tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86222327467851867732024-02-21T13:20:25.634+00:00Welsh PixieUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-66583662234455131352011-12-03T17:06:00.001+00:002012-06-06T15:36:01.309+01:00Housekeeping: New Blog Address<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-Bz28maO3-ZOXTi_wm6aHShNf2bq_Tp3RX88MjYGKYFwSAQ6_jAjHX3ACaDxZCFDmRxZvXnwTcEhXh6wfmJu3l0FpTdCYFvhb69WLmosScvHWRgRH83avDzlthdly5Q7TGe7OJkBV1s/s1600/vintage-suitcases-magazine-photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-Bz28maO3-ZOXTi_wm6aHShNf2bq_Tp3RX88MjYGKYFwSAQ6_jAjHX3ACaDxZCFDmRxZvXnwTcEhXh6wfmJu3l0FpTdCYFvhb69WLmosScvHWRgRH83avDzlthdly5Q7TGe7OJkBV1s/s1600/vintage-suitcases-magazine-photo.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: <a href="http://theneotraditionalist.com/2010/03/04/vintage-luggage/">The Neo Traditionalist</a> }</td></tr>
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Apologies for the radio silence, between a terrible cold that resulted in the loss of my social life whilst at its peak and some housekeeping I've been doing on the blog I haven't had enough time to put together some posts.</div>
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In case anyone's RSS feed went a little nuts with every single post on this blog, please please forgive me. I decided a little while ago that I wanted the address for my blog to reflect the name. To that end, I've changed the URL for the blog to <a href="http://www.GirlmeetsWolf.co.uk/">GirlmeetsWolf.co.uk</a> so that everyone who's using the Google Friends Connect widget* doesn't have to re-friend me on the new blog address. In order not to lose everyone following through other means I've recreated the blog with the old <a href="http://welsh-pixie.blogspot.com/">Welsh-Pixie address</a> so that all old links will remain working. In the future, should I ever actually start making vintage reproduction children's clothes the Welsh-Pixie address will be available to me should I want it. <i>However</i>, it will no longer be updated with posts being published on Girl meets Wolf so please update your RSS feeds and bookmarks if you'd still like to receive my sporadic ramblings about anything that appears to enter my head.</div>
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I've streamlined the look of the blog, some things - whilst pretty - just weren't working for me and were more irritating than helpful, so they have gone! I'm not going to be messing around with the template (hopefully) for a very long time! I am, however, going to go back and re-write my CSS tutorials after some conversations with Charly, so for the moment those are not available but will be popping back up.</div>
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And as I finished with the BBC (for the second time in a fortnight) on Thursday I have more time for sewing! I'm looking forward to finishing (well, in some cases starting and finishing) the projects on my to-do list and sharing them with you.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">* Google announced recently it was planning on shelving Friend Connect, but I <i>think</i> (hopefully!) that didn't apply to the Blogger widget version.</span></div>
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Thanks for stopping by,<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-2119677283397048922011-11-18T22:02:00.000+00:002011-12-03T15:22:00.953+00:00Ffefrynau Friday { 18.11.11 }<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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8CmM8tVp71g/TsbUO89OJgI/AAAAAAAABu4/pklO23HPGhk/s1600/181111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8CmM8tVp71g/TsbUO89OJgI/AAAAAAAABu4/pklO23HPGhk/s1600/181111.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1. <a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/techniques/how-to-sew-a-perfect-baby-hem">Teeny tiny seam tutorial</a> 2. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/73122833/repurposed-silverware-napkin-rings">Old silverware napkin rings</a> 3. <a href="http://discardedlies.com/entry/?44399">Gingham flowers</a><br />4. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68719682001/">Elf stockings</a> 5. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nanacompany/4871432334/in/faves-jenib/">Pretty pot holders</a> 6. <a href="http://misswoody.tumblr.com/post/12800790449">Great eye make-up</a><br />7. <a href="http://mapleandmagnolia.com/2011/11/07/upcycled-luggage-and-a-contest/">Fabric covered suitcases</a> 8. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68719676479/">Pretty picture</a> 9. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/transaction/39651116">Embroidered Christmas ornament</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I need more Christmas ideas, does anyone know of any on Pinterest that I've missed?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hkdyqHpEdUU/ToiwINPygNI/AAAAAAAABc4/jHeLxd3wfII/s1600/faves.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hkdyqHpEdUU/ToiwINPygNI/AAAAAAAABc4/jHeLxd3wfII/s1600/faves.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/erindollar">Erin Dollar</a>, via <a href="http://molliemakes.themakingspot.com/">Mollie Makes</a>, has a great <a href="http://molliemakes.themakingspot.com/blog/i-made-you-a-beard">tutorial</a> on how to make fake beards so that all the girls out there can join in <a href="http://uk.movember.com/">Movember</a> this year </li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> I discovered Clare's blog, <a href="http://azigzagpath.blogspot.com/">A ZigZag Path</a>, from a comment she left. Leave me links to your blogs so I can take a looksie, I love finding new reads! </li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> Speaking of new blogs, I also discovered <a href="http://lolanovablog.blogspot.com/">Lola Nova</a> this week </li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> Looking for interior ideas on how to use vintage pieces to bring interest to your home? Check out <a href="http://thevintageinspiredhome.blogspot.com/">The Vintage Inspired Home</a>, mucho pretty pictures to drool over! </li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> Want a great tutorial on how to edit your pin-up style photos? Click <a href="http://seecatecreate.wordpress.com/2010/12/20/how-to-edit-pin-up-pics-for-vintage-poster-effect/">here</a>! </li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> Just a quick note to say I'm <a href="http://rhinestonesandtelephones.blogspot.com/2011/11/guest-post-tis-season.html">guest posting</a> over at the fabulous Sarah's blog, <a href="http://rhinestonesandtelephones.blogspot.com/">Rhinestones & Telephones</a> today </li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> For my last day at the BBC, Dave-the-Editor baked a peanut butter chocolate <i>brownies</i> version of <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68719502805/">this</a> recipe and they were a little taste of heaven </li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />I'm having a mini blogger meet-up with Lauren of <a href="http://teaandcrumpetsvintage.blogspot.com/">Tea and Crumpets</a> tomorrow. We were both a bit rubbish at photo snapping our day <a href="http://girlmeetswolf.blogspot.com/2011/09/london-blogger-meet-up_07.html">last time</a> we met, here's hoping we're a little more snap happy this time! </div><ul></ul><br />Thanks for stopping by,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-39349364010471454102011-11-16T15:45:00.001+00:002011-12-03T15:22:00.981+00:00How Do You Use Pinterest? { Notes }<div style="text-align: justify;">I wanted to do a brief follow-up to my <a href="http://girlmeetswolf.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-do-you-use-pinterest.html">How Do You Use Pinterest</a> post a couple of weeks back because I found how everyone uses it really interesting. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mm8rVRbdNGg/Tq8ZGzY7-VI/AAAAAAAABoo/tNIxDCsqznw/s1600/pinterest1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mm8rVRbdNGg/Tq8ZGzY7-VI/AAAAAAAABoo/tNIxDCsqznw/s400/pinterest1.png" width="343" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm very good at remembering things I've seen but find that the title of a page isn't going to stick in my memory, so a visual bookmarking system is perfect for me. I'm also slightly compulsive (I've mentioned this before) but I like to be able to return to something whenever I think about it to check something, review it or just see if there's anything else popping out at me that didn't before.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Because of this I find it very interesting that Rachelle deletes her pins once she's acted on them and feels she won't need them again (she cited pins for a cat door and cellphone as examples). I'm assuming this means she's essentially pinning a shopping list, is that right Rachelle? I haven't yet explored using pinterest in that way, mostly because by the time I have the cash to buy the thing I've pinned it'll no longer be available, but I can see the appeal. I'm just not sure I could delete the pins once I'm done with them!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Most of you seem to use it to bookmark and for inspiration. I still can't believe that <a href="http://landgirl1980.blogspot.com/">Charly</a> hasn't given in to peer pressure and that <a href="http://themagnificientblogofpopbabe7.blogspot.com/">Popbabe</a>'s work ban it as social networking! I love that <a href="http://quietandsmalladventures.blogspot.com/">Kristin</a> pins things that are just because she loves them and she populates her fantasy house with them. I'm also incredibly impressed with her restraint, I can't keep away from pinterest and yet Kristin only checks a couple of times a week! I've managed to get almost my entire office hooked and am working on the rest of the BBC.</div><br />Thanks for stopping by,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-24917965279155238082011-11-14T08:11:00.001+00:002011-12-03T15:22:00.959+00:00Project: Dresser { Notes }<div style="text-align: justify;">I thought I'd talk about the choices I made, the inspiration behind them and the tutorial I used that resulted in my favourite piece of furniture in my house (to date anyway).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The original plan for the alcoves on both sides of the dining room fireplace had been to put in shelves, because that's what normally goes in alcoves, right? I'm a big fan of different sized shelves, I like having books and curiosities displayed for all to see, possibly because it reminds me of those little magical book stores with all their nooks and crannies. I'd pinned some inspirational pictures as per normal:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></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://pinterest.com/pin/68719500582/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1neLL7g_oIH-yFQzoStVu9e9qGY3xxoW5oQZFUMrPE4hP_pkzFEPHOIw97iWoB5e4pcb9cCNF3pptD7XMHw6E6rIBXxek-VVpOHXtbmlKuU1X_2CNitFh-6a3VkZPEHGS6mRx_xvuNcw/s640/pinterest1.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pwrshopmom/5017396275/in/pool-1071084@N25">Flikr</a> }</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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://pinterest.com/pin/68719499304/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u1OfaNpv2mg/Tr5KMF2-84I/AAAAAAAABr0/e-DsDyrp7ks/s640/pinterest2.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68719499304/">Pinterest</a> }</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">That plan had been in place several months now, I'd even talked over building them myself with my Mum, and how we'd construct them. It stayed my plan right up until I visited some friends in the village who moved here around the same time as me and are also doing up their own house. They'd bought a lovely pine dresser from eBay for their dining room. I love dressers, I'd just not thought about getting one as it didn't fit in with my idea of what storage I was after. After seeing theirs I completely changed my mind!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As it turned out, I had pinned a couple of pictures of dressers to my house inspiration board. The second was my direct inspiration for the style and colour of my dresser. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></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://pinterest.com/pin/6194021/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdyVezhmy_x7_B0-yp3yy6tK-bVrjtByNdKVinRGoQqP1eGr8nUSvRkomjfV9DNM1Ra7QstEldKX0oFvkCip6a6cXLfEsJqUktcyFCsq5-4LS-REhEcXQ3RW2userh3mv9AgedUhxyc0/s640/pinterest4.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: <a href="http://sallys-zuhause.blogspot.com/2010/12/geschenke.html">Sally's Zuhause</a> }</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"></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://pinterest.com/pin/68719507596/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3m-B2uSpBZUHoZt763nFrI8c_MAdszMQbhM65iXYABHPhXxmFdjOoVAetyWWhsh7Ums9JpfSFfoIFDqaf98DGYZNFiiGT_TmC8Pe3ib-MVbKkrQSRp-BWj-BCtNObheqGMNbLqR-wLbY/s640/pinterest3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ <a href="http://4allmywishesanddreams.blogspot.com/2011/06/httptheapothacaryshop.html">A Tapestry of Dreams</a> }</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I toyed with the idea of keeping the table top part natural wood to match my dining table but as it turned out it had been stained far darker and would have looked wrong.<br /><br />I was very clear that this was going to be my sewing cupboard, everything crafty was going to be stored in the one place. I also loved the blues and greens that shabby chic seems to be predominantly painted in.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zs2Wj-7-QP0/Tr5l9zI_JBI/AAAAAAAABsQ/VO1BAKVUFZg/s1600/131111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zs2Wj-7-QP0/Tr5l9zI_JBI/AAAAAAAABsQ/VO1BAKVUFZg/s1600/131111.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68719499276/">Cupboards</a> 2. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68719499214/">Door</a> 3. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68719570155/">Door</a><br />4. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68719502154/">Mirror</a> 5. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68719555208/">Shelves</a> 6. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68719601610/">Crate</a><br />7. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68719570167/">Cupboard</a> 8. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68719476829/">Cupboard & Shelves</a> 9. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68719507053/">Drawers</a> </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Picture #7 was a direct inspiration for the way that I wanted to shabby up the paint. I love the white and blue, and I did toy with painting the entire thing blue but I plan on painting the double doors to the lounge a light blue and felt that it would be too much to have another large piece of furniture the same or similar colour, and I do love white furniture. The corner the dresser's in doesn't catch an awful lot of sunlight, despite its placement right next to a huge window. The back faces north and between the mountains on either side and the house next door my little dresser's corner doesn't get very much sun, it made photographing it very difficult! Painting it white brings a little more much needed brightness to that corner of the room.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'd found a couple of tutorials on painting, pinned to pinterest of course! I loved the idea of pulling a colour through under the white and this <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68719514283/">tutorial</a> offered just that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></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://pinterest.com/pin/68719514283/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hIMk_CwUxZs/Tto0Wbf5wTI/AAAAAAAAC94/Zba6NrR4jQo/paint%252520done.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: <a href="http://brassyapple.blogspot.com/2010/02/agedpeeling-paint-technique.html">Brassy Apple</a> }</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I didn't have any solid soap, so I borrowed the idea of a candle from this <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68719526435/">tutorial</a> and it worked perfectly. I got a bit carried away and in a couple of places used the candle on the blue undercoat where I shouldn't have because I wanted blue and not wood, but live and learn!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The end result is some great flashes of blue, not really noticeable but visible when you look.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FZFbNmwnT40/Tr5sblVp5eI/AAAAAAAABsY/f4d5UpfTeLk/s1600/DSCF1994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FZFbNmwnT40/Tr5sblVp5eI/AAAAAAAABsY/f4d5UpfTeLk/s640/DSCF1994.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpE3Rc6nfKv9eHly80dgaE0XW9QbgWtfgIvdAbz04P0SIIjucZhZb2fETsXBADnXQwf0RJEAuNNIsXWkyP9MBB5DYEMqSbb8jf2A_7Z_G0Buo6d8Xd7OAE-UZRqotAb4U8KVjN16Pg4oI/s1600/DSCF1998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpE3Rc6nfKv9eHly80dgaE0XW9QbgWtfgIvdAbz04P0SIIjucZhZb2fETsXBADnXQwf0RJEAuNNIsXWkyP9MBB5DYEMqSbb8jf2A_7Z_G0Buo6d8Xd7OAE-UZRqotAb4U8KVjN16Pg4oI/s640/DSCF1998.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The ceramic striped handles were another eBay purchase and cost ... well, rather a lot actually, but are totally worth it! Aren't they great?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ITLhVXvvzkw/Tr5uoCUiZHI/AAAAAAAABsg/ADo8CEKnpX0/s1600/DSCF1982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ITLhVXvvzkw/Tr5uoCUiZHI/AAAAAAAABsg/ADo8CEKnpX0/s640/DSCF1982.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The only real issue I came across (other than tired arms from all the damned painting) was the very large gaps above the doors on the bottom cupboard that hadn't really been noticeable when the wood was dark. As you can see, the white paint made it very noticeable!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhS9bMC2EEWX2QjilG5UbWVriB6u3CybGGW6XcEH1s_3XJS1caQgHhriI7hBqMzW2lZY6Z4HVvisls7pkBv0JHkNa8RW8Fi1srNdyAJY5V9Cb_tnl_X-ULRlcz2HjoDVOMH2A72778UE/s1600/DSCF2003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhS9bMC2EEWX2QjilG5UbWVriB6u3CybGGW6XcEH1s_3XJS1caQgHhriI7hBqMzW2lZY6Z4HVvisls7pkBv0JHkNa8RW8Fi1srNdyAJY5V9Cb_tnl_X-ULRlcz2HjoDVOMH2A72778UE/s640/DSCF2003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Luckily it was easily fixable and for less than £1! Usually, where drawers are built in to cupboards there are strips of wood running horizontally along the underside of the drawer to prevent just this sort of problem. In this case no such strip existed. In the picture below you can see the support for the drawer on the left, basically the drawer runner, but no wood under the drawer itself along the front as you'd expect. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uUpwCWG_5Uo7zp3x5_woDokHIFJ3or1yqrYo5CyAqvwaZoIyWTxOeTPN6iCX7azhyFNbACvm02nkx4t1jvpM4mT7RwZybd2U-ooZ_s9Y8p3ol_ZYbsEFXqBZHRhEA4IJfScO87UKBsg/s1600/DSCF2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uUpwCWG_5Uo7zp3x5_woDokHIFJ3or1yqrYo5CyAqvwaZoIyWTxOeTPN6iCX7azhyFNbACvm02nkx4t1jvpM4mT7RwZybd2U-ooZ_s9Y8p3ol_ZYbsEFXqBZHRhEA4IJfScO87UKBsg/s640/DSCF2007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">So I nipped to my local B&Q and picked up a small piece of trim for around 79p, measured and cut it to almost the right size (I used a saw and didn't cut anything vital, yay left-handed me!). I then painted it, sanded the edges and got this:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7GZzj1yKkbjfCcQOgaxJeBh5FDL61rWjLu9bs6P5C0CEI5azPP8KUmtQFyGpE9JlZDv03GoemMtMW0MBR2jWSTedn6amB8kGMHDRX4AqUHpNq-rTt7QteJVGTwElUtKTOEXdYjaxHZ0/s1600/DSCF2005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7GZzj1yKkbjfCcQOgaxJeBh5FDL61rWjLu9bs6P5C0CEI5azPP8KUmtQFyGpE9JlZDv03GoemMtMW0MBR2jWSTedn6amB8kGMHDRX4AqUHpNq-rTt7QteJVGTwElUtKTOEXdYjaxHZ0/s640/DSCF2005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Which I then wedged in place:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssKpb2RPKG5MTk0KhNPU057WL3p61sXO350pA9lrIMxawPZg7Wj3sYvXatn7DI-U4yd13fKq_gqkWzsSCVS937YViVtvOVRyetIe3WPKVghjWC3DiCNzluF-E9LsfrYR3gaII9qnoyAs/s1600/DSCF2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssKpb2RPKG5MTk0KhNPU057WL3p61sXO350pA9lrIMxawPZg7Wj3sYvXatn7DI-U4yd13fKq_gqkWzsSCVS937YViVtvOVRyetIe3WPKVghjWC3DiCNzluF-E9LsfrYR3gaII9qnoyAs/s640/DSCF2006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Ta da! Instant hole filler! See:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS88EJmuut8uJBbF0UXG9FMtrc6QTbifr8cFINyNWjsirEEuEPhQtjJMiOgASncST90MyL7_KGwCtp43m-D_wrIg5PwynaT5nSwwAEmVGGcX4C8v8hCXuUxBPGaa1IDgPlVL8tpNWDK3M/s1600/DSCF1999.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS88EJmuut8uJBbF0UXG9FMtrc6QTbifr8cFINyNWjsirEEuEPhQtjJMiOgASncST90MyL7_KGwCtp43m-D_wrIg5PwynaT5nSwwAEmVGGcX4C8v8hCXuUxBPGaa1IDgPlVL8tpNWDK3M/s640/DSCF1999.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Have you painted your own furniture? Have you any tips? I've got several more pieces in mind to purchase that are all going to need to be re-vamped, any advice would be greatly appreciated!</div><br />Thanks for stopping by,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-69144156747488724142011-11-12T09:21:00.001+00:002011-12-03T15:22:01.047+00:00Project: Dresser<div style="text-align: justify;">Firstly I just wanted to say a massive <i>thank you</i> to <a href="http://rhinestonesandtelephones.blogspot.com/">Sarah</a>, <a href="http://suzysewing.blogspot.com/">Suzy</a> and <a href="http://solvi.se/delfinelise/">Sølvi</a> (ooh, I alliterated and didn't even realise it!) for stepping in with guest posts at incredibly short notice whilst I was away. I don't know about you but I loved every one of them. Thank you girls, I couldn't have asked for better posts!<br /><br /><br />So recently I took a road trip to pick up a dresser I'd bought with my friend, <a href="http://blue-eyed-scribe.blogspot.com/">Scott</a>, who came along as the muscle. The dresser was another one of my bargains off eBay, scored for £50. It wasn't until I'd painted it, re-attached the doors and added my new door knobs that I realised just <i>why</i> it was only fifty quid.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The dresser was advertised looking like this:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPR0QQsx7QtIUV1sLgspt0Uj0ps0ttcAKR31ggdmv0_kKDGZ2oUKqqlYx8C5emrC_Jj21tbGJW1_E2fAvwtQ7v34yfgFCvjaPk_sJLixvJifronhTHRAeNO2idRGv6NX1jEPn4V1Hjpa4/s1600/ebay_dresser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPR0QQsx7QtIUV1sLgspt0Uj0ps0ttcAKR31ggdmv0_kKDGZ2oUKqqlYx8C5emrC_Jj21tbGJW1_E2fAvwtQ7v34yfgFCvjaPk_sJLixvJifronhTHRAeNO2idRGv6NX1jEPn4V1Hjpa4/s640/ebay_dresser.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Blurry certainly didn't do it justice, neither did the over-crowded room it was stored in. Scottie and I heaved my new dresser over a bed and around a drum kit, past the piles of boxes and out to my Mum's RAV4 borrowed specially for the occasion (via Bridgend and a cup of tea with cake). Thankfully, it fit.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Driving <i>very</i> slowly, paranoid I was going to break the glass doors, I edged my way back home where Scott and I heaved it up the front steps, past the new-to-me eBayed front door (I don't think I've told you much about that yet) and past the dining room table to it's fireplace alcove. It was the perfect size.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFeickabdRmXJwWabjAbnWTUt4eTl9gvzZavw5WsPmoCfwtSP97YaCslUKUXT3EicWAg60aKz2OrQS59HoWE5hIm0PqtO3ksd028KrwwNxOJzUKliaIb4Lm5tj5-uHC6INAV2plYvYkA/s1600/DSCF1955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFeickabdRmXJwWabjAbnWTUt4eTl9gvzZavw5WsPmoCfwtSP97YaCslUKUXT3EicWAg60aKz2OrQS59HoWE5hIm0PqtO3ksd028KrwwNxOJzUKliaIb4Lm5tj5-uHC6INAV2plYvYkA/s640/DSCF1955.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new-to-me dresser in its new-to-it home</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Knowing my flash-in-the-pan attention span, I immediately took all the doors off, took down the top piece and began painting it. Two weeks later I finally <i>finished</i> painting it, I knew if I stopped it would just sit there half done forever but it was a mammoth effort in self-control just to get to the finish line. Here's the end result:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0PIa5l87kfzWSjivVliWuKAbR3p9CRkv5aUvnx2djQseJVg3Mm9l9FTT52oqNoXaCEmf3oinYDl2QTK01atNuR0PWY5cWoEFlRhj8MOILqIQdpkC3XZO0UACxMKVGMhoupShWi-rHvw/s1600/DSCF1974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0PIa5l87kfzWSjivVliWuKAbR3p9CRkv5aUvnx2djQseJVg3Mm9l9FTT52oqNoXaCEmf3oinYDl2QTK01atNuR0PWY5cWoEFlRhj8MOILqIQdpkC3XZO0UACxMKVGMhoupShWi-rHvw/s640/DSCF1974.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-86yn16dXvfw/Tr2V2WyCf2I/AAAAAAAABq0/JVBbmpdKkEc/s1600/DSCF1976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-86yn16dXvfw/Tr2V2WyCf2I/AAAAAAAABq0/JVBbmpdKkEc/s640/DSCF1976.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNF1nHgzwDAknvdkZoRmyVJLTUYVNxZYKm4Gvv2UiXr4-czFYnC8qUiTWdPrP2QRwYLmPrXlAvmxuo-9xPr8uOUKSIlSAefjvVYWMUAYUyrJwOX3jYU9cZ7Uvk6LHlTlpoG-ULs0nxDzc/s1600/DSCF1979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNF1nHgzwDAknvdkZoRmyVJLTUYVNxZYKm4Gvv2UiXr4-czFYnC8qUiTWdPrP2QRwYLmPrXlAvmxuo-9xPr8uOUKSIlSAefjvVYWMUAYUyrJwOX3jYU9cZ7Uvk6LHlTlpoG-ULs0nxDzc/s640/DSCF1979.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGMA1B0PipVNg6K_xGfNg8pgBoTQ5bG6HbyETK-f8V2BuA6l2qklsRol9kjiiJNFvDb901DKZ9UZhJ_oRtev5kNEbLkmGlN9aPrNQWQvanV9KI7RfZVZvsa4Klyqnlo20lilRh-ISQdA/s1600/DSCF1981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGMA1B0PipVNg6K_xGfNg8pgBoTQ5bG6HbyETK-f8V2BuA6l2qklsRol9kjiiJNFvDb901DKZ9UZhJ_oRtev5kNEbLkmGlN9aPrNQWQvanV9KI7RfZVZvsa4Klyqnlo20lilRh-ISQdA/s640/DSCF1981.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTxOuKNqnNuHFmQqGmPC6p08zoX9NPnGvKgI-sn993wD5vUuR8ZVJKE743hLOi2fy7bgW_TXJMmhS0YZ69lKIGYTxpyHqleenpPT1iPGStTQWdVCNC_E3sBXJ3EQZ4f6KLUZ529d8xKU/s1600/DSCF1982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTxOuKNqnNuHFmQqGmPC6p08zoX9NPnGvKgI-sn993wD5vUuR8ZVJKE743hLOi2fy7bgW_TXJMmhS0YZ69lKIGYTxpyHqleenpPT1iPGStTQWdVCNC_E3sBXJ3EQZ4f6KLUZ529d8xKU/s640/DSCF1982.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlhtjitb6sBZn9HAaIX0Z7WBkfkJ52OUjGkZhJAowdcKfMOzE4m6U1TXaE7USFlxB9XQb3V8lhkm4AU7usDavP1Xmt6aru-vWAp_JGPX7X79KkGQjRP6wJOsS2Bm7x8dvElqVvC6zLOQ/s1600/DSCF1984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlhtjitb6sBZn9HAaIX0Z7WBkfkJ52OUjGkZhJAowdcKfMOzE4m6U1TXaE7USFlxB9XQb3V8lhkm4AU7usDavP1Xmt6aru-vWAp_JGPX7X79KkGQjRP6wJOsS2Bm7x8dvElqVvC6zLOQ/s640/DSCF1984.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopNx-s2KLMbzg-2yT5sXSdnFzmPTCFuTO6uNvHXeXEGzvqaapc6L8iwICF3GgfCLbzXzsr2OF2uHbGE8hiGEL_-yczADg1BNV4Ht1ilgZ9bPwk4fgVV6ir5NxbexPGr47lxaiIqRz6ZI/s1600/DSCF1985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopNx-s2KLMbzg-2yT5sXSdnFzmPTCFuTO6uNvHXeXEGzvqaapc6L8iwICF3GgfCLbzXzsr2OF2uHbGE8hiGEL_-yczADg1BNV4Ht1ilgZ9bPwk4fgVV6ir5NxbexPGr47lxaiIqRz6ZI/s640/DSCF1985.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I discovered, when I put the doors back on, that everything was a little warped. Gaps around the bottom cupboard doors were hidden by the darkness of the wood, and highlighted once painted white. The glass doors also fit strangely and don't close properly. The holes for the handles have been drilled unevenly and the drawers are too thick for my new handles to fit through. It's a crude dresser, made from sub-standard pine that stank of cigarette smoke. And I love it ... well, apart from the smell.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've shabbied up the paint work, exposing the blue undercoat I gave certain areas. I still need to finish dressing it, I have some mini-bunting planned and I'm going to paint the wooden box green, but overall I'm very very pleased with the result. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The glass cupboard holds all my patterns and my button jars, miscellaneous bits and pieces, and elastics. The drawers hold all my sewing paraphernalia that I don't want on display and the cupboards hold ... <i>stuff</i>. Deciding just what to put in it took a whole weekend, after three years of no storage in my dining room I was suddenly indecisive over just what I wanted to put away!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All in all, definitely worth the effort. Still, I hope it's a long time before I have to paint any furniture again!</div><br />Thanks for stopping by,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-1146344068934218502011-11-11T20:26:00.000+00:002011-12-03T15:22:00.921+00:00Lest We Forget<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZ-qfIL_ZcVqmMoh2ueS3V9tMt8eecrCbcBGyEgB7LlVjaaaYYYtyFeNHQ-aCM6ODO1uyOF5pc4r1-FVCO3V2WA46yhz4Z9ccz13xMmUdB74w94Lho3IPymZCk3DMIgXO9EHqrNPOmiI/s1600/field-of-poppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZ-qfIL_ZcVqmMoh2ueS3V9tMt8eecrCbcBGyEgB7LlVjaaaYYYtyFeNHQ-aCM6ODO1uyOF5pc4r1-FVCO3V2WA46yhz4Z9ccz13xMmUdB74w94Lho3IPymZCk3DMIgXO9EHqrNPOmiI/s640/field-of-poppies.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wallpapers-free.co.uk/background/nature/flowers_and_plants/field-of-poppies/">Source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Please support the <a href="https://donations.britishlegion.org.uk/RBLDonation/">British Legion</a> in their on-going work to help soldiers and soldiers families. Please remember the sacrifices given by people from long ago and those still making those sacrifices, regardless of whether you agree with the conflict. Please don't ever forget all those who've died in violence to protect others. Please wear your poppy with pride.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by,</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-73278253323530425152011-11-09T10:29:00.000+00:002011-12-03T15:22:01.064+00:00Guest Post: My Favorite Sewing Tools!<div style="text-align: justify;">Hi people! My name is Sølvi and I blog at <a href="http://solvi.se/delfinelise/">delfinelise</a>, and I am thrilled to help Tors out this week!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32851131@N06/6325962346/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" title="Hi! I´m Sølvi by delfinelise, on Flickr"><img alt="Hi! I´m Sølvi" class="aligncenter" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6058/6325962346_2bd991be35.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><i style="text-align: center;">Nice to meet you! </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">My initial thought was to write something about dressing stylish for winter, but since that topic already´s so well documented by <a href="http://welsh-pixie.blogspot.com/2011/11/guest-post-marriage-of-style-and-season.html">Sarah</a> and <a href="http://welsh-pixie.blogspot.com/2011/11/guest-post-autumn-fashion-in-1954.html">Suzy</a>, I decided to share with you some of my favorite sewing tools!</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I am always interested in new ways of improving my sewing skills, and I am always on the lookout for new cool stuff that can make my sewing experience even better. How about you? Do you have any special tricks or gadgets that makes your sewing more enjoyable?</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, here it is, my top list:</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">1. Measuring tools. The classic <i>Sømometer </i>is a typical Scandinavian gadget, and as you can see from the picture, all the most important measurements are printed on it. Invaluable! My measuring tape is pretty sweet too, as it has one side with inches and one with centimeters, and it is printed for lefties! I am left-handed, and it´s so cool to have a measuring tape where the numbers start at the right side, much easier!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32851131@N06/6326010628/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="My favorite tools by delfinelise, on Flickr"><img alt="My favorite tools" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6236/6326010628_0822f61eaa.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">2. The second thing I´ll share is my sketching tools. I have a fashionary, witch is a sketching book with body templates. I sketch my design ideas in it, so I don´t forget, and I can always go back and see what I have actually made, and what I haven´t . I always color my sketches using my Caran d´Ache pencils. I've had them for ages (I am talking 20+ years here...), and they are so perfect for coloring!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32851131@N06/6325229035/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="My favorite tools by delfinelise, on Flickr"><img alt="My favorite tools" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6216/6325229035_efa797f286.jpg" width="500" /> </a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32851131@N06/6328704560/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="fashionary drawings by delfinelise, on Flickr"><img alt="fashionary drawings" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6048/6328704560_c67bd77518.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">3. The next things that are invaluable to me are my sewing books. As I use A LOT of BurdaStyle Magazine patterns when I sew, having a good reference book nearby is crucial, as the Burda descriptions tends to be quite foggy. A good fitting book is important as well, so I know I don´t spend hours on a garment only to find that it doesn´t fit. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32851131@N06/6325982220/" title="My favorite tools by delfinelise, on Flickr"><img alt="My favorite tools" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6096/6325982220_f0ba18c91f.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">4. For prepping patterns and transfering them onto the fabric I love to use my Signet Color chalk. It´s got cartridges in different colors, and it works well on many different types of fabric. I love that it has the shape of a pen as well, as it makes it more pleasant to write with than some of the other tools on the market. Pictured is a hand held hole punch as well. It´s perfect for punching holes in the paper pattern so that I can makes accurate markings on the fabric.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32851131@N06/6325230167/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="My favorite tools by delfinelise, on Flickr"><img alt="My favorite tools" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6228/6325230167_22d32a5c2e.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />5. Next up are my favorite cutting tools. I depend heavily on my rotary cutter and cutting mat, it makes fabric cutting much more accurate and fast. I love my metal ruler as well, it´s super long, and with a 90 degree angle it´s perfect for cutting straight lines.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32851131@N06/6325983466/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="My favorite tools by delfinelise, on Flickr"><img alt="My favorite tools" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6099/6325983466_75960e4e4c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />6. The last thing I would like to share with you is my favorite way of storing pins while sewing. It´s a belt for the sewing machine! I don´t have a big sewing space, so I love how this keeps (most of) my pins, sewing machine needles and needles in place. I found the tutorial for this on Martha Stewart.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32851131@N06/6325231263/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="My favorite tools by delfinelise, on Flickr"><img alt="My favorite tools" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6032/6325231263_0f11e6c4f0.jpg" /></a></div><br />So there you have it, my favorite sewing tools. Enjoy!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-24981629696946434392011-11-08T11:00:00.000+00:002011-12-03T15:22:00.961+00:00Guest Post: Autumn Fashion in 1954<div style="text-align: justify;">Hello, I'm Suzy from <a href="http://suzysewing.blogspot.com/">Suzy Sewing</a>. A few weeks ago Tors had a wonderful <a href="http://welsh-pixie.blogspot.com/2011/10/winter-style.html">post about Winter Style</a> and one of her considerations was that she is often too cold to wear the stylish and gorgeous outfits from where she gets inspiration. I totally understand her and in keeping with the spirit decided to share with you some scans of what was in fashion this time of the year back in 1954. I am seriously developing a hoarding/ collection issue with vintage magazines, so happy to share some gorgeous images with you. Hope you enjoy!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YA7Vmcu8yMYhBztqgn1BAYS4SqKvn5dqveVOOwqIPRy7PRBjULfdrqoQMGVyAozHVW1QYi3qJrlxU5KdCEU1gPqsnp_23X_5dwZx7zPdYSO7xuGMjesaavI6dijU8eKjx4qugISkW-o/s1600/VPB+Oct.Nov+54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YA7Vmcu8yMYhBztqgn1BAYS4SqKvn5dqveVOOwqIPRy7PRBjULfdrqoQMGVyAozHVW1QYi3qJrlxU5KdCEU1gPqsnp_23X_5dwZx7zPdYSO7xuGMjesaavI6dijU8eKjx4qugISkW-o/s640/VPB+Oct.Nov+54.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The tide was changing and some more box shaped fashions were starting to emerge.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKJkGGsGhl0t5wifLq1lYg5GzsQTjmY3ebg6_EkXxRJWU7AxLcw0iVGBeRGPfvDZwPh9CoOUqi-AZ418_GLUJ02zfZbIOv4doOiRPvbfwGpucq2UtdNbC5r6DU38Q3E5Fs1VLYPC-x2s/s1600/VPB+Oct.Nov+54+1+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKJkGGsGhl0t5wifLq1lYg5GzsQTjmY3ebg6_EkXxRJWU7AxLcw0iVGBeRGPfvDZwPh9CoOUqi-AZ418_GLUJ02zfZbIOv4doOiRPvbfwGpucq2UtdNbC5r6DU38Q3E5Fs1VLYPC-x2s/s640/VPB+Oct.Nov+54+1+2.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Yet the well known shape of the 50s New Look is still strong. I absolutely love this day to evening look. And she's wearing flats! How comfortable is that.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9iEDBB0BmBf8HYQDCn17dCQSZ1WIMIZocZ010iauD1K7LAac5XnNLUFdI0VbOELY-nQn2vvkp8y3Ui2rmS8zzyRukprKibk2KdZVZsCGdJ73uWywgOCbtN2mJUcw3GrLwuNKNSKsexA/s1600/VPB+Oct.Nov+54+1+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9iEDBB0BmBf8HYQDCn17dCQSZ1WIMIZocZ010iauD1K7LAac5XnNLUFdI0VbOELY-nQn2vvkp8y3Ui2rmS8zzyRukprKibk2KdZVZsCGdJ73uWywgOCbtN2mJUcw3GrLwuNKNSKsexA/s640/VPB+Oct.Nov+54+1+1.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Many of the designs focus on the use of woollens for dresses. Illustrations focus on textures and colours. Very autumn, don't you think?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPsHzyf6PninbzOwov0Ayue0m2Uu55nc1ankWVfvtX6o8GxrYOeIGh2BEBwlxXR0f8AXSdq8h5AiRubFRJU7RjiMOijAQpJRel7oZNu66drNnnUOIeBujpI_DTPaigxjmPuMZMZwGy3w/s1600/VPB+Oct.Nov+54+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPsHzyf6PninbzOwov0Ayue0m2Uu55nc1ankWVfvtX6o8GxrYOeIGh2BEBwlxXR0f8AXSdq8h5AiRubFRJU7RjiMOijAQpJRel7oZNu66drNnnUOIeBujpI_DTPaigxjmPuMZMZwGy3w/s640/VPB+Oct.Nov+54+1.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And finally I will leave you with the below scan, entitled Flatter your Figure. I am a firm believer that if you dress for your figure and know how to accentuate good bits and disguise not so good bits, you will be able to pull off any era of fashion.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLqWFfB5id17wqP6tKnIAFY45CBxQjqmB2pmM1rddq6qbpcq4Lmdvh6m0kuOWvn_3K5Ck0aUz9zmR-YMcrwpTuexk8Ng0iUqRQQ8FJpR4znJWXKLd8mc5F30zAkPWtDlORh-HgZbdiuw/s1600/VPB+Oct.Nov+54+1+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLqWFfB5id17wqP6tKnIAFY45CBxQjqmB2pmM1rddq6qbpcq4Lmdvh6m0kuOWvn_3K5Ck0aUz9zmR-YMcrwpTuexk8Ng0iUqRQQ8FJpR4znJWXKLd8mc5F30zAkPWtDlORh-HgZbdiuw/s640/VPB+Oct.Nov+54+1+3.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-12319667641212905892011-11-07T18:27:00.000+00:002011-12-03T15:22:00.924+00:00Guest Post: The Marriage of Style and Season<div style="text-align: justify;">Hello, everyone! My name is Sarah and I blog at <a href="http://rhinestonesandtelephones.blogspot.com/">Rhinestones and Telephones</a>. I'm delighted to be a guest blogger at Tors' online home whilst she is off in the wilds of Wales.</div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QxlUp_oENP4/TCvEAbFaTUI/AAAAAAAAALs/fG1qW3_u6Jw/s1600/IMG_8791.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672342765708712162" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bUkDX9-AIRk/Trg1sSpTGOI/AAAAAAAAAA0/tNsdAFbX38g/s400/torswolf.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="267" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Tors is a terrifically crafty and clever lady and I always look forward to her posts. Recently, she talked about her difficulties in meshing her style with the practical aspects of a <a href="http://welsh-pixie.blogspot.com/2011/10/winter-style.html">Welsh winter</a>. In her own words:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"...try dressing stylishly whilst wearing SWAT boots and the warmest coat you have (and thermals, and woolly hat, and crazy hair). I defy anyone to wear make-up whilst standing at the back of the Brecon Beacons in pouring rain and driving wind in a jacket made for a twelve year old (read: slightly too short in the arms and with a hood that doesn't quite cover your large adult head)."</span></div><br /><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; text-align: center;"><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://pinterest.com/pin/5617292/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/278097345709608358_3nArkeET_c.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption"><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.sewweekly.com/2011/02/the-sleuthing-outfit.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">sewweekly.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/sarahrt/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Stylish Debi from <a href="http://fashionsfromthepast.blogspot.com/">My Happy Sewing Place</a> and <a href="http://www.sewweekly.com/">The Sew Weekly</a> looking chic and cozy in her handmade cape!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As a Canadian, and a dedicated wearer of skirts and dresses in all weather, I am completely empathetic to Tors' dilemma and detest the SWAT Team look. In my wardrobe, the advent of winter does not mean I put away my personal look and dress like a completely different person for the next 8 months. What Tors and many of us are looking for, is a wardrobe full of versatile and practical garments that meet the needs of the season, yet don't sacrifice style or make our bank accounts scream in agony.</div><br /><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; text-align: center;"><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://pinterest.com/pin/20509873/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/68719485831_c3j1X6P4_c.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr align="justify"><td class="tr-caption"><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.thefashionist.se/2011/03/london-vintage-at-kings-road.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">thefashionist.se</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/girlmeetswolf/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Tors</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Taking a peek at <a href="http://pinterest.com/girlmeetswolf/">Tors' Pinterest</a> shows a woman of excellent style and taste with a penchant for vintage and vintage-inspired clothing. In her <a href="http://pinterest.com/welshpixie/trousers-and-shorts/">Trousers & Shorts pinboard</a>, you can see she loves high-waisted, classically styled trousers. With her slender figure, I think she would look absolutely fantastic in classic 1940's style side button trousers: warm and stylish!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zty-201BEY/TrgwMx-4ZHI/AAAAAAAAAAo/Lgz8c0u-gdk/s1600/navyheydeytrousers.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672336726806783090" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zty-201BEY/TrgwMx-4ZHI/AAAAAAAAAAo/Lgz8c0u-gdk/s400/navyheydeytrousers.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="266" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%; font-style: italic;">(</span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><a href="http://www.heydayonline.co.uk/default/womens-clothing/ladies-trousers/ladies-swing-trousers-navy-2.html" style="font-style: italic;">source</a></span><span style="font-size: 85%; font-style: italic;">)</span><span style="font-size: 85%;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Gorgeous, no? I have a pair of Heyday trousers and they are great. They take a lot of abuse (Play Doh, anyone?) and come out of the wash like new! I'm sure crafty Tors could easily whip herself up a pair from <a href="http://evadress.com/3322.html">EvaDress 3322.</a> I'm planning on making a pair in dark denim and another in charcoal corduroy.</div><br /><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; text-align: center;"><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://pinterest.com/pin/44027480/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/278097345709608859_bb4jKK1Q_c.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/parisian_trench/thing?id=2851175" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">polyvore.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/sarahrt/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Given that Chez Tors is on the side of a mountain facing a valley, freezing winds and the like are the norm. I sympathize. I live near the lake where the wonderful phenomenon of 'lake effect snow' and 'cold vs. warm fronts' are played out in Olympic proportions all season long. My solution? A long, fully lined winter coat that either zips or button from collar to calves. Paired with waterproof, lined, knee-length winter boots I am very toasty warm in my skirts and dresses. I found my full-length red wool coat for $10 last year in my local thrift store. Score!</div><br /><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; text-align: center;"><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://pinterest.com/pin/249638790/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/278097345709658618_gnitxk9Q_c.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.shopruche.com/endearing-heart-bow-top-in-olive-p-8398.html?zenid38=98f0690054efa8ef2b922609c67879dc" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">shopruche.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/sarahrt/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Expert layering is also essential. By this, I mean layers that are warm but can easily be removed once indoors. There's nothing worse than being all kitted up for the cold outdoors only to swelter in your central-heating-set-to-equator-hot office. Layering - it's a lifesaver.</div><br /><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; text-align: center;"><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://pinterest.com/pin/83406763/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/68719507266_VSo6nci8_c.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/transaction/43288977" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">etsy.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/girlmeetswolf/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Tors</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinteres</a></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Wouldn't Tors look terrific in this dress? Layered with warm tights, boots, and a fuzzy cardigan (a vintage beaded one, methinks), she would be toasty battling the elements on her way to work, yet still comfortable in her tropically heated office. I can also see her looking fabulous in <a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/peony">Colette Patterns' Peony</a>.</div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oZKeAIJH-RE/TrhO6EQs6UI/AAAAAAAAABA/ABp0nRx6qnc/s1600/tealknit-Simp3673%2B%25287%2529.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672370490156312898" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oZKeAIJH-RE/TrhO6EQs6UI/AAAAAAAAABA/ABp0nRx6qnc/s400/tealknit-Simp3673%2B%25287%2529.JPG" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When one lives in a cold climate, the fabric of choice for warm winter garments tends to be wool....unless you're allergic, like Tors and I. <span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">*humph*</span></span> While many would suggest lining the garments as a solution, but sometimes those itchies still seem to find a way to sneak though and drive me nuts! Solution? Warm, comfortable, durable, and easy care fabrics like corduroy, twill, and heavy jersey (cotton, bamboo, etc). I also try to use warm fabrics in unusual ways such as a <a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/jasmine">Jasmine blouse</a> sewn from flannel. Cozy and chic!</div><br /><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; text-align: center;"><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://pinterest.com/pin/311017734/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/278097345709678160_RlPOFX14_c.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/sarahrt/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Refashionista Queen Zoe of <a href="http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com/">So, Zo</a> and her refashioned sweatshirt. Beautiful!</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">So there you have it! My solution for marrying your style with the season: a combination of warm and cozy handmade and purchased pieces, peppered by the occasional purchase of an investment piece. Bring on winter!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">* * * * *<br /><br /></div>These ladies have chilly chic down to a fine art:<br /><a href="http://www.diaryofavintagegirl.com/">Diary of a Vintage Girl</a><br /><a href="http://teaandcrumpetsvintage.blogspot.com/">Tea and Crumpets</a><br /><a href="http://freelancersfashion.blogspot.com/">The Freelancer's Fashion Blog</a><br /><a href="http://www.twilajean.com/">Twila Jean</a><br /><a href="http://vixenvintage.blogspot.com/">Vixen Vintage</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-43611047954896062552011-11-02T21:02:00.000+00:002011-12-03T15:22:00.993+00:00Project: Kids Bear Costume<div style="text-align: justify;">Back in September, Jessica of <a href="http://projectsbyjess.blogspot.com/">Running with Scissors</a> posted a request on her blog for pattern testers. Having seen, and fallen in love with, her kids <a href="http://projectsbyjess.blogspot.com/2007/01/woodland-animal-costume-sewing-pattern.html">Wolf, Bear and Fox costumes</a> (the exact patterns she was wanting tested) I jumped at the chance. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7cMIGqLDTqOeTNDh48mnTvwYXsg57ThzMlCZCqer2PMQTaseZu3RQ1QyhtojNMYiElY9RxBqRshvRGIQfJQVYCD6r3r8dwO9ALAKbGTjQ2rFJcXW7rxyOPhV6qq0LPVgg0O6h6YJiHM/s1600/runningwithscissors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7cMIGqLDTqOeTNDh48mnTvwYXsg57ThzMlCZCqer2PMQTaseZu3RQ1QyhtojNMYiElY9RxBqRshvRGIQfJQVYCD6r3r8dwO9ALAKbGTjQ2rFJcXW7rxyOPhV6qq0LPVgg0O6h6YJiHM/s640/runningwithscissors.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: <a href="http://projectsbyjess.blogspot.com/">Running with Scissors</a> }</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unfortunately, a combination of poor timing and the lurgy meant I didn't finish making the costume on time, but I did successfully manage to sew the entire costume in a day (less actually, but I faff about a lot ... just in case you'd not noticed that!).<br /><br />Not having children of my own I made this costume for my nephew but my sister has been completely unable to convince him to try it on! I sent it to them at the beginning of October and have finally given up hope of having photographic evidence provided of him wearing it. This means you get boring hanging-on-the-wall pictures and a silly picture of me modelling the hood.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWAk3N5SWjDiyvkYEhvzdrH7pOOz3zVzi0e58kgX4g19LWdH8y4051zNGnPIyBXgN3s4XXmXMJOn6KE_RFB3crn1jtcKvgowYVeKdgSF7jQVufKzF4S5eRoGD-_Oy9x5TehZdkuNMZzI/s1600/DSC00039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWAk3N5SWjDiyvkYEhvzdrH7pOOz3zVzi0e58kgX4g19LWdH8y4051zNGnPIyBXgN3s4XXmXMJOn6KE_RFB3crn1jtcKvgowYVeKdgSF7jQVufKzF4S5eRoGD-_Oy9x5TehZdkuNMZzI/s640/DSC00039.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3l1RfSYGLD9FfnxXaF4MnUOYDnS1F1SeJuE0iQbttE6c7083hoN1o6NcfvdsG6F5bb0nlUW4I2lFxrSuMLnBTNYIok3hwLs871znfd6sHMtvX-T2nQnAEnOOqiuRxJy5ZwDSJEDGJocQ/s1600/DSC00040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3l1RfSYGLD9FfnxXaF4MnUOYDnS1F1SeJuE0iQbttE6c7083hoN1o6NcfvdsG6F5bb0nlUW4I2lFxrSuMLnBTNYIok3hwLs871znfd6sHMtvX-T2nQnAEnOOqiuRxJy5ZwDSJEDGJocQ/s640/DSC00040.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDE-1tT3oSuMPcC01H7IajNfO35NDnZIa8XB8oJOfZclvG2mCRx1VhhUNCp5l_d4ol2m8Y1b-gqUhKcfxM3YbRwK84EoDIKIkl24zeTG4sDr38jBhTxf1TSvDrl3X3SRaRGt6jcZzo0MA/s1600/011011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDE-1tT3oSuMPcC01H7IajNfO35NDnZIa8XB8oJOfZclvG2mCRx1VhhUNCp5l_d4ol2m8Y1b-gqUhKcfxM3YbRwK84EoDIKIkl24zeTG4sDr38jBhTxf1TSvDrl3X3SRaRGt6jcZzo0MA/s640/011011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I thought about modelling the tail too but I just couldn't get it to photograph well.<br /><br />The pattern was delightfully simple to follow, despite my confusion around the gusset (which I ended up putting in from back to front on purpose but not reading instructions properly as is my way and so getting a little lost). I've never sewn a gusset before and it was a definite head-scratch moment trying to figure out the instructions which, once I had figured them out, made perfect sense if I'd just been paying attention.<br /><br />I made the costume out of a fleece blanket, the result is perhaps a little thicker than needed resulting in thinner arms and legs, probably not helped by the fact I didn't press the seams very well. Although I'm not sure if I was supposed to add seam allowance (which I didn't) because (as per normal) I didn't read the instructions properly. I made the 4 year old size as my sister insists Noah is very tall for his age (I think she's delusional) and then had to laugh when she received it and thought it would be too long for him. I'm guessing we might never actually know.</div><br />Thanks for stopping by,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-29107583660897928762011-10-31T22:05:00.000+00:002011-12-03T15:22:00.966+00:00How Do You Use Pinterest?<div style="text-align: justify;">I've been spending lots of time on <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> recently. Yes. Again. I regularly review my pins on any given subject as I'm thinking about various projects. The completion of my dresser (pictures to follow once I actually experience enough daylight to photograph it in) has made me start to think about what other furniture I need in the dining room. Obviously, the first place I start is my <a href="http://pinterest.com/welshpixie/dining-room/">Dining Room</a> board on Pinterest. Okay, so actually the first place I start is by figuring out how much of the crap sitting on every available surface (and in some instances the floor) needs to be kept in the dining room as well as, y'know, <i>kept</i>. But right after that I head to Pinterest.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mm8rVRbdNGg/Tq8ZGzY7-VI/AAAAAAAABoo/tNIxDCsqznw/s1600/pinterest1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mm8rVRbdNGg/Tq8ZGzY7-VI/AAAAAAAABoo/tNIxDCsqznw/s640/pinterest1.png" width="550" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once I've had a nosey through my board of choice I tend to have a rummage through my followers pins. If I have time after that I look through the 'everyone' section to make sure there's not something pretty that I've missed. And then I probably go back to my original board, solidify my ideas in my head and remind myself what I'm looking for. Then I head to eBay and spend lots of money I don't have.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CcNrp6Lg6wg/Tq8ZEZUcrhI/AAAAAAAABog/W2XBTuKCbaE/s1600/pinterest.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CcNrp6Lg6wg/Tq8ZEZUcrhI/AAAAAAAABog/W2XBTuKCbaE/s640/pinterest.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But I have noticed a tendency, on occasion, to re-pin pictures I've already pinned, unsurprising when you consider I've managed to rack up a rather generous 1000 plus pins over 39 boards, despite my freaky memory for things I've seen (which is why I <i>adore</i> pinterest!). And it got me thinking, how do you use Pinterest? Is it just to collect pretty pictures? Is it to visually bookmark recipes or tutorials? Do you even <i>have</i> a Pinterest account (and if not, why the hell not, are you crazy?!). Just how often do you go back and look at the things you've pinned, if at all? What <i>exactly</i> do you use Pinterest for? Answers on a postcard!</div><br />Thanks for stopping by,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-12246903431986402842011-10-28T22:11:00.000+01:002011-12-03T15:22:00.923+00:00Ffefrynau Friday { 28.10.11 }<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqVMVHkdF_U5OcHUWmesXDyT7jxvPm0A8lIX_OlfUtNqvigMRH9pNEbf6UhGSasTH8rkc2MZoRwI3ftKv0jKPB6ClMFb36X8cJsxn-MPwFahb17cHb9Lon-1iy_v2wFWpY_EJlY6p2l0/s1600/281011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqVMVHkdF_U5OcHUWmesXDyT7jxvPm0A8lIX_OlfUtNqvigMRH9pNEbf6UhGSasTH8rkc2MZoRwI3ftKv0jKPB6ClMFb36X8cJsxn-MPwFahb17cHb9Lon-1iy_v2wFWpY_EJlY6p2l0/s1600/281011.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1. <a href="http://littleemmaenglishhome.blogspot.com/2011/01/interiors-that-rock.html">Lovely hall shelf</a> 2. <a href="http://littleemmaenglishhome.blogspot.com/2011/01/interiors-that-rock.html">Craft or samples wallpaper</a> 3. <a href="http://littleemmaenglishhome.blogspot.com/2011/10/kate-forman-english-and-romantic-mood.html">Gorgeous tableware</a><br />4. <a href="http://littleemmaenglishhome.blogspot.com/2011/10/kate-forman-english-and-romantic-mood.html">Cosy and neutral</a> 5. <a href="http://www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com/2011/10/holiday-decorating-inspiration.html">Pine stair garland</a> 6. <a href="http://blog.annemcelwain.com/annie_mcelwain_photograph/2011/06/life-is-awesome.html">Great photo display</a><br />7. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/400995634/">Christmas candles</a> 8. <a href="http://hviturlakkris.blogspot.com/2011/05/hej-i-natten-mina-solar-egentligen.html">Kitchenware</a> 9. <a href="http://curiousbird.typepad.com/curious_bird/2008/10/neighborly.html">Hallowe'en pumpkin</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />As you can see, I'm a little obsessed with interiors at the moment. My dresser is almost finished and I've started nesting for winter. However, it's been a hectic week this week, more recce's out and about for filming locations, so I've only got two tips/ tutorials this week.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hkdyqHpEdUU/ToiwINPygNI/AAAAAAAABc4/jHeLxd3wfII/s1600/faves.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hkdyqHpEdUU/ToiwINPygNI/AAAAAAAABc4/jHeLxd3wfII/s1600/faves.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> I love the <a href="http://www.sewweekly.com/">Sew Weekly</a> Make This Look feature. This week was a lovely <a href="http://www.sewweekly.com/2011/10/make-this-look-the-baba-blue-dress.html">navy and white dress</a>. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> Joann's has a free pdf pattern for a cute <a href="http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/projectdetail.jsp?PRODID=xprd780715&CATID=&AID=10843226&PID=3872207&SID=skim1847X546955X1667ee35b9108a42c0b0e6456f48cdb8">tote bag</a>.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Thanks for stopping by,</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-49860812789001143202011-10-24T21:55:00.000+01:002011-12-03T15:22:01.001+00:00Winter Style<div style="text-align: justify;">I've found it harder than expected to retain an individual style since starting back at the BBC. Working in the 'real world' I was expected to wear the office uniform; suits, nice shoes, shirts and a tidy appearance. Television doesn't work like that. I've mentioned before; you can (and I have) turn up for work in your pyjamas. Hell, I've worn a beautiful emerald green cocktail dress from <a href="https://www.shabbyapple.com/p-792-aint-she-sweet.aspx">Shabby Apple</a> and no one batted an eyelid.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Interestingly, people have noticed I have a soft spot for the fashions of the past. Usually based, strangely enough, on my choice of shoes. Mmmmm, shoes. I think I've made it clear how much I love shoes, but just in case here's a <a href="http://girlmeetswolf.blogspot.com/2010/05/schuh-fetish.html">reminder</a>. And <a href="http://girlmeetswolf.blogspot.com/2010/11/wardrobe-woes.html">another one</a>. But my shoe choices are a whole other post.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I want to talk about winter wear because I'm trying to get it straight in my head just what it is that I'm after. As ever, <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> is one of my major sources of inspiration. Below are some of the pictures I've posted on my outerwear and style boards that are relevant to this topic. I don't think it's too much of a long shot to assume that I'd like things similar in style, fabric and/or colour for my own wardrobe.</div><br /><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://pinterest.com/pin/68719485831/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCysuX7HJMZ9Vfuvavdb7sUlKE1LkvLTKdFHro_1pEXwVvxEStgkF8AUsbOA0vzYTQAelMlFokQ30KRbefponBGeDy559vmYHaH1IW-ZxIxLhLAGlzRDwEwFHcpSUZUcONH6KNiWzYM9Q/s640/vintage+grey.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: <a href="http://www.thefashionist.se/2011/03/london-vintage-at-kings-road.html">The Fashionist</a> }</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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://pinterest.com/pin/68719606330/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bn6X_Iu1GZA/TqXGSO9veKI/AAAAAAAABkA/jTN9AoBLVRY/s640/vintage+blue.jpg" width="560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: <a href="http://macabremarilyn.tumblr.com/post/479233455/wish-i-knew-who-the-model-was-she-is-gorgeous">Tumblr</a> }</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Obviously, I have a thing for fur collars. They add a touch of old time glamour. And are <i>warm</i>. Of course, it helps that both women are made-up, wearing red lipstick and have great hair. It's important to remember that I don't (you'd be surprised how often I forget that). </div><br /><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://pinterest.com/pin/7191809/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C3jMwEycCCE/TqXGRCJOiHI/AAAAAAAABj0/qLOH0gyCs_E/s640/blue+and+red.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: <a href="http://www.ashleyording.com/2011/02/french-homage.html">Fancy Fine</a> }</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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://pinterest.com/pin/308344474/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yh67C_su0EI/TqXGRyj-RzI/AAAAAAAABj4/BXhPI-jxpG0/s640/blue.jpg" width="376" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: <a href="http://www.weardrobe.com/items/18123-navy-zara-trench-coat">Weardrobe</a> }</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">I also appear to have a thing for blue (big surprise there). Or more specifically, blue and red.</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And then there's the things to wear under the furry blue coat with red bits.</div><br /><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://pinterest.com/pin/266004564/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPSUlLP3Xvy9hyvYisQSlpOcGypa_2Jvyif8NzVLO5gzwKXDCGe_wDsLVeyVh-57eXQbEHM69YhlOp8qnsWEkNV0bNZS-zUdEGELCNDC-ZGWqvx9PN1RX-jf-a6ioak6SzEApztXQSGk/s640/bright+young+twins.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: <a href="http://brightyoungtwins.blogspot.com/2011/10/my-new-bike.html">Bright Young Twins</a> }<br />(Look, the wolf's even photo-bombing other bloggers now!)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Harriet's outfit is divine. I love her shoes. Big fan of tweed (if slightly allergic). But it has it's problems, which I'll delve in to shortly.</div><br /><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://pinterest.com/pin/33817803/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OyZeOU-eThFVj9ToUY6KUJRMymnhN4AJAK4-xVqSNiqadMlQr7pTrT9bsyj8dkpS3WA-mdoZw9DWjFlEzUaUYlTQc7NILmSCg_UeP4AmqIanGGggci0V6JUrKcXsORE7IVRIGCE6gTE/s640/beach.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/33817803/">Pinterest</a> }</td></tr></tbody></table> Nice. Practical. Same problem.<br /><br />And then there's my <strike>obsession</strike> love of shorts. Sigh.<br /><br /><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://pinterest.com/pin/32548038/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="614" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qIbQEmMCA8U/TqXIkhLYx8I/AAAAAAAABlA/jjMi-iItM_c/s640/red+shorts.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: <a href="http://amourtendre.tumblr.com/post/3074488831">Tumblr</a> }</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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://pinterest.com/pin/13709101/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RAp0EhhCTdzw9IcW667YMgRgJpIjyqhRPz2QhJSKzLLwywyY3hAAOypzAE2qSR5vrEXk_n05j5_JdDZI0chkurbRmlKjrfCIjj_xy64nKnewCC0xFvi10LN31JKjSxPYqz-mDCGo0TI/s640/blue+shorts.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: <a href="http://www.chictopia.com/photo/show/363865-GOLDEN+GIRL-vintage-sweater-old-navy-coat-forever-21-shorts-forever-21-scarf-thrifte">Chictopia</a> }</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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://pinterest.com/pin/5993547/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-MJMfn1-95y__JpQRue9Uk4d1NQY52iHaw5tgbrsg2k8g62g3QgUjDc9t3IEcXdYi3lkfP0qiqtD3AHFJuG0Ek5yECTBLUmeZbvZAJyv97f3orKis2P961-z7y7jSgxBMTlhPEPnM5E/s640/denim+shorts.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/5993547/">Pinterest</a> }</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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://pinterest.com/pin/16902339/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sg1dZMVi2js/TqXIjFPy5HI/AAAAAAAABk0/kiWv0WUMVps/s640/grey+shorts.jpg" width="396" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67974770/stand-collar-green-woollen-short">The Morning Tea on Etsy</a> }</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Not practical in the slightest. And actually has the same problems as the other two pictures in a way. That being coverage. Whilst I clearly love the styles, there's just a huge issue that's sort of insurmountable.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I don't know how familiar you are with Wales and its weather. But it's rainy. And windy. And bloody <i>cold.</i> I live on the side of a mountain, facing a valley bowl, it gets quite chilly around the old extremities and then some. Now, don't get me wrong, we're not on the Canadian or Russian scale of cold here, but it does require slightly more clothing than a pair of wool shorts I'm allergic to. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It also brings me back to my profession. Luckily, most days I spend in the office where the central heating is set to Caribbean with no hope of a cool breeze. But then there are the days like the three in a row I had last week. They involved early starts, long car journeys, mountains, caves and coal mines (sometimes all in the same day). You try dressing stylishly whilst wearing SWAT boots and the warmest coat you have (and thermals, and woolly hat, and crazy hair). I defy anyone to wear make-up whilst standing at the back of the Brecon Beacons in pouring rain and driving wind in a jacket made for a twelve year old (read: slightly too short in the arms and with a hood that doesn't quite cover your large adult head). The below is probably closest to my outfit during those days. Just swap the shirt for several jumpers and the lovely jacket for a fleece and a waterproof coat. </div><br /><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://pinterest.com/pin/77236353/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSPEUJXGebNjamlwEiliv2Qgb7RakDdYHiDRyU-5NE7LJEibS1VAymsH64CXX3Wym-ddi-YYd4LlC_A8hN13qvQoEsMADwVqCBu1Bt9jwXHIs0YIGF8PLdYG1FuCY_PwjLd4II99L5kY/s640/practical.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68719506058/">Pinterest</a> }</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Now, don't get me wrong. I like this outfit. I pinned it afterall. But it's just so <i>practical</i>. Whilst I realise I can't get away with wonderfully stylish outfits like those above (and most of the things I pin), partially because I get cold so easily and mostly because - whilst the television industry wouldn't bat an eyelid - I'm uncomfortable wearing those kinds of things (read: shorts) to work as a soon-to-be 36 year old professional. Which is why it's been so hard maintaining a unique style at work. Something that allows freedom of movement for those days when I'm asked to run all over the building collecting or delivering things. Or those 12 hour days in the studio (or, gods forbid, the car). Something that'll keep me warm and relatively dry perhaps. Something to ponder further I think. </div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">How do you keep warm in the winter? What's your secret?</div><br />Thanks for stopping by,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-81820628640586662962011-10-21T22:20:00.000+01:002011-12-03T15:22:01.083+00:00Ffefrynau Friday { 21.10.11 }<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://pinterest.com/girlmeetswolf/pins/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sqtdi50-v2s/TqHeltotzqI/AAAAAAAABjo/7n3EycvFv1Q/s1600/211011.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1. <a href="http://cabinology.tumblr.com/post/11447619034/ignitelight-i-am-itching-to-get-a-pair-of-tall">Love the cardigan</a> 2. <a href="http://www.adamhommerding.com/blog/?cat=5">Great picture wall</a> 3. <a href="http://www.artistaday.com/?p=11690">Wonderfully evocative picture</a><br />4. <a href="http://www.midwesttreatment.com/post/8793431087/dining-kitchen">Dresser inspiration for my own</a> 5. <a href="http://rosaspinavintage.blogspot.com/2011/10/simple-saturday.html">Orla Kiely dress modelled by Ale</a> 6. <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=17851239&itemdescription=true&parentid=A_DEC_BEDDING&color=066&isProduct=true&preference=NorthAmerica&navAction=jump&cm_mmc=NorthAmerica-_-NorthAmerica-_-NorthAmerica-_-NorthAmerica&search=true&availableOptions=availableOptions">Girly bedspread</a><br />7. <a href="http://macabremarilyn.tumblr.com/post/479233455/wish-i-knew-who-the-model-was-she-is-gorgeous">Beautiful outfit and look</a> 8. <a href="http://littleemmaenglishhome.blogspot.com/2011/10/shabby-chic-inspiration.html">Messy and cluttered pin board</a> 9. <a href="http://al-amour.tumblr.com/post/4623919437/vogueapril11">Lovely make-up</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hkdyqHpEdUU/ToiwINPygNI/AAAAAAAABc4/jHeLxd3wfII/s1600/faves.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hkdyqHpEdUU/ToiwINPygNI/AAAAAAAABc4/jHeLxd3wfII/s1600/faves.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> <a href="http://www.quaintrellelife.com/diy_teacup.html">Quaintrelle Life</a> has posted a tutorial on decorating your own tea cups. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/06/reupholstering-chair-part-1-stripping.html">Pearl Street Interiors</a> has put together a series on re-upholstering chairs. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> I found, then lost, and have now re-found a brilliant tutorial on vintage-ing up a brand new dress form posted by <a href="http://heatherbullard.typepad.com/heather_bullard_collectio/2007/04/my_new_gal.html">Heather Bullard</a>. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> How to make homemade pore strips courtesy of <a href="http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/homemade-pore-strips">Cut Out & Keep</a>. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Thanks for stopping by,</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-16516626714317787512011-10-15T07:46:00.002+01:002011-12-03T15:22:00.939+00:00Project: Blushing Ted<div style="text-align: justify;">A couple of days ago I posted my <a href="http://craftychristmasclub.blogspot.com/2011/10/to-do-list.html">to-sew/ to-do</a> list for Christmas decorations on the <a href="http://craftychristmasclub.blogspot.com/">Crafty Christmas Club</a>, a collective of crafters who come together each year to share tutorials and gift ideas. At no point on that list does it mention a blushing teddy and yet that's exactly what I ended up with last night. I love it so much I'm fighting with myself as I'd originally thought to gift it to my housemate for her baby-to-be-once-born, but now I find myself hoping she has a boy so I can keep it!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The pattern came from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0715327496?ie=UTF8&tag=welpixi-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0715327496">Sew Pretty Homestyle</a> by <a href="http://tildasworld.com/">Tone Finnanger</a> and is, as ever, remarkably simple to make. I cannot recommend her books highly enough.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_xFLxPcOxWo/TtoHdBsrudI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/gOM0F1Niv8A/s1600/DSCF1914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_xFLxPcOxWo/TtoHdBsrudI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/gOM0F1Niv8A/s640/DSCF1914.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlifYKPPbBQ504hSxVoRmpKG7Jy6fA2VHP_lXFcHZZC48PcOdWxfl53jifrSTeh4MpyapcfeFXaNV04Bn9gJPYVP272omNnZFfPK5xRKbuEIozQElyYnp6UTKVVwRQvRS5T42x_NO7jk/s1600/DSCF1924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlifYKPPbBQ504hSxVoRmpKG7Jy6fA2VHP_lXFcHZZC48PcOdWxfl53jifrSTeh4MpyapcfeFXaNV04Bn9gJPYVP272omNnZFfPK5xRKbuEIozQElyYnp6UTKVVwRQvRS5T42x_NO7jk/s640/DSCF1924.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Fabric: White - Ikea, Patterned - Tilda from <a href="http://www.puddlecrafts.co.uk/">Puddlecrafts</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Buttons: Stash</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Blush: Paint stamp swirled on with a dry brush</span></div><br />Thanks for stopping by,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-37406748404099191752011-10-14T21:40:00.000+01:002011-12-03T15:22:00.977+00:00Ffefrynau Friday { 14.10.11 }<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOmxjAOGZjMYYDFUPt4z5_1MyBRI0UFLoM5xgeSi77qRNu0UkH68cdLgsateY_GSv7p4Q_zCUYL48JeH2EBqNU7IAoBGo-qoVHXp9_FVR7d4pSOztE9ffXJMFLqzRYriybC80q7Calg0/s1600/141011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOmxjAOGZjMYYDFUPt4z5_1MyBRI0UFLoM5xgeSi77qRNu0UkH68cdLgsateY_GSv7p4Q_zCUYL48JeH2EBqNU7IAoBGo-qoVHXp9_FVR7d4pSOztE9ffXJMFLqzRYriybC80q7Calg0/s1600/141011.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1. <a href="http://craftychristmasclub.blogspot.com/2011/10/ipad-sleeve.html">iPad cover tutorial</a> 2. <a href="http://www.delightfuldozen.com/2011/10/remix-redeux.html">great dress on Delightful Dozen</a> 3. <a href="http://icandyhandmade.blogspot.com/2011/02/icandy-plenty-of-pretty-pillowcase.html">baby dress from pillowase tutorial</a><br />4. <a href="http://miasinterior.blogspot.com/2011/05/litt-blatt-pa-kjkkenet-og-trekning.html">love the trellis shelving</a> 5. <a href="http://thelittleappleseed.blogspot.com/2011/02/pottery-barn-wanna-be-owl-bookends.html">owl bookends</a> 6. <a href="http://www.bhg.com/decorating/room/bathroom/create-a-cottage-style-bathroom/#page=3">lovely lovely bathroom</a><br />7. <a href="http://www.weardrobe.com/items/18123-navy-zara-trench-coat">Zara coat w/ red accessories</a> 8. <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/302865330/">calm bedroom</a> 9. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/54892422/wholesale-lot-of-8-eco-felt-bird">felt birdies</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hkdyqHpEdUU/ToiwINPygNI/AAAAAAAABc4/jHeLxd3wfII/s1600/faves.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hkdyqHpEdUU/ToiwINPygNI/AAAAAAAABc4/jHeLxd3wfII/s1600/faves.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><ul><li> I discovered two new blogs: <a href="http://www.francesbaker.com.au/">Frances Baker</a> and <a href="http://www.esther-fromthesticks.blogspot.com/">Esther - fromthesticks</a> </li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://sewretro.blogspot.com/"> Sew Retro</a> has moved to <a href="http://wesewretro.com/">We Sew Retro</a>. Make sure you enter the Shabby Apple giveaway on the original site (<a href="http://sewretro.blogspot.com/2011/10/shabby-apple-review-giveaway.html">here</a>) - ends Sunday 29th October. Dress reviewed by yours truly! </li></ul><ul><li> The <a href="http://craftychristmasclub.blogspot.com/">Crafty Christmas Club</a> is back and accepting new members, so if you're not already signed up make sure you do so! </li></ul><ul><li><a href="http://creativefan.com/500-free-photoshop-actions/"> Creative Fan</a> has put together a list of 500+ free photoshop actions </li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> Whilst wasting time before an appointment I came across the most delightful series of canvases, diaries, cards and other lovelies called <a href="http://www.santorographics.com/shop/gorjuss/">Gorjuss</a>. I snapped up a set of cards to frame (that's how lovely they are!). They feature a long haired brunette girl (that should tell you everything!) and are so <i>cute</i> I want the whole range!</li></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"></ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Thanks for stopping by,</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-15612171286586086282011-10-12T19:43:00.000+01:002011-12-03T15:22:00.932+00:00Spotlight: Colette Patterns<div style="text-align: justify;">Clara of <a href="http://clazzerati.blogspot.com/">Clazzerati</a> prompted this post with her comment on my <a href="http://welsh-pixie.blogspot.com/2011/09/sorbetto-surprise.html">Sorbetto Surprise</a>. You see, Claz has apparently never heard of <a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/">Colette Patterns</a> (I know, right!) and was wondering where to look for patterns. For those out there who also don't know Colette Patterns, these are the patterns you've probably been looking for.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Colette Patterns was created by <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/saraicat">Sarai</a>. She's produced a range of beautifully packaged, easy to follow patterns that allow the user to create gorgeous clothes. <a href="http://www.coletterie.com/">The Coletterie</a>, the blog for the site, is stuffed full of tutorials, tips and tricks and lovely pictures. Commercial patterns can be purchased from the <a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop">shop</a>, however Sarai has also designed some free patterns that are available for download from The Coletterie.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Not content with just some amazing patterns, Sarai has written a book on sewing (complete with patterns) available for pre-order from Amazon in the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1440215456">UK</a> and <a href="http://amzn.com/1440215456">US</a> <i>and</i> she's currently running a <a href="http://www.coletterie.com/sewalongs/welcome-to-the-clover-sewalong">sew-a-long</a> on The Coletterie. She took a few minutes out to answer some questions for me:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnltLvNivI7pGSWa7w0hiIymvWSus1jpZv_2HRvB9Azissrjccd5wgj83Bu5lpEE8_-l1QpdT-taBvp6LfaqFAGtjJcHLL1vrqFAL4eybFDPlIedYTmPGw__FcguyVDti5UhcFWcTUofk/s1600/sarai-hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnltLvNivI7pGSWa7w0hiIymvWSus1jpZv_2HRvB9Azissrjccd5wgj83Bu5lpEE8_-l1QpdT-taBvp6LfaqFAGtjJcHLL1vrqFAL4eybFDPlIedYTmPGw__FcguyVDti5UhcFWcTUofk/s320/sarai-hair.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div style="color: #b1ccbd; font-family: Crushed; font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><b>Who are you?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My name is Sarai Mitnick, and I'm the creator behind Colette Patterns, an independent sewing pattern company. I live in Portland, Oregon with my husband, who manages the customer service and operations for the company, and my two darling felines.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="color: #b1ccbd; font-family: Crushed; font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><b>How would you describe Colette Patterns to someone who doesn't know it?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'd describe it as a boutique sewing pattern company that specializes in feminine, timeless styles. Style-wise, they definitely have some classic vintage inspiration, but in a very wearable, modern direction. We're also known for having great instructions and lots of additional tutorials and fun stuff on our blog, <a href="http://www.coletterie.com/">The Coletterie</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="color: #b1ccbd; font-family: Crushed; font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><b>What inspired you to do what you do?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've been sewing since I was a teen, but I was always disappointed by the offerings from the big pattern companies. It wasn't even necessarily the design choices that were available, but I didn't understand why the instructions had to be so complicated and cheaply produced.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My background is in User Experience; in other words, designing products that are usable and pleasurable. I thought it would be great to create a sewing pattern that would be fun and inspiring to use rather than confusing.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlDoY-ozPQVsh2IaMmBAr7J3JS2fm1Rjv5WXkPBBv8KouBDQ_OlUH1l1cWtDAJ4YGjfIzMTyKPuX6NCPfCNO4_vb0P_m7boAPvEiFm_t8ah7zt4bNPYhYGQXE9ZU6y99cqvR1PnLwXTM/s1600/dress-hem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlDoY-ozPQVsh2IaMmBAr7J3JS2fm1Rjv5WXkPBBv8KouBDQ_OlUH1l1cWtDAJ4YGjfIzMTyKPuX6NCPfCNO4_vb0P_m7boAPvEiFm_t8ah7zt4bNPYhYGQXE9ZU6y99cqvR1PnLwXTM/s400/dress-hem.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLcvxtuRNZ4/TpU7owMkR-I/AAAAAAAABfM/NBF7VRujEMI/s1600/dress-hanging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MLcvxtuRNZ4/TpU7owMkR-I/AAAAAAAABfM/NBF7VRujEMI/s400/dress-hanging.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div style="color: #b1ccbd; font-family: Crushed; font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><b>Where do you get your inspiration?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It comes from everywhere, really. I've always loved vintage, and lately I've been especially into the styles of the 1960s. I love a really simple sort of glamour, beautiful without being overdone.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But I also pay attention to modern fashion, and I particularly love seeing what real women are wearing in their daily lives. I love seeing the character of real people shine through in their own personal style. The development of so many street style blogs has been awesome to watch, it's really inspiring.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally, I'd say I'm hugely inspired by color. That can come from anywhere: art, nature, fabric, anything. Color ideas really motivate me creatively.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YWR4jkxPuXg/TpU71R0BLJI/AAAAAAAABgE/K9sax5px4Vg/s1600/sketching-close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YWR4jkxPuXg/TpU71R0BLJI/AAAAAAAABgE/K9sax5px4Vg/s640/sketching-close.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WmxWicvccbqa5F44sidiO2yrpcgdUsuXblE02D3ivqnTsjjx7veQw7EqxCFNsduhzgoOv1yBNQHAta4IEA9K4Dr21rzcs7jkzMepBw8sgLygvStLL640CxeCCo_jZTPPjDLzQwyO2FM/s1600/CP-studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WmxWicvccbqa5F44sidiO2yrpcgdUsuXblE02D3ivqnTsjjx7veQw7EqxCFNsduhzgoOv1yBNQHAta4IEA9K4Dr21rzcs7jkzMepBw8sgLygvStLL640CxeCCo_jZTPPjDLzQwyO2FM/s640/CP-studio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="color: #b1ccbd; font-family: Crushed; font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><b>How do you push through design/ sewing fatigue?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I don't really get design fatigue, I don't think. And I'm lucky enough to have my assistant designer, Caitlin. She helps me do a lot of the daily sewing and sample making and tutorial development for the blog.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A bigger problem for me is having too many ideas and not enough time to implement them all. This can feel really discouraging and overwhelming sometimes. Keeping my ideas and projects organized really helps with that. I have a list of projects that I want to work on and try to stick to it, so I don't get overwhelmed with potential project ideas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="color: #b1ccbd; font-family: Crushed; font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><b>What's the most useful sewing tip you've ever been given?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's not just relevant to sewing, but the adage "go slow to go fast" really applies. Rushing through sewing projects just doesn't suit me at all. I've found so much more enjoyment from sewing since I stopped trying to make things as quickly as possible and skip over the "boring" parts, like making muslins.</div><br /><div style="color: #b1ccbd; font-family: Crushed; font-size: large; text-align: justify;"><b>What's your favourite thing you've ever made?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It has to be my wedding dress! I bought some imported Italian 4-ply silk in gold, and trimmed it in a pearl-beaded organza. It was such a luscious fabric to work with, and the dress felt just perfect for me. It's a real treat to work with high quality materials like that.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYRJUDD5HhQ/TpU7um-FzdI/AAAAAAAABf0/W1SwpRSZLfs/s1600/sarai-aisle-dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYRJUDD5HhQ/TpU7um-FzdI/AAAAAAAABf0/W1SwpRSZLfs/s640/sarai-aisle-dress.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Thank you Sarai! You can follow Sarai on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/saraicat">here</a>, or Colette Patterns <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/ColettePatterns">here</a>. I highly recommend signing up for the <a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/snippets">Snippets</a> newsletter on The Coletterie, full of useful tidbits and, of course, the patterns! Lots of fabulous choice, something to suit everyone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rv6bLrhKZ4c/TpXcQOiTjbI/AAAAAAAABgU/DoRD48ZzydA/s200/1005-01.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjsUUQpxX4NL4T2IFaei6oln8zkRUhybpR8YcKkTkNIDHVQsCB2pBzpeBNdV8b5cL-glFlpo5VXAQdE64Sk3vLkSBoETkSB1uLgmQhb9tK0HAX9PFdIIS3r4Hr3KBQNPDDN7iqCc5RHo/s200/1015-version2-yellow.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9r30E7iTs2k/TpU7sm5FHtI/AAAAAAAABfk/RxD_IptCt7M/s200/jasmine-clover-05.JPG" /></a><a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHr2TCQd3P0dRZ0w2qxm-4ALpcWRuH9wlJhPBRfUWOdsAg7GPS8sqpZUlbMzSmufusJbczsknMExo5JvI8PHrlnpIINkPK0qXokLCHoU5dc_wQUAtLOy42kcu7DmTDPMcCBzV4CjI2LUU/s200/peony-bodice.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Please note all pictures are (c) Sarai Mitnick/ Colette Patterns.</span><br /><br />Thanks for stopping by,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-2566760848763449092011-09-25T18:46:00.001+01:002011-12-03T15:22:00.962+00:00Project: Sorbetto { Surprise }<div style="text-align: justify;">I thought I'd show you the latest muslin of something I've been working on for, oh, about a month now. I've joined the ranks of <a href="http://www.coletterie.com/colette-patterns-news/free-pattern-to-download-the-sorbetto-top">Sorbetto</a> lovers, and quite rightly as it is just another example of brilliant pattern making from <a href="http://www.coletterie.com/">Colette Patterns</a>. This is a Sorbetto with a twist, however. A Sorbetto Surprise if you will ...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SmIzXtfHMV8/TtoHW7Du3LI/AAAAAAAAC6w/ObWA15ANhes/s1600/DSCF1907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SmIzXtfHMV8/TtoHW7Du3LI/AAAAAAAAC6w/ObWA15ANhes/s640/DSCF1907.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uqofxUxKlRI/TtoHW2EkmbI/AAAAAAAAC6s/Mre8qH9hflY/s1600/DSCF1911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uqofxUxKlRI/TtoHW2EkmbI/AAAAAAAAC6s/Mre8qH9hflY/s640/DSCF1911.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Whilst I love vest tops during the summer, we're rapidly heading in to Autumn here in Wales and I was after something with sleeves. Easy enough, I thought, as Mena at <a href="http://www.sewweekly.com/">Sew Weekly</a> had posted a <a href="http://www.sewweekly.com/2011/07/7dos-the-starter-sorbetto.html">cap sleeve pattern</a>. I wanted something that came in around the ¾ length mark, so I just continued on the side seam lines until I'd reached the 13" I'd decided on. The ruffle edge came about due to a picture I've had saved for around 5 years and I really just wanted to see what they looked like in real life.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-8kzaOcij0TETkYP7VquGMTFE8Sk1YjKQG41KQLysZ3_7AmoUuTn7tkLD31-afZQVJxKl7_9CaDht0KyHDF6PNlJdDuXH7Zzjr9cbrSquhda3NZCJCydjAWgiEm7doYcoMGyn9WR4AQ/s1600/DSCF1908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-8kzaOcij0TETkYP7VquGMTFE8Sk1YjKQG41KQLysZ3_7AmoUuTn7tkLD31-afZQVJxKl7_9CaDht0KyHDF6PNlJdDuXH7Zzjr9cbrSquhda3NZCJCydjAWgiEm7doYcoMGyn9WR4AQ/s640/DSCF1908.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The big headache has been the collar. It's still not right; despite multiple drafts it still has a small gap at the front that you can't really see the full extent of in the above pictures. My sewing of curves still leaves much to be desired, but I assure you, that <i>is</i> a peter pan collar. I'm tempted to continue fiddling, reduce the neckline of the main pattern pieces by a seam's width so as not to lose anything from the original line perhaps. Overall though, I really like it and am planning on making a version in red gingham, probably without the ruffle on the sleeve as I think that has a more summery and floaty feel than the current weather requires.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If people want it, and I can find a scanner, I'll make the collar piece available. Just be warned it's not perfect and could probably use some more fiddling by someone a little better at pattern drafting than me. Even <a href="http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/2010/02/drafting-peter-pan-collar-part-one.html">Gertie's tutorial</a> couldn't help me get it completely right. I should also admit that after four drafts I gave up on making the undercollar that tiny bit smaller as I could never get it to work when sewing it together, so it's a small one piece deal. Hopefully with a little more practice I can get the collar looking right!</div><br />Thanks for stopping by,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-15953166764316604792011-09-10T07:27:00.001+01:002011-12-03T15:22:00.936+00:00Spotlight: Ulyana Sergeenko A/W 2011<div style="text-align: justify;">I came cross the fourth picture on <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest </a>(oh Pinterest, how I love thee!). If google translate's working properly I believe this is the first Autumn/ Winter collection for photographer/ stylist turned designer <a href="http://ulyanasergeenko.com/tagged/fashion/%20">Ulyana Sergeenko</a>, but it appears to have gone down well. A little unsurprisingly when you check out the photos below!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJtZKek_tRCzn_Q75z5OgFjxTBFkJxbzOF25ZE6gC9IuGcVeUvOd_wMQhBAHjOJiIzGGTPcTbslk7SM0MmeE2YhWN7i92IJGRVACOc5DwhmZNLTJIAQj46hoGR2F2rC6EapCtNAZWWDs/s1600/Uliana+Sergeenko+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJtZKek_tRCzn_Q75z5OgFjxTBFkJxbzOF25ZE6gC9IuGcVeUvOd_wMQhBAHjOJiIzGGTPcTbslk7SM0MmeE2YhWN7i92IJGRVACOc5DwhmZNLTJIAQj46hoGR2F2rC6EapCtNAZWWDs/s320/Uliana+Sergeenko+10.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-Bw52-5ORU/Tmoie_uNaJI/AAAAAAAABZI/WjxuX4Lrasw/s1600/Uliana+Sergeenko+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-Bw52-5ORU/Tmoie_uNaJI/AAAAAAAABZI/WjxuX4Lrasw/s320/Uliana+Sergeenko+1.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREIsb9gIJZzn6xH9EVrU1JX83llyb3NeUXWCg0T9tDYlaE9Ou8pS6KF1xia32_TBJKaNlY9XSq_uSm4AqDtvmpr9F8CMJ-pqbigYkYRfgzJ1ANeMk568Ijz6lT2JUrE9rTxOZfEjf0bw/s1600/Uliana+Sergeenko+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREIsb9gIJZzn6xH9EVrU1JX83llyb3NeUXWCg0T9tDYlaE9Ou8pS6KF1xia32_TBJKaNlY9XSq_uSm4AqDtvmpr9F8CMJ-pqbigYkYRfgzJ1ANeMk568Ijz6lT2JUrE9rTxOZfEjf0bw/s320/Uliana+Sergeenko+2.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3qWbdyY9-fs/TmoigzZqvWI/AAAAAAAABZQ/M-6Nx8Qmj90/s1600/Uliana+Sergeenko+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3qWbdyY9-fs/TmoigzZqvWI/AAAAAAAABZQ/M-6Nx8Qmj90/s320/Uliana+Sergeenko+3.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBCdMMZUpE96R3J5mgz8_9nfSmHwkF2Gifg7Y_ur6TxSNLhgp0IKLIPRrwkNEUMK_0Uaj5mNvUMNuEI8MoMenD3p5f7yTv_kFHdWvuaJBza-IXto6jTpvsx4N55xHYU9kG7lqbBhyphenhyphenUCQ/s1600/Uliana+Sergeenko+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBCdMMZUpE96R3J5mgz8_9nfSmHwkF2Gifg7Y_ur6TxSNLhgp0IKLIPRrwkNEUMK_0Uaj5mNvUMNuEI8MoMenD3p5f7yTv_kFHdWvuaJBza-IXto6jTpvsx4N55xHYU9kG7lqbBhyphenhyphenUCQ/s320/Uliana+Sergeenko+4.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nI-E-OCjef4/TmoiiXBqROI/AAAAAAAABZY/kSbOP5BR6xA/s1600/Uliana+Sergeenko+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nI-E-OCjef4/TmoiiXBqROI/AAAAAAAABZY/kSbOP5BR6xA/s320/Uliana+Sergeenko+5.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MOGYPIvxonI/TmoijScHB9I/AAAAAAAABZc/ODeKex4p8Fo/s1600/Uliana+Sergeenko+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MOGYPIvxonI/TmoijScHB9I/AAAAAAAABZc/ODeKex4p8Fo/s320/Uliana+Sergeenko+6.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNev38SZO0U/TmoikCkX_6I/AAAAAAAABZg/qr1Ys2zqm7E/s1600/Uliana+Sergeenko+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNev38SZO0U/TmoikCkX_6I/AAAAAAAABZg/qr1Ys2zqm7E/s320/Uliana+Sergeenko+7.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q93dM1oE5-U/TmoikvxAouI/AAAAAAAABZk/WLdlB33bx7k/s1600/Uliana+Sergeenko+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q93dM1oE5-U/TmoikvxAouI/AAAAAAAABZk/WLdlB33bx7k/s320/Uliana+Sergeenko+8.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHtGDWPAhVv77RdRc4YnW7JxUdh_3rnOgluRZuTLs5I6neUTzYoPWpQaxKoEKeVKkH1luDtMHnn8cU77sThg4mT2RyBQMf5CDXmnlwRv3NgWXPd4-XYQzYrcKari2OBMc3YtQLHCQXhs/s1600/Uliana+Sergeenko+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHtGDWPAhVv77RdRc4YnW7JxUdh_3rnOgluRZuTLs5I6neUTzYoPWpQaxKoEKeVKkH1luDtMHnn8cU77sThg4mT2RyBQMf5CDXmnlwRv3NgWXPd4-XYQzYrcKari2OBMc3YtQLHCQXhs/s320/Uliana+Sergeenko+9.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">{ Source: <a href="http://www.etoday.ru/2011/08/ul-yana-sergeenko-osen--zima-2.php">Etoday</a> }</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I love the full length maxi skirts - actually, I just plain love everything. I think the colours and patterns are perfect for the coming Autumn/ Winter, the designs and styling are wonderfully retro, and the blogosphere appears to be sitting up and paying attention. I'll certainly be keeping an eye out for her future collections. </div><br />Thanks for stopping by,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-82736150998985237902011-09-09T07:49:00.000+01:002011-12-03T15:22:01.085+00:00Tenby 24/7<div style="text-align: justify;">On Monday 12th September, at 7.30pm on BBC One Wales, a four part reality series documenting life in Tenby will air. Filming took place in early August for the series, named Tenby 24/7, and Creative Services (aka Promos) were asked to put together a trailer for the programme.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It occured to me, shortly after rejoining BBC Wales to work with Creative Services, that the one thing I have access to that a lot of other bloggers don't is the world of television. Not actually as glamorous as most people imagine but lots and lots of fun.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I happened to mention in the office that I'd never been to Tenby and was nicely surprised to be invited along for the shoot. This involved a drive up to Pembrokeshire on a Tuesday mid-morning, an overnight and then a drive back that afternoon. A nice, easy couple of days you might think. Ha!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Phil (my boss) having decided his premise for the trail would be 'the colours of Tenby', put together a colour wheel and a list of things he thought we should shoot. Jon, the cameraman, added a few extra. I just went along to carry things, build sandcastles (that never made it in to the finished promo damnit!) and negotiate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you follow me on Twitter (<a href="http://twitter.com/torsgrantham">@torsgrantham</a>) you'll have noticed I suddenly developped an overwhelming love for Tenby and the <a href="http://www.rnli.org.uk/">RNLI</a>. For those not in the know, <a href="http://www.visittenby.co.uk/">Tenby</a> (according to the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b014tj84">BBC website</a> for the series) is one of Wales' busiest holiday resorts, where people work hard during the summer to feast or famine in the winter. It's a beautiful town, located in a national park situated on the west coast of Wales (the sticking out bit on the left of the UK for those not local). Tenby's town houses are painted gorgeous pastel colours and the beach is all sand, blue sky and blue sea. The RNLI very kindly let us film the launch of their boat from right beside the sea doors, granting us access not normally allowed to the general public and I have to say, it was <i>awesome</i>! A big thank you has to go out to the residents and visitors of Tenby who were so helpful and not at all camera shy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I specifically took my camera with me and took some shots, as and when I was free and able, of the filming and general vicinity to show you all. This will, once again, be a picture heavy post because I couldn't choose which ones I liked most (although be grateful I managed to scale it down at all, there were over 50 photos in total!)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9vYJfqaWwOU/TtoFUnSwDWI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/I9DWZqRYzYU/s1600/DSCF1787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9vYJfqaWwOU/TtoFUnSwDWI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/I9DWZqRYzYU/s640/DSCF1787.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmrdFebPswMMUw8Dlcv33Y2MMTP5cL5PBBu2vwUpUjFd5m5QnW7orNR9bOv5WF6sIPIDqbvE3UUDC43OwHUdi5yVFyUdC4lhRs77eOJyguNrZ8p_MFj7OXGulOTJHxwwoPd8z5J7tlsw/s1600/DSCF1792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmrdFebPswMMUw8Dlcv33Y2MMTP5cL5PBBu2vwUpUjFd5m5QnW7orNR9bOv5WF6sIPIDqbvE3UUDC43OwHUdi5yVFyUdC4lhRs77eOJyguNrZ8p_MFj7OXGulOTJHxwwoPd8z5J7tlsw/s640/DSCF1792.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cnC-vwgO2UNCTgXhpe9VZ87Q2_eBykFf21Q1E2OjDWZUCbLRDLcR-9UidhzNB_yjaaxbJ6yfn6F8vaKThoj9cBRKVY8Y-d10MsPD82HmN5c58KAi0anIBht6BvfDcsZADBPAhmUtVlc/s1600/DSCF1793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cnC-vwgO2UNCTgXhpe9VZ87Q2_eBykFf21Q1E2OjDWZUCbLRDLcR-9UidhzNB_yjaaxbJ6yfn6F8vaKThoj9cBRKVY8Y-d10MsPD82HmN5c58KAi0anIBht6BvfDcsZADBPAhmUtVlc/s640/DSCF1793.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hrxz7gdcORM/TtoFUoX3uNI/AAAAAAAAC3M/qhuEkNjktJs/s1600/DSCF1788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hrxz7gdcORM/TtoFUoX3uNI/AAAAAAAAC3M/qhuEkNjktJs/s640/DSCF1788.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hfzXh0M263M/TtoFfCkl4gI/AAAAAAAAC5A/VVUpCgnH5Yc/s640/DSCF1828.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrxDPDu8qmyrutS0x2YPFUYTAumksGReToL7bhJG9vLQ4RxzEdqhC9vwn_Ic_R3Ej92t147z6hjWoRdPSCWN5H9V-_o6jrs1iyrILac4dxb9eANYhdszFyBMwzAaq_TwrfxpG5Ad9W_s/s1600/DSCF1852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrxDPDu8qmyrutS0x2YPFUYTAumksGReToL7bhJG9vLQ4RxzEdqhC9vwn_Ic_R3Ej92t147z6hjWoRdPSCWN5H9V-_o6jrs1iyrILac4dxb9eANYhdszFyBMwzAaq_TwrfxpG5Ad9W_s/s640/DSCF1852.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E-tjSCt7qSk/TtoFgG98JKI/AAAAAAAAC5I/H7UgRWEwAfQ/s1600/DSCF1836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E-tjSCt7qSk/TtoFgG98JKI/AAAAAAAAC5I/H7UgRWEwAfQ/s640/DSCF1836.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ivnTgPOw2OM/TtoFk6Mp9zI/AAAAAAAAC58/txxPX232L9w/s1600/DSCF1853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ivnTgPOw2OM/TtoFk6Mp9zI/AAAAAAAAC58/txxPX232L9w/s640/DSCF1853.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLyrmZtSPec/TtoFiAB794I/AAAAAAAAC5Q/YaxB6j2DD1c/s1600/DSCF1850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLyrmZtSPec/TtoFiAB794I/AAAAAAAAC5Q/YaxB6j2DD1c/s640/DSCF1850.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VGc2Ufs_YcA/TtoFiRMncrI/AAAAAAAAC5U/IceIIW-NhJA/s1600/DSCF1845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VGc2Ufs_YcA/TtoFiRMncrI/AAAAAAAAC5U/IceIIW-NhJA/s640/DSCF1845.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVv7K15cbLe0SPVn8-w0uoqtAOK1C65U2VJHv50ESM9uUjFFcchsRtw7njDAwzEITAJsnUxrxQKWpZ2NjajdNdNYLT_GYge1ghE_X-3vVorDYDi1myvRJIF3mqZs74v8w89gCctckXnk/s1600/DSCF1838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVv7K15cbLe0SPVn8-w0uoqtAOK1C65U2VJHv50ESM9uUjFFcchsRtw7njDAwzEITAJsnUxrxQKWpZ2NjajdNdNYLT_GYge1ghE_X-3vVorDYDi1myvRJIF3mqZs74v8w89gCctckXnk/s640/DSCF1838.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GLFmBr_eam4/TtoFk2dGIpI/AAAAAAAAC50/SCzFOYNAYSs/s1600/DSCF1856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GLFmBr_eam4/TtoFk2dGIpI/AAAAAAAAC50/SCzFOYNAYSs/s640/DSCF1856.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">(what to wear to a film shoot on the beach) I wore:</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Skinny jeans - New Look</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shades - New Look (I'm sure I had a pair of these in the 80's)</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jumper - Oasis</span><br /><br />Thanks for stopping by,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-72705532996921569862011-09-08T08:07:00.001+01:002011-12-03T15:22:01.062+00:00From Wales to the World<div style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure if this will work outside the UK but here's a little something my department put together, I hope you like it.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="400" width="512"><param name="movie" value="http://www.bbc.co.uk/emp/external/player.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="FlashVars" value="playlist=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebbc%2Eco%2Euk%2Fiplayer%2Fplaylist%2Fp00jh0cm&config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebbc%2Eco%2Euk%2Femp%2Fiplayer%2Fconfig%2Exml&config_settings_skin=silver&config_settings_suppressRelatedLinks=true&config_plugin_autoResumePlugin_recentlyPlayed=false&config_settings_showPopoutButton=false&config_settings_showPopoutCta=false&config_settings_bitrateFloor=400&config_settings_showUpdatedInFooter=true&config_settings_showFooter=true&"></param><embed src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/emp/external/player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="512" height="400" FlashVars="playlist=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebbc%2Eco%2Euk%2Fiplayer%2Fplaylist%2Fp00jh0cm&config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebbc%2Eco%2Euk%2Femp%2Fiplayer%2Fconfig%2Exml&config_settings_skin=silver&config_settings_suppressRelatedLinks=true&config_plugin_autoResumePlugin_recentlyPlayed=false&config_settings_showPopoutButton=false&config_settings_showPopoutCta=false&config_settings_bitrateFloor=400&config_settings_showUpdatedInFooter=true&config_settings_showFooter=true&"></embed></object></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Edited to add: rather ironically, given the title of the trail, this isn't available outside of the UK, sorry about that! I'm afraid I can't find it on youtube where it might have been available worldwide. For those that can't see it, this is a trailer for all the dramas produced out of BBC Wales.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-41138048100170932992011-09-07T22:13:00.000+01:002011-12-03T15:22:00.989+00:00London Blogger Meet-Up<div style="text-align: justify;">A couple of weeks ago, Suzy of <a href="http://suzysewing.blogspot.com/">Suzy Sewing Blog</a> tweeted that she was going to London to do some fabric shopping and asked for company. Having been a while since my last <a href="http://welsh-pixie.blogspot.com/2010/09/llundain-town.html">London road trip</a> I jumped at the chance, knowing I could get a return coach ticket from Cardiff for roughly £20. Further conversations and a blog post later and Lauren of <a href="http://teaandcrumpetsvintage.blogspot.com/">Tea & Crumpets</a> and Justine of <a href="http://polkadotpebble.wordpress.com/">Polkadot Pebble</a> were joining us. I'd not come across Justine's blog prior to the meet up but unfortunately for my poor housemate Lauren and Suzy are two of my very favourite bloggers which made me very very excited and very very babble-tastic. For the entire three hours it took to get there (and the three hours return) I don't think I shut up.</div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">We had a lovely map put together by Suzy with shops to visit. I like this approach, it appeals to my Production Co-ordinator side, almost like a call sheet. I had no idea there were so many fabric shops in one area, and we visited each and every one. My favourites were probably <a href="http://www.liberty.co.uk/">Liberty</a>'s for its architecture (see Suzy's <a href="http://suzysewing.blogspot.com/2011/09/wool-flannel-quest-day.html">blog</a> for pictures of us) and the <a href="http://www.clothhouse.com/">Cloth House</a>. Both Lauren and I decided that if we ever owned a sewing/ crafting shop it would be done out much like the Cloth House. We also discussed a Speakeasy, costume designer careers, Alexander Skarsgard, Game of Thrones, Alexander Skarsgard, Russell Tovey (who we passed in the street), Lord of the Rings and a whole heap of other subjects.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had a great time chatting about everything under the sun, pointing out the craziest fabrics that could be made in to Doctor Who costumes and wandering around sunny (sunny!) Llundain. Definitely the best road trip in a long time and I hope to do it again soon.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've finally recovered from the epic day trip and have found the time (whilst at work) to mess about with my photos. I failed miserably to take many interesting pictures, including pictures of any of us, but what I did take is below for your perusal.</div><br /><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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S3_wstiEfIU/TtoFKJk4CiI/AAAAAAAAC2A/hbFNYalYcAA/s1600/DSCF1861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S3_wstiEfIU/TtoFKJk4CiI/AAAAAAAAC2A/hbFNYalYcAA/s640/DSCF1861.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liberty's stairwell</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8wFdAp41nhg/TtoFKLFqo1I/AAAAAAAAC2E/wWSM-gQzBXs/s1600/DSCF1863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8wFdAp41nhg/TtoFKLFqo1I/AAAAAAAAC2E/wWSM-gQzBXs/s640/DSCF1863.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dress forms at Liberty's</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcBpAJYqVj9BwEbooqwqysDm-cInFO6_0_ReyFT56JIRUl2e_UxO9EfaRE50Z5eLWaEkULB2QA1ZzrFlxczuQOe-5buQGnK_-oM0k-6aUMBMJWxKWMJ298SBrsI4gGRAOgLFxF0hq52Q/s1600/DSCF1864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcBpAJYqVj9BwEbooqwqysDm-cInFO6_0_ReyFT56JIRUl2e_UxO9EfaRE50Z5eLWaEkULB2QA1ZzrFlxczuQOe-5buQGnK_-oM0k-6aUMBMJWxKWMJ298SBrsI4gGRAOgLFxF0hq52Q/s640/DSCF1864.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Button wall at Libery's</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13joojH2pvzZ3SyDeznkEopWSl_VeI3N5DfUVWB1bPesRj1-QW0-7vUxA4ovxTlj5DdY3pruHC4JDaewbS_qIGQ38WefsnR9SvxS-oFtacIZiLlnN_-4-BSTKkv9TC4LylEpxnN8J84M/s1600/DSCF1865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13joojH2pvzZ3SyDeznkEopWSl_VeI3N5DfUVWB1bPesRj1-QW0-7vUxA4ovxTlj5DdY3pruHC4JDaewbS_qIGQ38WefsnR9SvxS-oFtacIZiLlnN_-4-BSTKkv9TC4LylEpxnN8J84M/s640/DSCF1865.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauren, Suzy & Justine at the Cloth House</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tPSBNgKl3aQ/TtoFMLfG8KI/AAAAAAAAC2c/mSVxrwtClqo/s1600/DSCF1866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tPSBNgKl3aQ/TtoFMLfG8KI/AAAAAAAAC2c/mSVxrwtClqo/s640/DSCF1866.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suzy & Justine at the Cloth House</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOrJx7zCZdUpJaP6FnfLhSdVylZSHvyJBTeIJYVPsIsG5PPJJcbfpzDBhc4VskvNsX4sQsIrhZK4GOTO1F68NW9v3w3ByTYYqCXAtiKNTl10ltmVv8VpfS9Pk356Qym2TXEEdz20NA_4/s1600/DSCF1867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOrJx7zCZdUpJaP6FnfLhSdVylZSHvyJBTeIJYVPsIsG5PPJJcbfpzDBhc4VskvNsX4sQsIrhZK4GOTO1F68NW9v3w3ByTYYqCXAtiKNTl10ltmVv8VpfS9Pk356Qym2TXEEdz20NA_4/s640/DSCF1867.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cloth House's window</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sxhG0497Veg/TtoFN5bc1dI/AAAAAAAAC2s/ACDJi7RQS8I/s1600/DSCF1870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sxhG0497Veg/TtoFN5bc1dI/AAAAAAAAC2s/ACDJi7RQS8I/s640/DSCF1870.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And because a trip to London wouldn't be complete without a crazy person busking<br />whilst hanging upside down from a tree ...</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Thanks for stopping by,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-69914546308779929782011-08-31T00:05:00.000+01:002011-12-03T15:22:01.050+00:00The Pumping Station<div style="text-align: justify;">Sorry everyone, another picture intensive post (as are all the posts planned this week). I'm desperately trying to get to grips with my camera and am still rather rubbish as I can't quite figure it out. I'm sure I'll run out of things to photograph soon, just bear with me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was at a bit of a loose end one weekend and decided to go for a wander around the <a href="http://www.the-pumpingstation.co.uk/">Pumping Station</a> in Cardiff, a beautiful Victorian pumping station once owned by Welsh Waters and now a treasure trove in a Grade II Listed building. Everything is for sale, and it has everything you can think of: antiques, vintage, even modern day ... erm, <i>stuff</i>. My parents, once they learned where I was headed, decided to tag along to hunt for a birthday present for one of their friends. The Pumping Station is so big, so packed with goodies, that we only covered the ground floor before lunch. So we headed to the nearby Harvester in Cardiff Bay for yummy goodness and then <i>returned </i>to the Pumping Station to scour the upstairs floor. Be warned people, you could lose days there.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4W7TvjRxZrM/TtoDzdpRMyI/AAAAAAAACzo/BFm5xMZLUrc/s1600/DSCF1737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4W7TvjRxZrM/TtoDzdpRMyI/AAAAAAAACzo/BFm5xMZLUrc/s640/DSCF1737.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPL9m4IGqdX6Wjq3hqI9_0cChOh70B5WR5msB2wyh03ak9Tp9c6QmnUyK32LCqkJxV98JF0tvO2de37N-rcwyfF9dqgwKuGsfRpvfnEX1b4vVY4iI_gQywQNKuvKS1zezggTqKxnq4Q0/s1600/DSCF1735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPL9m4IGqdX6Wjq3hqI9_0cChOh70B5WR5msB2wyh03ak9Tp9c6QmnUyK32LCqkJxV98JF0tvO2de37N-rcwyfF9dqgwKuGsfRpvfnEX1b4vVY4iI_gQywQNKuvKS1zezggTqKxnq4Q0/s640/DSCF1735.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WFa3ZP-RM2E/TtoDzTd7v9I/AAAAAAAACzw/d-JMCjVwLtM/s1600/DSCF1734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WFa3ZP-RM2E/TtoDzTd7v9I/AAAAAAAACzw/d-JMCjVwLtM/s640/DSCF1734.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ONPQTOrtvj0/TtoD1emKtRI/AAAAAAAAC0A/v_pKO7iqx_k/s1600/DSCF1738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ONPQTOrtvj0/TtoD1emKtRI/AAAAAAAAC0A/v_pKO7iqx_k/s640/DSCF1738.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UxZBKA2-FfI/TtoD5siSNAI/AAAAAAAAC0o/VI7vBaRkZe0/s1600/DSCF1749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UxZBKA2-FfI/TtoD5siSNAI/AAAAAAAAC0o/VI7vBaRkZe0/s640/DSCF1749.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some old friends ... erm, miniturised</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzt7Id2UOTd41z0BcLPFZy1Ya-XlncgYdK4YrM49C12eVnh3-ItMJOnCzy28JLfUrIWR2OuUA2IbL9VNq3iuC0p5DINjgz7iDo4CZG9NRTaTDpN9GChsz_8_y2cYoL6zYUFOEi5uhhjQ/s1600/DSCF1740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzt7Id2UOTd41z0BcLPFZy1Ya-XlncgYdK4YrM49C12eVnh3-ItMJOnCzy28JLfUrIWR2OuUA2IbL9VNq3iuC0p5DINjgz7iDo4CZG9NRTaTDpN9GChsz_8_y2cYoL6zYUFOEi5uhhjQ/s640/DSCF1740.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently, this is the world's largest lion and is in the Guiness Book of Records.<br />When he died they stuffed him and he ended up here!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-NZ9Vf8NUmMXuMH_u57-FpV_J4zq5alLdpCmVqbYyEVuzpKn_6Y1hlzp06oIGlOavK5VNxv8_63akw9EoZmYtqVNYT3ahcYhv4gEkOX2re4qhhQAnEGNkJ6zuFh9EbuIEjOB1aCBL-s/s1600/DSCF1743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-NZ9Vf8NUmMXuMH_u57-FpV_J4zq5alLdpCmVqbYyEVuzpKn_6Y1hlzp06oIGlOavK5VNxv8_63akw9EoZmYtqVNYT3ahcYhv4gEkOX2re4qhhQAnEGNkJ6zuFh9EbuIEjOB1aCBL-s/s640/DSCF1743.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHqJHMHP5Rc_l-KhLoE3zyCmwRyoboU3m7f5Es-sZIcLCDB_4vb5s44t1nPCXDqpEZrnbpga25ngvR9bRzlnt1qPKImpX32XTpj72eviLAWr03V7bu1wneyzTOSubh_ivZL0dlrsIHv0/s1600/DSCF1750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHqJHMHP5Rc_l-KhLoE3zyCmwRyoboU3m7f5Es-sZIcLCDB_4vb5s44t1nPCXDqpEZrnbpga25ngvR9bRzlnt1qPKImpX32XTpj72eviLAWr03V7bu1wneyzTOSubh_ivZL0dlrsIHv0/s640/DSCF1750.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHE1HA59lkhuZbOCOmvTqSu176_cLRZ6hkgDBzNXETckOIqFijnv65HDMLad11XjcSvCExuWpgSGlKwyGj7CkG_2PL7U5-KXrxApqkw7SBxj7f_i71RSVFfovJCuUyxq_WlHrz_XKPdM/s1600/DSCF1753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHE1HA59lkhuZbOCOmvTqSu176_cLRZ6hkgDBzNXETckOIqFijnv65HDMLad11XjcSvCExuWpgSGlKwyGj7CkG_2PL7U5-KXrxApqkw7SBxj7f_i71RSVFfovJCuUyxq_WlHrz_XKPdM/s640/DSCF1753.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-usXpg9nmEg8/TtoD7bNocZI/AAAAAAAAC00/10MGkVIqslM/s1600/DSCF1752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-usXpg9nmEg8/TtoD7bNocZI/AAAAAAAAC00/10MGkVIqslM/s640/DSCF1752.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I wore my Ginger skirt that I'd made (and completely failed to blog about, shame on me). I love my Ginger skirt, unfortunately my step-dad can't seem to work my camera either and the photos he took of me were mostly too blurry to post. Suffice to say, the skirt looks awesome, fit together really well and completely deserves its own blog post (note to self, write that!). </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yDrauGorA_4qbyo1uPyXSENC2lav2X26aZAKwcL5Z2ftrHZfagcTW-xGVKX8cgeQBkAnApCnf2bAZDvTNAJ7GtZ5sRFHhKIVICiA_bQBjkRk1QLsSgtvh1lriHhUeXlL0jFMovmgZXA/s1600/DSCF1739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yDrauGorA_4qbyo1uPyXSENC2lav2X26aZAKwcL5Z2ftrHZfagcTW-xGVKX8cgeQBkAnApCnf2bAZDvTNAJ7GtZ5sRFHhKIVICiA_bQBjkRk1QLsSgtvh1lriHhUeXlL0jFMovmgZXA/s640/DSCF1739.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKL2kSNMVhnzmsrvssJtCIunyuaKyfsJzBglA8Q6wRL3o4amzymYwUpzHnkDb74S6vP2VgRfPuoF5hbyeQ1SKwWsRmwMBqtyWXiicKUe1KvUVGNDL3R3RsAJ6-FEdZed1psE1MVIhSfn0/s1600/DSCF1745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKL2kSNMVhnzmsrvssJtCIunyuaKyfsJzBglA8Q6wRL3o4amzymYwUpzHnkDb74S6vP2VgRfPuoF5hbyeQ1SKwWsRmwMBqtyWXiicKUe1KvUVGNDL3R3RsAJ6-FEdZed1psE1MVIhSfn0/s640/DSCF1745.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Not only did we manage to fit in the Pumping Station, but we also decided - as the weather was being particularly lovely - to go for an ice cream and a wander along the Victorian Pier in Penarth as my parents had never been. The art deco pavillion on the pier is beautiful but in need of restoration, Penarth Arts & Crafts Ltd are <a href="http://penarthpavilion.co.uk/">asking for local volunteers</a> to help with their planned renovations. The pavillion managed to survive a fire in 1931 that destroyed much of the pier, the Port Royal Park (a 7,000 ton ship) being blown by gale force winds in to the pier in 1947 <i>and </i>the Bristol Queen paddle steamer running in to the pier during dense fog in 1966. Poor thing, it's had a bit of a bad time of it, and it's one of the last remaining Victorian Piers in Wales. It's not particularly long but it has great views and, on this occasion, a local brass band playing. Any day that involves ice cream is a good day, but this one was particularly lovely.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCI9uJ4Czong8t5wrywpCOEBzEl8432F_2dNrMf_Krptsh-9PtmTdLRQyt29DuT_eky3UPO6KjC2k1PvPes1jcFogUVdpSSiAYNwvVYOXum0tm8IQD7m53wRcKoiIESsjxrGHhF55GLas/s1600/DSCF1758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCI9uJ4Czong8t5wrywpCOEBzEl8432F_2dNrMf_Krptsh-9PtmTdLRQyt29DuT_eky3UPO6KjC2k1PvPes1jcFogUVdpSSiAYNwvVYOXum0tm8IQD7m53wRcKoiIESsjxrGHhF55GLas/s640/DSCF1758.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oHwlztJ8HoZkqcP37z1Y34_sTUkZFvtmYTqSpxWosEmBSAS7Q5misB7j239HBwYY-Tas6jSGKBDyGszCee99gRrj_PxxHjzdNLUYqAqG7v45D9raKTzU1dMGVUYQ2AZkP4EOAvl3wrs/s1600/DSCF1761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oHwlztJ8HoZkqcP37z1Y34_sTUkZFvtmYTqSpxWosEmBSAS7Q5misB7j239HBwYY-Tas6jSGKBDyGszCee99gRrj_PxxHjzdNLUYqAqG7v45D9raKTzU1dMGVUYQ2AZkP4EOAvl3wrs/s640/DSCF1761.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7mnFFCXnrZg/TtoD-8dUI-I/AAAAAAAAC1U/3nOsvxBK4fs/s1600/DSCF1763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7mnFFCXnrZg/TtoD-8dUI-I/AAAAAAAAC1U/3nOsvxBK4fs/s640/DSCF1763.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmusPTLZCuwL0UNVS6WcvUHY5H4nxr2VzwWzgjNKb9eGT8WGhSKYPYSMcYMfsergK9inigmjxhlRKxkXadHjZDtvKpCJAp_HnjwFgvIsYSkDDeoMQTpemV8DEjzMp-v5z5lfMgdd5E2s/s1600/DSCF1764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmusPTLZCuwL0UNVS6WcvUHY5H4nxr2VzwWzgjNKb9eGT8WGhSKYPYSMcYMfsergK9inigmjxhlRKxkXadHjZDtvKpCJAp_HnjwFgvIsYSkDDeoMQTpemV8DEjzMp-v5z5lfMgdd5E2s/s640/DSCF1764.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMuXdMKAcIh1u2THKwVGwyLSoY-i7xus_aoBgytg7JCt8w4Og7sblFzGX51gXNaujOT1y8avKn3XU2dce3MemUOr8mH60Kfe3fDejPVXbbn_ODxbzQuH01uESJyt7qrtyOh_dOmeW9qI/s1600/DSCF1765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMuXdMKAcIh1u2THKwVGwyLSoY-i7xus_aoBgytg7JCt8w4Og7sblFzGX51gXNaujOT1y8avKn3XU2dce3MemUOr8mH60Kfe3fDejPVXbbn_ODxbzQuH01uESJyt7qrtyOh_dOmeW9qI/s640/DSCF1765.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Thanks for stopping by,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-48447032389622822492011-08-30T02:25:00.000+01:002011-12-03T15:22:00.999+00:00Vintage Kitchen Scales<div style="text-align: justify;">I've mentioned before I'm using <a href="http://pinterest.com/girlmeetswolf/">pinterest</a> as inspiration for the different rooms in my house. One of the many pins I love is this one, the vintage scales are great and add a piece of colour and interest to the wall shelves.</div><br /><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://pinterest.com/pin/68719570154/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aGA8ORhYUWc/TtoDp-5YWvI/AAAAAAAACzE/SFYDT3vZtsY/s640/pin57928013.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{ Source: via <a href="http://pinterest.com/angelaamos/">Angie A</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/68719570154/">Pinterest</a> }</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So I set out to scour eBay for my own and found these! The label needs replacing, luckily for me I have a friend with a printing business, but in the meantime my shelves look much prettier and they go with my mixer and my Aga. The kitchen is still very much a work in progress but I love all the little steps like these that take you closer to the finished product.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0kbgoJujRUz2TVjKBxvgJO0u6BOzljk1h3e07Ekf3OlgnKtahlxlstwGJwSwfTFAHQ23t77MO6EcoZgCReGT4zN6W-tyaFdSovA633lTpKTzlyvbpU-rdcB-Cp9FD1G1_v1pdn4oXy0/s1600/DSCF1727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0kbgoJujRUz2TVjKBxvgJO0u6BOzljk1h3e07Ekf3OlgnKtahlxlstwGJwSwfTFAHQ23t77MO6EcoZgCReGT4zN6W-tyaFdSovA633lTpKTzlyvbpU-rdcB-Cp9FD1G1_v1pdn4oXy0/s640/DSCF1727.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kSoyu1GOUto/TtoDov8DhNI/AAAAAAAACy4/TDaoKSu_Mco/s1600/DSCF1729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kSoyu1GOUto/TtoDov8DhNI/AAAAAAAACy4/TDaoKSu_Mco/s640/DSCF1729.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jdvTRf2urTU/TtoDojESAXI/AAAAAAAACy0/DKw_zk-J1cA/s1600/DSCF1730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jdvTRf2urTU/TtoDojESAXI/AAAAAAAACy0/DKw_zk-J1cA/s640/DSCF1730.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZNeV2gca5A7ILG3tK73IMl3gsF3Pz0_eEzDEVCaRqM3l1d_zSM2bPXE1s6Mu2gKH0pC9GQ-VaZZSV7EXUcPHDNwRhsLqSvwomd8xSLx8LAmtBruxFA7JVp0cjFo9IjrOsZzBoTNvpTA/s1600/DSCF1732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZNeV2gca5A7ILG3tK73IMl3gsF3Pz0_eEzDEVCaRqM3l1d_zSM2bPXE1s6Mu2gKH0pC9GQ-VaZZSV7EXUcPHDNwRhsLqSvwomd8xSLx8LAmtBruxFA7JVp0cjFo9IjrOsZzBoTNvpTA/s640/DSCF1732.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shelves, crockery, glasses and cake stand - Ikea</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Scales - eBay</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Birdie measuring cups - John Lewis</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Poppy glass picture - local garden centre</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Enamel coffee pot - a present </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Vintage mixer - a present</span></div><br />Thanks for stopping by,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8622232746785186773.post-16073566533221726092011-08-29T21:56:00.000+01:002011-12-03T15:22:00.937+00:00The Big Cheese 2011<div style="text-align: justify;">Every year my local town, <a href="http://www.visitcaerphilly.com/">Caerphilly</a>, holds a free festival called <a href="http://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/bigcheese/">The Big Cheese</a> on the last weekend of July. So named - I presume - because once upon a time it was an actual cheese festival to showcase Caerphilly Cheese. Nowadays it's the site of a huge fun fair and market with organic food, homemade gifts and exotic animal showcases (the birds of prey are <i>fabulous</i>). There's living history and battle re-enactments in the castle, not to mention the mead and ale tent. Oh, and the hog roast. There's an awful lot of pig eaten at this event.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Every year I take the wolf for a wander through the crowds ... a very slow wander as we're often stopped every couple of feet by people asking about him. This year I took my camera and below are some of the things I snapped whilst out and about. Warning, a little picture intensive (I got a bit over-happy to be posting a non-css post).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fKPNKHx1_sDotHHjEdlp7q0vq2LYNU_YOwx8gLwfe3PCvXtEvZwwE3S964nAF_6iuSCTJpKvy4A3RKUn53ErcWGmKa-P4znl-7lLUChX9woiGOJVzXU3QuUtxE8Uf7Ya8OFzU5zho8o/s1600/DSCF1712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fKPNKHx1_sDotHHjEdlp7q0vq2LYNU_YOwx8gLwfe3PCvXtEvZwwE3S964nAF_6iuSCTJpKvy4A3RKUn53ErcWGmKa-P4znl-7lLUChX9woiGOJVzXU3QuUtxE8Uf7Ya8OFzU5zho8o/s640/DSCF1712.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnux9Y9xx7wlq28FiIUi83My4dRzWxBquwh0hc5ml5ZgBd-nhkLBGpP_3LGnXXaU9vypgok9p_h9WBnKUFY8evOqU6JPoRMviADRK2AqGDL2C6UrencH2xJU4fUaG4-YXGweMIL4QRYds/s1600/DSCF1698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnux9Y9xx7wlq28FiIUi83My4dRzWxBquwh0hc5ml5ZgBd-nhkLBGpP_3LGnXXaU9vypgok9p_h9WBnKUFY8evOqU6JPoRMviADRK2AqGDL2C6UrencH2xJU4fUaG4-YXGweMIL4QRYds/s640/DSCF1698.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsGsFi_44W6C7rkakWCh6u1SiNeHEI6URMYbF2MJnwQ0EvUYveWO0hlL9lSZU_3vPS7Cl0_GUEuGmBD1lwQoGAzgtXLiZB0yewhFsoW9JZ1wAxco54yA-XlPALCNv6UQ8cWTIWQk54pQ/s1600/DSCF1709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsGsFi_44W6C7rkakWCh6u1SiNeHEI6URMYbF2MJnwQ0EvUYveWO0hlL9lSZU_3vPS7Cl0_GUEuGmBD1lwQoGAzgtXLiZB0yewhFsoW9JZ1wAxco54yA-XlPALCNv6UQ8cWTIWQk54pQ/s640/DSCF1709.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFV5Lx9l_SQgC5BPBepQ2n3cX935GYGki4AFD5YpJrKxhf2qvd1ZHO74yjK7YllQW6kfGduvvcvB3NrucN386a3MMnvTODy2HcohTNWHYDCwFF6qwHRUEZA0shYaGQ54ttj7VSuWCrDpk/s1600/DSCF1699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFV5Lx9l_SQgC5BPBepQ2n3cX935GYGki4AFD5YpJrKxhf2qvd1ZHO74yjK7YllQW6kfGduvvcvB3NrucN386a3MMnvTODy2HcohTNWHYDCwFF6qwHRUEZA0shYaGQ54ttj7VSuWCrDpk/s640/DSCF1699.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierU1WouTRoSg7LL3ZNAGCHv-2ipddfQ8rUkS_uw4vkfYpvjRnJabW47Sk0guayZM0-FVZecKrLHCY3fa0yN0-KOftUlCgJdZT7erOtgl5CovW9HY7WBDgkPolLXTb_a525hfqXh6rab8/s1600/DSCF1692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierU1WouTRoSg7LL3ZNAGCHv-2ipddfQ8rUkS_uw4vkfYpvjRnJabW47Sk0guayZM0-FVZecKrLHCY3fa0yN0-KOftUlCgJdZT7erOtgl5CovW9HY7WBDgkPolLXTb_a525hfqXh6rab8/s640/DSCF1692.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7vC7fwx7UbU/TtoDaVAgZ-I/AAAAAAAACxY/QOzp2qNG1QE/s1600/DSCF1690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7vC7fwx7UbU/TtoDaVAgZ-I/AAAAAAAACxY/QOzp2qNG1QE/s640/DSCF1690.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtSd1tZbNRvFKI6SKSEZcFN1H50D0kRhfLCO0LBw4LbWQnaROtzwaeOhfkIqVI3PhFeGu9ck9gd50RmLKWWpSOXZXogTGOFIm6aQIRj3r1An2VIsFsxl5cNh2mu1COWC2tfVuQJmE5Ys/s1600/DSCF1687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNtSd1tZbNRvFKI6SKSEZcFN1H50D0kRhfLCO0LBw4LbWQnaROtzwaeOhfkIqVI3PhFeGu9ck9gd50RmLKWWpSOXZXogTGOFIm6aQIRj3r1An2VIsFsxl5cNh2mu1COWC2tfVuQJmE5Ys/s640/DSCF1687.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was a little fascinated by this lovely cider press, but it was awfully noisy</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Thanks for stopping by,<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="41" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5y3oGmHIgN4/TmqKCvQpKfI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7amfbJ6_LkE/s200/signature.png" width="94" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4