tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18354096098364468542024-03-13T13:43:01.508+00:00The Hollytron BlogHOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-90602246462062540462016-05-30T22:52:00.000+01:002016-05-30T22:52:45.552+01:00A little reminder! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iAp9DzwEuXE/V0y1pZHVzcI/AAAAAAAAA-g/V9H55vKM5sMWeeB0-K0R0rs5kNDhgvz2wCLcB/s1600/bekind1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iAp9DzwEuXE/V0y1pZHVzcI/AAAAAAAAA-g/V9H55vKM5sMWeeB0-K0R0rs5kNDhgvz2wCLcB/s640/bekind1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I haven't been around for awhile, but I just put this together and thought I would share it - it's a good reminder! </div>
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Hope this finds you well</div>
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xx</div>
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Hollytron</div>
HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-59501320630890640862014-06-13T20:53:00.000+01:002014-06-13T20:55:17.150+01:00Elderflower Cordial! <div style="text-align: center;">
It's that time of year! The elderflower is blooming in abundance and I was determined to make some cordial from them this year (since I discovered how to identify them at last)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X9TxEmNxXtM/U5tUGyk6J8I/AAAAAAAAAxk/xvK94j8PAkY/s1600/hollytron_elderflower2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X9TxEmNxXtM/U5tUGyk6J8I/AAAAAAAAAxk/xvK94j8PAkY/s1600/hollytron_elderflower2.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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I<strike> used</strike> played fast and loose with the recipe from <a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/531660/homemade-elderflower-cordial" target="_blank">here: </a> </div>
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The changes I made were: </div>
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<li style="text-align: center;">Added less sugar - 1kg instead of 2 (My pot wasn't big enough!)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Less citric acid - as a result of the less sugar, I added about 50g</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Lemons AND Oranges! - I threw in the rind of an orange too. Bonus yum. </li>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eLyAUDheXYA/U5tUO7H-qnI/AAAAAAAAAx0/Krcnck5WsyM/s1600/hollytron_elderflower3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eLyAUDheXYA/U5tUO7H-qnI/AAAAAAAAAx0/Krcnck5WsyM/s1600/hollytron_elderflower3.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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And it has not disappointed at all. The kids keep asking for "Flower Juice" and we've gone through a bottle already. And it's such an easy recipe, you should hunt down some elderflowers and give it a try! </div>
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Oh! and I made a label for it which you can download. :)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FDVcMA73FZM/U5tWLWO7wbI/AAAAAAAAAyU/oC1Yhhb2c5o/s1600/elderflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FDVcMA73FZM/U5tWLWO7wbI/AAAAAAAAAyU/oC1Yhhb2c5o/s1600/elderflower.jpg" height="640" width="435" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://hollyburgess.rebelwares.com/blogger/hollytron_elderflower_labels.pdf" target="_blank">--Click here to download the .pdf of the elderflower cordial label!--</a><br />
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P.S. <a href="http://hollytron.blogspot.ie/2012/08/false-serenity.html" target="_blank">Here is the link</a> to the post with the Blackcurrant labels. You know, just in case. :)</div>
HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-66467774217668390172014-05-13T12:20:00.000+01:002014-06-13T20:15:18.660+01:00Knock Backs<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a bit of a tricky post for me to write - I think it's easier to put a positive face on when you're blogging, to make a post when things are going well and remain silent when things aren't so great.</div>
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Sometimes the "not so great" is something small and petty, and not worthy of mention, hence the silence. And sometimes it's something too big and personal and important to try and express in a few lines of type sent blissfully off to sit on some server somewhere, with millions of others like them.</div>
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Without context, however, the silence sounds the same. </div>
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Having a post schedule to follow is helpful in such occasions too - rather than just sitting down and sharing whatever is on your heart, mind or camera, you have things saved up to share when your life goes off the rails.</div>
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Sorry, this is all a trifle ambiguous (and possibly self indulgent) but wrapped up in all the "not saying" is that things are back on track and I hope (once again) to get back to posting more often. And who knows. Maybe one of these days I'll work up the guts to actually say something in one of them. :)</div>
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xx</div>
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Holly</div>
HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-880705629504272992014-03-24T12:00:00.000+00:002014-05-13T12:22:06.148+01:00Spring Photos!<div style="text-align: center;">
Spring!</div>
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We've been talking about it quite a lot around here lately, and I think an improvement in the weather is becoming a slight fixation of mine - I need to top up on my sunshine! Not that the March weather has been co-operating with this plan. However, the early flowers are starting to bloom, and the Daffodils are working very hard at cheering the place up! </div>
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xx</div>
HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-18882752392668516262014-03-21T14:27:00.000+00:002014-03-21T15:15:46.143+00:00Happy Accidents <div style="text-align: center;">
Hiding under a rock... that's where I've been the past few weeks. </div>
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I've sort of been languishing between stages 3 and 4 of <a href="http://hollytron.blogspot.ie/2010/12/process.html" target="_blank">'The Process'</a> for what feels like forever, but in reality has only been a couple of weeks... so in an attempt to banish the dismals, I have created this: </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aSeqquA1Ee8/UyxLkrjwhaI/AAAAAAAAApY/4JXJocMeGOI/s1600/DSC_0702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aSeqquA1Ee8/UyxLkrjwhaI/AAAAAAAAApY/4JXJocMeGOI/s1600/DSC_0702.jpg" height="498" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was supposed to be a lovely mint green, but my printer has run out of Blue (again) and it came out in a lovely sunny yellow. So I'm taking it as a sign, from my printer with love, to cheer up for goodness sake! </div>
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xx</div>
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HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-30721667559626423362014-03-02T16:07:00.000+00:002014-05-13T12:22:33.373+01:00February Photos - Finale! <div style="text-align: center;">
Here is the final installment of my February photos - a little later than scheduled, due to a brief but stressful hospital stay for the small girl (she's fine now!)</div>
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I know life is always full of lumps and bumps, but I think I'm ready for some plain sailing, for awhile at least!</div>
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1. Unicorn! I've been taking product shots for these guys, and FINALLY listing them in my shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ie/shop/hollytron?section_id=14975958&ref=shopsection_leftnav_4" target="_blank">Here</a>! Also, the fabric in the background is of my own design: <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/" target="_blank">Spoonflower</a> were doing free samples, so I got one for a laugh. Now I want to make more! </div>
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2. I won a competition! This is the lovely painting by the very clever <a href="http://society6.com/PetaltoPetal" target="_blank">Lily Reilly</a> of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PetaltoPetal" target="_blank">Petal to Petal</a> which I was lucky enough to win in a facebook competition - I've been a fan of her work for awhile now, so I was delighted to have a piece to hang on my walls - now to find the perfect spot! </div>
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3, 4, & 5 : All these are taken on a day trip we took to Cobh with my Mum before she flew back to NZ. Although it wasn't a perfectly lovely day weather wise, it was still lovely to be by the seaside, and it didn't rain for most of the day! Result! </div>
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Especially considering we'd just had this the day before: </div>
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(I figured out how to make GIFs. There is no stopping me now!) </div>
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xx</div>
HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-88460513386791984112014-02-20T16:51:00.000+00:002014-02-20T16:51:00.130+00:00Knitting Update - Mittens & Hat!<div style="text-align: center;">
Winter is nearly finished, so naturally I've finished a few knitting projects that would have aided me in the quest to keep warm over the last few months.</div>
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Actually, I finished these mittens a few weeks ago, but I thought I'd share them :)</div>
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Aren't they a lovely colour? It's<a href="http://shop.hedgehogfibres.com/" target="_blank"> Hedgehog Fibres</a> Sock yarn in Pollen, which I knit held double<br />
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I started knitting them before I actually chose a pattern to use, just using my wrist to guess how much ribbing to cast on. Once I finished the ribbing I found the <a href="http://www.freevintageknitting.com/mittens-pattern/socks-and-mittens/cable-mittens" target="_blank">Vintage Cable Mittens</a> pattern, which conveniently had the same number of stitches, and used it for the cable pattern, and the thumb size... </div>
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I also improvised the top flap, but I may have to add a crochet edge to the top flap's opening... We'll see! </div>
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Aaand I also made a Hat!<br />
I used <a href="http://www.cascadeyarns.com/patterns_BabyAlpaca.asp" target="_blank">The Chunky Feather and Fan pattern</a>, and an Aran weight yarn held double, 6mm Needles... Knitted up so fast I didn't get a chance to take in progress photos! Seriously, two evenings in front of the TV. Boom. No more cold ears.<br />
And it's loose enough that I can wear my hair up under it without it looking TOO strange!<br />
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Are you on Ravelry? If so, here are the project links for the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Hollytron/cable-mittens" target="_blank">Mittens</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Hollytron/feather-and-fan-hat-c181" target="_blank">Hat</a>. My user name is Hollytron, add me! I'd love to see what you've been making!<br />
xx</div>
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HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-58583428448415774482014-02-18T14:50:00.003+00:002014-05-13T12:22:54.037+01:00February Photos - Week 2.5<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello Lovelies!</div>
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How has your February been treating you so far? </div>
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This week's photos are a little later than anticipated, due to the enormous storm last Tuesday (Snow! Power cuts! Gale force winds! Rain!) and our house has been in somewhat of an uproar due to the hot water cylinder developing a leak and threatening to flood the house. It's quite amazing how quickly things get out of hand when your water supply has been cut off! </div>
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But rather than photographing wet towels and the waterstains on the ceiling, I have decided to share: </div>
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a) A Yellow Dinosaur ("He's screaming mummy!")</div>
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b) Pink Carnation (Not Valentines!)</div>
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c) Tulips (Valentines! But more because the supermarket over stocks on flowers and then we get them cheap!)</div>
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d) Puppy!</div>
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e) Glenville, Co.Cork (I think! We went to Glanmire via. the scenic route which I'm not familar with)</div>
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Hope you're all keeping warm.... is Spring here yet??</div>
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xx</div>
HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-34681424024427352472014-02-05T17:49:00.001+00:002014-02-06T14:27:55.332+00:00Feburary Photos - Week 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_8U6Aj7DXEM/UvJwvY52VSI/AAAAAAAAAmI/eD0Bg22ccWg/s1600/feb_photos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_8U6Aj7DXEM/UvJwvY52VSI/AAAAAAAAAmI/eD0Bg22ccWg/s1600/feb_photos.jpg" height="640" width="436"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some photographs from this week - I've been going through my old photo folders recently, and I realised that I haven't been taking as many photos these days. Couple that with my Daughter's 7th birthday, and the awful realisation that my kids are growing up and one day these photographs are going to be my best bet when it comes to remembering it all.... Well. Let's just say that the camera has been getting a bit of a workout. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also want to improve my photography skills, and take pictures of things in my life other than the kids (I asked if I could blog pictures of them - they said no.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So here is what we have this week: (from top left, clockwise - just like in the newspaper!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1. Cloud, by Olly Moss </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2. Something Orange</div>
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3. Detail of a chapel at Ardmore, co. Waterford</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Crows being total geezers</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Best egg breakfast ever</div><div style="text-align: center;">6. Complete and utter vanity.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you have a lovely weekend! </div><div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-67363964338705742112014-01-29T14:18:00.000+00:002014-01-29T15:13:25.736+00:00Rainbows!<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello! </div>
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Things have been quiet on my blog for the past few months, but, as is always the case, this may be due to things getting busy, and me being too caught up in what's happening to even think of recording it. </div>
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So! What's my excuse this time? Well, I got married.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Pcw_zSpB88/UukAEe1jO-I/AAAAAAAAAkA/9-S_bK-iQno/s1600/wed_flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Pcw_zSpB88/UukAEe1jO-I/AAAAAAAAAkA/9-S_bK-iQno/s1600/wed_flowers.jpg" height="640" width="452" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers by <a href="http://wild.ie/" target="_blank">Wild, Cork</a> (they Smelt AMAZING) </td></tr>
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Someone wished me much happiness, unicorns and rainbows for my wedding. Things have been sadly lacking in unicorns, but two out of three isn't bad.</div>
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Happy New Year Everybody! </div>
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More posts soon, honest!</div>
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x</div>
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HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-9556572713770547012013-10-03T14:24:00.001+01:002013-10-03T20:14:05.391+01:00Recipe! Roast Butternut and Lentil Soup<div style="text-align: center;">
Autumn is here, and so squash and pumpkins have been in the shops for less than an arm and a leg. I had me a fancy for some lovely pumpkin soup, so after messing about in the kitchen for awhile, came up with this recipe. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RZ9-OFa_dGU/Uk1gR2yTFFI/AAAAAAAAAh0/Ka4RANVflRA/s1600/butternut_lentil_soup_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RZ9-OFa_dGU/Uk1gR2yTFFI/AAAAAAAAAh0/Ka4RANVflRA/s640/butternut_lentil_soup_1.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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It's a lovely warming butternut soup with cumin, onion and garlic, and thickened with red lentils - because I can never cook them without them tuning to mush anyway.<br>
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<b>Roast Butternut and Lentil Soup</b><br>
Makes 4-6 portions<br>
<b>Ingredients:</b><br>
1 kg Butternut squash (or pumpkin, if you prefer.)<br>
1 Medium onion<br>
1 Clove of garlic<br>
1 tsp vegetable oil<br>
1/2 Tbs Cumin<br>
1 Litre of Vegetable Stock<br>
1 Cup of red lentils.<br>
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<b>Method</b><br>
1) Roast your squash - I just chop the bottom off the butternut, halve it, scrape out the seeds and throw it into the oven at 200 C for about 40 minutes or so until soft, but you could make smaller pieces so it roasts faster. Once roasted, put it aside to cool, and scrape the cooked flesh from the skin<br>
2) Sweat the onions and garlic - Roughly chop your onions and garlic and add to a large pan with the vegetable oil and cumin. Cook at a low temperature until the onions are translucent and soft. (Don't cook them too fast! If they brown it changes the entire flavour of the soup)<br>
3) Bring it all together - Once the onions and garlic are nice and soft, add the lentils, pumpkin, and warm stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the lentils are soft.<br>
4) Blend it up! - Once the lentils are soft and disintegrating, blend it until smooth.<br>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QS4gHXhjy94/Uk1vp1buTaI/AAAAAAAAAiE/2p8Yv4hodOE/s1600/butternut_lentil_soup_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QS4gHXhjy94/Uk1vp1buTaI/AAAAAAAAAiE/2p8Yv4hodOE/s640/butternut_lentil_soup_2.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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Eat it with croutons, thicken with cream, or just guzzle it as it is. </div>
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xx</div>
HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-73022649571230667322013-09-04T20:55:00.000+01:002013-09-04T20:55:46.759+01:00Tutorial: Envelope Book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J1ZLuQBYZjE/UidbLV36E2I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/HNPJmc7fIn0/s1600/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="560" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J1ZLuQBYZjE/UidbLV36E2I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/HNPJmc7fIn0/s640/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A long long time ago, way back in 2007, <a href="http://hiiragi.deviantart.com/art/Envelope-Book-67557881">I made an envelope book for my Mum</a>. A dear friend recently asked me how I made it, and even though I found <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Envelope-Book/">the instructions I followed originally</a>, I wanted to make a tutorial to show my own version, using materials I have lying around the house. </div>
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If there's anything unclear in my descriptions, leave me a comment and I'll try and clarify. There are other really good tutorials out there on how to bind books, so maybe have a look on Youtube and see if you can pick up some extra tips.</div>
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But what shall we do with a book made from envelopes? My dear friend wants to use it as a recipe collection, and I think it would make a great thing to keep little paper keepsakes from a wedding, or a lovely travel journal. And you can use any size envelopes to make this too! Big envelopes make for big possibilities! </div>
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So lets Begin!</div>
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You will need:</div>
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Envelopes (I suggest about 10, but as many as you want)</div>
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Stiff Cardboard (or book binder's board)</div>
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Patterned Paper</div>
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Coloured Paper</div>
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Fabric (or Binding Tape)</div>
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Cutting Tool (craft knife)</div>
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Metal Ruler</div>
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Scissors</div>
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Binder Clips</div>
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Tough Glue*</div>
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Strong Thread and Needle</div>
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Small Nail (or something sharp to make small holes.)</div>
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Hammer </div>
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*I used a glue gun for parts of this, but a tough craft glue should do the trick. Also, spray adhesive makes some parts easier, but it's not necessary. </div>
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STEP 1</div>
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Measure your envelopes! Then take your Stiff Cardboard and cut 2 pieces the same size as your envelopes. Also, Take your coloured paper, and cut 2 pieces the same size as the envelopes, and 2 pieces the same height as your envelope, but twice as wide. For example, my envelopes were 11x16 cm, so I cut 2 pieces of coloured paper the same size, and 2 pieces 22x16 cm. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RqJ-JGzwO1w/UidTGoPMoHI/AAAAAAAAAfA/_xwRTm-vLC8/s1600/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron_cut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RqJ-JGzwO1w/UidTGoPMoHI/AAAAAAAAAfA/_xwRTm-vLC8/s640/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron_cut.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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STEP 2 </div>
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On one of your small pieces of coloured paper, mark a row of dots 5mm apart, 5mm in from the bottom end of the long edge. This are the marks for the stitching which will bind your envelope book together. Place a coloured page on either side of your envelope stack, making sure the dotted line on the CLOSED edge of the envelopes.This is really important, because if you stitch the top of the envelopes into the spine, your envelope book will be useless as an envelope book. (Ask me how I know...)</div>
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Clip the envelope stack together with the binder clips.</div>
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(This isn't pictured here, because I forgot to include the coloured paper in my stack. I glued it in later, but this way works better)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0OfOQ4mjcsY/UidgjBDy3mI/AAAAAAAAAfo/uiPYCgc6AJA/s1600/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron_step2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0OfOQ4mjcsY/UidgjBDy3mI/AAAAAAAAAfo/uiPYCgc6AJA/s640/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron_step2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once the envelopes are secure, take your sharp pointy object and make a hole through the pile of envelopes on each dot. I held my nail in place with the Pliers and then Hammered it in, which did the job, but I'm sure there is a more elegant way of doing this part! </div>
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STEP 3 </div>
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Thread your needle with your thread - Waxed thread is supposed to be good for this, and I seem to recall someone recommending dental floss (Minty!) Then stitch up your book through the holes you have drilled. There are several stitches you can use for this, you can use a basic back stitch, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXkSE2TTF4s">blanket stitch</a>, or check out this tutorial on <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/2013/03/bookbinding-101-japanese-four-hold-binding.html">Japanese Stab Binding</a> on <a href="http://www.designsponge.com/">Design Sponge</a>. </div>
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Take off the clips, your envelopes are all nicely stitched up and ready to be popped into their cover.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lekwkjT-pE8/UidogYEHTXI/AAAAAAAAAf4/7mK8Ugn94MQ/s1600/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron_stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lekwkjT-pE8/UidogYEHTXI/AAAAAAAAAf4/7mK8Ugn94MQ/s640/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron_stitch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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STEP 4</div>
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Measure how deep your envelope bundle is across the stitching where the spine will be, and cut a piece from your stiff card this wide, and as long as the envelope. (In my case, this piece was a handy 5mm wide) This will be the Spine.</div>
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Also, cut a 5mm piece from the edge of the two envelope sized cards, and keep the trimming! </div>
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Cover the two remaining pieces, the covers, with your patterned paper, making sure that it overlaps on the back a bit, and you glue it down well. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bEZZZwpScGw/UidyzjjDcRI/AAAAAAAAAgI/tr_Zm_-et4I/s1600/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron_step4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bEZZZwpScGw/UidyzjjDcRI/AAAAAAAAAgI/tr_Zm_-et4I/s640/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron_step4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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STEP 5</div>
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Cut your fabric so that it's a bit longer than the cover boards, and wide enough to overlap onto the front of the cover boards when folded in half lengthways. Iron the edges so there's no raw edges showing, and lay your Spine, the two 5mm trim pieces and the covers onto the fabric as shown in the picture. Glue in place, fold over the top fabric and glue down also. Your cover is now pretty much finished, we just have to put the two together.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TanozzS-K9Y/Uid83GrobKI/AAAAAAAAAgY/FHqHVvvE0ow/s1600/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron_layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TanozzS-K9Y/Uid83GrobKI/AAAAAAAAAgY/FHqHVvvE0ow/s640/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron_layout.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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STEP 6</div>
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More Glue! This time, make a line of glue down the spine of the envelope bundle and place on spine on the cover. Spread Glue over each stitched side of the envelope stack and stick to the 5mm pieces of card either side of the spine. Leave to Dry. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MUEXzLQ8DrA/UieHTqOwq5I/AAAAAAAAAgo/Oe8wxr6ePJE/s1600/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron_Step6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MUEXzLQ8DrA/UieHTqOwq5I/AAAAAAAAAgo/Oe8wxr6ePJE/s640/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron_Step6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After the glue has dried, take one of the long pieces of coloured paper. Cover with glue, line up one end with the corners of the small coloured page, and the other a couple of millimeters from the edge of the inside cover. Smooth out and close the book, making sure the long page creases smoothly and doesn't poke out anywhere. Leave to dry, and I do believe it's done! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qbhSbCCMgt8/UieLchmMw2I/AAAAAAAAAg0/u57YlGqFa9k/s1600/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron_Done.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qbhSbCCMgt8/UieLchmMw2I/AAAAAAAAAg0/u57YlGqFa9k/s640/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron_Done.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I think you deserve a cookie after all that. Or a cool Dinosaur sticker at least. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w1T4_M0BccY/UieOI9K51tI/AAAAAAAAAhA/iblpls0lwnM/s1600/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron_dinodone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w1T4_M0BccY/UieOI9K51tI/AAAAAAAAAhA/iblpls0lwnM/s640/Envelope_book_Tutorial_hollytron_dinodone.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Maybe you could keep them in your shiny new Envelope book? </div>
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xx</div>
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Hollytron</div>
HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-62743458924964669992013-08-07T00:19:00.001+01:002013-08-07T01:40:07.695+01:00Picking Favourites.<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been (slowly...) chugging away at this <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/140596819589488853/">30 Day Drawing Project</a> for the last few months. (At this rate it's going to be a 30 week Drawing Project... or maybe even 30 Years?) The first few ideas were easy enough to deal with, but then came the business of picking a FAVORITE animal. Then a favorite food, film, T.V. program, book, sweet...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bLHlKFBG-M0/UgGBODRMuGI/AAAAAAAAAdg/FwY4eROnPDo/s1600/IT_crowd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="473" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bLHlKFBG-M0/UgGBODRMuGI/AAAAAAAAAdg/FwY4eROnPDo/s640/IT_crowd.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 9, Favorite TV show (The I.T. Crowd!)</td></tr>
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I must confess, I'm not entirely comfortable with this whole "favorite" lark. It smacks of favoritism! (see what I did there?) How can I just choose one favorite book or film? Besides, I don't really have things that are my favorite for any length of time. My favorites change over time and vary according to my mood, so the idea of immortalizing my current favorite anything makes me a bit squirmy. I mean, what if my favorite food is something really embarrassing in 10 years time?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zcC3uLe0BY/UgGBQ2FoAlI/AAAAAAAAAdw/70c2r_VYaL4/s1600/Ordinary_princess_Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zcC3uLe0BY/UgGBQ2FoAlI/AAAAAAAAAdw/70c2r_VYaL4/s640/Ordinary_princess_Family.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left: Day 6, Favorite Book (The Ordinary Princess) Right: Day 4 Favorite Place </td></tr>
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But, a drawing challenge has been embarked upon. Drawings must be made. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xetT-a8YcsM/UgGBU8cLQmI/AAAAAAAAAeA/Gmei21J93DY/s1600/Salmon_noodles_Illustration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xetT-a8YcsM/UgGBU8cLQmI/AAAAAAAAAeA/Gmei21J93DY/s640/Salmon_noodles_Illustration.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 3, Favorite Food (Asian Spiced Salmon with noodles and sauce)</td></tr>
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And if choosing one is too hard, who is to say I can't draw two? (or more?)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ru8eIi75c5I/UgGBS-x8STI/AAAAAAAAAd4/GDs0ue5wUZA/s1600/Sailor_jupiter_Spike_spegiel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ru8eIi75c5I/UgGBS-x8STI/AAAAAAAAAd4/GDs0ue5wUZA/s640/Sailor_jupiter_Spike_spegiel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 8, Favorite Animated Character(s!) Spike Speigel and Sailor Jupiter</td></tr>
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So am I the only person who resists choosing favorites? Also, if you have any favorite books, films to TV shows to share I'd love to hear it - Who knows, maybe it'll be my new favorite too!</div>
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xx</div>
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P.S. About the knitting in the last post? It got Frogged. Lesson: I hate Nupps. </div>
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<br />HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-64502285767356747432013-07-02T16:41:00.001+01:002013-08-10T09:59:55.298+01:00Bloglovin'<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/8710625/?claim=s6nm7us6ntb">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>!</div>
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I'm just after joining up with bloglovin', if you want to follow me there. Seems like I chose the right day to check up on my blog, as google reader is shutting off, and now seems like a good time as any to try this Bloglovin lark! </div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Hollytron/fylleryd">I've also been knitting.</a> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WtBJ5hWugJ0/UdL0VOW7FtI/AAAAAAAAAc8/hbEFkTAtQQo/s800/knitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WtBJ5hWugJ0/UdL0VOW7FtI/AAAAAAAAAc8/hbEFkTAtQQo/s640/knitting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hope you're enjoying the summer! </div>
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x</div>
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HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-55697538077725217762013-03-21T14:19:00.001+00:002013-03-21T14:19:17.096+00:00Crotchety Auld Thing<div style="text-align: center;">
I have finally taught myself to Crochet! My poor mother tried to teach me when I was in that awful, stroppy early teen stage, (Sorry mum. Also: looking forward to it, kids.) and so I not only didn't learn much, but I also held an aversion to doing so for quite some time. </div>
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But no more! And I am embarking on my first blanket project! So many firsts! </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-imXid8GnR7A/UUsON59Zu_I/AAAAAAAAAas/cUuIgVpkItQ/s1600/crochety_squares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-imXid8GnR7A/UUsON59Zu_I/AAAAAAAAAas/cUuIgVpkItQ/s640/crochety_squares.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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This is also one of the rare occasions that I actually made something that I pinned on pinterest. How did I save patterns and webpages before pinterest? My memory is fuzzy. ANYWAY, the pattern is <a href="http://millemakes.wordpress.com/2011/05/22/something-pretty-the-pattern/">Something Pretty</a> and I found it over at <a href="http://millemakes.wordpress.com/">Millie Makes</a> and it was nice and easy. I say was: I'm not finished it yet, because I keep deciding that I want a bigger blanket. Which was fine while my acrylic yarn supply was holding out, but now I have to pop down the shop and pick out another colour... Maybe a blanket isn't the best thing for a first crochet project! </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KL5ASZegV1c/UUsT0BypbSI/AAAAAAAAAa8/e7rkJ4b9BV0/s1600/crochety_shrinky_robots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KL5ASZegV1c/UUsT0BypbSI/AAAAAAAAAa8/e7rkJ4b9BV0/s640/crochety_shrinky_robots.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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I've also been working on other bits and bobs, in between pretty much everyone in the family being sick. Having three people in the family in three different schools means an interesting cocktail of bugs makes it's way home. Joy. I also finished the robot jumper (Yay!) but then it got put in the wash was ruined. (Boo!) But the robots themselves are still intact, so I may have to find some way of salvaging them... It's like the project that keeps on giving!</div>
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x</div>
HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-4515912349397510522013-02-25T20:14:00.001+00:002013-02-25T20:16:15.765+00:00New Toys!<div style="text-align: center;">
I made myself a lightbox today! I came across <a href="http://www.handmadeology.com/how-to-make-and-use-a-light-box-to-improve-your-product-photography/">this tutorial</a> and thought I'd give it a go... Seems to have worked okay! Since it was such a nice day I thought I'd try and make good use of the sunlight and take some photos of my new toys....</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XE-ICh9snI4/USu-Tw4nt0I/AAAAAAAAAaE/TZhVsi0k6g8/s1600/newtoys_hollytron_lightbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XE-ICh9snI4/USu-Tw4nt0I/AAAAAAAAAaE/TZhVsi0k6g8/s640/newtoys_hollytron_lightbox.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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The new toys are - Shrink plastic, new mini-business cards (which are going to multi-task as labels) from <a href="http://uk.moo.com/">Moo</a>...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T2FdYC9BrVc/USu9_kbTtxI/AAAAAAAAAZM/gWdXxojolOw/s1600/newtoys2_hollytron_lightbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="409" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T2FdYC9BrVc/USu9_kbTtxI/AAAAAAAAAZM/gWdXxojolOw/s640/newtoys2_hollytron_lightbox.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And I found a little craft shop in town that sells daylight bulbs! So now I can take nice photos at night time too! (Do you like my shrinky-tea lady? I think she's destined for the shop, once I find a nice brooch back for her.)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-99Z1ThXyGpo/USvC5gWnzlI/AAAAAAAAAaY/mkQNenBwZBk/s1600/newtoys_hollytron_invites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="585" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-99Z1ThXyGpo/USvC5gWnzlI/AAAAAAAAAaY/mkQNenBwZBk/s640/newtoys_hollytron_invites.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The main reason for wanting a working lightbox is that I'm gearing up to add these customisable invitations to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/hollytron">my shop</a>.... I'm still mulling over the wording of the etsy listing, but it should be ready to go in a couple of days! I know that this one isn't particularly wedding-ish, but I thought it would be nice to design an invitation that could be used for any event - wedding or otherwise!</div>
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Hooray for productivity! </div>
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x</div>
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<br />HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-38813640862588920802013-01-04T15:05:00.000+00:002013-01-04T15:35:57.420+00:00Sketchbook Collection<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello! </div>
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Lets start off the new year with some pictures, shall we? </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ghfCNfxqjuc/UObmkf9Ii7I/AAAAAAAAAXU/RCfSK97_uSU/s1600/sketchbook_hollytron_kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ghfCNfxqjuc/UObmkf9Ii7I/AAAAAAAAAXU/RCfSK97_uSU/s640/sketchbook_hollytron_kids.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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I like to dig through my old notebooks and have a look at what I was drawing this time last year...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zO6U8g22Eak/UObrCb-FylI/AAAAAAAAAXk/Az_vRoygmGo/s1600/sketchbook_hollytron_ladies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zO6U8g22Eak/UObrCb-FylI/AAAAAAAAAXk/Az_vRoygmGo/s640/sketchbook_hollytron_ladies.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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See how things have changed over time...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9evrNpsvRXw/UOburGS5mWI/AAAAAAAAAYE/88wykufSiik/s1600/sketchbook_hollytron_words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9evrNpsvRXw/UOburGS5mWI/AAAAAAAAAYE/88wykufSiik/s640/sketchbook_hollytron_words.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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and how some things stay the same. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q2_bFRnYvrY/UObtHmCgLMI/AAAAAAAAAX0/qHhwEUqvxzo/s1600/sketchbook_hollytron_watercolours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q2_bFRnYvrY/UObtHmCgLMI/AAAAAAAAAX0/qHhwEUqvxzo/s640/sketchbook_hollytron_watercolours.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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So all the best to you, may your year be filled to the brim with good things, and oddly lacking in the rubbish things. </div>
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HollyTron</div>
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P.S. In the long, three month gap between posts, I updated my <a href="http://hollyburgess.rebelwares.com/">Portfolio Website</a>. I'm pretty pleased with it! You also may have noticed the slight change in arrangements around here - It feels good to have a fresh look for a fresh year! </div>
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HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-51826873504654097302012-10-13T18:18:00.001+01:002012-10-13T18:19:12.573+01:00Echo!<div style="text-align: center;">
I haven't blogged for awhile because I have been busy... usually doing things I want to blog about. </div>
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I've been doing a little bit of this:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TIj5eRe4Ww/UHmg3895ypI/AAAAAAAAAVg/lzzsHaZCzeM/s1600/DSCN0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TIj5eRe4Ww/UHmg3895ypI/AAAAAAAAAVg/lzzsHaZCzeM/s640/DSCN0033.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A little bit of that: </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ggiayfMRZKc/UHmg5YLDYkI/AAAAAAAAAVo/QQd-uBQ0mR4/s1600/DSCN0100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ggiayfMRZKc/UHmg5YLDYkI/AAAAAAAAAVo/QQd-uBQ0mR4/s640/DSCN0100.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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with a sprinkling of the other:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-NCQ7t6rck/UHmg6oGCb0I/AAAAAAAAAVw/0xClvIaYP64/s1600/DSCN0119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-NCQ7t6rck/UHmg6oGCb0I/AAAAAAAAAVw/0xClvIaYP64/s640/DSCN0119.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I'm also in the process of making the Halloween costumes for the kids - They're dressing up as Link and Zelda this year (Their request - Nerdy Parenting WIN) and I found a handy guide for making medieval dresses <a href="http://medievalweddingdresses.ideasforweddings.net/making-medieval-wedding-dresses/basic-kirtle-gown-pattern/">Here</a> which I'm going to modify. Should be fun, right?</div>
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So that's what I've been doing. What are you up to? </div>
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xx</div>
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HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-16053803067849220252012-08-28T12:28:00.000+01:002012-08-29T16:35:05.517+01:00False Serenity.<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay, so remember when I posted <a href="http://hollytron.blogspot.ie/2012/07/redcurrant-jelly-and-art-of-failure.html">a few weeks ago</a> about the Redcurrant Jelly, and I was all serene about how it didn't turn out the way I wanted but I was still happy with it? </div>
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I might have gone back on that position a bit. </div>
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In fact, while I was making the Blackcurrant Jam, (which I boiled the heck out of and thus turned into an awful gummy mess,) I thought I might try and give my redcurrant syrup another wee boil, to get it to set. </div>
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Big Mistake. </div>
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I got it to setting point and as I was pouring it into the jar it burnt. It tasted like sugary death. I was SO disappointed, and maybe a little bit angry with myself - all that delicious fruit wasted! (which is why I didn't Blog it right away - time has lessened the sting.)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6cZi20jdU_o/UDylCYcCz9I/AAAAAAAAAVA/rZAOqq1h8Ck/s1600/hollytron_currant_labels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6cZi20jdU_o/UDylCYcCz9I/AAAAAAAAAVA/rZAOqq1h8Ck/s640/hollytron_currant_labels.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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So, since I won't be using them, I thought I would share these labels I made for my preserves. </div>
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<a href="http://hollyburgess.rebelwares.com/blogger/hollytron_currant_labels.pdf">****Click here to Download the .pdf of the Labels!****</a></div>
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They're nice labels - They deserve to be on better preserves!</div>
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<br />HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-84141456927448712112012-08-18T13:15:00.001+01:002012-08-18T13:28:17.599+01:00GUESS WHAT<div style="text-align: center;">
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I have plans. Not big, megalomaniac ones, (but not small, insipid ones either,) and they're going to be going hand in hand with a bit of Blog-Redesign.</div>
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Now, I know we've been through this all before. Which is why I'm writing this post and saving it as a draft, and I'm only going to publish it once the plans are ACTUALLY in motion. So if you're reading this, we're past the whole "Oh she SAYS she has plans and I'll believe it when I see it!" phase of the endeavor.</div>
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OK. So after all this build-up, you might be wondering what these plans are, and I have two words for you.</div>
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Printable Stationery.</div>
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.......</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qeuWX_kk104/UC-Dv68-MYI/AAAAAAAAAS0/DEGwJFIlB0s/s1600/constellations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qeuWX_kk104/UC-Dv68-MYI/AAAAAAAAAS0/DEGwJFIlB0s/s640/constellations.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So maybe it falls in the <i>slightly</i> insipid end of the plan scale, - it's not going to cure cancer or anything - but if you have an occasion to use stationery, (say, a birthday card!) and you want a quick, easy, inexpensive and relatively instant solution to your lack of stationery, (eg: OMG, I FORGOT TO GET A CARD FOR X'S BIRTHDAY AND I SEE THEM IN FIVE MINUTES!!!) I think printable stationery comes into the fore.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TCK5DfA-uHM/UC-Du8IIBfI/AAAAAAAAASw/5KBwFm5Ug1U/s1600/bunting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TCK5DfA-uHM/UC-Du8IIBfI/AAAAAAAAASw/5KBwFm5Ug1U/s640/bunting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Having said that, I don't have any cards ready YET. But I DO have, designed and ready to launch, note-paper and envelope sets, which I will also offer as personalized invitations. (ooh! Custom stationery!) I'm also working on designing birthday and greeting cards, labels and tags for home-made gifts, Paper Dolls and other Printable toys and goodies.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KHLSgOLip98/UC-Dwv1I68I/AAAAAAAAATA/ESDyOeIDNEY/s1600/invite_constellation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KHLSgOLip98/UC-Dwv1I68I/AAAAAAAAATA/ESDyOeIDNEY/s640/invite_constellation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If all that takes off, I'd like to offer real PHYSICAL stationery and paper toys that are printed on lovely paper and comes in a package in the mail (because buying real things on the internet is always like buying a present for yourself!)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-flb1azVaPbg/UC-Dt_2sWHI/AAAAAAAAASo/rslHyn9Xj8U/s1600/biscuits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-flb1azVaPbg/UC-Dt_2sWHI/AAAAAAAAASo/rslHyn9Xj8U/s640/biscuits.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My Esty shop is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/hollytron">HERE</a> and will launch on the 24th of August, 10am GMT, which is less than a week away! </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LIp7qYEdfkY/UC-DxcdMzyI/AAAAAAAAATI/3wRo3qhc3yE/s1600/stars%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="518" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LIp7qYEdfkY/UC-DxcdMzyI/AAAAAAAAATI/3wRo3qhc3yE/s640/stars%2521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Have I mentioned that I'm both excited and nervous? </div>
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Because I REALLY am!</div>
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xx</div>
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Hollytron</div>
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AS AN ASIDE: On my trip to Google to check that I had the correct spelling of stationery, (as opposed to stationary - I play fast and loose with grammar and spelling all the time, but some things you have to get right!) I came across the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stationery">Wikipedia page for Stationery</a>, and was delighted to discover that the name came from the STATIONARY nature of the merchants who sold goods near universities, and that the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stationers%27_Company">Stationer's Company</a> were a big ye-olde mega-company and were the first to use copyright. </div>
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History is Fun :)</div>
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x</div>
HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-2267683183184957482012-08-16T10:45:00.000+01:002012-08-16T12:11:08.683+01:00Street Art<div style="text-align: center;">
The kids in our estate have been busy in between the rain showers.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DDn3ihILeV4/UCTytSSrFlI/AAAAAAAAASU/PG6QYvEZMoM/s1600/chalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DDn3ihILeV4/UCTytSSrFlI/AAAAAAAAASU/PG6QYvEZMoM/s640/chalk.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The political statement is the censored version - Some square had objections to a child under 10 writing bold words on the pavement. Imagine. </td></tr>
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Which made me think of a poem I'm fond of by <a href="http://english.fju.edu.tw/lctd/asp/works/137/text.htm">Kenneth Fearing</a>.<br />
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I just wanted to share that. ♥</div>
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HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-11318745176895674442012-08-10T12:15:00.002+01:002012-08-10T12:16:52.262+01:00Knit Happens<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been knitting again. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--uxGGyknaQ0/UCTlmXGkk0I/AAAAAAAAARs/6ZE-ciCkW6A/s1600/scarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--uxGGyknaQ0/UCTlmXGkk0I/AAAAAAAAARs/6ZE-ciCkW6A/s640/scarf.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Picture is before blocking, bottom two are during and after. </td></tr>
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It's the Holden Shawlette, (Ravelry link <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/holden-shawlette">Here</a>!) using <a href="http://shop.hedgehogfibres.com/">Hedgehog Fibres</a> Silk Merino seconds and I love it to pieces! It was my first lace project, and thus riddled with mistakes, but the shape is about right, and only I know where the mistakes are, so not too much harm done. </div>
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The best part is the colour - as you can see, it is Brown, Purple and Grey, depending on the light (as Illustrated by the photographs) and thus goes with EVERYTHING. </div>
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So yes, I knitted it and blocked it all by myself and I feel really clever. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0M8yMylbxpw/UCTrBwzRpAI/AAAAAAAAASA/qL03zILhytY/s1600/robotknit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0M8yMylbxpw/UCTrBwzRpAI/AAAAAAAAASA/qL03zILhytY/s640/robotknit.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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On to the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dance-of-robots">Robot</a> Jumper!!</div>
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P.S. I'm also working on a new Etsy shop project which will <i>hopefully</i> be launched on Thursday the 23th of August. I'm slightly terrified*, but also hopeful... and really looking forward to sharing pictures! </div>
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*Okay, change that to plain old<i> terrified</i>! AHHH!</div>HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-42082029583914018732012-07-23T14:49:00.001+01:002012-07-23T14:51:25.773+01:00Positive ProcrastinationEverybody procrastinates, right? Well, there must be some people out there who don't, otherwise nobody would get anything done, and we wouldn't have cool stuff like Robots and Video Phones. (We're living in the future baby!)<br />
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But I digress. The point is that sometimes, those things we do to procrastinate aren't all bad. For example, I was all fired up about getting a new project underway. I had allotted myself an hour* to sit down and do some sketches. But did I do that which I set out to do? No. I cleaned my desk.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3OA5jRPifM/T-7Wv0i4oZI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/ByfKm6wWblw/s1600/banda_desk1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3OA5jRPifM/T-7Wv0i4oZI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/ByfKm6wWblw/s640/banda_desk1.jpg" width="423" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">In fact, I sorted the entire workroom, but I only have photographic evidence of the desk. This took about 45 minutes, which left me 15 minutes for sketching before I had to stop and take care of boring stuff like laundry and cleaning.** I could have just shoved all the crap out of the way and got on with what I was supposed to do but I'm glad I didn't, because now I have a well sorted workroom, and when I allocate an hour to work on things I know that I can just sit down and start working.</span><br />
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So tell me, dear readers, how does procrastination manifest itself in your day to day doings, and what do you do with it! Or are you proof of my theory that there are, in fact, people who don't have this problem? (In which case, TEACH ME YOUR SECRETS!!)<br />
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*Time management: that's a whole blog post in itself...<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">** don't worry, the irony is not lost on me.</span>HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-90003528068996090382012-07-10T10:00:00.000+01:002012-07-10T10:00:09.534+01:00Redcurrant Jelly and the Art of Failure<div style="text-align: center;">
Is a failure still a failure if you don't achieve what you set out to do, but you're still happy with the results?</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8yfO15E99j8/T_rc2n3_OeI/AAAAAAAAARE/k2V9HCYDQ4w/s1600/SYRUP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8yfO15E99j8/T_rc2n3_OeI/AAAAAAAAARE/k2V9HCYDQ4w/s640/SYRUP.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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My vintage copy of the <a href="http://www.edmondscooking.co.nz/history.htm">Edmonds Cookery book</a> (mine is the edition at the bottom!) tells me that "A perfect jelly is clear, bright and tender, and when cut with a spoon has a clean surface." <span style="background-color: white;">Yes well, mine is bright.... and it hasn't set at all.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I think I know where I went wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I was supposed to be following <a href="http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/type-of-dish/preserve/redcurrant-jelly.html">this</a> recipe. It's Delia, and nothing could go wrong with Delia, right? Well, that only applies if you actually follow the instructions. Which I did until I got to this point:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"...add the sugar, stir until absolutely dissolved, then bring the mixture up to a rapid boil, and boil for 8 minutes."</span></blockquote>
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After 5 minutes of rapid boiling the mixture was pretty think, and I got scared. "What if I over boil it? What if it gets too thick, and it won't strain? I am using a smaller quantity that it says here..." and so, with visions of a muslin cloth ball of congealed fruit weighing on my judgement, I took it off the heat and began to strain it.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H64gaGq-FdY/T_rc4FRNaBI/AAAAAAAAARM/-Q8r3tTT2Aw/s1600/processed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H64gaGq-FdY/T_rc4FRNaBI/AAAAAAAAARM/-Q8r3tTT2Aw/s640/processed.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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So I don't have a jelly. But I do have a syrup, and a pretty delicious one, if I do say so myself. Which counts as a success as far as I'm concerned. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uYHieTZ93bE/T_rc663qtdI/AAAAAAAAARU/jpWnLSM3MZg/s1600/thehelp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uYHieTZ93bE/T_rc663qtdI/AAAAAAAAARU/jpWnLSM3MZg/s1600/thehelp.jpg" /></a></div>
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And how can you possibly fail at preserving fruit when you have a dinosaur "helping?"</div>HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com1Co. Cork, Ireland51.9467911 -8.80811451.3203951 -10.0715415 52.5731871 -7.5446865tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1835409609836446854.post-34436368911438919512012-07-08T13:45:00.002+01:002012-07-09T15:00:13.796+01:00One Day Like This a Year...<div style="text-align: center;">
So<a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/weather-forecast-rain-latest-511921-Jul2012/"> it hasn't been the best summer</a> this year, but yesterday was glorious.</div>
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We went down to Cork to visit the family, and spent a good chunk of the afternoon in my Dad's back garden, where the combination of a whole lot of rain and a sunny afternoon was evident.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E0JCrXmd8ms/T_mAAuI3-RI/AAAAAAAAAQw/KJjLQlVb17M/s1600/growing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E0JCrXmd8ms/T_mAAuI3-RI/AAAAAAAAAQw/KJjLQlVb17M/s640/growing.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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Usually the birds get most of the berry crop, but this year they hadn't been around (or they've all flown off somewhere dry for the summer...) and there was a bumper crop of black and red currents!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FLH5CT2H-Q4/T_mAo4qFTbI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/qOm6lfoVbh0/s1600/berries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FLH5CT2H-Q4/T_mAo4qFTbI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/qOm6lfoVbh0/s640/berries.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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I foresee blackcurrant jam and redcurrant jelly in my immediate future. <3</div>
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<br /></div>HOLLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684930463168172962noreply@blogger.com2