1U36mLZGIAEUFb0eZeusCYwTzz86BPyaGQru-F6PtQfzTIIF5MOQ/s1600/SDC10476.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQLAJJaMjHfumM3D8rgS1Mi2eAF-fntOiJq-1MPBR6UCHXy_7tCBJw4GCdUYCTx9Br_Wog60M8aqwrCbn8ICGwZHq1U36mLZGIAEUFb0eZeusCYwTzz86BPyaGQru-F6PtQfzTIIF5MOQ/s400/SDC10476.JPG" /></a><br />
I got a bit carried away with the pouches after that - I think I made 6 or 7 in total although quite what I've done with the rest of them is baffling me at the moment.<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevJ2qC2SRaSM14t2pPhcFqOpHnihY2RSlNU3bMYnrcTPdkp4vG1Kdmq0PyEJsX1DcBDxdebsK1O-h-b80026jNG0j3ne6hXnqsOprQka1auRkwIXaD-bkc_ZXO7rkUIHoB7xbLblNMeit/s1600/SDC10520.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevJ2qC2SRaSM14t2pPhcFqOpHnihY2RSlNU3bMYnrcTPdkp4vG1Kdmq0PyEJsX1DcBDxdebsK1O-h-b80026jNG0j3ne6hXnqsOprQka1auRkwIXaD-bkc_ZXO7rkUIHoB7xbLblNMeit/s400/SDC10520.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpw9OjQ5obSVoIQFQAZ5NVcOo8rAvJWFkpdF1UHDGQ5YreBqGh5RijqEdJQzgMMrVNScOSnYnVLWDpADc4uR7FPhMnfyE4zVFeqhQHNDUx-EPhGwnOQqz1DWELGJhJDt6FLyHYjfX1SeP/s400/SDC10521.JPG" /><br />
Then I got the doilie bug again. It's really strange because they're not really my cup of tea at all but I find the rhythm of the patterns really relaxing (although very frustrating sometimes and I could speed unpick in the Olympics). Anyhow, here are a few (the last 2 are, erm, quite large to say the least!) -<br />
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QuPWKon8z1WX_IjMIhHytHj09uC-aBX7vYgIqeGrym20p812PWg-A9wQqKHepmsXjID_cWBqjN3anibzZ_Tjkg1HKBfwQfQVYgfQ-Rjjy4U41eAJkV7EztDRX0aiGpjZpT6vvwehuyJf/s400/SDC10516.JPG" /></div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnfmbAYhX1e86QD60am6_64dsuE-3VGfUR5tv2TkhS6fexvsXnDIQKMPTuYvDFCpfZi897dec1_EhRqpUzTgSrerLElrhi4kKTj6797zKdg2itWBZEsHqvcxJnYH9bzaBe0Jec9RF0HBA/s400/SDC10517.JPG" /> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggK-E5R18mIGDoYGirwmnGRyu11hGoBnWNMQ-Ky2J-W33lB5WdPRDVploSqbfIhjVXLlJkTGrdNKWOhyxkGZYRLfpTObyaG47b_IuwSaE5hsgIJgEWD5P5nWFdb4X8EstqQtOf35TOxLSn/s1600/SDC10518.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggK-E5R18mIGDoYGirwmnGRyu11hGoBnWNMQ-Ky2J-W33lB5WdPRDVploSqbfIhjVXLlJkTGrdNKWOhyxkGZYRLfpTObyaG47b_IuwSaE5hsgIJgEWD5P5nWFdb4X8EstqQtOf35TOxLSn/s400/SDC10518.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yjHglgSKEpB5CIZB0hgugyqZnm2qQHXPzLVdku_etwsNvopiOyD9oRiAD1MzfkerNdS5zaaesTWzgaam-VPCGpLBmWDfJMVuwZs72pLRQnIGoOsEerY_4ihpQYWQhqhAVuEGvxeiOtGd/s1600/SDC10519.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yjHglgSKEpB5CIZB0hgugyqZnm2qQHXPzLVdku_etwsNvopiOyD9oRiAD1MzfkerNdS5zaaesTWzgaam-VPCGpLBmWDfJMVuwZs72pLRQnIGoOsEerY_4ihpQYWQhqhAVuEGvxeiOtGd/s400/SDC10519.JPG" /></a><br />
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And it wouldn't be the same if I didn't do at least one Diabolical Doilie while I was in Portugal, so here you go - not quite as vile as some of them but even so.....<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBGwlgx7fA9Dq9brDpxWNX5szU0ehAU0oKCAVGGf3a7w2oXchtbwuJ2QfU5uwwqK1adCoXarXKJlXkNOcFznfHzfcO46_XxXPcMEguXRThcCyP6kvS4maIORnTnFyenUDcev6cC8C3SDj/s1600/SDC10513.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBGwlgx7fA9Dq9brDpxWNX5szU0ehAU0oKCAVGGf3a7w2oXchtbwuJ2QfU5uwwqK1adCoXarXKJlXkNOcFznfHzfcO46_XxXPcMEguXRThcCyP6kvS4maIORnTnFyenUDcev6cC8C3SDj/s400/SDC10513.JPG" /></a><br />
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And finally, for now, Liz pointed me in the direction of a Flickr group making <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/africanflowers/">African flower hexagons</a>. Not being one to choose the easy route to anything, I decided I'd make diddy ones (1.25mm hook and size 10 thread). Haven't quite decided yet what to do with them - think I'll make you wait for that :-)<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ryev1JdSEdrPHnUYZTJVBvgCpb-c2dTx5QBAJz8cv7uu077xqcmG-35Zst0d9Z7x0nC-ogoBEyAART1Z16hyphenhyphenOy-lFN1zEPDe7UqYCpRERP3x3bux8cTqGEQJQQjxF4EJ4aLPsGPzsQZ9/s1600/SDC10522.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ryev1JdSEdrPHnUYZTJVBvgCpb-c2dTx5QBAJz8cv7uu077xqcmG-35Zst0d9Z7x0nC-ogoBEyAART1Z16hyphenhyphenOy-lFN1zEPDe7UqYCpRERP3x3bux8cTqGEQJQQjxF4EJ4aLPsGPzsQZ9/s400/SDC10522.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
Right, I'm worn out after all that. Toodlepip as Liz would say.<br />
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P.S Quite why Blogger is NOT putting pics/text where I want them, I don't know. Anybody else having problems? </div><br />
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</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-83374485347684733492010-05-09T18:11:00.000+01:002010-05-09T18:11:09.019+01:00That Blanket<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">After a long time, I've finally done what I can with those squares that were knitted by various people, including children, for a charity blanket. It's been a challenge to say the least - all different sizes/tensions/definitions of "square". There were 100 of them in the end and I've crocheted round each one, sewn in all the ends, and produced 1 of 2 blankets. <br />
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Can't say as it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, but I've done what I can with what I was given. I sewed them all together first making a flat seam and then I've oversewn along the front of the seams to try to tidy it up a bit more.<br />
Oh well, one blanket down, one to go!<br />
This is it in its unpressed state - somebody else is going to take responsibility for that! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8F6WCXgEsUoOJs9MPjwbWuoFhi9UOLOt6hny87HAVyeFI5bsVemnAxWxLAlgDHhBxpvHY97nzIUOPSLoSsZxF8-wSXqu0VcM1Z8r1KUg5SVkabDNYvrp9MO4m9goEJzDWxi6MkX2LxTp/s1600/SDC10451.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8F6WCXgEsUoOJs9MPjwbWuoFhi9UOLOt6hny87HAVyeFI5bsVemnAxWxLAlgDHhBxpvHY97nzIUOPSLoSsZxF8-wSXqu0VcM1Z8r1KUg5SVkabDNYvrp9MO4m9goEJzDWxi6MkX2LxTp/s400/SDC10451.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQih_026NWqArmXxmWm87-gsPc4H-3ITFF39H4pjlZH_pq_P9AjJDI-5MQzU0gR8O5KSSdEodf_F4tJ3B6lzMmkf3BmRMrQm9SILyz3h6ZmS0_AVuXFWcBOLIMibRWgJWb-hcNSjPhWmf/s1600/SDC10463.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQih_026NWqArmXxmWm87-gsPc4H-3ITFF39H4pjlZH_pq_P9AjJDI-5MQzU0gR8O5KSSdEodf_F4tJ3B6lzMmkf3BmRMrQm9SILyz3h6ZmS0_AVuXFWcBOLIMibRWgJWb-hcNSjPhWmf/s400/SDC10463.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiu-hivauKoBjCHyhZM7-R46RAwF0uko1egmdebaH_6Cl-QJL_WTMz3Ook_X1twixbWidGYPH41hCohb7ihyLXRCkHhip4op6ELDMSiYzqA022OqNIJ42WR3_cchxf9GRk9uZXrW7b32j/s1600/SDC10465.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiu-hivauKoBjCHyhZM7-R46RAwF0uko1egmdebaH_6Cl-QJL_WTMz3Ook_X1twixbWidGYPH41hCohb7ihyLXRCkHhip4op6ELDMSiYzqA022OqNIJ42WR3_cchxf9GRk9uZXrW7b32j/s400/SDC10465.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">My youngest niece had a birthday recently and whilst she was at my house, she played around with some wool and designed a little pouch she'd like made (she was hoping for an i-Phone, but it didn't happen - she just got a pouch, lol). Happy to oblige, I faffed and made her this - it's about 11cm x 8 cm if I remember rightly. I filled it with little packets of seed beads she'd asked for (all wrapped individually) just for a bit of interest :0)</div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ARHKUjOgTWb0e2eADIqHevrqH8Uj5J6OfV_tIv8j1ERMf2Wjzh_KGQlJ-VDgu2GU_J3Pbyr0r6MPb08d-dSnQV9wHlh8OrrWFXScBBuawUYeN_0zYdKFD7T9xXj5W2Yqh3uhNfxavDk9/s1600/SDC10461.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ARHKUjOgTWb0e2eADIqHevrqH8Uj5J6OfV_tIv8j1ERMf2Wjzh_KGQlJ-VDgu2GU_J3Pbyr0r6MPb08d-dSnQV9wHlh8OrrWFXScBBuawUYeN_0zYdKFD7T9xXj5W2Yqh3uhNfxavDk9/s400/SDC10461.JPG" /></a><br />
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And that's me for a while - instructions from the osteopath to take time off from the computer etc are being followed - I'm off to lounge about under a tree in Portugal for a little while. Bye for now!</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957424620340339258.post-19533948645018523522010-04-14T17:39:00.001+01:002010-04-14T18:09:35.102+01:00Awwww! (and other things)<div style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px;">I looked after my niece today and we were lucky enough to be invited to a beautiful farm where they had not only some foals but just look what else. Awwwwwww.<br /><br />This lovely lady is called Kara and she's a Kerry blue terrier. She's 7 years old and has just had her first litter of babies. She's the friendliest, most gentle dog I've met for a long time, and looks very proud of herself :-)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNUVJpSH8RUk6UVofrIHhMzHWOFxL7hAmcmxWQxqcl6fS-a_wt62DqOgSceiP0pEGsDqnm2l1Z6_IXZW0tloP8zv6XRFoc6squji0avDs-ZQsl2sKasNJMX19NJZ3M5MYs-LIOlQz90z0/s1600/SDC10439.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNUVJpSH8RUk6UVofrIHhMzHWOFxL7hAmcmxWQxqcl6fS-a_wt62DqOgSceiP0pEGsDqnm2l1Z6_IXZW0tloP8zv6XRFoc6squji0avDs-ZQsl2sKasNJMX19NJZ3M5MYs-LIOlQz90z0/s400/SDC10439.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Loooook, aren't they just gorgeous! 6 weeks old and with very sharp teeth and claws but adorable all the same<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UJmjbZ6-wdIo1gEI_UiHRgPqHrgsWSJAiPnCAQ8uiCozeQkieQw5ndgEvzDaFaOpRSmfhMFxjmI-3Q536JKm4su3yOBJQorAQiSt4ZBn-0DsPr6nxcgMn7meRrRh90JetEab80sFmWop/s1600/SDC10441.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UJmjbZ6-wdIo1gEI_UiHRgPqHrgsWSJAiPnCAQ8uiCozeQkieQw5ndgEvzDaFaOpRSmfhMFxjmI-3Q536JKm4su3yOBJQorAQiSt4ZBn-0DsPr6nxcgMn7meRrRh90JetEab80sFmWop/s400/SDC10441.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvH3EL3BZVXhz0583kARBXq0E0QUN83LTYcNxMAJUClUFnwoMhXFJMfoBUeFlIgndUsF7X358VA45HOBUweLeBVo-Yo1AC-pCbwwuHmd_o-suCB01olPMjKZFXizXQHUP2BvK36Ir_6UI/s1600/SDC10440.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvH3EL3BZVXhz0583kARBXq0E0QUN83LTYcNxMAJUClUFnwoMhXFJMfoBUeFlIgndUsF7X358VA45HOBUweLeBVo-Yo1AC-pCbwwuHmd_o-suCB01olPMjKZFXizXQHUP2BvK36Ir_6UI/s400/SDC10440.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This little foal is only 2 days old and still a bit wobbly, and although I'm not a horsey person, I was very brave and said hello to Mum at close range.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TNxRdDI3HlFXRO9cCYA9HTIN6fOPBa3rrwPKMHS_HOcgzdXM5yP2_QoAYppZNON_AkSF58ULvwMAllRG21IbLyAtrokcULfvPT5IkW_9S84rsGGT6n9N85DJlqtf1s88yEgkw_aKyvkB/s1600/SDC10446.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TNxRdDI3HlFXRO9cCYA9HTIN6fOPBa3rrwPKMHS_HOcgzdXM5yP2_QoAYppZNON_AkSF58ULvwMAllRG21IbLyAtrokcULfvPT5IkW_9S84rsGGT6n9N85DJlqtf1s88yEgkw_aKyvkB/s400/SDC10446.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br />A lovely way to spend an hour or so, and my niece was beside herself with happiness. Bless her.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px;">Before we went out today, Rachel has been watching & helping my Mum make some lemon curd and wanted to have a go at something different. Ta dah! We give you .... lime curd. The little taste I had earlier was delicious. Pity I can't eat bread but I'm sure I'll find something to slather it on to.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf22Hy6GluvhJw7ywfiFs8B9wb3FjS1aI4dfBxJyMYzi9At8MN0mqExK2z6x92EXrihVlXw3bJ8C1GqBmfAr1EN-h6bwdC809bqws9tKh2QWNzgKkulbKul0loTVCxKoGZ3FbViYHanUGu/s1600/SDC10437.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf22Hy6GluvhJw7ywfiFs8B9wb3FjS1aI4dfBxJyMYzi9At8MN0mqExK2z6x92EXrihVlXw3bJ8C1GqBmfAr1EN-h6bwdC809bqws9tKh2QWNzgKkulbKul0loTVCxKoGZ3FbViYHanUGu/s400/SDC10437.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Just to annoy Lizzie, here are some raspberry and white choc muffins and some much healthier oat, apricot & pecan cookies.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGsfYnq4W5LtIgRr_aBKaSgXdlwHInm2d-JXBnz89bSysverKz0Iq85-ZwAIhd5q_62D_8l9Rp4rwXwftj24DU-PdHYJYnxYNijUE9SNrgstG9BsIPXXPW-vpqAABTU580GsMq7a0xvbk/s1600/SDC10426.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGsfYnq4W5LtIgRr_aBKaSgXdlwHInm2d-JXBnz89bSysverKz0Iq85-ZwAIhd5q_62D_8l9Rp4rwXwftj24DU-PdHYJYnxYNijUE9SNrgstG9BsIPXXPW-vpqAABTU580GsMq7a0xvbk/s400/SDC10426.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sad news now. My old girl has finally been consigned to scrap heaven. I was very sad to see her go as she's been my faithful companion for 20 years, but she was starting to wreck my shoulder with her heavy steering, and bits were starting to drop off/go rotten. Sniff.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgHGCb_JienujognLkmU7kTIErDW7MFaUUP0tW5O8F3UWCJdoNf1oTHyumVVvj8gZGHNWEEzkSzdWTHYSpoFI01ZeGTlN_1isMib6rlz5rcakdY5CGFIEaw4k7cdXFynpwB6bPV4Y0Czk/s1600/SDC10420.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgHGCb_JienujognLkmU7kTIErDW7MFaUUP0tW5O8F3UWCJdoNf1oTHyumVVvj8gZGHNWEEzkSzdWTHYSpoFI01ZeGTlN_1isMib6rlz5rcakdY5CGFIEaw4k7cdXFynpwB6bPV4Y0Czk/s400/SDC10420.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Still, I have a fab little new car which I'm learning to love and for the first time ever I've named a car, and my new companion is called Snowdrop. (I'm losing the plot again aren't I?)<br /><br />Finally....I had the most evil migrainey headache last weekend and seriously thought I was hallucinating when I looked out of the window and saw a large chicken walking past. It then skateboarded past the other way. On closer inspection, it turned out to be one of the kids over the road trying to film tricks on his skateboard - quite why he did it dressed as a chicken I've no idea, but it was hilarious to watch :-)</div><br /><div style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkJs5_njmIH0IoQhr3lQw7qlkTGFhFGhXKOoaWN4ma9cdW_DoKb4Rd6E5iBfYphvwgQWQ9kv60doDhSlyZ1wr94CQpPYLwNMoA-YBJMkyaqzSwrLZyLUTHgORDx0G-Au9-04vXW9K5VLH/s1600/SDC10434.JPG"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkJs5_njmIH0IoQhr3lQw7qlkTGFhFGhXKOoaWN4ma9cdW_DoKb4Rd6E5iBfYphvwgQWQ9kv60doDhSlyZ1wr94CQpPYLwNMoA-YBJMkyaqzSwrLZyLUTHgORDx0G-Au9-04vXW9K5VLH/s400/SDC10434.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />Other than all that, I've been attacking those "squares" for the charity blanket. Nearly there now, but the box they're in is like the Tardis. I keep thinking I've finished but they seem to be multiplying. Once I've finished tidying them up, I've got to work out how to put them all together.....it could be a while, lol.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none; padding: 0px; background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none; padding: 0px; background: none repeat scroll 0% 50% transparent;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Croap Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03400521799017055108noreply@blogger.com6