tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49025031129184175822024-02-20T18:35:54.784+00:00The Crafter's ApprenticeA blog about learning new craftsWendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.comBlogger1138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-28303556586421864642019-02-14T11:41:00.000+00:002019-02-14T11:41:31.558+00:00Dabbling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good morning all! I disappeared there for a bit. I've been having some health problems since I quit smoking before Christmas (thought quitting smoking was meant to be good for you!!) and it's completely sapped my motivation to blog, craft, or really do anything... I have managed to conquer it on occasion though, so thought I'd show you what I've been up to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Work has continued on my craft studio. I put up some shelves. They had been in my old craft room and I felt like they needed painting. I painted them the same colour as my floor, and then, just for the hell of it, stencilled the bottoms! I LOVE them! No, the stencilling isn't very obvious, unless you're sitting down or short. I am short so it's a win for me. Since this photo, I have done more. I'll do a post about this soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Silversmithing class continues and I have been playing with some domed circles in copper, silver and a teeny tiny one in gold from my mum's wedding ring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This comes out now and again. A pretty piece of fabric, some teal and pink threads, doing what I fancy. I haven't worked on it much recently due to the ill health and have instead been either crocheting (post coming soon!) or working on a small cross stitch I started.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm starting to feel slightly better, so I'm hoping to be back properly soon! </span></div>
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Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-35673488604071593902019-01-11T15:28:00.000+00:002019-01-11T15:28:03.548+00:00Copper and silver necklace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There'll be no review of 2018 or goals for 2019 from me. I did so little craft last year, I can barely believe it. I would like to craft more this year, but I'm not putting any pressure on myself, so I'll make what I make and post when I post!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finished this necklace before Christmas. I've shown you peeks of me making it. <a href="https://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/2018/03/silversmithing-update.html">In this post</a> from March last year, I showed you a bit of the technique! Making soldered chain IS a time-consuming process, but I'm also quite slow and made various other things at the same time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's made from copper and sterling silver. I made large jump rings, soldered them and cleaned them up, then rolled them through the rolling mill to flatten them. They were then hammered to add texture. I then made what felt like about a gazillion small jump rings and soldered it all together. I then spent a LONG time filing and sanding each and every link!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is finished with a hand made and hammered toggle clasp. I love it. I love mixed metal jewellery and I love rings like this. I'm not sure I'd embark on making another chain from scratch though!</span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-18949905670498929632018-12-06T16:01:00.000+00:002018-12-06T16:01:22.724+00:00Superpig!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A while ago (summer time maybe?) I showed you this photo of a new project I had started. It stayed like this for months and months and months until I picked it up and finished it in one sitting!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is from the book Sew Sweet Creatures by Lark Craft. I was asked to review this by GMC, however all opinions are my own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are 16 projects in this book, and I love that they are shown on the index, not just a written name, but a picture of the project. It makes navigating the book so much easier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How cute are they! I want to make that little fat lion!</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181020_120809_zpsebafss63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181020_120809_zpsebafss63.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lots of them have cute little accessories too. It may surprise you to read that I didn't make the rabbit... I'm not sure why, but I decided to make the pig.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181020_120752_zps4myoaiq1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181020_120752_zps4myoaiq1.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the templates are full size - I love that, I hate having to find somewhere to enlarge projects and I can't just "nip to the copy shop", I have no idea where there is one or if these things even exist in this day and age!</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181020_120743_zpsaddopwwk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181020_120743_zpsaddopwwk.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are loads of photos for each project and the instructions are well-written and easy to follow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ta-dah! No idea why these photos are so blurry... maybe Superpig was flying around so quickly I didn't notice, but my camera did. Or maybe I'm just crap at taking photos!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The mask is removable, it's just tied on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As is the cape. Want to see what's underneath?</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181020_120548_zpsbxvl1eay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181020_120548_zpsbxvl1eay.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little curly tail!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This pig was sewn by hand, though it would be possible to do some of it by machine, it would be far too fiddly for me. I enjoyed making this little pig and I like some of the other projects in the book, I would recommend it for anyone who fancies having a go at making some whimsical little creatures. </span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-61684570880688773772018-11-28T15:21:00.000+00:002018-11-28T15:21:05.275+00:00Temari ball craft class<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of months ago I did a workshop at <a href="http://www.threadsworkshops.co.uk/">Threads</a> in Derbyshire. It's taken me this long to post about it as my life has been so hectic recently. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to continue blogging, I haven't blogged in weeks and I'm 2 weeks behind on my blog reading... time will tell.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, back to the class. We made Temari balls!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The photos above and below are my ball at the end of the class... I was so close to finishing! And, first time ever, I finished it off when I got home - photos later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cathy always provides a kit, and scissors are available, so you don't need to bring anything except your lunch. There's also plenty of homemade cake throughout the day...</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_100236_zpsjtlr0wj5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_100236_zpsjtlr0wj5.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We chose our colour schemes from packs that Cathy had made up, I deviated slightly from my usual blue/purple preference to blue/pink! The ball is a small styrofoam ball that Cathy had wound with old tights before the class to save time. This gives you something to sew into.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_101102_zpsuyq2rxni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_101102_zpsuyq2rxni.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First we wound the ball with yarn, just to cover the black from the tights. We chose something close to our thread cover in case we missed any parts, or any peeked through.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_102610_zpsjbbsitz4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_102610_zpsjbbsitz4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then we wound the ball with thread. Just ordinary sewing thread. Yes, it took quite a while!</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_104953_zpsnrrbd6nv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_104953_zpsnrrbd6nv.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next came measuring to divide the ball up - I think we made 10 section balls? This stage took AGES as it had to work from all different directions.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_110540_zpsvfsjo8ol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_110540_zpsvfsjo8ol.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perle 5 was used to mark out the divisions...</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_121729_zpsnsvo23pj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_121729_zpsnsvo23pj.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then the embroidery began! We started with a pretty basic ball. It's fun and soothing. During the class Cathy showed us various other examples and wow... you can make some amazing Temari balls. If you haven't come across this before I would recommend Googling it.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_125819_zpsyfnio1zq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_125819_zpsyfnio1zq.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More embroidery... We had 3 different colours of Perle cotton plus one sparkly thread in our packs. It was up to us what combination we used and how many rounds of each before changing colours.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_160214_zpso6tzir9m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_160214_zpso6tzir9m.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As my measuring wasn't completely accurate, I did have to fudge a bit on the number of outer rounds to make the edges meet. Cathy did point out that it doesn't matter too much and showed us some examples of embroidering other designs over those marking threads you can see a tiny bit of above.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_160219_zpsxna1oro6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181006_160219_zpsxna1oro6.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not sure what the picture above was taken to illustrate!</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162046_zpszxpubrrs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162046_zpszxpubrrs.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here's my ball with the internal silvery bits added! They didn't take long at all and, I think, really finish it off.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162032_zpsrsrbe0m6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162032_zpsrsrbe0m6.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was massively enjoyable and a great way to spend a day. If you are in the East Midlands area, I'd definitely recommend any of Cathy's classes, I've done a few in the past, including Schwalm and Crewel. I bought another kit to make a second ball... of course, I haven't got round to it yet!</span><br />
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Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-3210888872037082642018-11-02T16:21:00.000+00:002018-11-02T16:21:13.765+00:00an unexpected finish<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mentioned a few posts ago that I'd got my crafty motivation back. I had a few days off work sick (just a really bad cold, but I was falling asleep as I drove to work so I turned round and headed home again) and I managed to accidentally finish a project.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I inherited this from Wonderful Mum. The pattern is by <a href="http://satsuma%20street/">Satsuma Street</a> and it's Pretty Little New York. New York is special to our family. Mum and dad visited back in the 90s and loved it, so for mum's 50th (1999) he took her to New York again. On her birthday, he took her for a walk to Strawberry Fields in Central Park where she found me and my brother sitting on a bench! We all loved the city so much and have been back a few times since.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180114_120719_zpsbnv9ssrq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180114_120719_zpsbnv9ssrq.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got it just like that, she had been working on it before we lost her. It was all kitted up with the threads cut to length and threaded on cards. I knew I wanted to finish it, but it took me ages to get on with it. I'd put a few stitches in here and there, but the first day I was off sick, I picked it up again.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162056_zpsrk5napms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162056_zpsrk5napms.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And this happened! I haven't ironed it yet, and I hope the hoop mark comes out ok. I should really have taken it off the hoop but I have difficulties with mum's stuff sometimes. I get over emotional and can't look any more.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162059_zpsjvfu33nx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162059_zpsjvfu33nx.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I loved working this and I love the finished pattern. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet. I should probably add mine and mum's names before I frame it.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162102_zpstavse60u.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162102_zpstavse60u.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-84197713749638869432018-10-21T07:30:00.000+01:002018-10-21T07:30:16.824+01:00Silver and gold necklace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I managed to start and finish a piece of silver jewellery in just a couple of weeks rather than a few months or a year or more! OK, so I started it back in July before the summer break, but technically it was only a few weeks! </span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181004_121347_zpsephtd1ce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181004_121347_zpsephtd1ce.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought I had some process photos of this necklace, but I can't find them so maybe I don't. I used argentium, which I used before making <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/2018/06/a-memory-ring.html">my brother's ring</a>, and again I used pieces of my mum's wedding ring.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162242_zps7jedzeqy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162242_zps7jedzeqy.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pierced out the five pieces of argentium in varying sizes and cleaned them up. I punched the circles from mum's wedding ring using the hydrolic press and my circle punch kit. The original idea was to completely inlay them into the silver batons, as I did with my brother's ring. After fusing the gold to the argentium, I loved the way they protruded, so decided not to roll them in.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162246_zpsyood3uwr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162246_zpsyood3uwr.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I bought some thin tube and the omega chain, then cut the tube to fit the backs of the batons. I soldered them in place before cleaning everything up. I then cut more pieces of tube to act as spacers.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162301_zpsvm4icscq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162301_zpsvm4icscq.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can see them on the photo above. Then it was just a case of threading everything on to the chain and resoldering the clasp. Job done! This is a necklace I will treasure.</span></div>
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Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-7930513745086375342018-10-16T08:30:00.000+01:002018-10-16T08:30:10.642+01:00Back on it! The shawl...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You have probably noticed that I've been lacking in crafting motivation this past year or so. Aside from my regular silversmithing class and the various workshops I've taken, I've hardly crafted at all. Suddenly, that all changed! In the past 8 days I've completed 6 projects, mostly old ones. I was feeling ill and took a few days off work and just felt like sewing and crocheting and making. So, I have a load of blog posts to write! I'll space them out though, just in case I lose my mojo again (please, please, please don't let that happen). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, the second finish was a project I started in December last year, you can see the post <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/2018/01/crochet-shawl-new-start.html">here</a> if you like.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162142_zpschdduq91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162142_zpschdduq91.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/its-a-sunny-day-shawl" style="background-color: white; color: #6699cc; font-size: 14.85px; text-decoration-line: none;">Sunny Day Shawl</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px;"> (free pattern) which I hooked up in Stylecraft DK yarn. I used grey, turquoise and green though I don't know how I came to this conclusion as the pattern actually calls for 6 colours!</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162134_zpsaydovrnc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162134_zpsaydovrnc.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In these photos it hasn't been blocked, and, to be honest, I'm not sure I'll bother! I'm sure it would look amazing - especially the picots on the last 2 rows, but I'm lazy. By the way, I took the photos on my craft room floor, what a fab background!</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162145_zpszurt8w9b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162145_zpszurt8w9b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Due to the way it's designed, the rows get longer and longer and loooooooonger as you progress. It was taking me a couple of hours per row by the end. I did enjoy it though.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162149_zps8hklwool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162149_zps8hklwool.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the pattern and the way it changes part way down the grey.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162153_zpsaox2j0br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20181009_162153_zpsaox2j0br.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and look at those curly ends! It's been wrapped around my shoulders already thanks to the chilly weather that's descended on the UK. I may need to make a shawl pin to hold it in place as it did dip in the washing up at one point!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have really missed making stuff. So happy to be back at it.</span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-84962667431665743092018-10-11T11:34:00.000+01:002018-10-11T11:34:06.380+01:00Green wood working class<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Near my house is a lovely area. It used to be a wholesale market and has recently been regenerated. It is made up of a series of units occupied by artists/crafters, along with a Handmade shop (where I took the <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/2018/02/lampworking-class.html">lampworking class</a>), cafe, brewery and tap room; and a Vietnamese cooking school. New units are constantly opening up. One that opened a while ago, and that I've been eyeing up, is <a href="http://wemakeourway.co.uk/">By Our Hands</a>. Martin owns the business and runs workshops making things from green wood using traditional tools. There is no electricity in this workshop, no machines, nothing modern! </span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180915_142252_zpsg9ygpjxy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180915_142252_zpsg9ygpjxy.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went along with Zach, who was also interested in learning a bit of woodwork, to make a "something". Martin runs stool making and spoon carving workshops, but this one was an Introduction to Greenwork and we were to make a spatula, or something simple. We started off with logs and an axe. I managed to damage Zach at this stage, I hit him with the axe! Luckily it was the handle that hit him, and no, I didn't aim for him! </span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180915_144328_zpsxffty3hd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180915_144328_zpsxffty3hd.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After chopping off a chunk of wood to work with, we carried on with the axes, stripping the bark. Zach moved over to the other side of the room... He actually carried on using the axe to shape his spatula/spoon, but I found my comfort zone with a draw knife.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180915_144015_zps1in1wapz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180915_144015_zps1in1wapz.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I worked sitting astride this bench. The wood was clamped in the top and held in place by pressure from my feet on the pedals. Much like driving a sewing machine! </span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180915_163850_zpsvyevbtpf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180915_163850_zpsvyevbtpf.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used the draw knife to skim and slice bits off the wood to get the shape I wanted for my spatula. I really enjoyed this!</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180915_164418_zpsrk5jzkdu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180915_164418_zpsrk5jzkdu.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I had a good shape, I was handed the knife shown above and a leather apron and the close-up work began. Whittling, I suppose you could call it. I then attacked it with sandpaper and a bit of oil and...</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180923_150037_zpsudlo7dla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180923_150037_zpsudlo7dla.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ta-dah! It's a spatula. Yes, really, it is! I carved that from a log. I'm very proud!</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180923_125524_zpsxdveucru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180923_125524_zpsxdveucru.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's the other side. Not the best shape in the world, but hey, it was my first time and we only had 3 hours! I didn't take a photo of Zach's spoon - although we weren't supposed to be carving spoons, he was so good with the tools and wood that he was allowed to give it a go.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180923_125534_zpsnto1ooji.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180923_125534_zpsnto1ooji.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Detail of the base of the handle.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180923_150046_zpsn1s26zkt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180923_150046_zpsn1s26zkt.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Martin carved this crochet hook for me - to show me the possibilities. I guess I need to get myself a knife! And a tree...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We both LOVED this workshop and will be going back to the make a stool workshop at some point. I also want to try wood turning. So far I've made a <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/2014/10/manor-house-scroll-saw.html">clock on a scroll saw</a>; made a <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/2014/10/manor-house-picture-framing.html">picture frame from scratch</a>; made a <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/2018/03/bentwood-chair-part-2.html">bent hazelwood chair</a> and <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/2018/09/studio-update.html">laid a floor</a>. These are some of my favourite workshops, maybe I should give up the day job and become a carpenter!!</span></div>
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Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-70882179652791809082018-10-01T14:55:00.000+01:002018-10-01T14:55:12.628+01:00Continuing the shawl<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been making the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/its-a-sunny-day-shawl">Sunny Day Shawl</a> for aaaaaaaaaaages. I bought some grey Stylecraft Special DK for the main body, and a ball of turquoise and green for the accents. I misread the pattern and should have had more colours than that! Ah well.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180923_125429_zpsrtte4bje.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180923_125429_zpsrtte4bje.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm on the last but one row, then there's some blocking to do before it's FINALLY finished. Just in time for autumn though. I went camping at the end of August (don't ask, and no, I'm not convinced I'd do it again) and wanted a small project to take with me. I also, as usual, thought I'd get LOADS done. Of course I didn't.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180923_125452_zpswbgw14jj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180923_125452_zpswbgw14jj.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's going to be <a href="https://janiecrow.co.uk/presta/kitsyarn/497-persian-tile-eastern-jewels.html">this</a> amazing Persian Tiles blanket. It will be identical to the one in the link as I bought the kiut.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180823_201238_zpsn6hq2av1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180823_201238_zpsn6hq2av1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the kit comes with lots of balls, I thought I'd better do some winding, so I got my winder out. It's pretty good, except the metal guide falls down so you have to hold it up, that's a bit annoying. </span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180823_211200_zps4uvwy8ro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180823_211200_zps4uvwy8ro.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are 100g balls. I think the winder makes cakes for 50g balls. The cream one at the back was a whole ball wound! I learnt my lesson after that and the others are half a ball, or approximately half a ball as you can see they vary!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After I've finished the shawl, I'll get going on this one. So expect to see the finished blanket approximately 2029.</span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-14935721250858488442018-09-24T06:00:00.000+01:002018-09-24T06:00:08.965+01:00Paint by Number Quilts blog tour<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good morning and welcome to the Blog Tour! My good friend and co-founding member of the East Midlands Quilt Group, Kerry Foster, has written a book! It's actually a bookette, and is well worth a read.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paint-By-Number Quilts: 4 Animal Appliqués with Vintage Style" height="400" src="https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51gRI376XtL._AC_US218_.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kerry's technique is certainly unique, I haven't seen it anywhere else, and it's great fun. The bookette takes you through making </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 animal appliques for which full sized patterns are included, but you can use this technique to make other animal appliques (as I show you further down). </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bookette takes you through </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">materials needed, there is a very informative section on selecting fabric, this is followed by instructions on the technique. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The four patterns are:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Raccoon mug rug</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grizzly bear wall hanging</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fabulous Mr Fox wall hanging</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whitetail Stag wall hanging</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each one includes tips on quilting and selecting backgrounds.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img height="281" src="https://pennydog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/KerryFoster_2017-800x353.jpg" width="640" /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stole this photo of Kerry from her blog. You can see the Fantastic Mr Fox wall hanging in the background and also one of her other patterns - Hank the English Pointer. A few years ago Kerry ran a workshop at one of our Quilt Group meetings. She took me through making an animal applique from one of my own photos.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180923_125412_zpsuoc0tsg6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180923_125412_zpsuoc0tsg6.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may remember this cushion I made of Colin which is still one of my favourite makes. This is also poignant timing as I lost my lovely Colin last week. He was 10 and a half, I rescued him as a young kit so we'd been together 10 years. He's left a massive hole in my heart and now I am rabbit-less. This cushion feels like a good memory of him. It was really easy to do following Kerry's instructions.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="400" src="https://pennydog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/hank-pattern-410x530.jpg" width="309" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 26px;">Kerry wasn't able to get all the patterns she's created into the bookette, so she's made 5 of them (including the lovely Hank, above) available in her</span><a href="https://payhip.com/paintbynumberquilts" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 5px; transition: 0.5s;">pattern shop HERE</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 26px;">. In the next day or so they will also appear in her Etsy and Craftsy pattern shops, however you will need to own Paint By Number Quilts in order to know how to put the pattern together</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interested? You can buy the bookette <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=paint+by+numbers+quilts">here</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">Follow the book tour for more views of the book and some chances to win a copy!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">Monday Sept 17 – Kerry @ </span><a class="x_OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://www.pennydog.com/blog" id="LPlnk513857" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 5px; transition: 0.5s;" target="_blank">PennyDog</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">Tuesday Sept 18 – Deirdre @ </span><a class="x_OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://www.ctpub.com/blog/" id="LPlnk226234" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 5px; transition: 0.5s;" target="_blank">C&T Publishing</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">Wednesday Sept 19 – Anita @ </span><a class="x_OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://daydreamsofquiltsblog.com/blog/" id="LPlnk857932" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 5px; transition: 0.5s;" target="_blank">Daydreams of Quilts</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">Thursday Sept 20 – Sarah @ </span><a class="x_OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://www.instagram.com/coopcrafts/" id="LPlnk267517" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 5px; transition: 0.5s;" target="_blank">Coopcrafts</a><span style="line-height: 26px;"> *</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">Friday Sept 21 – Krista @ </span><a class="x_OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://www.instagram.com/poppyprint/" id="LPlnk87646" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 5px; transition: 0.5s;" target="_blank">Poppyprint</a><span style="line-height: 26px;"> *</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">Monday Sept 24 – Elizabeth @ </span><a class="x_OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="http://www.opquilt.com/" id="LPlnk215379" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 5px; transition: 0.5s;" target="_blank">OP Quilt</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">Tuesday Sept 25 – Wendy @ </span><a class="x_OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/" id="LPlnk249111" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 5px; transition: 0.5s;" target="_blank">The Crafter’s Apprentice</a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">Wednesday Sept 26 – Angela @ </span><a class="x_OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://www.instagram.com/heartofcharnwood/" id="LPlnk691641" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 5px; transition: 0.5s;" target="_blank">Heart of Charnwood</a><span style="line-height: 26px;"> *</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">Thursday Sept 27 – Leanne @ </span><a class="x_OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://www.instagram.com/shecanquilt/" id="LPlnk207368" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 5px; transition: 0.5s;" target="_blank">She Can Quilt</a><span style="line-height: 26px;"> *</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">Friday Sept 28 – Katy @ </span><a class="x_OWAAutoLink" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://the-littlest-thistle.com/blog" id="LPlnk137431" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 5px; transition: 0.5s;" target="_blank">The Littlest Thistle</a></span><br />
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Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-75838468338007026522018-09-14T11:38:00.004+01:002018-09-14T11:38:50.268+01:00Paint by Numbers Quilts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My lovely friend and fellow guild member (despite the fact she moved to Canada 2 years ago!) Kerry has written a book! It's out now and we're having a blog tour. Paint by Numbers quilts are really something innovative, and not only for quilters, but for anyone that likes playing with fabric. The tour starts on Monday, go and check it out!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monday Sept 17 - Kerry @ <a class="m_4610290364210114558x_x_OWAAutoLink" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.pennydog.com/blog&source=gmail&ust=1536998133137000&usg=AFQjCNG1dZLkYZ7yGFmKBKOGXK2dFadbHA" href="http://www.pennydog.com/blog" id="m_4610290364210114558LPlnk513857" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">PennyDog</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tuesday Sept 18 - Deirdre @ <a class="m_4610290364210114558x_x_OWAAutoLink" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ctpub.com/blog/&source=gmail&ust=1536998133137000&usg=AFQjCNE-ZlRCKVZnBzUWRLlAzKzZ6NA_iw" href="https://www.ctpub.com/blog/" id="m_4610290364210114558LPlnk226234" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">C&T Publishing</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wednesday Sept 19 – Anita @ <a class="m_4610290364210114558x_x_OWAAutoLink" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://daydreamsofquiltsblog.com/blog/&source=gmail&ust=1536998133137000&usg=AFQjCNEs2rBfzP3C-MHHwGQa6Rh_LvXmMg" href="https://daydreamsofquiltsblog.com/blog/" id="m_4610290364210114558LPlnk857932" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Daydreams of Quilts</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thursday Sept 20 – Sarah @ <a class="m_4610290364210114558x_x_OWAAutoLink" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/coopcrafts/&source=gmail&ust=1536998133138000&usg=AFQjCNFlZe1qO1Ey8ReNeL34-aKub5vhGg" href="https://www.instagram.com/coopcrafts/" id="m_4610290364210114558LPlnk267517" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Coopcrafts</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday Sept 21 – Krista @ <a class="m_4610290364210114558x_x_OWAAutoLink" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/poppyprint/&source=gmail&ust=1536998133138000&usg=AFQjCNHasMNHAw3-gm3oA2mkQrAMytSbTQ" href="https://www.instagram.com/poppyprint/" id="m_4610290364210114558LPlnk87646" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Poppyprint</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monday Sept 24 – Elizabeth @ <a class="m_4610290364210114558x_x_OWAAutoLink" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.opquilt.com/&source=gmail&ust=1536998133138000&usg=AFQjCNG91KxNCj5dsuoeGmG0gRE_qGDrLw" href="http://www.opquilt.com/" id="m_4610290364210114558LPlnk215379" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">OP Quilt</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tuesday Sept 25 – Wendy @ <a class="m_4610290364210114558x_x_OWAAutoLink" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/&source=gmail&ust=1536998133138000&usg=AFQjCNFT7yl0SHVJPhQOLY91MTsGfpTLMw" href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/" id="m_4610290364210114558LPlnk249111" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The Crafter’s Apprentice</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wednesday Sept 26 – Angela @ <a class="m_4610290364210114558x_x_OWAAutoLink" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/heartofcharnwood/&source=gmail&ust=1536998133138000&usg=AFQjCNH4uuVy-FNyMrNU94o2IUQXkK-T1w" href="https://www.instagram.com/heartofcharnwood/" id="m_4610290364210114558LPlnk691641" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Heart of Charnwood</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thursday Sept 27 – Leanne @ <a class="m_4610290364210114558x_x_OWAAutoLink" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/shecanquilt/&source=gmail&ust=1536998133138000&usg=AFQjCNH62XPrPiMdkqFwyHxXA6cpKQAifw" href="https://www.instagram.com/shecanquilt/" id="m_4610290364210114558LPlnk207368" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">She Can Quilt</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday Sept 28 – Katy @ <a class="m_4610290364210114558x_x_OWAAutoLink" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://the-littlest-thistle.com/blog&source=gmail&ust=1536998133138000&usg=AFQjCNHkbrnztbG-YmEG_4JHARlUghsphw" href="https://the-littlest-thistle.com/blog" id="m_4610290364210114558LPlnk137431" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">The Littlest Thistle</a></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Paint-Number-Quilts-Appliqu%C3%A9s-Vintage/dp/1617455385/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536921370&sr=8-1&keywords=paint+by+numbers+quilts"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Find it here! (not affiliate link)</span></a></div>
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Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-68291153075830855442018-09-04T16:39:00.000+01:002018-09-04T16:39:25.082+01:00Studio update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello! I disappeared then... not that I've been very good about blogging consistently over the past year or so. I went on holiday, I had intended to post before I went, but ran out of time and then didn't want to advertise that I was away. I mean, I am THAT famous that surely everyone knows where I live and all the local criminals read my blog...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I showed you the floor I was laying in my craft room/studio. You can see that post <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/2018/05/stencilling-floor.html">here</a>. I've nearly finished...</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180812_183751_zpsx4rdxabf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180812_183751_zpsx4rdxabf.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The weekend before I went away, I laid the beading between the skirting and the floor.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/IMG-20180812-WA0004_zps152fcbj5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="598" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/IMG-20180812-WA0004_zps152fcbj5.jpeg" width="474" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't think I did too badly with my corner mitres!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did the window wall last as it involved the 2 pipes and I thought it would be complicated. It really wasn't!</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180812_123201_zpsu5olikef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180812_123201_zpsu5olikef.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The slight gaps are bigger in the photos than in real life, but I have already been round and pollyfilled them.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180812_123150_zps6jukhrmr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180812_123150_zps6jukhrmr.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had to cut a rebate for the plug sockets (3 of them!). It wasn't really difficult, though I didn't have the right tools and had to use a big hacksaw. I could have done with a jigsaw for this.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180812_144340_zpsnw4o9ezi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180812_144340_zpsnw4o9ezi.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bit of a mess by the door frame. I wasn't sure what to do here. After cutting and gluing it all, I showed my (engineer) friend at work on the Monday and she told me how I SHOULD have done it. Ah well! This will be behind the door anyway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, next up is sanding the filler and then a quick coat of paint. I bought white beading to avoid painting but wasn't counting on my clumsiness and it's scrapped in many places. Then the room arranging can begin!</span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-5577517342960744852018-08-23T09:15:00.000+01:002018-08-23T10:31:09.497+01:00Comments<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Good morning,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I just wanted to make you all aware of something about leaving comments on my blog. If you are a no-reply blogger, or are on Wordpress, I can't see your email address to reply to you. Since the European Data Protection law came in, I also can't see who you are by clicking on your name, so I can't reply on your blog (if you have one). I used to have the email addresses of Wordpress bloggers who commented often (Alex, Jane, Chris...), but I changed email programmes recently (my previous messages used to go into your spam!) and no longer have them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, what would you like me to do? I can reply to your comments on my blog, but that relies on you remembering you left a comment and coming back to see if I've replied yet. You could also give me your email address in a comment (I'd suggest leaving a comment, then leaving your email address in another comment, then I won't publish that to the blog). Any other suggestions?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">UPDATE: It seems that if you are no-reply, if you tick the box for "email me follow up comments", I can reply on the post and you will get an email notification. HOWEVER, I don't know that you've done that unless you tell me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">UPDATE: <a href="https://craftyrat.uk/">Sarah</a> found a link to tell you if you're a no-reply blogger and how to fix it: <a href="http://alittlebitofemily.blogspot.com/2017/06/how-to-switch-from-no-reply-blogger-to.html">CLICK HERE</a>. Thanks Sarah! Feel free to share far and wide people!</span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-19643124752189681262018-08-13T15:21:00.001+01:002018-08-13T15:21:09.072+01:00Festival of Quilts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was the <a href="https://www.thefestivalofquilts.co.uk/">Festival of Quilts</a> at Birmingham NEC last weekend. I didn't go last year so as I had no plans for the weekend, I thought I'd take myself off there. It's only about an hour and a quarter drive - but it gets expensive. The ticket is £16, but then they charge an additional £12 for parking! Add to that all the shopping you end up doing...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took loads of pictures of quilts, but I can't show you any of them as I didn't take pictures of the name of the maker... I'm afraid you'll have to go elsewhere if you want to see quilt pictures - I'd try instagram. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am, however, going to show you what I bought. It wasn't much compared to usual show hauls for me! I couldn't really justify buying much as I have done almost no crafting recently!</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180811_171353_zps0zggrbfv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180811_171353_zps0zggrbfv.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a half metre of bicycle fabric to make a new strap for <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/2018/06/foxy-messenger-bag.html">Z's bag.</a> Long overdue! I had ordered some online, but when it arrived the bicycles were about 4" tall, so too big!</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180811_171525_zpsa53nbysl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180811_171525_zpsa53nbysl.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been itching to embroider recently, but everything is still packed away (news on that next week). I thought I could remedy that with a piece of fabric and some nice threads for a simple embroidery. The fabric is Riley Blake something or other (sorry, I'm rubbish at knowing what fabric is!). The threads are: (left) a sparkly rayon by <a href="https://www.stef-francis.co.uk/">Stef Francis</a>, a Finca pearl 12 in variegated pink, a green silk from a stall whose name I have forgotten. I looked at some DMC embroidery cottons, but thought I knew where my boxes of threads were at home. I had a look. I don't. </span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180811_171437_zps9iqdugxh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180811_171437_zps9iqdugxh.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This meant I needed a small piece of muslin to back the embroidery. The olive oil soap is for felting which I've been itching to do for a while.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180811_171344_zpsrkwb12nr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180811_171344_zpsrkwb12nr.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of pretty fabrics. The one on the left is very familiar but I forgot to pull it out and look at the selvedge. The one on the right was a possible contender for embroidering.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180811_171317_zpsi9feqcst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180811_171317_zpsi9feqcst.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pre-printed Sashiko fabric which I'll do with normal embroidery cotton, probably in a rainbow. </span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180811_171256_zpsvrsgaxdw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180811_171256_zpsvrsgaxdw.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And this teddy-bunny kit. I could not resist it. There was a sample on the stall and I fell in love - so I splashed out. Ah well, teddy-bear making is on my <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/p/crafts-list.html">list of things to try</a>, so I might as well!</span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-56572981378828153892018-08-01T11:55:00.000+01:002018-08-01T11:55:16.529+01:00Copper Embossing - craft class<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A short walk from my house is an old wholesale market. It has been regenerated and boasts a pub, a brewery and tap room, cafe, Vietnamese cooking school, artisan chocolate maker, a shop full of hand-made goods (where I did the<a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/2018/02/lampworking-class.html"> lampwork class</a>) and a coffee roaster, among other things. It's a lovely area and a great destination as they've been hosting a lot of events. I've been to night markets and outdoor cinema there recently. Anyway, there is also a craft shop. It's called <a href="ttps://www.facebook.com/CuriousNottm/">Curious?</a> and although I've seen it, this was my first class there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tutor was <a href="https://www.dawnfeeneyjewellery.co.uk/">Dawn Feeney</a> who I have seen around at craft fairs and admired her work. We were doing copper embossing. </span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_104240_zpslip2fiwx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_104240_zpslip2fiwx.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were given a mouse mat, a selection of tools and a small piece of copper to practice on. Dawn did a demonstration and showed us what kind of textures can be created using the various tools. We got to work experimenting.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_110929_zps6hxgwpgt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_110929_zps6hxgwpgt.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we had a go with the colours. These are faux enamel paints - Pebeo Fantasy Moon and Pebeo Prism. I have had a go with these before when I did a mixed media class at the Bead Shop, and I have some at home. </span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_110938_zpsc9qpedjr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_110938_zpsc9qpedjr.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The paints sit nicely in the little wells made by embossing from the back using a metal stylus and then flattening down the front with a wooden tool. This was just a trial piece, so I tried a few colours out and experimented with running the colours together or layer blobs of one colour over the other.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_112310_zpscrgz1env.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_112310_zpscrgz1env.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we got to work on our main piece, which was a copper blank about 20cm square. I'd sketched out an idea. Being crap at drawing, I had to stick to patterns! I started with a heart (I drew round a paper template for that) and filled it with boxes to put paint into.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_115739_zpseltjvyqd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_115739_zpseltjvyqd.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some radiating lines to section off the background, and I experimented with different patterns. The line based patterns are embossed from the back and debossed, by embossing on the front. I love the texture this creates, with three different depths.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_115728_zpswyezanqh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_115728_zpswyezanqh.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the circles, I embossed from the back, and then went round them from the front to make the stand out more.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_125206_zps7aghgit9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_125206_zps7aghgit9.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time for the colour! I wanted to use teal/turquoise/blue/green as these are my favourite colours. I added in a bit of pink for contrast. Originally I only painted the one section in the heart pink, but then felt it was a bit unbalanced, so added pink in some of the circles too.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_125211_zpsfxceo7tp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_125211_zpsfxceo7tp.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took some close up shots, but I didn't think to take a picture of the finished object framed. In a lovely touch, we each got an IKEA box frame to take away! Dawn lightly mounted my picture with masking tape, but as the paint was still wet, I have to re-mount it more securely before I hang it.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_125213_zps9pnqfoej.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_125213_zps9pnqfoej.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can make out the different textures of the paint in some of these pictures. The Fantasy Moon looks like the surface of the moon with tiny craters, and the Prism is more abstract - the pink paint is Prism.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_125216_zpsmov9ltfi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180728_125216_zpsmov9ltfi.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thoroughly enjoyed this class. Great venue with coffee and cake provided, and Dawn was a good teacher (much better than my last craft class experience!). I'd love to take another class with her, but alas, there's not really much more to learn! It's more a case of practice and experimenting. You can also cut out the images and shape them, but that's something to try at home. She did say she could do a class at her home using heat to create colour effects (there's a great example <a href="https://www.dawnfeeneyjewellery.co.uk/">here</a> on her home page, scroll down). We weren't allowed to do that at the venue due to health and safety restrictions!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can see me doing more of this, it was relaxing and enjoyable. I just need to get some more work done on the house (studio nearly done!) and finish off summer really. There are too many festivals/gigs/events to go to during the summer for me to get much craft done!</span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-89581123058150121012018-07-20T08:51:00.001+01:002018-07-20T08:51:37.511+01:00Craft class - Pottery throwing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A very photo-light post today as it's about the pottery throwing class I went on, and being covered in clay is not conducive to handling your phone!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I threw a pot at the <a href="https://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/search/label/Manor%20House%20Hotel">Manor House Hotel</a> back in 2014 when I had a fab week there with my mum. Since then, I've wanted to try it again, but could never find a class. There is a regular class near to where I live, but it's at the same time as silversmithing so I'd never made it. Then I noticed you could book a one-off class on a Sunday. So I did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 of us gathered round a table and learnt how to wedge clay. At this point, I was already a bit mistrustful of the teacher as she seemed rather rude. As it turns out, it did not bode well. Clay wedged, we went through to the throwing room where the teacher gave us a 10 minute demonstration covering everything from centering the clay to bringing it up, taking it back down, making the hole and drawing it up, then cleaning it up and cutting it off. Then we were let loose. Great, my favourite way to learn.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180715_154241_zpspeekni0n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180715_154241_zpspeekni0n.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was my workstation. An electric wheel and a stool. My first fight was to switch the machine to left handed. The teacher had asked if anyone was left handed, just me, then told me I would try to throw right handed. Having watched the demonstration, I knew I couldn't. I just don't have any control with my non-dominant hand. She was very pissed off with me. Turned out that throwing left handed involves nothing more than pressing a switch on the side to change the direction of the wheel and moving the foot pedal to the left (which I did myself) which she also fought against me doing! Years of sewing on a sewing machine meant that I KNOW I can't control speed with my right foot. But what do I know?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we began. At first there was much laughter, but then things started to go wrong. No problem. We were a room full of beginners, of course things would go wrong. When they did, the teacher said, very aggressively I might add, "that's not how you do it! Do it how I showed you!". Hmmmm.... After being yelled at a few times, people stopped asking...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was having trouble making my hole. I could centre the clay and draw it up, but as soon as I put that hole in the top (to make a pot), it went off centre. She refused to believe me. Said the problem was it wasn't centred at the start. So I showed her it was... then she'd walk off and not watch the bit I was having trouble with!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I threw 10 pots. 9 of which collapsed. The survivor (which is crap!) is in the middle of the photo above. At that point, I went home! She said I could throw some more, but what's the point? I was unable to solve my de-centering problem myself and she just gave me abuse if I asked for help...</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180715_154212_zpsqdmds7if.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180715_154212_zpsqdmds7if.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Mine is the one at the bottom). NOT a good class. I will NOT be going back. I don't think pottery is my "thing", but I do think I could do better than this. Maybe I'll try again with another teacher, if I can find one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have chosen not to name the teacher or the place I went to learn as I realise this is a very scathing post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If my pot survives the kiln (which I doubt!) I will come back and show you the pot. Oh, another thing! She said they'd be ready in about 3 weeks. I asked if she'd email us and she said she doesn't have time to email us and we have to email her to ask if it's ready. So she doesn't have time to send one group email, but does have time to answer 10 people asking if the pots are ready (and if they're not, these 10 people will email again)... customer service??</span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-70552266455648502162018-07-13T07:00:00.000+01:002018-07-13T07:00:10.057+01:00Silversmithing - end of term<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Silversmithing ended for the summer last week. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go to the last class as I fell down the stairs at work and badly sprained my ankle! At the time, I actually thought it was broken, luckily, it wasn't, but it did mean I couldn't walk or drive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were three pieces I wanted to finish before summer. The <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/2018/03/silversmithing-update.html">chain necklace I've been making for months</a> which just needs to be cleaned up, I'm more than half way across. This I could actually do at home, then just pickle and barrel polish it in September. Secondly, <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/2018/04/poor-defeated-spinner-ring.html">the spinner ring</a> which is a replacement for the one that didn't spin which was a replacement for the one that became too big! And finally, a silver pendent using gold from my mum's wedding ring.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180627_190650_zps5p9jyqxm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180627_190650_zps5p9jyqxm.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The pan-ultimate lesson brought some disasters. See that raggedy bit towards the top left? I melted it. I heated it too much whilst annealing. I had to file the whole things down. I filed for about 90 minutes. Ouch.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180627_190644_zps7hsorlat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180627_190644_zps7hsorlat.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I took this picture about halfway through the filing! You may notice that the join also split. Oh dear, not going well!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a new piece. Sorry for the sideway-ness of the photos. Apparently you can't rotate in Photobucket without it making a mess of the photo. The bars are argentium, which I used in my brother's ring. This makes it easier to attached the tiny gold circles which are cut from mum's wedding ring. I used a hydrolic press with a set of circle cutters to cut such precise circles. The idea was to attach them, then run them through the rolling mill to make an inlay, but I decided I liked them standing proud. I just need to add tube to the back and clean them up and this will be ready. Sadly, it will have to wait til September now, thanks to the fact I'm so clumsy!</span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-84452870557437628772018-07-06T11:34:00.001+01:002018-07-06T11:34:16.398+01:00Craft Class - Screen Printing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last Sunday I went to a craft class at <a href="https://www.twolittlemagpies.co.uk/">Two Little Magpies.</a> You may (or may not) remember that I've done craft classes at this lovely little handmade shop before. Once again, the standard of the class was high and it was great fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I usually just take photo and whack them in my blog. This time, a lot of them were taken sideways on, so I tried rotating and cropping a little. They're looking very odd in this post as I write... I'm hoping they publish ok! If not, I'll try to redo them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180701_130220_zpsxcu4vxkc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180701_130220_zpsxcu4vxkc.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were learning to screen print using paper stencils. We each had a handmade frame. I thought this was genius, I may just have to make my own!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180701_132025_zpsbwj04llb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="358" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180701_132025_zpsbwj04llb.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We cut stencils out of paper and placed them on top of a sheet of paper, under the frame.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we squeegeed paint on. It was acrylic paint with a paint medium mixed in. I didn't think to take any photos of this stage.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180705_184753_zpsvkvbek1n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="800" height="434" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180705_184753_zpsvkvbek1n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ta dah! I used copper paper and a turquoise paint.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180705_184742_zpsrxvmzf9f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180705_184742_zpsrxvmzf9f.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can use each stencil several times, so I added some metallic copper paint into the mix. I made several more after this, adding a different colour in each time, including a bright pink, but they didn't come out great. I put the excess paint into a little tub and it made the most amazing metallic purple colour!</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180701_140414_zpsuarojd1l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180701_140414_zpsuarojd1l.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next we were let loose on the shop's stack of paper stencils. Some hand cut, some cut using a die cut machine. I found this circles template and picked out some little images to put in each "window".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I printed in silver on black. I love this! I'm so chuffed with this stencil/picture/paint and paper combination. I did a couple more, then started to experiment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Silver paint on red. I'm also pleased with this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Silver on grey, this didn't come out so well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Possibly my favourite of all. I used bright pink on orange paper. Because I couldn't wash the screen between uses as the stencils were stuck to it, some of the silver from previous prints bled through. I love the effect.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180701_145125_zpsb3usxjzj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180701_145125_zpsb3usxjzj.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a vision of a train of dots in my hand mixed metallic purple on top of the black print. I got a hole punch and some scrap paper and made a stencil.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I practiced first on the failure print. I didn't like it. Experiment over. I'm glad I tried it on the print I didn't like!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The screens have to be washed between stencils, but it's a quick job, so I thought I'd have a go with some more of the stencils.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One negative gem, one positive. A mixture of copper and silver paint. Not exactly sticking to its own side!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I printed these triangles and balloon intending to print over the top, but ran out of time. Actually, I did another and I DID print over the top - looks like I left that one in the shop as I don't have it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was a fantastic workshop, I love Two Little Magpies as a workshop venue and I really enjoyed screen printing, I just wish I were a bit more artistic. Maybe when I've finished decorating my craft room (yes, still ongoing!), I'll have time to make a frame and experiment some more.</span></div>
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Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-90400958262175585722018-06-29T14:25:00.000+01:002018-06-29T14:25:04.073+01:00Craft class - Felted pod<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Earlier in the month I went to a workshop at <a href="https://www.needleandthreadworkshops.com/">Needle and Thread</a> in the deepest, darkest countryside of Lincolnshire. It wasn't dark at all actually, it was a beautiful sunny day. This was a new workshop destination for me, I'd seen they were doing a class on felted pods and fancied having a go. I'll definitely be going back, lovely workshop, very friendly staff and amazing food!</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_103110_zps7umavl34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_103110_zps7umavl34.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tutor was <a href="http://www.feltybits.co.uk/#">Robyn Smith</a>, a lovely lady who was very knowledgeable and had devised a great class. There were only 2 of us students, so we got a lot of attention. The idea was to make a 3d wet felted vessel, using techniques to add 3d elements. We started with the vessel. A layer of merino was placed over a resist (a piece of plastic table cloth), then felted. Wet felting involves soap, water and lots of rubbing and rolling.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_103316_zpsmk3eb8ny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_103316_zpsmk3eb8ny.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We folded the wet edges over the resist, then added another layer of merino on this side and felted it. I didn't take a photo of that. We then put it to one side to work on the embellishments.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Above is a rope, this will be added to the vessel to give some texture and dimension. It was made by laying out small pieces of merino, then rolling them up, adding water and soap and rolling more.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_120435_zpsdcfjz53v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_120435_zpsdcfjz53v.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a spike, to go on the base of the vessel. I wanted a few, so I tried a few different things, here I twisted two colours of merino roving together before felting. The outcome of these two-coloured spikes was very hard to predict, well for me anyway! The base of the spike is left unfelted so it can be attached to the vessel later.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_114803_zpsnledt1pg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_114803_zpsnledt1pg.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here you can see the rope, three spikes, and three balls. The balls were not fully felted so that they will attached to the vessel. I made another 6 spikes after this.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_122407_zpsop9h500k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_122407_zpsop9h500k.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also had a go at making pre-felt to add cut out shapes to our vessels. I made a thick piece of felt by piling up lots of layers of roving.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A bit of wet felting later and I was left with this which I could then cut into.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_124845_zpss1ceteif.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_124845_zpss1ceteif.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then came the fun bit - layering and arranging the embellishments. I started with my spiral - the centre of the spiral will be where I cut the hole later. I put the spikes around the edge as equidistant as I could and put the other embellishments in between.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_124850_zpszyjhqumm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_124850_zpszyjhqumm.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the left is one of the balls I made, then a little stack of the pre-felt, finally a few tufts of merino, then a piece of packing tape cut into a circle. This will be removed later and is to form a crater. I didn't add a fin which was another embellishment we could have made.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_125214_zpsuuhix8sj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_125214_zpsuuhix8sj.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I put some bright pink merino over the packing tape circles to provide a coloured lip to the crater.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_132713_zps9ylmjoaz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_132713_zps9ylmjoaz.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then it was time to make the batt for the top of the vessel. Of course, we could have used one colour of merino, or stripes, but we were offered a go on the carder, so of course, I had to have a go! I have used one before, many years ago when I learnt to spin, and I have to say it's still as much fun! You push bits of merino in a variety of colours in at the front, it is grabbed on the spikes as you turn the handle. </span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_133604_zpsm5rkdxvq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_133604_zpsm5rkdxvq.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is what it creates - a batt of a mixture of colours. You can then tear it up and put it through again for more of a blend.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_133819_zpsmckdinlr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_133819_zpsmckdinlr.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two layers of the batt were put on top of the design</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_134127_zpsgyt1jhij.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_134127_zpsgyt1jhij.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also added some of this curly fleece and a few strands of silk - the fleece is the white, the silk is the dark green.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was all gently covered with plastic, then we rubbed and rolled and rubbed and rolled and rubbed and rolled...</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_143218_zpselwaeppp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_143218_zpselwaeppp.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and rubbed and rolled some more!</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_154359_zpszlfafzj9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180609_154359_zpszlfafzj9.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We cut our holes, mine was centrally in the spiral. Out came the resist (with surprisingly little effort), then we had to do some pulling and pushing and rubbing inside to get the shape we wanted and make sure the inside and edges were well felted. I stuffed it full of plastic carrier bags to keep its shape whilst it dried. You can also see in the picture above that I'd cut the holes for the craters and removed the resists.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180625_193707_zps7rm5qcpz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180625_193707_zps7rm5qcpz.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It took several days to dry, and this is what I'm left with! You can just make out the rope spiral towards the top. It was not as pronounced as I'd imagined. I perhaps should have started with a thicker rope.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180625_193701_zpsvldnatsb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180625_193701_zpsvldnatsb.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The small purple patch is the stack of pre-felt with the colour coming through. To its right, you can see a pink circle - that's the crater. They worked pretty well.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180625_193711_zpszaxkd66v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180625_193711_zpszaxkd66v.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, the balls all but disappeared. I perhaps didn't work the final layer of felt over them well enough, or maybe they also weren't big enough.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180625_193714_zpsam5aht4h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180625_193714_zpsam5aht4h.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a view of the inside. It's blue as that's what I started with, the base layer underneath my resist. </span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180625_193722_zps2j19jdtl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180625_193722_zps2j19jdtl.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And for some reason I took a picture of the bottom! I thoroughly enjoyed this class and was chuffed to bits with my "alien" at the end of the class. I'd definitely take a class at Needle and Thread again, and a class with Robyn. I also want to try out some other ideas I have for wet felting... just got to get that damn studio finished!!</span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-34042203434665649922018-06-22T16:20:00.000+01:002018-06-26T12:49:45.926+01:00Foxy messenger bag<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was my boyfriend's birthday at the beginning of June. This is the first birthday we've celebrated together and so I had no idea what to buy him! He's very ethical and won't buy anything that's not fair-trade and ethically sourced, so I thought I'd make him something, that way the only slave labour is my own!</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180605_183829_zps9kdhysxv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180605_183829_zps9kdhysxv.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a free pattern from a blog. To my shame, I can't find the link. I was sure I'd put it in a "WIP" pinterest board, but I can't find one on my profile! It wasn't so much a pattern as a bit of a how-to. I changed the dimensions and the strap construction and added a zipper pocket inside. UPDATE! I found it <a href="http://blog.fabricworm.com/2010/09/patternless-messenger-bag-tutorial.html">Link to free how-to</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180605_183856_zpskteny6r6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180605_183856_zpskteny6r6.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">His favourite colour is orange, so I wanted orange fabric. I thought a waxed canvas would look nice and be fairly masculine (not that he cares about gender stereotypes like that, he's rather partial to pink). It was really hard to find and so I had to forgo looking for organic fabric (which he would usually chose - he's also a bit of an eco-warrier). The lining also isn't organic as I couldn't find any fox patterned organic fabric that I liked.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180605_183902_zpsjkxgqsbl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180605_183902_zpsjkxgqsbl.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 2 magnetic snaps and the handmade scroll were from <a href="https://www.sewhot.co.uk/">Sew Hot </a>at the<a href="https://www.mrs-h.com/shop/the-bag-retreat.html"> Bag Retreat</a> which is where I started sewing this. I also bought the zips there. I added a zip pocket in the lining, as you have to have a zip pocket.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180605_183954_zpswlw1gl5b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180605_183954_zpswlw1gl5b.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a very special zip pocket though... look...</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180605_183919_zpspvmsrtts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180605_183919_zpspvmsrtts.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bicycle fabric (yep, he's a cyclist, nope, he doesn't own any Lycra), and...</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180605_183938_zps71vahi7v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180605_183938_zps71vahi7v.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another, hidden zip pocket! This time lined in the waxed canvas. No, that's not a person in a hat at the top of the photo, it's my hand and a blur! </span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180605_183948_zpsbuofgxrl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180605_183948_zpsbuofgxrl.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Apparently I thought you'd like a closer look at the pocket lining! No, the fabric isn't upside down, the photo is. Again, it was surprisingly hard to find bicycle fabric and impossible to find organic. The problem was that 99% of the bicycles had baskets on them! I didn't want a cutesy bicycle. </span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180605_183840_zpseurhtdv0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180605_183840_zpseurhtdv0.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More Sew Hot hardware there. I messed up this strap. I like the way I did it - I folded over 1/2" on either long side of the waxed canvas, and slightly more on the bicycle fabric, then sewed one to the other. No turning! I hate the usual method of strap making and much preferred this. Problem? I forgot to interface and forgot to add fusible fleece! So the strap is very thin and a bit uncomfortable. I nearly didn't give him the bag because of this (obviously I'd left it til the last minute and didn't have time to make another), but in the end I did, with a promise to make him a new strap. I'll do that tomorrow at quilt guild.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I put a few little treats in the bag for him and he seemed really pleased. I knew that he would appreciate hand made (he loved the crap sloth I crocheted him!) but have no idea if he's just being polite! He has been carrying it around so he can't be completely mortified by it!</span></div>
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Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-66250625078546092082018-06-15T16:12:00.000+01:002018-06-15T16:12:14.326+01:00A memory ring<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I actually finished this ring a few weeks ago, but I have been struck with a mystery virus which means I've mainly been lying on the sofa, watching TV and moaning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we lost mum, I kept hold of her wedding ring. My dad is the most unsentimental person in the world and treasures his memories of mum rather than her possessions. I am not over sentimental, but this is her wedding ring. However, I don't much like yellow gold, it's far too big for me and it's not something I would wear. After a quick discussion with my brother, we decided I'd make a piece of jewellery for each of us using some of mum's ring.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180509_192413_zpswf5oakzw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180509_192413_zpswf5oakzw.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My brother wanted a skinny ring. After seeing a demo by my silversmithing tutor a couple of months ago on how to inlay gold into silver, I knew what I was going to do. The wire in the picture above is argentium. It is basically sterling silver with 1% of an element called Geranium in it. This means it doesn't need soldering and will fuse to itself. This was my first time using it. The ring is mum's wedding ring.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180509_194412_zpsdjivlt5w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180509_194412_zpsdjivlt5w.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pierced a piece out with a saw and filed the edges. This was incredibly emotional. I didn't think it would effect me like that, but it did.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180509_200800_zpssjrvgsgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180509_200800_zpssjrvgsgn.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sliver of yellow gold was then inlaid on the silver wire before forming it into a ring. I don't have many pictures of the process, but I took a few of the finished ring. I hope you can make it out. After picking, filing, sanding and barrel polishing, the yellow gold went very dull and hard to make out. My brother reports that it is becoming more yellow as he wears it.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180528_173658_zpscoaa8niz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180528_173658_zpscoaa8niz.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The yellow is to the right of the centre in this photo. You can also see where I fused it at the back. I didn't do a great job, but the lack of solder meant I couldn't hide the join more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sliver is more obvious in this photo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next up is a pendent for me. Not sure if you'll see it soon as we only have 3 more classes left before the summer break and I've also been working on a necklace for the past 300 years that I'm trying to finish!</span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-44012871554567907242018-05-30T09:21:00.006+01:002018-05-30T09:21:46.147+01:00Comments<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a quick post to say that I just checked my comments section, and it seems that I no longer receive all my comments by email! I had no idea some of you had commented. So sorry if you thought I was ignoring you. I'll try to sort it out...</span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-57871381180801678422018-05-24T07:00:00.000+01:002018-05-24T07:00:08.053+01:00Papercutting - craft class<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have wanted to try papercutting for a long time. I bought an Exacto knife at Harrogate a couple of years ago. I bought a book, or maybe two. I have paper. But I never cut it. Why? No idea! I knew a class would give me the push though, so when I saw one advertised at <a href="https://www.twolittlemagpies.co.uk/">Two Little Magpies</a>, and on a weekend, I jumped at the chance. If you live near Nottingham, I definitely recommend these classes. They are such good value. It wasn't expensive, and not only did we get the expert tuition, coffee and biscuits, we also got to take away our knives, a spare blade, a pile of templates printed on lovely paper AND the cutting mat! </span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180512_133056_zpsnikyrjus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180512_133056_zpsnikyrjus.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We started with a little practice. We worked from the back, and then turned over to see the results. I started with the easy shapes at the top and then moved on to some curved shapes and some letters. Can you guess Z's name? (as if it wasn't obvious anyway!!).</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180512_140307_zpsxvoidnqh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180512_140307_zpsxvoidnqh.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please turn your screen upside down for this shot! This is the first go at a "proper" template. It was quite chunky and was numbered from 1, starting with the easier shapes and getting harder. After that we had free reign to try any of the templates we'd been given. There was a huge variety and some seemed very hard for a beginner, but we were assured we could do it. And we could!</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180512_140352_zpsig9n9mu7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180512_140352_zpsig9n9mu7.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's what I started with - remember you cut from the back. Apparently it varies from designer to designer, but on this one you cut out the lighter colour, leaving the dark colour as the finished product.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180512_144003_zpsyd4fkqss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180512_144003_zpsyd4fkqss.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like this! Yay! It was only a 2 hour class, but I had plenty of time to cut another.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180512_150220_zpsqelsqlkl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180512_150220_zpsqelsqlkl.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was a bit tricky because of the curves, but mainly because I was getting a little tired. The class actually ran over as the tutor is far too lovely to kick people out. I was the first one to leave as I had plans but others stayed there cutting. I have more templates to tackle and I will! I thoroughly enjoyed this craft and it's something I definitely want to do more of.</span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-41935270085848985822018-05-17T10:56:00.000+01:002018-05-17T10:56:12.548+01:00Why I'm not doing much making...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know my blog posting has become a lot less frequent recently. That's because I haven't been making much - other than at my weekly silversmithing class and any other craft classes I go to. I thought I'd show you the reason why. My craft studio was always on the top floor of my house. My lodger now resides in that room and I'm in the process of decorating a room on the 1st floor (middle floor) for my studio. It's taking forever as I work full time and enjoy my free time too much to spend it all decorating!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is how my craft stash currently looks:</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180513_111606_zpsyjtu8vzp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180513_111606_zpsyjtu8vzp.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180513_111613_zpsu07jcrmo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180513_111613_zpsu07jcrmo.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180513_111621_zpsrfyj8t5t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180513_111621_zpsrfyj8t5t.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am actually itching now to get the room done and unpack my stash so I can get making! I still have quite a way to go though! I must be the world's slowest decorator....</span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4902503112918417582.post-58585898069016263872018-05-11T08:30:00.000+01:002018-05-11T08:30:06.476+01:00A present for a friend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am now at that age where my friends are turning 40. Yes, I'm 40, good guess! It was my oldest friend's 40th last weekend, 2 weeks before the event I suddenly realised I needed to buy her a present. She's not an easy person to buy for... I decided something handmade would be more suitable.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180425_203648_zpsyvvcehnr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180425_203648_zpsyvvcehnr.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd been thinking about an idea of making a pendent using 3 different size circles. I cut them out of 1mm thick sterling silver sheet using a circle punch. The mid-sized circle was left blank. The larger and smaller circles were texturised before punching them out.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180425_203640_zpszjdchff2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180425_203640_zpszjdchff2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The smallest circle is patterned using a centre punch and hammer to make tiny indentations. The largest circle was rolled through the rolling mill with a skeleton leaf. I adore this pattern and have it in mind for some future makes. As the pieces had burrs after punching, I had to file and sand to clean them up. The smallest circle got a stick soldered to the reverse and the larger two had holes punched through.</span><br />
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180503_182658_zps7rxojzd6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180503_182658_zps7rxojzd6.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This "stick" (a piece of 0.8mm round wire) was inserted through the other 2 circles, then I just used the round nosed pliers to make a bail before filing and sanding the edge.</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180503_182655_zpsysta6wys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h460/craftersapprentice/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-07/20180503_182655_zpsysta6wys.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was really hard to take photos as I had put it in the barrel polisher, meaning it's very shiny! I've just put it on a bought trace chain, also in sterling silver. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was a pretty quick make. When I told my tutor my plans, she said I could get it done in half a session. It actually took me a session and a half, but I work really slowly and do rather a lot of talking and eating!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, and yes, the friend liked it!</span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05167739272302561918noreply@blogger.com20