tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6818403333240908122024-03-05T16:31:49.010+00:00Tweed thoughts ...A crafter's blog from the Outer Hebrides of ScotlandTweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.comBlogger610125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-48269203510764294492022-09-21T11:30:00.000+01:002022-09-21T11:30:20.114+01:00End of the Summer - Oh Well!<p>I've been doing quite a lot of crafting recently - I thought I might as well record it somewhere! My 'old' blog seemed to be quite a good place to use for that purpose.</p><p>I think it kicked off at some point during the summer when I decided to unpack a box of my craft books which I'd tidied away during a period of decluttering (other rooms in the house!). My craft books took the hit and were put away temporarily (sort of). I did mean to put them on some shelves but they didn't reach that far and are now tidily stacked in an orderly pile . . . . honest!</p><p>Yesterday I seem to have decided that embroidery books were a good place to browse (while working on a crafty piece of course) :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_Tb57bf4VrN6SoSdz8ruEW-fvXSWl_ilkv9Mg2yffA9tMpEuLAJiCIHHFrMjkbmuNOVXt5lEHGrjpSSceRkBcq7XQy-hV7idAWAhfgsVXm5IoX8LdmRT-ItS_YREf5qRMNjeMSTyyjCMGjyqzL1k2ewEtWqYk_-vn_SWBfA7cRFgK-Ym-kS9FEZe/s1600/IMG_4077.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_Tb57bf4VrN6SoSdz8ruEW-fvXSWl_ilkv9Mg2yffA9tMpEuLAJiCIHHFrMjkbmuNOVXt5lEHGrjpSSceRkBcq7XQy-hV7idAWAhfgsVXm5IoX8LdmRT-ItS_YREf5qRMNjeMSTyyjCMGjyqzL1k2ewEtWqYk_-vn_SWBfA7cRFgK-Ym-kS9FEZe/s320/IMG_4077.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><p>I've started this crochet project using '200 Crochet Blocks' by Jan Eaton. I've had this book for ages but never really got into it, having used similar books for heavier yarn eg. aran or worsted weight. This book uses double knitting yarn and a 4 mm hook (smaller than I usually use), but I finally got the right tension for the patterns. I'm just using acrylic yarn here (sshhhhh - the yarn snobs might hear me!) I think there's a time and a place for it :)</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm92xDu36jzU1jfGDtCHQHnaGGHzLV1eA0X4b3TlkvT_SAxv7vdpxhd6rru3IXCjCzY1sLiYz0l80MwlqV20Q55v6q9kt-uXtUNXWl7v9T2LAd4k7OtXC-YIyLkUscQVD-xV7ViIzY0T1kvxD_HVhjwtpvUgMqsk4sVy7YEz1Ai-iSBQBp9KcVo08s/s1600/IMG_4075.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm92xDu36jzU1jfGDtCHQHnaGGHzLV1eA0X4b3TlkvT_SAxv7vdpxhd6rru3IXCjCzY1sLiYz0l80MwlqV20Q55v6q9kt-uXtUNXWl7v9T2LAd4k7OtXC-YIyLkUscQVD-xV7ViIzY0T1kvxD_HVhjwtpvUgMqsk4sVy7YEz1Ai-iSBQBp9KcVo08s/s320/IMG_4075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>After playing around with a number of blocks from the book, I decided to stick to two blocks to make a throw of some kind (maybe 7 x 9 blocks if I keep going with it). A nice general purpose size of throw.</p><p>This summer has been a bit of a wash out (weather wise) and I seem to have dipped into all sorts of crafts, DIY, etc. Too much to mention in one post - I'll update as I go along.</p><p>No concrete plans to add items to my Etsy shop but you never know . . . . . </p><p>Alison x</p>Tweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-61355365719947991882018-06-09T14:32:00.000+01:002018-06-09T14:32:36.646+01:00Granny Square Practice<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oh well, I missed the whole of May in blogging terms - too much going on! As per usual though I resorted to knitting projects for some relaxation, always works for me :)</div>
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Most recently however I've returned to crochet for instant crafty gratification - I purchased some Garnstudio Drops yarn a little while back. It was cheap enough to enable me to buy a few colours to work with for under a tenner! I use light aran/worsted weight wool to make granny squares these days as I use Leonie Morgan's book: 100 Bright and colourful squares - lovely selection of designs. They crochet up to 6 inch squares (well 5.75 with my tension!) really nicely. I've been using a 5.5 mm hook.</div>
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I've learned my lesson and found that I DO find that using yarn with a good wool content helps to block the squares to a nice uniform shape and size.</div>
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I'm using a palette of six colours and just making an odd square until the yarn runs out! No plans really just a bit of granny square practice over the Summer - when I'm done I'll decide what to do with them :)<br />
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Upper top left one should be a hexagon within a square but my stitch count was off so it looks a little skew whiff/wonky! Never mind, it blocked nicely into a square anyway :)<br />
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I love the top square with the large petal flower and have used this pattern a few times. The one below it with a flower within a traditional granny square is fun to do now that I've got the hang of it!<br />
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Crochet is such a lovely relaxing hobby - so easy to pick up and make something satisfying in an hour or so :) I do like the idea of just collecting a few squares in different patterns and using them to make something creative or other - it's a very flexible and a portable project to have on the go.<br />
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During May I completed <a href="https://idreamoftweed.blogspot.com/2015/09/learning-lace-lovely-journey.html">another Echo Flowers lace shawl </a>- I think I made my first one about 3 or 4 years ago. It's a beautiful pattern by Jenny Johnson Johnen.<br />
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This is it on the washing line after blocking - as you can see we've had some fabulous weather recently!<br />
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It's a lovely lime green colour - I'm waiting for a suitable posh occasion to wear it :) I might be waiting some time!!<br />
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I've been trying to get back to making some items for sale, but things keep getting in the way! Soon I hope though :) My Etsy shop is very quiet as I haven't had the time to do all the social media required to make online sales - I prefer to be creative than spend too much time on my notebook. It's a balance though I suppose :)<br />
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Life is a little quieter and settled at the moment so I'm looking forward to getting back into the groove as they say!<br />
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Bye for now<br />
Alison xTweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-6457257357854393342018-04-29T17:02:00.000+01:002018-04-29T17:02:20.347+01:00Sock knitting and spectacle cases . . . Sock knitting and spectacle cases - now if that's not a sign of my age, I don't know what is! :) :)<br />
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Seriously, sock knitting is an ongoing passion and source of great relaxation and a constant learning process. Also, you don't need much yarn to make a pair of socks, so it's a relatively cheap hobby!<br />
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Here's my last completed pair of knitted socks - a wonderful pattern by Nancy Bush, called French Market socks - never thought I would achieve making these but I did - I was delighted with them . . .<br />
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I read up all the notes from other knitters on Ravelry before starting on these - really useful, and they fitted perfectly :)<br />
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Currently working on these socks (Lambs, Chickens and Bunnies Oh My! by Ros Clark) - great fun to knit . . .<br />
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Both socks have a Latvian braid cast on - basically twisting three different colours of yarn together - looks very cute. I braided the yarns left to form a little toggle detail at the back of the sock - just to be a little different!<br />
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Last week I decided it was time to get the sewing machine out and do some 'tweedie' work. The last cosmetic purse I made made me think, if it was just a little narrower it would be prefect for storing spectacles/glasses as it's very well padded, so off I went to designing a few spectacle cases. I came up with three designs all based on some previous collage work . . . a sneaky peak . . .<br />
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My eldest son helped me with my labels yesterday - I thought they came out quite cute! <br />
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I'm hoping to add these three designs to my Etsy shop next week - that's the plan anyway! At least one more design in the pipeline (maybe two) based on previous artwork.<br />
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I would love to add some hand knits to my shop too but struggling with the time constraints of doing both sewing and knitted items - heigh, ho!<br />
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I thought our two cute hens had stopped laying a couple of weeks ago but seemingly not - it's been lovely going out to collect the eggs in this nice sunny weather . . .<br />
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Enjoying the simple things in life this morning . . . daffies growing outside the kitchen door :)<br />
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Catch up soon (youngest has been 'borrowing' my laptop hence sparse blogging activity!) Here's to shorter, more regular posts :)<br />
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Alison x<br />
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<br />Tweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-44618625091292201332018-03-22T11:57:00.000+00:002018-03-22T11:57:27.035+00:00. . . . Well that was a long, unintentional break :)<div style="text-align: justify;">
I might very well be talking to myself here after such a long absence but never mind . . . . a very unintentional break from crafting and blogging - I think my last post was in August 2017!</div>
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Lots of stuff meant that my crafting activity changed - lots more knitting and crochet due to less time/space to get the sewing machine out or to consider any commercial work. </div>
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Must admit that I slipped back into 'Mummy mode' a bit when my eldest returned from university after graduating last year. I've really enjoyed having both my boys at home but it has meant less 'head-space' for keeping up my blog although I have done a LOT of colour work knitting and the usual crochet projects : )</div>
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The last few months have been a bit difficult however as my youngest was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition which flummoxed us for quite a long time. He was finally diagnosed with Addison's disease last month after being referred to our local hospital with unusual symptoms. Addison's is a rare endocrine disorder where your adrenal glands no longer function - it is a life threatening condition but treatable with daily medication. God Bless the NHS - I can't praise the fantastic care he received during his 4 day stay at the Western Isles hospital - they were all lovely, doctos, nurses, auxiliaries alike - couldn't fault his care one bit - just amazing :)</div>
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Both my boys have now been diagnosed with autoimmune conditions in their teenage years - eldest with Type 1 Diabetes (5 years ago) and now my youngest with Addison's. Happy to say that they are both doing well . . . . their mother . . . . well, let's just say I've just about come to terms with this recent turn of events. Onwards and upwards! :) :) Just grateful they are both doing well and keeping us, er . . . entertained/exasperated in their 'normal' teenage/'young-adult' ways - pheeew!</div>
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Having got all that off my chest, my two lovely hens have been keeping me amused - during the very cold weather snap recently I thought they'd gone 'off-lay' but not a bit of it! I found a lovely hoard of eggs underneath our oil tank . . . </div>
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I think some omelettes are on the cards, hehe :)</div>
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Previous to the aforementioned family health issue, earlier in the year I finished this colour work scarf which has been well worn for trips to feeding the hens, collecting eggs etc. </div>
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Taken from a pattern called the<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/popham-neckwarmer"> 'Popham Neck Warmer' on Ravelry </a>- great fun and I added several of my own colour work motifs - Scottie Dog, Wee Hoose, and Hen (adapted from an online version).</div>
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I might use my own motifs in other knitted projects eg. zipper bags, etc.</div>
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Another very quick project was<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/foxy-mittlets-for-mama-foxes"> these foxy mittlets </a>- done as a wee break from the scarf - it was also great fun, but tricky in parts using 4 different colours at certain points - quite challenging! . . . </div>
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I haven't worn the foxy mitts when out feeding the hens though . . . . I don't think they would like it and might definitely go "off-lay"! <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/foxy-mittlets-for-mama-foxes">Another Ravelry free pattern</a> - I highly recommend it :)</div>
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BTW how cute is <a href="https://littlewoollie.blogspot.co.uk/2018/03/little-woollie-rabbits.html">this bunny pattern from Julie Harrison</a> - I'm very tempted!</div>
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Well, nice to be back blogging - I might even get some crafting done today - if I have time after writing this post hehe :) :)</div>
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Cheerio an Drasda</div>
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Alison x</div>
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Tweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-72257233681066713572017-08-04T11:27:00.000+01:002017-08-04T11:27:35.976+01:00Sunshine, crochet, staycation . . . I must admit that blogging over the summer months has been a bit tricky - time seems to be running away this summer, school holidays will soon be over!<br />
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I've had a couple of weeks at home with the boys on a 'staycation'. We had a fun city break earlier in the summer so I was happy to spend some time at home - in beautiful sunny weather no less! So no complaints :)<br />
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I planned just to chill out, work on a summer crochet project and a little crafting if I could squeeze it in. We also had some lovely family visitors at home so plenty to fill the time.<br />
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Here's a peek at the crochet throw I've been working on . . . the colours are inspired by the flowers and fauna of the moor near my home, a favourite place to take a relaxed plod :)<br />
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I think I started it at the end of May, you might remember me showing the initial blocks/experiments . . .<br />
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This was the first picture I took on the 27th May - I'd forgotten it was that long ago! The project has evolved a bit since then. The lacey squares above turned out really pretty but were quite intricate and after a while I decided to use them as a centre panel and to outline them with simpler blocks. I'm making 35 blocks in total to make possibly a settee throw or something like that.<br />
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Above shows the three different blocks I chose. The bottom left square is going to be placed on each corner and the traditional grannies around the edge - well, that's the plan. I'm using Leonie Morga's book 100 Bright and Colourful Squares and it's just brilliant! I think it will become a firm favourite :)<br />
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Here's some moorland photos I took the other day to demonstrate my colour choices . . .<br />
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We've been so lucky with good weather these past two weeks - makes a nice change!<br />
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A nice trip to Gress beach which is very close to my home the other evening - completely deserted apart from another lady with a lovely bouncy springer dog. The sea was flat calm - I think this seagull thought I was stalking it, hehe! . . .<br />
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This old boiler from a ship has been on the beach since I can remember . . . having just googled it, it seems the ship (the Glenesk?) ran aground in the 1920s. It's quite a landmark on the beach . . . and of course a good viewpoint for a passing seagull :) :)<br />
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Hope your holiday time has been enjoyable if you have been having one. I'm back to some more regular crafting soon I hope. Two lovely craftbooks were my birthday pressie - both fabulous, but the textile collage book is just wonderful!<br />
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Lots of inspiration in both of these :)<br />
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Back soon,<br />
Alison xTweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-10188171035288772542017-07-22T12:33:00.000+01:002017-07-22T20:26:54.283+01:00Crochet and sunshine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Hmmmmmm - somewhere, sometime, I forgot to blog about anything I've been making, doing, etc - not for the lack of being creative - just waiting for life to settle down a bit :)</div>
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This week we've been blessed with some beautiful sunny weather - I crocheted the above square after work on Monday just because I couldn't wait to try it! It's a giant block (about 10 inches square) and came from a free Red Heart (Super Saver) pattern <a href="http://www.redheart.co.uk/">on their website. </a> I would LOVE to make an entire afhgan/blanket with these - this one was made using oddments in my stash and worked quite well, so a thrifted blanket might be on the cards. The centre is made using cheap acrylic yarn so that could be purchased easily but it would be nice to use odd bits and pieces for the rest in combination with some bought yarn. I love the idea of acquiring a nice collection of hand crochet blankets around my home :)<br />
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Eldest is back home from University having graduated in June - it's a relief to have him home again :) I feel far more inclined to get back to crafting, both commercial and otherwise, whoop!<br />
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Last weekend I made one of my collage, tweedie brooches and decided to rejig the packaging a bit - inadvertently it seems to have triggered a new range of gift ideas for my Etsy shop - funny how one small change can lead to some new ideas!<br />
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Off to enjoy some lovely Hebridean sunshine - have a lovely weekend :)<br />
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Alison xTweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-23190419835963503672017-05-28T12:31:00.000+01:002017-05-28T12:33:16.877+01:00Intarsia knitting and other stuff . . . :)Life has been busy lately - not so much for me in a way, but for my boys sitting exams and I've not felt relaxed enough to blog or to take time out for commercial work. That said I've been doing a lot of craft recently which (a) I've been finding very therapeutic and (b) very educational as I've learned a lot of different techniques in crochet and knitting of all sorts, some sock knitting of course too!<br />
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This last week I had a go at some intarsia knitting. This differs from colour stranded/fair isle knitting as the different colours are left hanging and NOT stranded to the back. I only found my self doing this after coming across a pattern for argyle socks . . . .<br />
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It's an old 1950s pattern for "The socks Mrs America loves to knit . . . . The socks Mr America loves to wear" - how funny is that! <br />
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The pattern instructed to wind all the different colours onto bobbins, so I did (two of each colour) . . ,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TdK3UbBTdwO0kcWDyg441y0lIMjC7wnPCAAMaAvi4lHmLAPuJY3do_RRbW2-k0zrFLZxVsMcEouRtQdCwTz0Ax0jtfLgTfnqtxuGK5JnGH4F-NkF6Uheon92DfoN1qCJ0D3yy-PpwQU/s1600/argylesocksbobbins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TdK3UbBTdwO0kcWDyg441y0lIMjC7wnPCAAMaAvi4lHmLAPuJY3do_RRbW2-k0zrFLZxVsMcEouRtQdCwTz0Ax0jtfLgTfnqtxuGK5JnGH4F-NkF6Uheon92DfoN1qCJ0D3yy-PpwQU/s320/argylesocksbobbins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I used clothes pegs as bobbins so I could catch the yarn between the peg to secure it.<br />
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Here's how it looked after a few rows . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTK6sylwB5sjxQLTFiC8cxq2kuzuN9BeRHKtHyYtPdBqN7B37GlUmv-o3IK2HVHAyX2WNgO383Ak2AkK1q9jBUujo3ZIhsFRNO9mjZy6x76fcnlAqdKrY_rIVQkg82UQREZoBMHKXgQs/s1600/argyleknitting1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTK6sylwB5sjxQLTFiC8cxq2kuzuN9BeRHKtHyYtPdBqN7B37GlUmv-o3IK2HVHAyX2WNgO383Ak2AkK1q9jBUujo3ZIhsFRNO9mjZy6x76fcnlAqdKrY_rIVQkg82UQREZoBMHKXgQs/s320/argyleknitting1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It didn't take long before I ditched the bobbins (which were a pain to use) and after a little research just cut long strands of yarn (for me that was about 125 cm long approx) which was easier to work with by just running my fingers through the yarns to untangle them - it speeded up things a lot :)<br />
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Here's the back . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27JA5hxK5y7jOGv13PWX_9YNsId5mcqgOCfH60hsBrYk5EJdrXXSVQP7DDs09aoBa8WaHY31NuYqlpaKjjVdUn0MvaSd206m6_Zdyi_Pfjc4L9gc7rWsxlXnJFxkx0JBE_5YFhrw-2gU/s1600/argylesocks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27JA5hxK5y7jOGv13PWX_9YNsId5mcqgOCfH60hsBrYk5EJdrXXSVQP7DDs09aoBa8WaHY31NuYqlpaKjjVdUn0MvaSd206m6_Zdyi_Pfjc4L9gc7rWsxlXnJFxkx0JBE_5YFhrw-2gU/s320/argylesocks2.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
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All going well so far . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7wS3llD2TMmcVUA-VMFsc32CWWqQ9IITCb5m72eavLF_uJgHABRNW_27n2lCDdCTqj-xf1c44HLrXZraZ4K6nQjCaHLXUpTa4j1M-zvC-Ms3XEDB3hLU8oY0Y3Wgczk_1PM1qMolYeE/s1600/argylesocks4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7wS3llD2TMmcVUA-VMFsc32CWWqQ9IITCb5m72eavLF_uJgHABRNW_27n2lCDdCTqj-xf1c44HLrXZraZ4K6nQjCaHLXUpTa4j1M-zvC-Ms3XEDB3hLU8oY0Y3Wgczk_1PM1qMolYeE/s320/argylesocks4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Seemingly Argyle socks are the 'holy grail' of knitting, hehe! We'll see :) :) I'll keep you posted off my progress . . . .<br />
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I've also been working on a new crochet afghan using this palette of colours (discontinued yarn so being sold cheaply) . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2308B4BF14KQYdBP6rAoXZDqRQNl5cGSdUBPQKni1sfH0Szr0MJUHMA35PlVprPVpfdqWZE0ndvJ38elbuKHnK-rhTO99Nm_4G_ZqIcZr1tWkngUoZSmkhhaE9rnB2vhczDy_x-0l8c/s1600/crochet+afghan+yarn+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2308B4BF14KQYdBP6rAoXZDqRQNl5cGSdUBPQKni1sfH0Szr0MJUHMA35PlVprPVpfdqWZE0ndvJ38elbuKHnK-rhTO99Nm_4G_ZqIcZr1tWkngUoZSmkhhaE9rnB2vhczDy_x-0l8c/s320/crochet+afghan+yarn+2017.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I think I chose moorland/heathery colours eg. rose heather, grey heather, etc. as I liked the idea of an afghan reflecting the flowers found on the moor.<br />
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Here's the blocks so far . . .<br />
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I've had to block them individually . . .<br />
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to get them nice and flat for joining . . . . it's working well (I don't always block squares but this time I had to). I just pinned them to a makeshift blocking board and spritzed with water, leaving them to dry overnight. Seems to do the trick.<br />
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The blocks weren't sitting flat enough so needed a little help - this yarn has 20% wool so maybe enough to help them block nicely.<br />
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This a nice relaxed background project for over the summer months . . .<br />
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I'm quite enjoying being methodical about them. It's a lovely block to make from "100 Bright and colourful crochet squares" by Leonie Morgan. I'm just making a block when I have time, interchanging the colour sequence, then blocking each one when I've finished. I have some cream yarn for a nice border I hope :) I'm using Lion Brand wool ease which is a worsted/light aran weight and 5.5 mm hook making a square about 5.75 inches (should be 6 inches but not with my crochet tension). No rush with this project - purely relaxing and enjoyable!<br />
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The sewing machine has been a little dormant as it's been easier to pick up hooks and needles! <br />
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Beautiful sunny weather here in the Hebrides this week so we're all enjoying that.<br />
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Speak soon,<br />
Alison xTweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-67150271154377742302017-04-27T09:45:00.000+01:002017-04-27T09:46:15.387+01:00A (very!) extended Easter Break . . . . <div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, my Easter break became a very extended one with my eldest at home studying for final university exams, I just decided it would be just as well to continue plying him with cups of tea and sympathy :) The sewing machine stayed very quiet in the meantime.</div>
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We all had a week off at Easter time and went for a lovely drive down to the South of Harris (I live on the Isle of Lewis in the north part). We were very much tourists, just driving around little side roads and taking photos along the way - I think I've really fallen for the Bays of Harris, just a beautiful part of our islands! We took the 'Golden Road' - doesn't that sound romantic, hehe :) You can read <a href="https://www.virtualheb.co.uk/golden-road-isle-of-harris-western-isles/">about it here.</a></div>
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Here's some photos I took along the lovely winding roads . . . </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNddhCWse-3WvE-xFuzG1x7SJGMuawnHEh8Pw4NX1Qkz7kIUjrKQpY7pBjfSpGkdL-Fe34L5lbnC_fPWGmNwsuvTgKqF9-nvEqQmjcL1Youam19nl5Ymgf8ga4iIO7Nse3pCLPaTBUZMc/s1600/southharris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNddhCWse-3WvE-xFuzG1x7SJGMuawnHEh8Pw4NX1Qkz7kIUjrKQpY7pBjfSpGkdL-Fe34L5lbnC_fPWGmNwsuvTgKqF9-nvEqQmjcL1Youam19nl5Ymgf8ga4iIO7Nse3pCLPaTBUZMc/s320/southharris.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just love this scenery - the colours are amazing :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RGiHKHafizZZvGW3o3fqjVbmHEe2-47I7f-W8qGd_hQNwuW2rRSSoaHorFVRwZE1Ku4CenegsHbryNb2b-nc1MD61D7eCn5Y1L3-8kOSphjJ45sTh9QmFIX9qKjXRt0inZZePq0rPD0/s1600/southharris2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RGiHKHafizZZvGW3o3fqjVbmHEe2-47I7f-W8qGd_hQNwuW2rRSSoaHorFVRwZE1Ku4CenegsHbryNb2b-nc1MD61D7eCn5Y1L3-8kOSphjJ45sTh9QmFIX9qKjXRt0inZZePq0rPD0/s320/southharris2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of winding roads through rocky landscapes</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbpbGA7fzDzGr4vf_mlI_41-JtStyI6hIZe_HCMrNnv8Z_JwKtbK_-cAHjm6Jf726ZNhBk0qQoPyqa8Hbi5oJCADN7iHK6dH6wkHfJbIZVJNtAEOMmglYABP5n5fvO9houTEe-akVWp8/s1600/shetlandpony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbpbGA7fzDzGr4vf_mlI_41-JtStyI6hIZe_HCMrNnv8Z_JwKtbK_-cAHjm6Jf726ZNhBk0qQoPyqa8Hbi5oJCADN7iHK6dH6wkHfJbIZVJNtAEOMmglYABP5n5fvO9houTEe-akVWp8/s320/shetlandpony.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couldn't resist taking a photograph of this cute pony!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdlsJPqG-fGtgwqt6g_V69a0_GHTNdI_FtaXBDxziGJvsU02-zizrSRhYHfHdxB59Hd8F6ZyvM89XPdh5a-iBWd6GjGdthfDtUXAVjl1XF2N7nKXGE_46Erlol-LQIQO1mPjlLn7HXrA/s1600/rodelchurch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdlsJPqG-fGtgwqt6g_V69a0_GHTNdI_FtaXBDxziGJvsU02-zizrSRhYHfHdxB59Hd8F6ZyvM89XPdh5a-iBWd6GjGdthfDtUXAVjl1XF2N7nKXGE_46Erlol-LQIQO1mPjlLn7HXrA/s320/rodelchurch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rodel Church - well worth a visit. Fascinating history :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIb5JE1Ruqk1au1hhe0edmD3ccCxDBo1vRxRS904cDnqHHiEMghVs29Tk7EewZoElcRRmKUpifYgFMdUS-iv15nLsN9cGg5GrhlgYL3jxIf9_zZTAo4bKslThbK7Ef1bG9dqcoNCqNgVY/s1600/scaristabeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIb5JE1Ruqk1au1hhe0edmD3ccCxDBo1vRxRS904cDnqHHiEMghVs29Tk7EewZoElcRRmKUpifYgFMdUS-iv15nLsN9cGg5GrhlgYL3jxIf9_zZTAo4bKslThbK7Ef1bG9dqcoNCqNgVY/s320/scaristabeach.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarista beach - I'd forgotten how lovely it is!</td></tr>
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I'll keep this post short :) Sock knitting has been featuring a lot over the last few weeks - so easy to pick up anytime and I've learned a few new techniques along the way - I'll leave that for another post!<br />
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Bye for now!<br />
Alison xTweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-21550517536664121282017-03-30T10:39:00.000+01:002017-03-30T13:54:32.316+01:00Eggs, socks and other stuff :) :)Ooooh, I'm feeling all 'Eastery' and full of spring cheer! You can tell I'm ready to take my Easter break and really looking forward to it :) :) Our lovely hens are laying full out - here's a pic of an extra large egg one of them laid at the weekend, beside a normal sized egg - ouch!<br />
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. . . . and yes, it was a double yolked egg - three for the price of two, hehe :)<br />
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My youngest made a nice omelette for himself with these eggs - I'm pleased he's cooking with our own free range eggs, it feels nice to be able to do that.<br />
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In my last blog post I think I showed the start of a lacey sock - they're both finished now and I loved making them. Lacey socks are something I've been keen to do and although I've made ONE lacey sock, I didn't finish the pair - ooops! Here's the finished sock (pattern from Liz Lovicks's book The Magic of Shetland Lace Knitting) . . .<br />
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Sorry, not a very clear picture!<br />
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I loved making them so much though, that I decided to try another pair of lace socks to extend my skills a bit and tried a fab pattern from Ann Budd's Sock Knitting book . . .<br />
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In between knitting socks my Other Half asked if I had any need for some plywood they were throwing out at his place of work - well, I thought I could make some sock blockers?? Really I thought this might work for photographing or displaying my socks, rather than stretching/blocking them.<br />
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This is what I did to make custom sock blockers to fit my foot leg size . . .<br />
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I drew around a pair of socks I'd made a year or two ago which were a perfect fit, so a good template. I just cut around the sock on paper, then . . .<br />
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drew two sock shapes onto the plywood. Other Half cut them out for me and voila, I had two sock blockers custom made for my foot size.<br />
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Here's the first sock on the sock blocker - it's a perfect fit for the sock width/length but a little too narrow at the top so not stretching the lace as much as it could (yes, my calves are wider than that, hehe!). Anyway it was a fun exercise to try and I'm sure I'll use the blockers in time :)<br />
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Here's the second lacey sock again - I've still to start the second one but that's for AFTER the Easter break. I've put all my needles and yarn aside for now in readiness for a lovely Easter break. My eldest is at home from Univeristy to study for final exams, so lots of cups of tea, home baking and yummy meals for him I think (and for us!).<br />
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I won't be doing any crafting for the next week and a half, while I'm at home with the family, but will probably be leafing through some of my craft books. I bought <a href="http://www.ctpub.com/free-form-embroidery-with-judith-baker-montano/">Free Form Embroidery </a>(bottom left in pic) earlier in the month when I realised I was planning to take it out of the library for the second time. It's written by Judith Baker Montano and gives great stitching guides for using in landscape textiles - I'm really looking forward to trying out some of the stitches and ideas in this book.<br />
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I've left <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/HandmadeontheCroft">my Etsy shop</a> up and online while on my break as everything in it is ready-to-ship, so no problem with shipping any orders I may have. Hopefully I'll be ready to add some new items when I get back, feeling rejuvinated and super creative!!<br />
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Bye for now :)<br />
Alison xTweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-28472208995027991412017-02-19T11:27:00.002+00:002017-02-19T11:31:18.711+00:00February - get knitting!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, hello :) No posts for a month - I've just been crafting a bit intensively I think! Spending a lot of time making items and photographing them for my Etsy shop - it's left me little time to take any photos for my poor wee blog!</div>
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Last month I seemed to have been bitten by the crochet bug. February seems to be the month for getting knitting - hurray! I've been struggling at times to get knitted items in my shop. Time constraints as knitting is more time consuming than crochet or sewing I find anyway, the cost of buying yarn of course, and finding patterns which knitwear designers give permission for the finished items to be sold - so nice to have found some of these!</div>
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This week was the week of the bobble hat - these were such fun to make . . . .<br />
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Pattern design by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/RusticWillowCreation">RusticWillowCreation</a><br />
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Pattern design by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KniftyKnittings">Knifty Knittings</a><br />
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In between I've been making a few tweedie collage items which I've loved . . .<br />
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One of three collage brooches I've made for the shop.<br />
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This collage purse was inspired by a little textile art collage piece I'd made last month :)</div>
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Last weekend I popped into my local yarn shop to see if I could get some wool to finish off one of the bobble hats. The wool wasn't there but I know the lovely lady who owns the shop and couldn't leave empty handed so purchased some very reasonably priced sock yarn. I was thinking a lace shawl maybe but ended up starting to knit some lace socks from one of my Shetland Lace Knitting books (The Magic of Shetland Lace Knitting by Elizabeth Lovick).</div>
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It doesn't look like much but I think it'll look very pretty once complete . . .<br />
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The lace pattern is a Shetland traditional one called candle light - it's really pretty once you see a few repeats of it. This could be a long project though as I'm just taking my time and enjoying being a little medatative with something very intricate - you can't rush lace knitting!</div>
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We've just had half term holidays last weekend so back into the swing of things in general. Looking forward to Easter holidays already though as we've had lovely mild weather here - it feels like Spring already!</div>
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Speak soon<br />
Alison xTweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-54620297097765584232017-01-17T11:17:00.000+00:002017-01-17T11:17:37.861+00:00First Post of the Year :)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, we're into the third week of the New Year and January has just flow in - not sure where it's gone but . . . . :)</div>
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I'm a little late to be saying Happy New Year, but well I've said it anyway!</div>
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We had a lovely relaxing holiday - some time spent batting down the hatches due to bad weather, which was a really good excuse not to go anywhere, hehe :) It was just really good to have time to do a bit of cooking, baking, generally chilling out. No schedules to follow - bliss!</div>
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With a little Christmas cash I invested in some balls of acrylic yarn to practice the granny squares in one of my crochet books. The blocks are all 6 inch square and use aran/worsted weight yarn. I've made some of the squares before in a mix of wool and acrylic with good results, perfect squares and no need to block (which I've never had to do before with my crochet squares). </div>
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However, with my new acrylic yarn the squares seem to end a little 'curly' so some blocking is obviously required . . . </div>
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I've made a make-shift blocking board with a piece of board (I think it's an old blackboard my kids had!), covered with a couple of layers of foam packaging, then wrapped in an old towel. I used some string to wrap the towel around the board - yes, very rustic!</div>
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This is my second attempt to block the acrylic squares - my first ones did block OK but the yarn went very flat and lost its softness and fluffiness - flat acrylic squares - not good :(</div>
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Here's two I think I've blocked . . . </div>
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I'm pleased with the squares but disappointed at how the blocking affected the yarn. Maybe I was too impatient, I did finish off the blocking with a hairdryer - ooooops!</div>
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It's really nice having the correct weight of yarn to practice all the squares in the book though (100 Bright and Colourful Granny Squares by Leonie Morgan) and some lovely colours too. Just the job for passing the time in January - maybe that's where the time went!</div>
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I think one of my New Year resolutions will be to try and purchase more of my craft supplies locally - we have a lovely hobby and craft shop in Stornoway that also sells yarn. It's near my place of work and the owner who I happen to know anyway is really lovely - great to see everything in front of you and be able to buy direct from a local shop :) Also quite dangerous, haha :) :)</div>
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Another resolution which I think I'm following already is just be as creative as possible with my Etsy shop and follow my gut instinct to make things I enjoy and am inspired to make - it's been fun so far anyway! I'm enjoying making more collage and mixed media pieces - here's a detail of one . . . </div>
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. . . embroidery, buttons, fabric, tweed - very enjoyable!</div>
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Over the holidays and throughout the Winter, the hens have carried on laying bountiful eggs - really great, especially over the Christmas break. Here's one enjoying her porridge on a wintry morning . . .</div>
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We had lovely snow last week . . . </div>
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All gone now though - but can't complain it's so mild today it could be Spring!</div>
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Well, best dash - probably lots more to say but enough already :)</div>
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Speak soon</div>
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Alison x</div>
Tweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-39208782893533725582016-12-19T15:40:00.000+00:002016-12-19T15:40:26.984+00:00Seasons Greetings! Still here :) :)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, still here although I haven't been here very regularly of late! I really must get Instagram for when I can't get time to blog - it really is a must and top of my 'to do' list for the New Year hopefully :)</div>
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Here's our cuddly festive Robin which comes out every year without fail - he always gets placed somewhere around the home at this time of year . . . </div>
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He used to tweet when you squeezed his tummy but I think he lost his tweet some time ago - never mind, he still looks cute!<br />
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I've been a little busy for the last month or so since I got back online after the laptop crash - ooops! After putting my Etsy shop back online I made a few unexpected sales which was lovely! I thought I should build on that and made a few more items to replace the stock I sold. One of the items came from a little doodle of a Robin redbreast . . . <br />
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I then developed it into an applique tweedie purse which I had fun making . . . <br />
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All very festive, hehe :)</div>
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I'm enjoying going with the creative flow and just making things I enjoy!</div>
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On the personal front I came across THE 'go to' scarf pattern for men (and women!). I always find it difficult to find a 'manly' scarf pattern but <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/moss-rib-stitch-scarf">I think this one is just</a> perfect and so simple! You have to try it!</div>
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I made this one for my son - the cat tried to get in on the act by 'helping' . . . </div>
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how long??? . . . </div>
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It's a lovely stretchy scarf which would look great in a muted colour for men, but I just used an oddment of multi coloured chunky yarn for my son at Uni - I think he might wear it for fun if nothing else! I'm knitting a bright pink one for myself now :)</div>
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Well, we are not having festive weather here in the Outer Hebrides - it's more like Spring! Here's how it looks today from the back window . . .</div>
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Well, I hope everyone has a lovely festive season - a time to eat, drink and be merry! I plan to do all three :) :)</div>
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Merry Christmas from the Outer Hebrides!</div>
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See you in 2017,</div>
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Alison xxx</div>
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Tweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-27582897471963431972016-11-25T14:21:00.001+00:002016-11-25T16:47:38.074+00:00Grumpy Bunny!<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've been AWOL for sometime now due to a disastrous laptop crash which really was an accident waiting to happen - it was slowing down to a ridiculous pace and shutting down on a regular basis. Well, the inevitable happened and one morning last month it decided it had had enough and refused to come on at all. A self imposed break from all online pursuits ensued - not a great time of year I admit to cease my crafty trading on Etsy but necessary until I figured out what to do (apart from borrowing my children's computers of course!).</div>
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Anyway I'm back with a nifty little budget notebook (popular with impoverished students I believe, haha!) which I finally decided to go for. Just as well I'm getting spectacles for close up work - I'll need them on this little screen! </div>
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In my imposed break I spent some time leafing through some of my fave craft books and finishing off the crochet cushion covers I'd started earlier. I had a go at making this little fellow from 'Homemade Gifts Vintage Style' . . . </div>
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He looks pretty disgruntled - poor thing! (maybe this is what I looked like without my laptop, hehe!)</div>
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But the one on the book cover did too . . . </div>
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Here he is on the settee surrounded by the finished crochet covers which I really enjoyed completing (at last!) . . . <br />
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I actually cheated with attaching the crochet covers - the square one was stitched onto a very old tweed patchwork one which had seen better days but the zip was intact and it was just asking to get reused . . . <br />
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The other two were simply stitched on to backing fabric without any opening - when they get grubby they'll just have to be unstitched!</div>
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Grumpy Bunny was made from an old fleecy hoodie so is quite soft and cuddly . . . </div>
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He was just an experiment - I might give him to a passing toddler! I really love how this book reuses old and unloved fabrics and objects - very inspiring!</div>
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We've had some lovely frosty mornings this week, the chooks have been enjoying pecking about without being battered by rain and gales. They didn't seem to mind the frost too much . . . </div>
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I love seeing them pecking about amongst the trees and shrubs :)<br />
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We've enjoyed a bounty of eggs from them since we got them - really lovely to be able to collect the fresh eggs and use them ourselves and pass some on to friends and relatives. Last weekend I decided to treat myself and made 'Eggs Benedict' which was something I've seen on countless cookery programmes but never tried eating or making it. It was very yummy :) and so much nicer with our own eggs . . . </div>
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You can get some recipes<a href="http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipes/tag-7865/eggs-benedict-recipes.aspx"> here</a>. Excuse the rather scruffy plate but it's just the right size for some things!</div>
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Hope I'll be back a little more regularly now - my Etsy shop is back open again so I should really get off and make some items for it!</div>
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Speak soon,<br />
Alison x<br />
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P.S. 'Homemade Gifts Vintage Style' is written by Sarah Moore. I might be using it this Christmas given my very tight budget LOL!<br />
<br />Tweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-29703558620551162142016-10-04T13:48:00.000+01:002016-10-04T13:48:16.924+01:00Playing Hooky :) I picked up an old crochet project at the weekend . . . . and decided to finish it off, yay! On thing led to another and I'm now trying to incorporate it into a little ensemble of cushions on my couch . . .<br />
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The cushion on the left is the one I finished at the weekend . . .<br />
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The block patterns were taken from Leonie Morgan's lovely book: 100 Bright and Colourful Granny Squares. I had sewn the four blocks together and they had sat there for a good few months - on Sunday I added another round of double crochet to 'tie' them altogether and then three rounds of treble crochet all round. <br />
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The middle oblong cushion is a few years old I think from when I started to learn to crochet! It's been lying dormant ever since - oooops!<br />
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The cushion on the right is my current work in progress . . .<br />
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The pattern is from Susan Pinner's fab book - Granny Squares - a lovely inspiring book of crochet projects for the home.<br />
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It's nice to get back to some crochet - so easy to pick up and drop whenever - just a wee bit addictive though :) I'll be back to getting some 'tweedie' work this afternoon.<br />
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My latest addition to the ship is a personalised Harris Tweed cosmetics purse - quite fun and funky I think :) Very pastel, sorbet colours - with a fresh gingham lining . . .<br />
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Better get the sewing machine out now for some tweedieness athough it would be good to get some crochet and knitted items in there soon too!<br />
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Bye for now :)<br />
Alison xTweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-14615592270873572082016-09-29T21:04:00.000+01:002016-09-29T21:04:03.745+01:00Oooooops, well that was Summer then!Seemingly it's bad form for apologising for not blogging for a long time so I won't!<br />
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Summer came and went, with family home on holiday and a big birthday for me (with a '0' in it!), not fantastic weather but hey, it was fine :) Our 3 lovely hens laying lovely eggs all the way through pretty much - which was very nice! It all seemed to go by very quickly :)<br />
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I am a bit late restarting my blog as of course University term time is much later than school and it put things back a bit or me for restarting crafty/bloggy things. Eldest is safely back in Uni and in study mode as youngest and I are now looking forward to October break - whoop!<br />
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I've been busy adding items to my Etsy shop, mostly zipper purses . . .<br />
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Some inspired by the local landscape . . .<br />
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One inspired by the chooks! . . .<br />
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And some just for fun - well, why not :) :) ...<br />
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We're all loved up here on the croft, hee hee ;-)<br />
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Well, I hope to be a round a bit more now - maybe some more relaxed personal crafting, or maybe not, who knows! There'll be crafting anyway :) Hope everyone enjoyed a long lazy summer!<br />
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Bye for now :)<br />
Alison xTweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-66210366260539290352016-06-30T10:37:00.001+01:002016-06-30T10:37:13.444+01:00Socks for my Sons Pal . . . and other stuff.<div style="text-align: justify;">
My eldest son came home from a weekend with friends a couple of weeks ago. He happened to be wearing a pair of my handknitted socks which I'd foisted on him prior to a camping trip earlier in the Summer - "it get's VERY cold at night in a tent you know" I told him as I stuffed his rucksack with a couple of my knitted boot socks. Now he loves wearing them inside his Doc Martin boots - perfect student attire!</div>
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Anyway, one of his pals spotted his colourful knitted socks and hinted that he'd like a pair like them - any chance of getting some?? He's quite a fun, quirky boy so I rose to the challenge of knitting him some socks with glee! I decided to make a chunky pair though that would be quick to knit up and went for my '4 stitches to the inch' pattern in Ann Budd's sock knitting book . . . </div>
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They turned out quite fun and funky - the kind of socks you might wear for warmth at night during a camping trip or for slouching about - I think they might be too thick for wearing inside boots but he hasn't received them yet so I'm not sure. Now my son wants a pair like these so I'll have to go and get some more yarn - what a shame LOL :) :)</div>
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A little lace knitting started a couple of weeks ago . . .<br />
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It was going great until I was stupid enough to try and carry on with the pattern in the living room with the TV on and my Other Half started ranting about the European election/result - well, you can guess what happened! The European referendum results have a lot to answer for and not just for messing up my lace knitting - but let's not go there!!!! <b>NOT</b> a happy bunny here though :( :(</div>
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Well, we're in the full swing of the Summer school and uni holidays so everything goes a bit belly up as far as crafting, housework, routine, etc. but it's also great just to be a bit out of routine and take a slower pace. The chooks are laying eggs full out and seem really settled in their new home - I'm delighted! We're having great fun with them and looking forward to a few antics over the holidays :)</div>
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Here's one eating oatmeal out of my youngest son's hand - they love this treat!<br />
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Hope to be popping by through the Summer holidays - but maybe a bit sporadically! Who knows - holidays usually mean a bit of chaos, so we'll see how it all goes!<br />
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Bye for now<br />
Alison x<br />
<br />Tweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-47047226831287477572016-06-12T19:38:00.001+01:002016-06-12T19:38:18.579+01:00Life in the fast lane . . . . but not really!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Life in the fast lane . . . . but not really, just extra working hours at the office job and learning the intricacies of hen husbandry. I've absolutely loved learning how to care for our new little flock of three hens - they are brilliant creatures, thoroughly absorbing and waste far too much of my time, hehe!</div>
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This weekend I was browsing through some lovely books I borrowed from the local library and took some inspiration or rather a direct pattern to make a little hen embroidery (you can tell I'm smitten LOL) . . . </div>
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I used a lovely idea from one of the books below . . .<br />
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They're all great books - now I want to buy them all - ooops! The hen embroidery came from the middle book Decorative Embroidery by Mary Norden which I've just flipped through briefly, it was the hen template that caught my eye in the library though!</div>
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I didn't actually copy or trace the template, just winged it freehand - hence some of the features area bit out of proportion but it's just for my own pleasure so no matter :) I used stem stitch for the outline, a bit of back-stitch here and there and simple satin stitch for the beak and wattles (as suggested in the book instructions). Not sure what I'll use it for yet - maybe the cover of a hen journal?? That would be fun to do.</div>
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Here are two of our lovely girls at the back patio door . . .<br />
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It was a big decision to take on actual livestock and a little scary for me - but I'm really pleased I did, even if I do have to get up at 7 am every morning to let them out of their coop - they're deifinitely worth it :)<br />
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Last weekend I embroidered a little zipper purse after going out to take some photos of wild flowers around my home. I really love cuckoo flowers (or lady's smock) . . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdhOxu8EKxI7zjMJ_PnefKo9Sc1x9lGWrh8bPtDOPAPk3DAPxeAM10AJP8QoXtBZJHf2rFpL2XOhFOJxgaDpBCD7c0uZ7bhl9BT-AV66FuK4DvpRFLgXRyh_i-Whpgrdg4Ckn5qUr14g/s1600/cuckoo+flower+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdhOxu8EKxI7zjMJ_PnefKo9Sc1x9lGWrh8bPtDOPAPk3DAPxeAM10AJP8QoXtBZJHf2rFpL2XOhFOJxgaDpBCD7c0uZ7bhl9BT-AV66FuK4DvpRFLgXRyh_i-Whpgrdg4Ckn5qUr14g/s320/cuckoo+flower+detail.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I used some crewel wool to do some free hand embroidery . . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaow6E2-ucbNxiglNhcrsfO66Z_1sXFnYg2OAMvpedTWAMzMVbGPoCbfJel4VDTxnDaAZgk2vKVf8XgdCmNdsSp82tLgcYA-Tpqn2NMwNVyPjwp1u9PR4EHHB42cNhZaGh54wmfbdL9o/s1600/embroidered+zipper+purse+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaow6E2-ucbNxiglNhcrsfO66Z_1sXFnYg2OAMvpedTWAMzMVbGPoCbfJel4VDTxnDaAZgk2vKVf8XgdCmNdsSp82tLgcYA-Tpqn2NMwNVyPjwp1u9PR4EHHB42cNhZaGh54wmfbdL9o/s320/embroidered+zipper+purse+detail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's the finished purse . . .<br />
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This was made to go into my Etsy shop :)<br />
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Well, it's been a busy time but now work hours are back to normal and hen care is becoming second nature so I hope to be here more often.</div>
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If you're thinking of keeping hens, here's a little incentive but there's so much more to them than eggs - they're lovely pets and very entertaining :)</div>
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Back soon now things are a little more 'normal' if there is such a thing!<br />
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Alison xTweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-80196082033455443842016-05-01T13:34:00.001+01:002016-05-01T13:34:16.115+01:00Allright Hen?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A couple of weeks ago a kind family member heard of a hen coop that was free to a good home - it had been refurbished from an old gritting salt container - not a thing of beauty but it had all the right components eg. a perch (for the hens to roost on) and a nesting box and a window for light to get in - very solid and water-tight too. </div>
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I decided to cheer it up a little outside and drew a couple of hens in black permanent marker on the front :) It really needed a little something extra I thought!</div>
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Yesterday was 'D' Day and my 'other half' sited it in a sheltered part of the back garden . . .<br />
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We had a rough bit of ground in between our garden shed and some trees at the back - so a good situation I think - shelter from the elements as much as possible. Just need to add a little gate to get in and out :) It'll get 'prettied' up as time goes by - we have the basic requirements for the moment though - safety and shelter :) Just need to order the hens now!</div>
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Mostly I hope they will be able to cluck amongst the trees and the bushes when I'm at home and able to let them roam free . . . </div>
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A new venture for me so I'll keep you posted as things develop - I'm hoping for hens in my backyard in early Summer - fingers crossed! I'll keep reading my hen-keeping manuals in the meantime -a lot to learn, yikes . . .<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Back to crafty posts next week though - I had so much to blog about today but the 'imminent chooks' have taken over the show! Hope you're having a nice Bank Holiday if you're in the UK - hurray for Mondays at home - looking forward to it :)</span><br />
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Sorry, couldn't leave without one crafty pic - in between the hen enclosure creation I was making this lovely little thing - I'll fill you in next week . . . <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/daffodil-16">(pattern by Julie Taylor of Love Fibres)</a></div>
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The scarf grew a little longer this week too . . . </div>
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Well, it IS a craft blog, not a 'hen blog', hehe :) :)</div>
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Bye for now<br />
Alison x<br />
<br />Tweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-5550112711675339492016-04-24T10:31:00.000+01:002016-04-24T10:31:06.724+01:00Cat versus Sheep . . . Hello peeps - so much craft stuff going on at the moment - hence the lack of posts, but I thought I'd share some cute photos of our cat's first encounters with my neighbours sheep and lambs. This is her first year during the lambing season - she was quite fascinated! I documented a little encounter one morning last week . . . . .<br />
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Looking very interested . . . .<br />
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Getting closer and checking no-one's looking . . .<br />
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A little closer still . . .<br />
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This little lamb is moving in on the action . . .<br />
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Up close and personal (Awwwwww!) . . .<br />
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What - you don't want to play!? A bit indignant . . .<br />
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Looking sideways . . .<br />
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Looking at other avenues of exploration . . .<br />
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A better view from up here . . .<br />
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Aw, come on - the sheep have finally completely lost interest - good try though 'Ji-Ji'!<br />
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Well, it was a fun thing to watch - even although I only went out to take a photo of my knitting as it is very sheepish looking . . . .<br />
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I'm using some North Ronaldsay yarn from Orkney - the sheep graze on seaweed on the island - I was so intrigued, I had to try it out - it's lovely to knit with. Very sheepy and soft and natural - here's the stage I'm at today with it . . .<br />
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Looking interesting but taking much longer than I had thought it would - ain't that always the way with knitty things! I'll tell you more about this scarf in another post - time to have a relaxing morning Sunday coffee I think - have a lovely weekend!<br />
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Alison xTweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-74851679038647177662016-03-31T22:34:00.000+01:002016-04-02T09:52:56.286+01:00Easter hols, here we come :)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ahhhhhhh . . . . . and breathe :) I definitely feel it's time to take a little break, and with eldest son home from university (to study for exams - poor thing!!) and youngest son on his school hols, we're all set to take a little break - yay!</div>
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I've worked hard on my Etsy shop the last month or two - transferring all my products was a bit of hard grind, but I was rewarded by a few sales which was great! I decided to reward myself by buying some gorgeous Japanese designer fabric (I have a fetish for it!). I really enjoy using them as very lavish linings for my tweed collage purses - just a cute surprise when you open a zipper purse and see these delicious designer fabrics inside - yum :)</div>
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I was really delighted with my purchases (all fat quarters I think) . . .<br />
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I seem to have gone all "mellow yellow" for my fabric choices! Two of them are a cotton/linen blend and the other is a nice weight cotton.</div>
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I'm not sure yet what we will be doing on our hols but it's a lovely time of year. We will have the pleasure of seeing our next door neighbour's lambs bouncing around hopefully and I have a list of things we really need to do outside as we have a rather large garden which needs sorting.</div>
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The construction of a hen house is still on the agenda but if that will happen these holidays or not, I don't know - will definitely be making space for it that's for sure :) Lots of other things to do too though!</div>
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I'm not going to list all the new items in my shop, but I did<a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/286027273/harris-tweed-sleepy-owl-made-to-order?ref=shop_home_feat_4"> add a little softie</a> as I haven't made one for a while. He was really fun to make, so I added him as a custom order . . . . </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrE5CQDd0Ti9UKCSxH3qNblarbUX5mlHpywwN2vPVA05ZsnGvrNaaM_f3XbnUtH7UG82FN7tWwXa7apS9UOqo1JhgT2RWOFmbg_LqlhyphenhyphenQlBu9QCp7UWC9A_WiFDNEh-lBG-vPItJCkT14/s1600/tweedowlonbranch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrE5CQDd0Ti9UKCSxH3qNblarbUX5mlHpywwN2vPVA05ZsnGvrNaaM_f3XbnUtH7UG82FN7tWwXa7apS9UOqo1JhgT2RWOFmbg_LqlhyphenhyphenQlBu9QCp7UWC9A_WiFDNEh-lBG-vPItJCkT14/s320/tweedowlonbranch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here he is outside in his natural habitat . . .<br />
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Anyway, he's obviously feeling a little sleepy - me too, as it's a little late and I'm ready for my last day at the office for a week or so. <br />
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See you in a week or two - Happy Easter!<br />
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Alison xTweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-7781065556642501042016-03-25T09:24:00.000+00:002016-03-25T09:24:21.689+00:00Impromptu Tea Party :)We had an impromptu tea party last weekend (or was it the weekend before - time flies!) to celebrate the completion of the tea cosy :) Actually 'teenage son' was more taken with the teapot I'd picked up in the charity shop - I didn't have one the right size to fit the cosy! So he decided we should take out the best china and go the whole hog :) I think he just wanted the lovely scones I'd bought the day before . . .<br />
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Here's a couple more views . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gOdsD1_k5NkJvCHM877AqJ7pIroG0mbYPUIlXog-p8U2anfk6J0NBHp_ICKPd_ghWoqGv-2t6-1O4_uXdqpsneum41xP4T1w_6PD2owe3amcahrxrsAV2qQ3ykdSYFbLLMoxqvkPvf4/s1600/teacosynteacups2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gOdsD1_k5NkJvCHM877AqJ7pIroG0mbYPUIlXog-p8U2anfk6J0NBHp_ICKPd_ghWoqGv-2t6-1O4_uXdqpsneum41xP4T1w_6PD2owe3amcahrxrsAV2qQ3ykdSYFbLLMoxqvkPvf4/s320/teacosynteacups2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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from above . . .<br />
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This was such a lovely pattern (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sheep-carousel">Sheep Carousel by Kate Davies</a>) to work on - I learnt a couple of new techniques - namely how to cut a steek in my knitting - yikes!! Also how to to do an i-chord bind off, which leaves a lovely tubular knitted finish to your piece - so I was happy with my tea cosy and we enjoyed the scones too :) :)<br />
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This was actually two weeks ago and I don't seem to have stopped crafting for my Etsy shop since then - pheeeeew, I'm ready for Easter! Too many crafty makes for this post so I'll save them for another one - I'm off to have another cup of tea before I head off to the office job, I'm not using the best china today though!<br />
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Have a lovely Easter weekend :)<br />
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Bye for now<br />
Alison xTweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-42251562235927373462016-03-09T09:28:00.000+00:002016-03-09T09:28:24.899+00:00What I've been doing . . . Well, I HAVE taken a step back from 'stock making' over the last week - I needed to get back to basics :)<br />
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A bit of home baking (which was purely for my own gratification as I find baking very relaxing and therapeutic!). I don't think anyone else indulged . . .<br />
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And with my cup of tea . . .<br />
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I'm trying to get the rest of the family on board as to adding some new pets! This is a work in progress . . . . teenagers do not like hens I've discovered - come to think of it as a teenager I wouldn't have liked them either LOL :) Well, you never know - it's good to have some aspirations! I kind of like them though . . .<br />
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My current personal project started at the weekend . . .<br />
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Kate Davies'<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sheep-carousel"> lovely pattern</a> is too addictive! Some lovely knitting techniques to learn . . . I'll keep you posted on my progress :) I'm being a complete knitting heathen and using acrylic yarn from my stash . . . . I was a bit embarrassed adding it to my Ravelry page - I'll make it in pure wool the next time :)<br />
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Only one item added to the shop last week . . .<br />
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Well, I did say I was taking a break! Lovely Harris Tweed herringbone pattern though :)<br />
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Bye for now :)<br />
Alison xTweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-10158389633716085172016-03-01T18:08:00.000+00:002016-03-01T18:08:28.014+00:00So much crafting . . . . so little time!The last two weeks seem to have been pretty busy . . . . trying to squeeze in a lot of crafting but not always finding the time to blog about any of it!<br />
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We had some beautiful snowy scenes here in the Hebrides last week . . .<br />
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This is me one week later getting round to posting my snow pics!<br />
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Never mind . . . . it was lovely at the time ;-)<br />
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Spent some time with my new Mary Jane Mucklestone book (in German - don't ask!!) . . .<br />
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I'm loving playing around with some fair isle patterns from it - hence the wrist cuff - not the best colour choices but all I had in my small stash of Shetland yarn.<br />
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Made some more buttons for the shop . . .<br />
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Some baking (we had no biscuits in - don't panic!!) . . .<br />
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These are viennese biscuits - <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/viennese_whirls_78348">easy peasy recipe here</a> :) I'm rekindling my love of baking - Yay!<br />
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A new collage purse in the shop . . .<br />
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And some new labels for future makes . . .<br />
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Also thinking and planning of a new, fun venture for later in the year - but more of that when I have some concrete information - hmmmm, yes very cryptic!<br />
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I think I meant to post all this in about 4 different posts - ah well, it's a condensed post I suppose!<br />
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Ji-ji the cat has slept through it all - isn't she lucky - it's a cat's life . .<br />
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Hope to get back to regular blogging now that my intensive stock making is slowing down a little :)<br />
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Bye for now :)<br />
Alison xTweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-74049904865738101302016-02-12T22:32:00.000+00:002016-02-12T22:32:28.205+00:00Feeling a little sheepish . . . <div style="text-align: justify;">
I had some extra office hours to do over the last week, so crafting was a little on the slow side. Before that happened though we had some awful weather and high winds here in the Hebrides, resulting in school and college closures, and ultimately in my having some extra time off, so it's all been swings and roundabouts! In my extra days off I decided to try and bond with my computerised sewing machine. I have to say that we are now firm friends - swapping anectodes and all sorts, hehe :)</div>
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I ended up testing the limits of the sewing machine by making a couple of zipper purses - so by doing that I got used to using the zig-zag stitches, inserting a zipper, and generally giving it a good runaround!</div>
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Here's the two pouches - as you can see, there's a sheep theme going on . . .</div>
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I added the little tractor coming down the hill as an afterthought, but I thought it was quite cute :) I've had this sheep button for ages - it was crying out to be placed on the little hill in the foreground. A little bit of embroidery finished it off :)</div>
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Next I made a smaller, simpler version . . .<br />
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A lot of fun to make . . . I put both purses into my Etsy shop and the second one sold, which was my first sale on Esy - whoooop! I was delighted, it was quite unexpected as I'd just decided to move all my stock to Etsy at the beginning of the week. </div>
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Lots of hard work finally paid off - so I hope that will continue, fingers crossed x</div>
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I'm cutting this post short so I'll finish with my little sheep brooch which my family slated me for! I'm never showing them any of my work ever again, LOL!!!! I thought he was quite cute . . .</div>
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Anyway, we are on half term break at the moment, so I'd better get off my laptop and do something productive. Hope you have a nice time if you're on half-term hols or are having them soon :)</div>
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Bye for now,<br />
Alison xTweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681840333324090812.post-75772800145470123872016-01-28T14:19:00.000+00:002016-01-28T15:56:50.382+00:00Little Socks for little feet . . . and some sheep's tails :)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thursday seems to becoming my day for blogging :) I've been pretty busy the last week - it started last weekend when I took the notion to make a little pair of baby socks with some lovely cream chunky wool I had purchased for another use. My mantra at the moment is "make use of what I have" in terms of yarn anyway! Once I looked at my yarn stash I started coming up with all sorts of ideas and notions of things I wanted to knit - the plan is to stock <a href="http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/HandmadeontheCroft">my Etsy shop</a> with lots of yummy knitty and tweedy creations, yay!</div>
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I have to say I LOVE using my double pointed needles - be it bamboo ones or steel ones. <br />
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This yarn was lovely to use - I finally found out that it's a Drops yarn (wool and alpaca mix) so very soft for little squidgy feet :) I think they turned out quite cute:<br />
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I made the decision this week to rename my Etsy shop to the same as my website/business name: Handmade on the Croft. I'd named it Yarns on the Croft initially but I've decided to keep everything under the same name now - keep it simple! </div>
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I'm pleased with how <a href="http://www.handmadeonthecroft.co.uk/">my own website</a> is developing and having my own domain name is really good :) It's also simple to contact me from there on my Contact page :) I'm trying to tidy things up so it's easy to find me and my 'makes' online!</div>
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Back to the fun stuff - I also decided last weekend to make another fair isle sheep sleeve with a little change to the reverse. I made this one in grey which I thought worked well . . . </div>
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I made a little change and instead of having the reverse exactly the same I embroidered two little bobbly tails (on two bobbly sheep bums!) instead . . . </div>
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Sorry, not so clear in my photo but you get the gist! I thought it added a bit of fun anyway :) </div>
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I do like how the sleeves are very slim but quite densely knitted because of the double width of fair isle technique . . . </div>
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I've still to get back to my new sewing machine - perhaps later today! I think the last thing I made was this tweed/vintage style sleeve (I'm a little suspicious that this is what, er, damaged my old machine). Perhaps I'll be using a lighter weight lace embellishment the next time - I did love this one though . . . </div>
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It's listed <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/265643250/harris-tweed-i-phone-6-sleeve-vintage?ref=shop_home_active_2">here :)</a></div>
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As you can see I've been very focussed on making stock at the moment - perhaps a craft fair should be on the cards later in the year. It's something I will have to look into definitely :)</div>
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For myself I'm still drooling over this yummy yarn which I'd forgotten I'd ordered before Christmas and it arrived well into January . . . </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHawSVuG_qkGYX74uUap3_eadeFaoQ9aoeoOLUGTUMUU3au4EhK7oQXE1BU8V9MGHYMtH8Y6gyfdGDARsnigShahN4yiPD440xuKm28tjzzTtj0plRWbvSiYg9k6qwBwOQcofcCs5KJNI/s1600/lana+grossa+yarn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHawSVuG_qkGYX74uUap3_eadeFaoQ9aoeoOLUGTUMUU3au4EhK7oQXE1BU8V9MGHYMtH8Y6gyfdGDARsnigShahN4yiPD440xuKm28tjzzTtj0plRWbvSiYg9k6qwBwOQcofcCs5KJNI/s320/lana+grossa+yarn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's a lovely dark/gold bronze colour - Ji-ji the cat would loveto get her paws on it :) It'll be on the back burner for a while though until I get my Etsy shop stocked up :) I have a few more ideas of stock I would like to add eg. tweedie buttons, perhaps more kiddie socks, and of course I'm sure I'll be making some more fair isle phone sleeves - I've another design in the wings!</div>
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Are you an Esty fan or not? I do love browsing through it myself but it's difficult to be impartial when you are also selling from it at the same time! Any suggestions/opinions re either of my online shops would be gratefully received - I can take it, hehe!</div>
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Better go - I still haven't checked out that sewing machine - oops :) A busy week at the office job next week so I may have to take a week out of my blog - back soon though!</div>
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Apologies for a very 'shop' driven post - I guess it's where I'm at, at the moment though :)</div>
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Alison x</div>
Tweed Thoughtshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01895524847832623681noreply@blogger.com1