tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12880343470256144352024-03-13T13:49:49.776-07:00Opening the Front DoorJaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-70662500625954497952015-05-22T05:11:00.000-07:002015-05-22T05:11:41.328-07:00Thank you ....xx<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ive realised and had it on my mind that it has been over a year since I blogged - so much has happened, some trivial but memorable some large and you just want to forget.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quite a few of my followers have said they miss me blogging - that is so nice and very encouraging - if only one had said it, it would have been encouraging but a few was priceless - so deepest thanks for this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I start my blogging again with lot of Thank You's, not about crafting but a <b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>door opening experience .....</i></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For many months Ive been lucky enough to have been included in Mindfulness, Relaxation and Sleep Webinars run by Changing Minds (part of NHS) - maybe blog about that more another day - this was all leading up to my Graded Exposure which I am undertaking at the moment, a chance to try and get rid of this awful agoraphobia that keeps little old me indoors away from family, friends, socialising and just generally living normally (oh and dont forget shops!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had my first graded exposure session last week, which went reasonably well, a great man came round and started the process - its heavy going, tiring and intense but am determined to try and kick it this time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway prior to this arrangement, it has always been my thought that I needed to get to my new town library (havent ventured to the library for probably 5 years and we now have a new one)</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">so ..........</span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">A huge thank you .........</span></b></i><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Lisa Lynch (breast cancer patient and author of The C Word who sadly died) got me out of the door, M C Beaton (Agatha Raisin author) got me in the car and down the road, the promise of a potential crochet or knitting book got me further than the entrance to the library.</span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>and last but not least my ever patient, long suffering, everso loving husband, who puts up with my quirky ways, the tears and the strops for taking me - Im not sure if anyone else would understand what its like to be in a place, not your home - we smiled, we laughed, we talked - an hour and a half of different.</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So much has changed since I last went out a new council office, housing the new library (which is great by the way), more development taking place - I had sensory overload lots of cars, drilling, noise etc all really strange when you are used to the peace and quiet of our house and street. The trip didnt go without anxiety, panic attacks and worrying thoughts BUT i survived (and so did hubby :) !!!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Im loving the books and has re-ignited my passion for reading, Im pleased I got to the library and loved the fact that I spent time with hubby xxxx</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So my exposure therapy continues, my "man" who counsels me was pleased if not a little worried that the trip was a little extreme to try but I think pleased - its small, gentle steps that (according to him) will hopefully rid me of my "little gremlin" for good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daily I have to go out - ON MY OWN EEEEEKKKKK - to the corner of my road and keep doing it - then progressing to a little further and so on - lord alone knows what the neighbours think to the mad lady who goes to the post box twice a day hee hee or when they see me at a lamp post or tree with my therapist who they know is not my husband ..... im sure their mind boggles but do you know what I dont care !!!</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #741b47;">If you see a person opening the door and pearing out, walking just down their path, maybe only a little way from their home I hope you will smile and think good for them, maybe its the first time out in days, months or even years </span></b></i></div>
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Thanks again for your kind comments and the fact you missed me </div>
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Hopefully Im back now, I think a knitting update will be next </div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-31194062152299923082014-03-02T08:50:00.000-08:002014-03-02T08:50:04.549-08:00<div align="center">
<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">CHUNKY CHALLENGE </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The end of another week and almost the start of another. Where do the weeks go. Next week I will be celebrating my only child becoming a teenager and it definitely does not seem like 5 minutes since I was waiting (and waiting, men always late!) his arrival.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Anyway back to knitting business ... this weeks challenge was to complete items in chunky. I completed four hats - one adult and three child. All completed from my favourite most used patterns.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In true "Stashbusting" form the two lighter hats were knitted up using two strands of Double Knit. This gives a lovely tweedy effect. So not only did I achieve "chunky" but I also am able to use up some odds I had left over.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Now for these week I think its going to be </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">ALL ABOUT SQUARES</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'm going back to grass roots, where it all began. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">so many charities are asking for squares at the moment </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'm a member of Loving Hands and one of the groups over there is looking for 6" squares.</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PreemiesUK">Preemies UK</a> <strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">have a weekly challenge and this week it is 6" squares</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Also on Facebook, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Cazzcly">Cazz's chemo comforters</a> - a lady undergoing treatment herself wants to collect squares between now and September to be made into blankets to be given to patients undergoing cancer treatment.</span></strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.freedomfromfistula.org.uk/make_a_difference/fundraise/the_big_knit_challenge">Freedom from Fistula</a> <strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">again a wonderful organisation, which when you read about this devastating condition, its truly heartbreaking - they require 6" squares for baby blankets and 8" squares for adults</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">There are many more organisations looking for squares but these are just a few Ive picked out.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I started knitting about 6 years ago now and have never looked back. A friend visiting for the weekend was making pet blankets, just garter squares which she then sewed together into blankets for Wood Green Animal Shelter. Well she cast me on, and off I went. She left that weekend stating when I get back next month I will cast you off and start another. That first square was soon finished and not being one blessed with patience, I sat in front of the computer watching YouTube learning to cast off and cast on, well I wasn't going to wait another month...... the rest is knitting history. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Can I just mention though helped so much by the lovely wonderful ladies on the <a href="http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=2514569&highlight=knit+your+share">Knit Your Share Forum</a>, based on The Money Saving Expert Website. Again, ironically started many years ago about knitting squares (I believe). Such lovely caring bunch of "virtual" friends.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Sitting here I just felt that squares to me are the glue that cements knitters together, a common ground we all seem to share.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">If you are thinking of squares don't forget lovely <a href="http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/knit-block-week-up-and-running.html">Linda</a> over at Linda's Crafty Corner is running a Knit a Block a Week Challenge and I think we are all discovering new stitches, new skills. Squares can look so different just by using different colours, different stitches.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST ....</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Linda at <a href="http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/">Lindas Crafty Corner</a> has also set up a mini challenge, as part of the stashbusting for stashaholics, to use up some yarn that you may keep overlooking, cant think what to do with or just don't like the look of. So being one for a challenge tied that in with some rather lonely White Chunky yarn that has been moved every time I go to my "chunky" stash hidey-hole. I was really chuffed to be asked if I would make another baby blanket, like the one I previously put on the blog. This time for a very special cause. This is on the needles as we speak.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Looks like I'm going to be kept busy and out of mischief for another week!</span></strong></div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-68347661654604917962014-02-21T09:02:00.001-08:002014-02-21T09:02:41.812-08:00<div align="center">
<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">END OF ANOTHER WEEK ..... my weekly challenge and "Knit a Block a Week"</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Another week has flown by but at least we have seen a little sun for the first time in a long time, even if it was mixed with more rain and wind.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I set myself a challenge this week of "Using up some started balls" and thought I would share with you what was achieved, not a lot I might hasten to add.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Moving from left to right is:- a pair of adult <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/waffle-stitch-fingerless-gloves">waffle stitch fingerless gloves</a></span></strong> , <strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">a 6" square, baby hat, bootees and mittens and two cannula mitts (mitts that are placed over a special care baby's hand who sadly have the need for a cannula).</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Its not much but has finished off two balls of ball and nearly finished off a third.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><em><u><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">KNIT A BLOCK A WEEK</span></u></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This weeks block was:-</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">No 5 - Mini Stripes</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Using two colours, a block with a "one needle" rating (easy). A basic square of knit and purl (stocking stitch) alternating between two colours. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This is the first time I have used two yarns by carrying them up the side of the work and I do have to say it wasn't as bad as I thought, having always shyed away from doing this type of striping. Another new encounter for me!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><u>Next weeks challenge</u></em></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'm setting myself the challenge of using chunky or aran yarn next week. Again I'm thinking warm child's hats, maybe my favourite neck warmer pattern or an adult hat, which will be part of my yearly donation to our local homeless shelter.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Off to set myself up with patterns and yarn, always looking for new patterns too so see what I can find</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">See you all soon </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Jxxx</span></strong></div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-88753710979404401302014-02-14T01:29:00.000-08:002014-02-14T01:29:02.742-08:00<div align="center">
<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial;">KNITTING DISTRESS, KNIT-A-BLOCK-A-WEEK, CATCHING UP </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial;">AND OF COURSE</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial;">HAPPY VALENTINES DAY ........</span></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial;">Phew, the past month has been a whirlwind to say the least. We have had hubby on a business trip overseas and then being admitted into hospital for emergency treatment and an operation, thankfully now with the help of a bag load of tablets he is well on the way to making a good recovery.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial;">I spent many an hour worrying and upset but could not find it in me to pick up the needles, just went to and fro around the house living on PG Tips ! (other brands of tea bags are available) and of course looking after our son who showed so much maturity at this time,my heart swelled with pride.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial;">This event has left me in KNITTING DISTRESS - I just cant find the momentum to get on, my brain has knitters block .......</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial;">SO ................................................</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial;">this is what I see in front of me </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I still have many started balls so am on the second of a set of wrist warmers and have the yarn below that picture to work with (amongst others!)</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial;">I wracked my brain for a good two weeks thinking what shall I do I had projects to complete, the lap blanket made up of the Knit a Block a week Squares has had to be put to one side as Ive run out of one of the colours, I was heard to be saying "oh yes I have enough ..." famous last words. I had a "great" idea to make a shoulder wrap from 6" mitred squares, am two blocks in but still it has not floated my boat!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial;">Now have decided (whilst laying in the bath a place I find many of my bright ideas come to me), that I'm going to try and set myself some "Mini Weekly Challenges" to re-ignite my love for knitting, so this next week I'm knitting from started balls, it will be a real jumble of items I'm sure - from squares to baby hats, Innocent Hats maybe to wrist warmers.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial;">Oh nearly forgot one item I did get finished which I have to brag about as I was really pleased with it was a blanket made for my wonderful knitty friends first Grandchild, a beautiful granddaughter.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>knitted in cream aran, even though I had moments making it where my butterfly mind drifted, I was in the end really pleased with it and was thinking that "maybe" I would do another one at some stage</strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial;">this is the pattern, <a href="http://www.tricoteiras.com/?p=3538">Ju Ju wants to play baby blanket</a> </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial;"><em><u>KNIT A BLOCK A WEEK UPDATE</u></em></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial;">I was behind with my blocks, both knitting and blogging so I'm hoping Ive now caught up</span></strong></div>
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SQUARE NO 3 - DOUBLE EYELETS</div>
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SQUARE NO 2 - OFFSET</div>
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SQUARE NO 22 - PLAIN LEAF</div>
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SQUARE NO 69 - TWIN TRIANGLES</div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><strong>These are not my best efforts and I'm not overly pleased with them, not because they were awful to knit, far from it I really enjoyed square no 22 and although it has a "three needle rating" which is challenging I thought it was relatively easy and would enjoy making more of those. No, my problem was actually the yarn I had used on square 22 and 69 and also I think my heart was not in it when I knitted them.</strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">Anyway this is the longest blog post I think Ive done so I wont bore you any more. Just thought I would catch up and explain why Ive been missing and hope that this will spur me on to settling back into my passion of knitting.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">Hope everyone is well and not caught up in all of this horrendous weather and flooding </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #660000;">J xxxxx</span></strong></div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-35355911158178262832014-01-10T08:35:00.000-08:002014-01-10T08:35:09.243-08:00<div align="center">
<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">WEEK 2</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">KNIT A BLOCK A WEEK CHALLENGE</span></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Its week 2 of the Knit a block a Week Challenge.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;">My block for this week was number 8 - Little Blocks.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This block will definitely be a firm favourite with me.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">It was an easy block to knit and knitted up quickly.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">Importantly too it keeps it's shape and had a lovely texture.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">One downside to it was it did come up a little over the 6" but maybe you need to allow for different yarn - even though Double Knit different brands can come up thicker or thinner and then there is your own personal tension to allow for.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">As I mentioned before I'm knitting my blocks into strips to be made into a blanket to be sent to SIBOL (hopefully!).</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I've been able to complete my first strip by adding two garter squares in between my first block no 17 and this weeks no 8. (Garter squares are not included in the Knitted block book so Ive kind of cheated a little here!)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">Last week after square no 17 I felt despondent and thought "oh no what have I let myself in for"" I'm not a confident knitter and this is coming out of my woolly comfort zone but this week after being able to knit the other 4 squares I'm feeling more uplifted - I'm sure my feelings for this will dip again over the coming weeks.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">I'm looking forward to starting strip 2 over the weekend </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">Happy "Blocking" xx</span></em></strong></div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-49248708672329072092014-01-05T03:42:00.001-08:002014-01-05T03:42:05.561-08:00<div align="center">
<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">KNIT A BLOCK A WEEK</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">My first block is finished.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Block Number <em>17 - REVERSED HEART</em></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">I have knitted similar blocks before in this style, where using a mixture of knit and purl you achieve an image that "pops" out.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">This block was quick to do and also keeps its shape well, have often found that some squares curl etc.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;"><strong>My only criticism is that I find reading charts quite lengthy so did write the pattern out to follow rather than follow the chart as I knitted.</strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">I'm keeping my blocks on the needle as I'm knitting a blanket in strips to save on sewing up. Picking blocks with the same stitch count should in theory make this work.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">You will see this block again over the coming weeks as I have used it more than once.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">Cant wait to start week 2 block 2</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">which one will I choose next ?</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">If you would like to join in pop over to <a href="http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/knit-block-week-challenge.html">Linda's Crafty Corner</a></span></strong></div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-44785828202162167362014-01-04T11:09:00.002-08:002014-01-04T11:09:50.949-08:00<div align="center">
<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">KNIT A BLOCK A WEEK</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Plans have been whirling around my head for the "Knit a block a Week Challenge" <a href="http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/knit-block-week-up-and-running.html">Linda's blog</a></strong></span>. </div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">The book 200 Knitted blocks by Jan Eaton was delivered a little earlier than Christmas by Santa "Amazon" Claus hee hee. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">Last night it even came in the bath with me while I pondered the designs I would like to knit.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">Having decided to produce my first blanket for <a href="http://sunshineinternationalblanketsoflove.blogspot.co.uk/">SIBOL</a> (unfortunately Sue can no longer accept squares but can receive made up blankets), using my first squares I produce I set to work on the pattern, I think Im just about there! That's as long as it turns out ok - I have visions of it turning out like a dogs dinner ............ I think SIBOL is a wonderful organisation, donating blankets to care homes for the elderly. Im sure they get so much pleasure from the blankets that are delivered to them. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">Choosing the squares I went for squares with the same stitch count and what I think the thickness of the square will come out like - Im thinking that maybe some of the designs will give you a thicker/denser texture, I might be completely wrong in this thinking, time will tell.........</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">For SIBOL's blankets they like them to be 36" square - 25 squares plus a border.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">Tonight I've chosen the yarn, stashbusting into the bargain.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">I was thinking of adding a green in too but am undecided on that one, more thinking in the bath required for a decision on that one!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">My design choices are repeated in my blanket so will count these towards my "Square per day" challenge that is running over on Loving Hands forum.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">This blankets means Im stashbusting, block a week and square per day - all of these challenges covered.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">As this is my first real attempt at a blanket it is stretching my knitting confidence so hope it turns out alright.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;">Im all ready so tonight I start!</span></strong></div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-75777418529022135052013-12-31T09:13:00.001-08:002013-12-31T09:13:28.970-08:00<div align="center">
<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">Happy New Year x</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">IM BACK!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">Ive had a couple of comments that Ive been missing from Blogland and that you wanted to see me back - well New Year and all that thought now was the time to return and make a real effort to be more "Bloggy" in the coming year.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">Firstly I wanted to share some of my lovely presents I received this year </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">from my lovely dear woolly friend ....</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">all of these truly wonderful goodies - I love lots of goodies, can you see two balls of adorable squishiness ? </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">Next, one of the gifts from my mum and dad was a bag she had started quilting 20 years ago (yes I did say 20 years!) and she decided to finish it for me and fill it full with .......</span></strong></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QVVApIYYs-4/UsL3SnxGcNI/AAAAAAAAAGw/ImXRDYQW6aw/s1600/presents+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QVVApIYYs-4/UsL3SnxGcNI/AAAAAAAAAGw/ImXRDYQW6aw/s320/presents+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">more squishiness.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">I also received some lovely books, I love books, I know many of you are Kindle (there are other makes of e-readers available tee hee) fans but I just love a book, the feel and the smell and how they look all on the bookshelf.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">Here are my Christmas books, including one from my lovely woolly friend which is a knitting orientated novel so I really look forward to that.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Im looking forward to each and every one of these.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">looking back over 2013 which has been eventful I just think a lot of the times I value have been via the internet and my virtual friends, there has been support, advice, a shoulder and laughs, hints and tips, some wonderful patterns to try. Your friendship means such a lot. If you are new to blogging and have stumbled across me have a look at the Blogs I follow, they are truly inspirational and a joy to follow.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">And lastly I thank my wonderful woolly friend for her friendship which I value and putting up with me for another whole year, we have had hilarious laughs and at times a good moan. I look forward to yet another yarny year wonder what mischief we can get up to this year? </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">So to all of you in Blogland and my friends I wish you a <span style="font-size: large;">happy h<em>ealthy crafty new year</em></span></span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">xxx</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">ps: keep an eye out on <a href="http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/">http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/</a> there will be a new stashbusting challenge again in 2014 which was so much fun this year and a new Knit a Square a week challenge (which meant purchasing a lovely book for oh dear the hardship!) - oooo cant wait </span></strong></div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-34507766618277364442013-08-08T13:20:00.001-07:002013-08-08T13:21:25.068-07:00<div align="center">
<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;">STASH-BUSTING OF A DIFFERENT KIND....</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;">OR THERAPY OF A DIFFERENT KIND .........</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;">Ive managed lots of little jobs today, nothing major, just things that needed doing that have been left - two boxes of knitted donations organised for sending, a call to BT (stressful!), a couple of loads of washing, order some food shopping and order Son's shirts ready for September (half-price on-line with BHS - bargain!)</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;">Then as I sat down with a cuppa this afternoon I really felt that I ought to start de-cluttering my card-making drawers, had promised to sort some items for one of my lovely "virtual" friends who makes cards, as well as maybe a few bits and bobs on Ebay. I will never use all the card-making items I have, all brought before I had my "lightbulb" moment last year and my "I want - dont need" way of life. Now don't get me wrong, I have to admit to a few very small purchases over the past 18 months as well as having some items given as gifts but no-longer do I have a compulsion to spend, spend, spend as I did.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;">Anyway I realised before I started the mass clear-out that I needed to make my thank you cards for the lovely presents that I received for my birthday. Thank you notes have become, due to the electronic age, I think a thing of the past. Im guilty of it too. Needing six thank you cards I set to work.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;">so here is what I ended up with........</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The rubber stamp used was a gift for my birthday, Woodware Clear Magic Bubble Bloom "Clarissa". Backing papers were from my Papermania Woodland Folk pad and the "bubbles" filled in with Card Candi and a little colouring using Promarkers.</span></strong></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nrp19iKMOZ0/UgP8HLn9ymI/AAAAAAAAAGA/8WrCXmiFjeo/s1600/cards+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nrp19iKMOZ0/UgP8HLn9ymI/AAAAAAAAAGA/8WrCXmiFjeo/s320/cards+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love my knitting but realised today spending a few hours listening to an Agatha Raisin Mrs Beaton audiobook and gently cutting, colouring and embellishing, that I had missed my card making and need to do a little more.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;">Watch this space .......</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(I must point out though that I was so engrossed in this that I didn't realise the time, hubby came through the door with no sight of dinner even being started - whoops! - so this hobby does come with a bit of a warning - hours may slip by and jobs may not be done!)</span></strong></div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-63763098153511865192013-08-05T01:59:00.000-07:002013-08-05T01:59:03.379-07:00<div align="center">
<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">OPENING THE FRONT DOOR TO GET "HYSTERICAL"! .....</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Quite a few will know that I recently ventured "out of the front door", held my breath and arrived at hospital for my Hysterectomy. Those same people said I should "blog" about the experience, is this too much information, will it make people squemish.....??? Im hoping that others with anxiety or agoraphobia may see it and know there is someone else just like them, maybe they need to go to hospital themselves or maybe they are putting off having much needed treatment.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">To start with I must say that I owe a huge "THANK YOU" to Dr M (if you are reading this you know who you are!) Over the past months he has been tackling confidence, those demons that lay somewhere hidden but kept haunting me and making me start to believe in myself again. I truly believed that by the time he got me into hospital he would be handing his notice in to his boss with a big statement "never again". I have been and still am very lucky to have Dr M as my mentor (is that the right word) in my road to recovery. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I started writing this post and then got a "block" I wanted to say so much but now 8 weeks on from the operation Im actually pretty proud of myself, I don't want to say anything negative, its all positive. What I should say is, if you are struggling with hospital admissions or operations, please please please just ask for some help I didn't realise that the hospital would be as accommodating as they were, that even down to having the operation using epidural rather than full knock out was possible, that telling them in advance of the difficulties I had meant they were prepared for me and much more.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The staff at the hospital were fantastic (the food not so ha ha), there were excited conversations from the corridor from nurses talking about the fact that I had not been out of the house for so long. Anyway its done now, still getting the odd "twinge" now and then but on the whole just fine!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I had to be sedated to travel to and from hospital so still not liking the thought of actually "going out" but pleased that that area of medical problems is over and done with!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I should also say a huge thank you to my dear friend Mrs V, a lovely visit in hospital with a superb bag of goodies, a comment made from a nurse that will have us laughing for many years to come, lots of encouragement and support and visits at home for tea, a chat and a little clacking of those needles. </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My hubby and son were wonderful too, hubby kicked into action very nicely and what shocked me more was the reaction I had from him when I started on the "walk of doom" (the walk from the bay to the operating theatre) I have never seen him emotional in the 18 years we have been together. Even dear son wielded the hoover and fetched and carried, lets just say though that didn't last too long ha ha!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And fantastic loving support from my on-line virtual friends too, giving me some invaluable web-sites for those questions that crop up (especially late at night!) and you need an answer to them and of course lots of virtual hugs.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">All in all I realised that those around me do care and this has meant a lot.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">SO now I have got over my BLOG BLOCK hopefully I should be back up and running with knitting tales and more very soon - Ive been reading some lovely blogs lately there is sooooo much to read and learn I spend more time "blog hopping" and not a lot of time doing anything else!</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">xxx</span></strong><br />
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-80342493072874292082013-03-23T11:57:00.002-07:002013-03-23T11:57:21.580-07:00<div align="center">
<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">SUNDAY STASH BUST </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">WEIGH-IN </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">(BUT ON A SATURDAY!)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Im slightly ahead of myself this weekend and have managed to weigh in this weeks "stash-bust" and get on the computer .... no mean feat in this house with my two boys but the snow seems to have made us three bods have a do your own thing day! </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This week Im very pleased with myself have managed to "bust"</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">425g </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">- am very impressed with this (but I suppose I better confess that I suppose that was due to some of it being made in Aran)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Blanket squares made from odds and ends</span></em></strong></div>
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<em><strong><span style="color: #741b47;">Two adult hats and one childs hat</span></strong></em> </div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><strong><em>One set of wristwarmers</em></strong></span></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">A first for me, a shoulder wrap made to be sent to a Care Home</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><strong><em>And my favourite the cowl x</em></strong></span></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">I dont know whether Ive been having one of those weeks but arms and hands have been hurting so will be pleased to get back to something a bit smaller this coming week - off to pick over the bag of odds and ends and see what I come up with .................</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Happy Stash-Busting and stay warm and safe if you have the dreaded snow xx</span></em></strong></div>
Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-18173057957815424142013-03-19T02:11:00.001-07:002013-03-19T02:11:49.721-07:00Aran Stash ....<div align="center">
<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">ARAN STASH-BUST</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I have an enormous ball of aran in my stash, creamy tweed in colour. Having it in the living room seems to mean that my two men (Mr F1 and Master F1) want to use it as a football .... need I say more!</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So the time has come to use it up.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My lovely friend "M" was on the 'phone Sunday and said she had found a cowl pattern which she thought would be great for our local Hope Centre for the Homeless which we are both knitting for. Nice warm hats, maybe some gloves and scarves we are hoping to donate at the end of the year. Well never to turn down a new pattern those needles were clicking in a flash as I felt the aran would be ideal for this.</span></em></strong></div>
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As you can see the ball of aran is quite large!</div>
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The stitch pattern forms a lovely soft snuggly waffle pattern</div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And in no time ....</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I started off with 305g of this tweedy aran, the cowl took about 100g and I would say 3hours of knitting (don't worry lots of housework was ignored in the making of this cowl!). The original pattern said knitted on 10mm needles in chunky but as this was aran I went down one size to 9mm. Cast on 30 stitches, knit 4 rows, row 1 of pattern K1, p1 across , row 2 of pattern K1, p1 across, row 3 and 4 knit each row repeat this pattern of 4 rows until length of knitted piece is 100cm (or desired length), knit 3 rows, cast off </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This is a real favourite of mine and is ideal for using up stash - might even be knitting some more for C*****mas.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So a big thank you to "M" - am now off to continue with this ball of aran and see if by the end of the week I can use it all up. </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The only problem is once I have done one item in one colour I always want to go and find another ball and start something else - this is probably why I have such a lot of odds and ends piled up - does anyone else do this?</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Happy knitting all xx</span></em></strong></div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-39602979211983505832013-03-17T03:34:00.002-07:002013-03-17T03:34:13.089-07:00<div align="center">
<strong><em><span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">STASH BUSTING CHALLENGE 2013</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">SUNDAY WEIGH-IN </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Having missed last weeks weigh in as we had visitors all weekend I dont really have that much to show for two weeks worth of knitting (I do however have quite a few Work in Progress items in my knitting bag - items I need to sew up urrgghhh!) does anyone else just hate sewing up?????</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Anyway the following are the items I have managed this last two weeks</span></em></strong></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wHmjxN56nG0/UUWajBauqoI/AAAAAAAAADg/3J8LIfaJ3SU/s1600/knitting+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wHmjxN56nG0/UUWajBauqoI/AAAAAAAAADg/3J8LIfaJ3SU/s320/knitting+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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3x BABY HATS</div>
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2x PAIRS OF BEDSOCKS FOR ELDERLY WITH SWOLLEN FEET/LEGS</div>
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1X CORNER TO CORNER BABY BLANKET AND1X SQUARE</div>
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TOTAL STASH BUSTED 273g ........</div>
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I still say I must try harder - story of my life at school ha ha xx</div>
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The bedsocks I have tried to find out if I can publish the pattern for that or add a link but unable to find out who has the rights for it, so didnt want to do this and upset the apple cart (think at some stage it may have come from ladies magazine Peoples Friend), but these are just fantastic for the elderly in care homes or hospitals etc who sadly have such swollen feet - the stitches that you knit give such a wide stretchy end product - achieved by as you put right hand needle in to stitches on left hand needle, wind the yarn round twice finishing knitting stitch as normal then when you go back along row you drop the extra stitch you created (does this make sense!)</div>
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Well have a happy stash busting week xx</div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-2883647416612899522013-03-07T01:09:00.000-08:002013-03-07T01:11:02.827-08:00My Liebster Award and more nominations<div class="post hentry" itemprop="blogPost" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/BlogPosting">
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<a href="http://bagsofwool.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/my-liebster-award-blog.html"><span style="color: #cc0033;">My
Liebster Award blog</span></a> </h3>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was recently nominated for a
Liebster Award by Una at <a href="http://bagsofwool.blogspot.co.uk/">Great Balls of Ball</a> I was really touched by this, Ive only been running my blog less than two months now and am learning my way around. Una has made some lovely comments about my blog, my knitting and me - just one of the many "virtual" lovely friends I seem to be meeting along my blogging journey, so a big THANK YOU Una xxx</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Una asked me the following questions:-</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Which of the
four seasons do you like best?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Spring</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Do you
exercise?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Whoops no - but I have a lovely exercise bike gathering dust ......</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What is your
"guilty pleasure" food?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Not very sinful but I love prawn cocktail being a bit more frugal now and not having them anymore would have to be a McDonalds Egg McMuffin!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What was the
last item you knitted or crocheted?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Bedsocks for people in care homes with swollen feet and ankles </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>When did you
last buy wool or yarn?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">About a month ago - brought some for a very special baby blanket</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Did you enjoy
your school days?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Hmmm tough one - yes and no </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If you could
have only one, which would it be...dishwasher or microwave?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Dishwasher</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Do you follow
any sports?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Formula One - this household works, sleeps and eats it </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Do you have any
pets?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">No only it seems a multitude of thin spiders who make cobwebs as soon as my back is turned </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Which is
best....sea view or mountain view?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Definately sea view</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If your house
or apartment had a name, what would it be?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Dun-ironing !</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">I now have to nominate 4 bloggers who I follow who have less than 200 followers, I found this hard as I love all the blogs I follow, for many reasons, their dedication to charity knitting and their family and friends around them, their friendship, the outstanding crafty things they make, or simply their blogs are a work of art! There were two I really wanted to nominate <a href="http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/">Linda</a> at Linda's Crafty Corner and <a href="http://lanasdeana.blogspot.co.uk/">Ana</a> at lanas de Ana but you ladies just have too many followers!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Anyway I have nominated </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><a href="http://mackandmabel.blogspot.co.uk/">Julie</a> at Mack and Mabel</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://chalkygilbert.blogspot.co.uk/">Linda</a> at Chalky's World</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://vixen307.blogspot.co.uk/">Vixen</a> at Shabbily Ever After</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bagsofwool.blogspot.co.uk/">Una</a> at Great Balls of Wool</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are my questions to you lovely ladies:-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What was the last book you read?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you have any "hidden" talents that you would like to share?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is your favourite smell?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you wanted to escape would it be cottage by the sea or log cabin up a mountain?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What item do you seem to knit the most of?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can you knit with double pins? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you could spend a day with someone famous who would it be?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In cooking would you choose Mary Berry or Delia Smith?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you have a favourite sweetie?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you have anything stashed away that your husband/partner doesnt know about?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you write a shopping list or do you shop as you go along?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you have time to do this and will nominate 4 further bloggers - thank you xx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-80231596104024500252013-03-05T02:50:00.001-08:002013-03-05T02:50:29.187-08:00<div align="center">
<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">AGORAPHOBIA/ANXIETY - AN EXPLANATION, SOME UNDERSTANDING</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">As part of my ongoing therapy for agoraphobia/anxiety I have had to put in place "Assertive Intervention" and the following is sort of using this theory. Assertiveness is being able to stand up for your rights, beliefs in a manner that does not offend or deny the rights of others. In this example, I am using opinions - we should all have an opinion or an understanding but its how you put those opinions across that can be hurtful and if you have little or no understanding of the person, their problems etc your opinion can often hurt.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">Dear Whoever,</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">I have been saddened over the last week over the increase in animosity or lack of understanding involved with anxiety and/or agoraphobia.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">I sadly was unable to attend a much needed operation, not a matter of life or death operation, but deemed by the Consultant as entirely necessary. An operation that was going to improve my quality of life and hopefully amongst other more sensitive, delicate "too much information" matters stop the pain that I have been in for some time.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">Unfortunately my chronic agoraphobia and anxiety got the better of me and the option of the operation actually taking place was removed.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">Ive felt deflated, desperate, stupid and angry, not enough this but others have felt the need to question my need and why the operation couldn't take place.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">Had I have had a cold, virus or the hospital would have cancelled I'm sure this would have been perfectly acceptable in most peoples eyes. BUT NO I had anxiety and agoraphobia and this gives people the right to say what they like and how they like.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">I don't want sympathy or pity just some understanding. There was a commercial recently surrounding Mental Health, asking us to "talk", however it seems that physical illness will always take priority of over mental illness. I am in no way detracting from any ones physical illness, just don't judge because you cant see it.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">Often I have had people say "well you don't <u>want</u> to go out" wrong I cant - would you state to someone with the use of only one leg "you don't want to walk" NO of course you wouldn't.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">I have counselling - people around me have often frowned upon this, don't want to talk about, don't accept it in the same light as other NHS treatment, have been hurtful about it BUT look at it another way- if I had certain health problems I would be given physio - this would enable my limbs to work better, for an injury to be healed, to ease pain - so lets say counselling is physio for the mind - does it sit better now?</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">Ive always tried to be compassionate of others difficulties, health and views etc sometimes I may not have agreed with their actions or needs but for the sake of their feelings Ive kept my opinions to myself. </span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">I am in awe of people who can get up, deal with their difficulties, are never scared, can do anything, their lives seemingly perfect - do you know how perfect you are? or do you think you are perfect? I admire your confidence- sadly not everyone has your confidence.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">Don't say in an over dramatic sarcastic way "oh I thought i was getting like you" - getting like me!, this is hurtful, can damage months of confidence building in an instant. I'm sure none of us would dream of saying to a physically impaired person "oh I thought I was getting like you" - I hope you don't get like me, I would not wish this on anyone but by the way - its not catching!!!</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">When you walk past houses in the street have you ever wondered is there an elderly person in there lonely, on their own. Do they need something doing or someone to talk to? are they in pain? Do they need shopping or a prescription? I know I have in the past. Change that to - there is a person in that house who cant leave because they have anxiety and agoraphobia - they are lonely, they need some shopping, they haven't seen anyone for days. They wish they were able to do it, just get on with life. That the pain they feel would go away - is there a difference between these two scenarios.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">Ive seen people walk past, get in their cars, go shopping and Ive cried and cried wishing I could do that, wishing that physio would make my mind able again.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">So to put this into the method - I understand you have views, you want to say your opinion, but do you know how hurtful what you are saying can be and that maybe no thought or understanding or compassion has been put into it. So to end, from now on think before you give an opinion or a comment, would you want it said to you, in that way. Because some of the comments and opinions Ive received over the last week especially have been hurtful.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">Yours,</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">Mrs Behind the Door xx</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia;">PS Iam getting better, one day Im going to be better than I am, my confidence is growing (maybe in the wrong direction ha ha) - I wouldnt have done the above a while back - Im trying to stand up for myself and this was one way I thought I could say what I felt x</span></strong></div>
Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-87730656878136417472013-03-03T06:07:00.000-08:002013-03-04T00:40:39.889-08:00<div align="center">
<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">STASH BUSTING CHALLENGE</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">SUNDAY WEIGH IN</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Sunday again... I seem to always say that - it flys around so very quickly</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Not much to add this week </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">just 127g</span></em></strong></div>
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<em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>This was a "trial" item - I wanted some fun things that I could pop in my box for the Operation Christmas Box Appeal at the end of the year<span style="color: black;">.</span>**</strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">(</span><strong><span style="color: black;">(</span>SINCE WRITING THIS POST I HAVE BEEN REMINDED THAT OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOX <u>DO NOT</u>ALLOW STUFFED TOYS - IT HAD COMPLETELY GONE FROM MY HEAD SO I AM SORRY IF I HAVE MISLED ANYONE - SORRY AGAIN FOR ANY CONFUSION - ITS A GOOD JOB I HAVE SOME LOVELY WATCHERS WHO KEEP ME ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW))**</strong></span></span></em></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I wanted to call her Floppy and decided that if I made anymore they would all have a name beginning with "J" - so this first one is Jaqueline Floppy - will there be anymore? I don't know.........</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I cast on 50 stitches DK 4mm needles - think I stocking stitched about 32 rows then changed to Eyelash/Ostrich yarn and knitted 7 rows for hair. Sew up sides with seam ending up at the back. Straight stitch a mouth - sew up bottom seam lightly stuff and sew up top seam. </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I made four I-cords , 2 for arms and 2 for legs - the arm ones being slightly shorter than the legs and tied a knot in the end to denote hands and feet - attach these.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Eyes could be stick on googly eyes as I have done, stitched or sewn on buttons - I'm thinking if the item is to be given to a small child stick on eyes or buttons may not be suitable due to choking risk so use safety eyes or embroider. </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I got this idea from <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L10016B.html?noImages=">http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L10016B.html?noImages=</a> and changed it slightly - obviously these are much better than my effort!</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Also managed two baby hats, one childs hat and a preemie cardigan</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The preemie cardigan and two hats have now finished up an oddment I had in my odds and ends bags so this was good x</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Until next week - keep on stash busting - happy knitting xx</span></em></strong></div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-73810892210393779822013-02-17T12:44:00.000-08:002013-02-17T12:44:01.563-08:00<div align="center">
<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">SUNDAY STASH BUSTING WEIGH-IN</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Well here we are Sunday evening and my latest "Stash Buster Challenge 2013" weigh in is.......</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">125g </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">ooooooooo not great again this week</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">but here are the items Ive managed</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and although they only weigh a little Im hoping they will be of some use and be appreciated by someone x</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This weeks "bundle" consists of 1x Adult Hat (bluemix), 1x childs hat (pink chunky), 1x blanket square and one pair of bed socks in light pink for a Care Home.</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The bed socks were from a pattern posted on Loving Hands Charity Group website - not done these before - the pattern did state a pattern inbetween the top and bottom but someone had mentioned that they had stocking stitched this section hence this is what I tried sadly I dont think they are stretchy enough for people with swollen feet but they can be used by someone Im sure, next time, as Ive seen it suggested, im going to try K2, P2 rib as this will give a better stretch am also thinking of making a bit longer too. On the plus side they knit up relatively quickly which is always good for my "butterfly" mind !</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Sadly Im not going to be available for next weeks Sunday Weigh In - more on that to follow .......</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For all my fellow "bustees" - Keep On Busting xxxx</span></strong></div>
Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-23858908474445240842013-02-10T06:13:00.000-08:002013-02-10T06:13:30.487-08:00<div align="center">
<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">SUNDAY STASH BUST WEIGH IN</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I realised going in to post my Sunday Weigh in that I had not posted last weeks so here is last weeks total = 210g</span></strong> </div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I just cant believe its Sunday "again" - the weeks fly by.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Have had my usual Sunday weigh in and managed....</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">only 105g</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Its going slowly ...</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Only problem is I have a huge confession, originally when I weighed my stash I weighed just my Double Knit, I think it was about 8700g. Its been nagging me that I had put the scales on carpet etc and it was not quite right. So at the beginning of the week I had all my stash out, Double Knit, Chunky, my "odds and ends" bags, scarf yarn etc and weighed it all and it came to.........................</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">15,090g eeeekkkkk (this includes the 505g that I had already busted at that point)</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I was right to think that I had not weighed the DK correctly - whoops x</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So as at today my totals stand at:-</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">15090 - 820g = 14,270g </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And thats me being completely honest!</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Here's what I have been able to complete last week..</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This consists of 2x baby hats, 1x baby blanket, 1x adult hat and 1x top down cardigan (which Im loving at the moment and have been searching for more)</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And this week </span></strong><br />
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<strong>This consists of 2x baby hats, 1x child hat and 1x Baby Angel Claire Cardigan</strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">During my time on Loving Hands Charity Group and Knit your Share forum (Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert) I have met the most wonderful, caring group of ladies that anyone could want to meet. Always there to lend a listening ear, give advice, laugh with, cry with - but all virtual - I have only been lucky enough to meet one of the ladies and we meet regularly for a chat, a verrrrrry long chat and cups of tea, cake oh and of course a bit of knitting, this lady is lovely and Im so lucky that I have such a lovely dear friend. Many ladies give their own patterns or post links to patterns they have been able to find and am hoping that once Ive asked their permission I will be able to share these with you.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Its because of their "sharing" that I have a growing pile of "to do's". Im terrible at wanting to try out a new pattern when I see it - so in my to-do pile I have bedsocks, which will be donated to care homes in the country and some easy jumpers for children</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Hopefully now my dear husband has made a full recovery from his operation I will be able to catch up "blogging" and plenty more woolly stuff! xx</span></strong></div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-55989316707591349192013-02-02T12:57:00.000-08:002013-02-02T12:58:04.927-08:00OOOOOOOO MATRON...........................!<div align="center">
<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">CATCHING UP....</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">OPERATIONS</span></em></strong></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bCgMpOpUH6E/UQu6n-fWXyI/AAAAAAAAACc/j9s4wuvtxd0/s1600/nurse.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bCgMpOpUH6E/UQu6n-fWXyI/AAAAAAAAACc/j9s4wuvtxd0/s200/nurse.bmp" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My poor husband is recovering from his operation which took place on Monday, polyp removal from his nose, sinus etc. MrF1 is not a "patient patient" he is never normally ill and is finding it all a bit difficult. Its very painful and not a pleasant experience, sadly they were unable to finish the operation due to the extent of his polyps so will have to return for the second half at a later date (not something he is looking forward to!). He is tired and feeling very weak BUT is also very bossy and crabby hence on Monday I was Junior Nurse and by the end of the two weeks feel I will have been promoted to Matron. </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Roll on his return to work ...................... men tut xx</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">By the way I look nothing like the above more like </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">due to my husband dishing orders out to do h****work.</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">STASH BUSTING CHALLENGE 2013</span></em></strong><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V2UirYb_3sY/UQ179laJNcI/AAAAAAAAAC8/WnYlrE57l60/s1600/stash+buster+logo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V2UirYb_3sY/UQ179laJNcI/AAAAAAAAAC8/WnYlrE57l60/s200/stash+buster+logo1.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong><em><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Linda has totted up January's total for all the "Stash Bustees" - well done to all - there is some truly wonderful work and Linda has done a fantastic job of collating all totals and laying out a wonderful review - thank you Linda xx Take a minute to hop over and have a look </span></em></strong><br />
<a href="http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/stash-buster-january-review.html">http://lindacraftycorner.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/stash-buster-january-review.html</a><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well that's most of this week I think this week I've earned my Nurses Watch - ooo I always wanted one of those as a child when I played Nurses, that and a thermometer and am pleased to say that hubby is gradually on the mend </span></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Tomorrow - Stash Busting Challenge - My Sunday Weigh-In ....</span></em></strong></div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-26952520599012823172013-01-24T09:18:00.001-08:002013-01-24T09:18:21.202-08:00<div align="center">
<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">WHOOPS! .....</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When I did my last post, showing the Childs Summer Vest this morning, I meant to put a link to the lovely pattern - Ravelry, free download, Linda has requested it and it reminded me that I did not put it on so here it is :-</span></em></strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pretty-summer-vest">http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pretty-summer-vest</a></div>
Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-56230178883393964502013-01-24T03:28:00.000-08:002013-01-24T03:28:23.774-08:00<div align="center">
<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">LOOK WHAT I MANAGED .....</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Whilst positively stomping around Ravelry like a woman possessed I came across this lovely summer top, ideal because:-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">it fits in with our latest challenges for summer items on Loving Hands</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">its bigger than I would normally tackle</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">its used more stash!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So what do you think .....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I love this yarn soooooooooooo much - self patterning, brought from Aldi, I have it in a couple of their colours so think maybe more of these little tops will be coming off the needles soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The tiny flower like pattern that appears is just amazing to me - I hope a little girl somewhere in the world will love this x</span></div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-4742782999549103082013-01-22T13:10:00.002-08:002013-01-22T13:10:56.591-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Knitting, Snow, Approved Food and Extreme Couponing...</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Ramblings of lady age 41....</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Knitting forever, housework whenever .......</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Sums up how I feel today </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">but I have to say I'm quite addicted to </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"BLOGS"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Why didn't someone tell me before .......</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Perhaps that should read</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">"Blogging forever, housework whenever"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Anyway was able to leave Blogland alone long enough to do the front of a knitted summer top. Part of the quarterly challenges on Loving Hands Charity Knitting Group is for summer items, so off I tripped to Ravelry and found a lovely easy pattern (has to be for me as I'm such a "la la") in fact I found quite a few patterns to go in my "To Do" pile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We have had one day reprieve from the snow and this evening it has started again - will tomorrow be another snow day away from school for my son????????</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">On the "Debt Busting" front, I have accomplished my first order with Approved Food - I felt like I was undertaking a trolley dash as the items are kept for 9 minutes in your "Basket", whilst you are browsing the timer ticks down - each time you click on a new item the timer resets itself back to 9 minutes - I felt the voice of Dale Winton in my ear "when you hear the beep its supermarket sweep....." tee hee - will let you know how I get on with the order when it arrives, hubby and son are very excited about our crate arriving. <strong>I spent £41 and made a saving of £57 - does anyone else use them? Would love to hear what others think?</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I love watching "Extreme Couponing" on Home and Health and wish we had the same in UK - oh how I dream of having a "stash" of products in my garage like they do - all those toiletries, washing powder, tinned and packet goods, the list is endless - for those who have not seen this or don't know about "Couponing" basically in newspapers, fliers, weekly supermarket leaflets they give coupons entitling you to so much off but then the fun begins because you may be able to double this discount with another coupon or use an in store discount like 2 for 1 etc - customers will buy like a 100 bottles of water at a time or 10 bottles of fabric conditioner etc spending hundreds of dollars and only paying a few dollars for their shopping. Customers will go to extraordinary lengths to collect their coupons, obtaining hundreds of copies of flyers and sitting cutting them out! then planning their shop and taking bundles of coupons to store, often blocking the till up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Thats me rambling for today ...... hopefully give you something more interesting tomorrow xx</span></div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-71330913769711056782013-01-20T06:13:00.001-08:002013-01-20T06:13:33.087-08:00<div align="center">
<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Woolly Weigh-In</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Stash Busting Challenge 2013</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Its Sunday, boy thats come round quick, so time for this weeks weigh in. I have managed</span></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">260g this week!!!</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I was really pleased with this but it was used up quick by doing simple - yet bigger things. 2 x baby blankets, 1x baby hat, 1 x square (to be used in a blanket) and of course my Baktus scarf which I cannot stop telling people about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Im wanting to change over the balls of yarn in my "to do bag " which I will do later today as the last day or so Ive been staring in wondering what to do ...... not much inspiration has been flowing sadly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">If anyone is interested, or is a member, the new quarterly challenges have been put up on Loving Hands Charity knitting Group, <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><a href="http://lovinghands.freeforums.org/spring-challenges-20-1-13-to-20-4-13-t10241.html">http://lovinghands.freeforums.org/spring-challenges-20-1-13-to-20-4-13-t10241.html</a> - </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Loving Hands always welcomes new members so it would be lovely if you could pop over and join in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">On the needles at the moment is an "Operation Christmas Child" hat (it may or may not go into the christmas box pile but I like this pattern, knits up quick) - I had an odd ball of Katia Marathon Plus which I thought would be appropriate and I love knitting with it, so this is growing nicely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So thats the woolly side of things, now for .....</span></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Debt Busting </span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For the past year hubby and I have been trying to put into order our finances and cut back etc and I have what I affectionately call "my pots" - these are virtual but its where money saved or made is popped to either pay for unexpected items, forseeable items birthdays, christmas or eventually to reduce our debts etc. Also really budgeting etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I had what Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert call "my lighbulb moment" this time last year and knew we had to change and tackle things that had been so easily put to one side.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Anyway last night having a meander round Blog land I came across <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><a href="http://frugalincornwall.blogspot.co.uk/">http://frugalincornwall.blogspot.co.uk/</a> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and I am in complete awe of this lady and her family - so would highly recommend a look over on her blog - Im reading a few pages each day (if I can) and already have some great ideas - so hopefully I can share how Im getting on with you soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So in 2013 I am "BUSTING" so much - wool, debt, clutter and trying so hard to beat the anxiety and agoraphobia - I know it wont be easy and I know I will probably lapse at times (as Im want to do) but hopefully as the last year has shown there will be improvement and however small its still an improvement. </span></div>
Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-76499589442808832352013-01-17T02:33:00.002-08:002013-01-17T02:33:58.662-08:00<div align="center">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>Stash Busting Challenge</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><em>2013</em></span></div>
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<em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Charity Baby Blankets</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Its very cold today and where better to be than in the warm with your needles and a cup of tea!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Have finished off my second baby blanket using the "odds" from my stash.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">One pink ......</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">One blue ........</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These blankets are really simple, (and quick!) knitted corner to corner, and the finished size requirements are 15" square and above (I believe to 21")</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So if you would like to have a go </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">DK yarn, 4 - 4.5 mm needles</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Cast on 2 stitches</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">First row - knit 1, knit front and back of second stitch (so as to increase)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Second row - knit 1, knit front and back of next stitch, knit rest of row</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Keep doing the above, increasing into the second stitch until you have the required length and then start decreasing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Knit 1, knit 2 together, knit remainder of row</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Until you have 2 stitches remainder - bind off.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Another few grams busted ....!</span></div>
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1288034347025614435.post-59139556510959480742013-01-14T11:35:00.002-08:002013-01-14T11:35:38.933-08:00<div align="center">
<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">FROM BAKTUS TO BEYOND........</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I am loving the "Baktus Scarf", have finished my first today .......</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I feel I could get hooked on these and plan to do a couple as gifts - only half way through this one I was planning two more - thanks to lanas de ana for showing this pattern.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Hoping you can see the patterning and colours from this next pic ..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This ball was a lovely gift from a wonderful friend - so am hoping she will be pleased with my choice - and other 100g knitted from my stash xx</span><br />
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Jaquelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00995026092537248745noreply@blogger.com9