tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114383322024-03-06T23:35:49.839-08:00Lixie Makes Itlittlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.comBlogger1317125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-7714745513674753412023-05-03T14:16:00.001-07:002023-05-03T14:16:41.399-07:00Workshops & Lectures<p>I joined the North California Quilt Council today aka NCQC. They have a regular teachers parade where new and longtime teachers get to show off their offerings to guilds and groups looking to book people for lectures and workshops. I've started building lixiemakesit.com and so <a href="https://lixiemakesit.com/pages/lectures-workshops" target="_blank">my offerings are on there</a>. Which is where this blog needs to go too! I'll be sad to leave blogger but I'm going to slurp a load of this content over there so it won't be lost. </p><p>This will be the blog link in future: https://lixiemakesit.com/blogs/news </p><p><br /></p>Lixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256288773435449859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-71348664747427192572023-05-01T15:59:00.005-07:002023-05-01T15:59:48.806-07:00A Time to Tear and a Time to Mend<p>I am not a religious person but I do find some of their texts highly quotable. For instance, the Bible's Ecclesiastes 3:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/56/c5/2e/56c52e25f1a5b8638d6a3ca44abd0a60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="800" height="381" src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/56/c5/2e/56c52e25f1a5b8638d6a3ca44abd0a60.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I have not had the best few years. In my last post I'd just ended my marriage and at some point I'll talk about <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cblto3drERD/" target="_blank">my divorce quilt aka "Fifty Five Thousand Dollars"</a>. Then I was diagnosed with breast cancer out of the blue during lockdown. Then I got burnt out at work, had a disastrous breakup and started dealing with a childhood trauma, while navigating mass layoffs and reorganizations at work. That was a tough month. Then things got really bad. November to March were dark days, punctuated by suicidal thoughts, lakes of tears, complete loss of direction and a lot of alone time. March saw me start Ketamine assisted therapy (KAT, and all perfectly legal here in California) and that, on top of the years of therapy and hard work I've put in, seems to have helped. I've realized a few things. </p><p>1. Fuck those men who used and abused me at various points in my life. </p><p>2. Time for a fresh start. </p><p>3. This is going to be challenging. </p><p>I'm currently researching different business ideas but after years of telling myself </p><blockquote><p><i>"You can't make a living from being creative" </i></p></blockquote><p>(despite the zillions of people I see doing just that), and the last year of hearing a little voice say </p><blockquote><p><i>"Please don't decide to try and make it as a creative because that is going to be SO hard" ...</i></p></blockquote><p>I've made the decision. <b>I'm going to try and make it as a creative person</b>. It is going to be hard. Really, really hard. But then I've always loved this quote. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.azquotes.com/picture-quotes/quote-we-choose-to-go-to-the-moon-in-this-decade-and-do-the-other-things-not-because-they-john-f-kennedy-34-98-64.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Image shows the quotation "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things. Not because they are easy, but because they are hard. - John F. Kennedy" border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="800" height="188" src="https://www.azquotes.com/picture-quotes/quote-we-choose-to-go-to-the-moon-in-this-decade-and-do-the-other-things-not-because-they-john-f-kennedy-34-98-64.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>He went on to add "...because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win...". I've challenged myself to make a go of it between now and the end of July. Watch this space for details!</p><p></p>Lixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256288773435449859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-52350168653374381652020-06-21T14:48:00.002-07:002023-05-01T14:00:25.897-07:00It could all have been so beautifulLet's start with a recap of where things currently stand. I’m still in San Francisco. Pooch and I are no longer together as of April, although at this moment we are still living together. I have an awesome one eyed cat called Charlotte.<br />
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I work for Shopify. I’m still quilting, sewing, knitting, creating and generally making things that look different to how they did before I got involved with the base materials.<br />
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After a period of having completely lost my mojo creatively, I’m generally expressing myself artistically in whatever way I feel like in the moment. I suspect it is displacement activity since one thing that hasn't improved since I started this blog is my ability to express and feel my feels. In fact I'd say that it's got a lot worse. The six years I've spent here living with Pooch have not been easy, and the last year in particular had been especially hard. I'm no angel, but when I let my eye drift back over the vista of those years I can see that I've been manipulated and used. Of course, I brought some of it on myself by marrying him again after the first divorce. The fact that I don't feel particularly angry or upset about this split is what I'm currently working on with my therapist, and what I'm trying to express creatively. I was thinking about this earlier and the phrase I've used as the title of this entry is what kept going around in my head.<br />
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I signed up for Joe Cunningham's quilt classes when he moved online, and one thing he said in the first class has really stuck with me.<br />
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"If I want to communicate with you I'll give you a call. My Art is what I want to express."</blockquote>
So not only am I trying to express myself by feeling my own emotions, but also by expressing myself in a more abstract form.<br />
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The class was about interpreting a classic block (in this case an unnamed one of HST flowers in a vase) using Joe's techniques. This is what I ended up with.<br />
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I quilted it as if the "vase" had been shot and was in the act of shattering into shards. I don't like it but I am really pleased with it and have had it hanging up in the bedroom ever since. I finished, quilted, faced and labelled it all in one weekend which was extremely satisfying. His <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/quilt-freedom-workshop-20-tickets-108498638348">next class is in a few weeks</a> and is about his use of bias tape which promises to be intriguing.<br />
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I've been knitting scrappy socks as a mindless exercise to keep my hands occupied. I'm onto my fourth pair, having not knitted any for a few years, and they are starting to pall. I did break out and make this yesterday, using two pieces of english paper piecing I'd had in a drawer for years. <br />
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1" and 1/3" hexagons. I inset the smaller ones using the <a href="https://www.hgtv.com/videos/how-to-create-easy-circle-quilt-blocks-62279">6 minute circle method</a> which is amazingly effective, although definitely not 6 minutes for me. This is the May block for the <a href="https://www.sfquiltersguild.org/">SF Quilters Guild</a> "lone robin" since with Covid we're not able to meet and exchange blocks. The prompt was to use a circle. The June prompt is to add flying geese although my first attempt was aborted this morning. I have a back up plan but the first looked too crazy even for me. I do like this start, using up orphan blocks and elements left over from old experiments or projects. The Guild's online meetings are currently free and July will be a trunk show of rare and historic quilts on July 21st. More details are online.<br />
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The next step in the dissolution of my marriage is to find a new place to live. I have one option with an awesome friend but there would be a clash of cats. I'd love to find a 1 bedroom apartment of my own and am open to anywhere in the SF/Oakland/Berkeley area as long as it's got some sort of public transport. My dream, and what could have been so beautiful, was to have a little house with a garden. I thought we were there last Autumn until I got played on that too. That was really the end of the beginning of the end and made it a definite thing. So for now I'd settle for a tree just outside so Charlotte can watch the birds from the windowsill.<br />
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<br />Lixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256288773435449859noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-9647776803052385502018-08-10T10:26:00.002-07:002018-08-10T10:26:20.003-07:00Floating Confetti Quilt PatternMy first published quilt pattern! <a href="https://www.craftsy.com/quilting/patterns/floating-confetti/625689">Free on Craftsy</a>.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/43965972591/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Floating Confetti Quilt Pattern"><img alt="Floating Confetti Quilt Pattern" height="500" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1813/43965972591_df178d7cab.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
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This is perfect for someone who wants to try something a bit different to basic blocks. You assemble the fans or plates and then applique them onto the background. The finished quilt is approx 36"x44".<br />
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I used the V&Co Ombre Confetti Metallic range which I fell in love with as soon as I saw it. The confetti dots made me think of bubbles, champagne, lemonade, blowing on dandelion seeds and summer. The full range is <a href="http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2017/08/new-ombre-confetti-metallic-fabric-by-v.html">discussed here</a>. It can be bought from a variety of retailers. I purchased mine from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/sojofabric">SoJo Fabric</a> (⅛ yd cuts) and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/theheartandhomeco">The Heart & Home Co</a> (backing), both on Etsy, but buy local and support your local stores where you can. For the petals I used Magenta, Plum, Aubergine, Indigo, Turquoise, Lagoon, Lime, Honey, Coral, and Persimmon. The centers were Sand and Mustard. The background is Popsicle Pink. My backing and binding is Kona Cotton in Honeydew. I was originally going to use the Honeydew as my background but it looked all wrong and I am very glad I changed it for the ombre pink!<br />
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Let me know what you think...<br />
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Lixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256288773435449859noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-51566210654809747332018-07-26T09:01:00.000-07:002018-07-26T09:01:16.022-07:00SF Quilters Guild Show Challenge 2019This has so far only been announced within the Guild, but the topic for the Challenge Quilts for the 2019 Show is to be "San Francisco". As soon as I heard this I had an idea.<br />
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When I was in Tokyo I used to love the manhole covers.<br />
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I collected them in a little album on Flickr.<br />
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I only collected 15 but there are <a href="http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/03/the-beauty-of-japans-artistic-manhole-covers/">albums of many more than that</a>. So when I came to SF I kept an eye out. There weren't many interesting ones but I started seeing this one in a few places.<br />
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When I heard of the challenge, and with Mel Beach's Magnificant Mandala Class so recent in my memory, you can understand my thinking. This is what I made in Mel's class.
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My first thought was to make a mandala based on the manhole cover. But then I thought about how well it would lend itself to EPP (english paper piecing). Hexagons are my absolute favourite shape generally as well as in EPP. And I feel more comfortable madala'ing with curves rather than straight edges. But...the challenge quilt isn't due until at least February so I'll have to see what my mind tends towards in the meantime.<br />
<br />Lixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256288773435449859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-53860907133854095852018-07-24T10:01:00.000-07:002018-07-24T10:01:01.671-07:00Quilt Like An ArtistHave you read the book Steal Like an Artist? (That image is an affiliate link to amazon.)<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761169253/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0761169253&linkCode=as2&tag=lixie-20&linkId=868d100f09eef3e2357ae730a344b9b3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0761169253&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&tag=lixie-20" /></a></div>
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I've had it on my amazon wishlist forever but finally got a copy from the Library (SF Libraries are brilliant). I decided to buy a copy because I know I am going to want to refer back to it a lot.<br />
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I have been spending months contemplating the infinite and what to do with quilting. The question that kept going around in my head was "What is my style?" and the answer seemed to be "You do not have one." I have a bucket list of quilt styles I want to try. Actually this is it:<br />
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I use an app called Wunderlist which lets you make multiple lists and add info and whatnot. As a list addict I've tried a ton of them and this is my favourite. But I digress. What I kept thinking was, if I keep fannying about and trying out different types of quilts, then that must mean I haven't found my personal style yet. Because if I had I'd be like <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=bonnie+hunter&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiFte6bjbjcAhULJHwKHZOKAI0Q_AUIDCgD&biw=1266&bih=580">Bonnie Hunter</a> or <a href="https://www.google.com/search?biw=1266&bih=580&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=lExXW7TLCo2I8APD-YfwDg&q=joe+cunningham+quilts&oq=joe+cunningham+quilts&gs_l=img.3..0.59055.63014.0.63301.21.10.0.11.11.0.93.711.10.10.0....0...1c.1.64.img..0.21.788...0i67k1j0i24k1.0.kZd2DEvRR8Q">Joe Cunningham</a> and you'd see a quilt and say "I bet that is a Joe Cunningham quilt". But then actually if you click on their names (non affiliate link to a google images search) their work is pretty diverse. It took me months of solid thinking to get to that point. Then I got hold of Steal Like An Artist.<br />
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This is not a long book. Text is big and pages are small and there are lots of illustrations. Chapter 2, or possibly the second rule, is called "Don't wait until you know who you are to get started". Genius. He then goes on later to talk about how bad Jurassic Park 2 was. We're talking about the sequel to the one with Jeff Goldblum and Richard Attenborough in, not the reboot. He loved the first one so much he wrote his own sequel and then when the actual sequel came out it was nowhere near as good. This leads to a suggestion that you make your hero's next piece of art. Write "The is America" part 2, paint another Pollock, sew the next Cuningham. Oh ho, I think, I did a class with Mr Cunningham in 1901 and still have the unfinished top in my drawers, so to speak.<br />
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Here it is. WWJCD? He'd add bias tape, obviously, so I auditioned mine (bottom of pic).<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">The winners were painstakingly wetted and ironed into circles using a high tech template (baking parchment with circles drawn on it). </span></div>
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I went totally nuts and used my twin needle for the first time in my life and after having got one with each of the three sewing machines that preceded this one. It still seemed to be lacking something so I decided to embroider it. A small self portrait, bottom left, I thought, based on the photo Roc just took of me (in my previous post). More auditioning of thread. I decided on the clothesline, obvs, which is a bit too thick to embroider with SO... </div>
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Possibly a pro wouldn't have used quite as much glue to get the fecking stuff to stay still but I am only pretending to be a pro so it's fine. And now for the quilting. I decided to KISS and went with straightish lines. Naturally I ran out of the first bobbin 2 rows before the end.<br />
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The finishedish quilt.<br />
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The small portrait, bottom left, grew somewhat. I am also slightly worried that it is TOO derivative, especially thinking of Joe's portrait of Luke Haines. But I figure the next one will be less so. Naturally I will trim and bind it soon. Soonish.<br />
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The one thing I always hear from quilters is that the way to develop is to work in a series. So it will come as no surprise to hear that I have already cut out and sewn the base of the next one! I did fairly amaze myself since in the past it has taken me years to cut out and sew a quilt. In this case it took about 5 hours. It just goes to show the power of motivation.<br />
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<br />Lixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256288773435449859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-24719414540170781122018-07-23T17:05:00.000-07:002018-07-23T17:05:10.424-07:00Teaching in San Francisco<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/43552886482/in/dateposted/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Quilty byrne 400pix"><img alt="Quilty byrne 400pix" height="200" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/840/43552886482_01c88d3057_z.jpg" width="133" /></a><br />
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Not only do I have a new 'teacher' photo...<br />
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...I also have new workshop outlines to put it on. I am the newest teacher to join the <a href="http://sipsnsews.com/membership-info/classes/">Sips N Sews</a> crew which I am very happy about. I also have another workshop coming up at <a href="https://www.scrap-sf.org/workshops/">SCRAP</a> which they tell me will go live this week. AND I am teaching for the <a href="http://www.sfquiltersguild.org/">SF Quilters Guild</a> in a couple of weeks.<br />
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Here is the list of what I'm currently offering:<br />
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<li><b>Quilt as You Go...Everything!</b></li>
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The project is a cushion cover but I've taught this using hand sewing only at SCRAP and we did pin cushions. Photos show samples.<br />
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<li><b>Sew Together Bag</b></li>
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Making the whole thing from start to finish! Pattern included. </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/14448673762/in/photolist-qAZ4Q7-qjAXFF-qASXZR-q24RDn-qiqoHf-qiiKAF-q1VQJL-oykzxE-ou5rrc-ou5rsz-oyvQc7-nZdUpx-nJpM2f-o3FzbB-nJpyg6-nJpJJG-nYREk1-o1MejS-a3FR7d-7B62q7" title="Patchwork Sew Together Bag"><img alt="Patchwork Sew Together Bag" height="229" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3890/14448673762_1bc89ccd70.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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<li><b>Rope Bowls and Dishes</b></li>
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I just made my first one with pompoms and ricrac. Hello silly bowls! But easy to make them classically lovely too. </div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/7430650532/in/photolist-29mCEEh-tRbQeN-tyVMYN-qEDWEy-qAZ4Q7-qqBRF9-phYehZ-nURKia-kBu75v-k6m9ZV-k34HJq-k34JFL-k34GvU-k34H5u-jXPspv-jXPyVz-jXRkX7-jXNR4a-k8L8uG-ebdkBN-cjC2wm-ebdkiq-eb7JdR-cjC15m-9MowjR-9veUiD-8sRQcC-8s7Q5M-8s7Pmr-6aYv3K-5RG7Wa-9zjQ37-9vhV7q-8uEnBz-8sRRcd-8s7RJz-8saU4y-8s7P1r-8s7NKn" title="Fabric Wrapped Bowl and Coaster"><img alt="Fabric Wrapped Bowl and Coaster" height="258" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7253/7430650532_5d95d94629.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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<li><b>Weaving with Fabric and Ribbon</b></li>
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We'll be starting with the 'usual' square weave then trying triaxial or 'mad' weaving. Rainbows are optional.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/15460552930/in/photolist-283Vejx-rnfB9M-sj1JHF-qjAXFF-pBKV43-pyakUH-pycnKq-py6TZV-no4g9U-k2JMzu-hWjr3T-qZziro-hezq4o-heAiMH-hezq31-heAyJ6-fLMLc9-eVmnH9-eVhSpy-dm3drx-dm3jpy-dm3jSU-dm3g8i-dkLeGx-cqtbcL-5riqPA-ciws3Q-ciwqRj-adSuRn-a5v11D-9y5Exb-9uwCSB-94Jp11-94Fjjn-94JoJ7-8pcrwa-8j3tGg-9tDHiJ-84FBQS-5N6LxF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Rainbow Ribbon Metal Frame Purse"><img alt="Rainbow Ribbon Metal Frame Purse" height="320" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5601/15460552930_9e3d2944c2.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
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<br />Lixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256288773435449859noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-85692029201514410242018-05-30T11:40:00.001-07:002018-05-30T11:40:28.780-07:00If #ifttt magic works, this should post to my blog Lixie Makes It. #instablog<img src='https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/vp/32037a02721091bad49c8657af744b6b/5B86BE10/t51.2885-15/s640x640/sh0.08/e35/32893432_162048354644242_1598065628994863104_n.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div>via Instagram https://ift.tt/2J1UwAe</div>
littlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-33519484809427105902018-04-18T18:02:00.000-07:002018-04-18T18:02:24.998-07:00The Word for Feeling Like You Should Be Doing Something But Not Knowing What It Is You Should Be DoingI made this very quickly on a whim a few months ago.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/40834836634/in/dateposted/" title="On the verge of something. Liberty scraps, raw edge appliqué."><img alt="On the verge of something. Liberty scraps, raw edge appliqué." height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/895/40834836634_6e97d7652d.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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I really did feel like I was on the verge of something. And then I had some flim flam with my work visa and I was going to have a few months off and have some time to develop some sort of side project. And now the time is here. And I'm stuck.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/emeraldschell/36773406361/in/photolist-Y2xjxB-773CAv-68q7Sk-XoT1wH-X8PKRJ-WMN9LU-SALKB3-kkDLnF-nhHgMH-a64cCn-nxbjgm-a6FVQP-XobM64-aDRazk-nAYrZz-WNrhyJ-nxb9WE-nzcvp7-nzdDb7-aDV3Vw-f2qzUA-fFYJhv-dHMBKn-kBF7XR-8v5X59-oATJ3k-69zhSU-dprYL7-6XQ7Wy-7uAnqR-776XJ9-F5qZDS-oxRKcW-dDWAj2-gyqTjg-m1uMbQ-wBek4t-9Le8dc-Xy4pHd-X7sC1S-XirYqE-kudrG1-RTmUcZ-X8CdDq-22BiG84-nxatM7-aDV3XL-ddcw2Z-fNqLRB-X7t6Mo" title="Organic Material"><img alt="Organic Material" height="354" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4352/36773406361_e9b07f2f92.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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I should be doing something like this:<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/40653079945/in/photostream/" title="Bear in Shamonic transformation. Inuit Art."><img alt="Bear in Shamonic transformation. Inuit Art." height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/899/40653079945_8d6a2597b2.jpg" width="281" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
And instead I'm sitting around like:<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rsms/3452140325/in/photolist-6g483M-4AG7L3-8UwEXx-2mMqB9-8UzKQd-6erE6o-94rzna-7VuqdH-6MKYkx-frCsXj-6BDnTU-4v5mjN-e4dnXG-8HWNB8-4i9HNT-6x5ioM-8QwEpG-4ABRuV-brHCNB-vB6dw-4dLXMF-9BvZKq-5VtnDX-78xF6o-4ABMPH-8cQ1mj-B2fEPV-nkNqE-aVUzhV-5S3kXM-dZ8QCK-d35WGm-dbxvmG-cu6hf3-s8MsS-DcSRze-84qUXK-amfPMz-fZ3sui-4mWLts-a6fA6i-ZY7ZhT-7BVmZ9-5CsKge-sSb33-7t756t-eeBmjv-d16ypQ-7b4FUr-gu3PUS" title="Saturday morning"><img alt="Saturday morning" height="336" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3306/3452140325_9dcb73f439.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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I've got an idea, but there's something holding me back. Fear of failure? Fear of taking up my spare time? Fear of work?<br />
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I googled it and there is a german word - "torschlusspanik" - which means "Life is passing you by. The deadline’s approaching. The train’s a-comin’. Literally translated from German, torschlusspanik means “gate-closing panic,”." which is from <a href="https://www.thecut.com/2016/06/10-extremely-precise-words-for-emotions-you-didnt-even-know-you-had.html">this article</a>, which is actually very interesting.<br />
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<a href="https://dearhandmadelife.com/craftcation-conference/">Craftcation</a> a few weeks ago was really powerful in putting me alongside a bunch of women (mostly women) who had conquered their fears of going for it. <a href="https://www.luckybreakconsulting.com/about-us">Lela Barker</a> gave the closing address and she quoted Elizabeth Gilbert. It was like this was aimed just at me.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Let me list for you some of the many ways in which you might be afraid to live a more creative life: You’re afraid you have no talent. You’re afraid you’ll be rejected or criticized or ridiculed or misunderstood or—worst of all—ignored. You’re afraid there’s no market for your creativity, and therefore no point in pursuing it. You’re afraid somebody else already did it better. You’re afraid everybody else already did it better. You’re afraid somebody will steal your ideas, so it’s safer to keep them hidden forever in the dark. You’re afraid you won’t be taken seriously. You’re afraid your work isn’t politically, emotionally, or artistically important enough to change anyone’s life. You’re afraid your dreams are embarrassing. You’re afraid that someday you’ll look back on your creative endeavors as having been a giant waste of time, effort, and money. You’re afraid you don’t have the right kind of discipline. You’re afraid you don’t have the right kind of work space, or financial freedom, or empty hours in which to focus on invention or exploration. You’re afraid you don’t have the right kind of training or degree. You’re afraid you’re too fat. (I don’t know what this has to do with creativity, exactly, but experience has taught me that most of us are afraid we’re too fat, so let’s just put that on the anxiety list, for good measure.) You’re afraid of being exposed as a hack, or a fool, or a dilettante, or a narcissist. You’re afraid of upsetting your family with what you may reveal. You’re afraid of what your peers and coworkers will say if you express your personal truth aloud. You’re afraid of unleashing your innermost demons, and you really don’t want to encounter your innermost demons. You’re afraid your best work is behind you. You’re afraid you never had any best work to begin with. You’re afraid you neglected your creativity for so long that now you can never get it back. You’re afraid you’re too old to start. You’re afraid you’re too young to start. You’re afraid because something went well in your life once, so obviously nothing can ever go well again. You’re afraid because nothing has ever gone well in your life, so why bother trying? You’re afraid of being a one-hit wonder. You’re afraid of being a no-hit wonder."</blockquote>
It's from a book called <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Big-Magic-Creative-Living-Beyond/dp/1594634726/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1524099318&sr=8-1&keywords=Big+Magic%3A+Creative+Living+Beyond+Fear&dpID=511b8-eTQdL&preST=_SY344_BO1,204,203,200_QL70_&dpSrc=srch">Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear</a>, which I clearly need to read. But, maybe I need to actually do something that moves me forwards first.<br />
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And let's just gloss over the fact I haven't blogged for years.<br />
<br />Lixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16256288773435449859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-59381675982974532672015-12-21T03:17:00.004-08:002015-12-21T03:17:51.919-08:00Early ResolutionsI know 1st January is the conventional time to make resolutions but I think it makes more sense to resolve to do things in the moment you resolve to do them, rather than at some later date. Hence my resolve to blog at least weekly from now on, having neglected this poor thing for some time now.<br />
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I'm writing this from the airport as I get ready to return to San Francisco after staying with my sister. It was my Dad who pointed out my neglected blog when I saw him yesterday, and made me think about how, as well as neglecting other communication tools (I am terrible at not replying to emails), I've also let this one slip.<br />
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It is always rather nice to see things you have made in use at a later date and this started as soon as I got to my sister's house and sat down with my niece to watch the first of several viewings of <a href="http://www.gruffalo.com/" target="_blank">The Gruffalo</a>. What a lovely story and a great little film! As we sat there she insisted on removing her tights so I tucked her blanket around her little bare legs.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/23859416736/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/595/23859416736_337af8a539_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
It's an i-spy blanket I made for her <a href="http://lixiemakesit.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/catching-up-with-my-ickle-niece.html" target="_blank">back in July</a>. I ended up making a mini one for her toy rabbit and as I tucked her up in hers she handed me his and said "You can have this one." So thoughtful!<br />
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Later that night my sister and I took up the rainbow ripple blanket I crocheted <a href="http://lixiemakesit.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/its-sister-thing.html" target="_blank">back in 2011</a>. Here is a photo of the two of us then...<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/5613888894/" nbsp="" title="003"><img alt="003" height="576" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5065/5613888894_aa5779d3f9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
...and now...<br />
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Maybe one or two extra grey hairs? Ahem. But we've not worn too badly!<br />
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I went to my Mum's for a few days in the middle of my stay and needed to use her sewing machine to finish something for Jasmine. The box next to it is my first applique dating from..maybe...1991?<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/23885523785/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/714/23885523785_b540a6eb27_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
I have offered to get Mum a new machine but she seems wedded to that Viking. It's a former teaching machine from a secondary school in the days when girls did sewing and boys did woodwork. Rather odd to use after the joys of an electrical one.<br />
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Back at Sian's the item I had needed to finish went up on the wall.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/23777192342/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5803/23777192342_ba47c2467f_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
My fabric choice may not have made it the most distinct bunting ever but it does say 'jasmine' - plus Sian asked for one saying 'home' for the living room and being asked to make more of something is the kind of compliment every crafter will know makes the heart swell.<br />
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Saying goodbye this morning was heart breaking. My final view of Jasmine was her fast asleep last night on top of a Martha Stewart Living magazine which I had brought home for Sian to read and which Jasmine had adopted to 'read' to herself that night.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/23859423116/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5769/23859423116_304e24aa16_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
The bunting on her pillow (which I made <a href="http://lixiemakesit.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/finished.html" target="_blank">back in 2012</a> for my own bed) is entirely coincidental and unstaged. She is such a wonderful little girl with an equally wonderful Mum. I'll be thinking of them (and making for them) constantly until I can visit England again.<br />
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Just in case you aren't getting enough Lixie in your life you can often find me <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lixieyarnover/" target="_blank">over on Instagram</a>. I read daily even if I don't always post.<br />
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<br />littlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-57768219245027709292015-11-10T22:01:00.000-08:002015-11-10T22:01:40.926-08:00Selfish Swap Inspiration MosaicI laughed when I saw the first Selfish Swap and thought I'd never stick to it. When I saw details of the second one I felt differently and my mind went to the bag I've been supposed to be making myself for at least a year now. A selfish swap is when you make yourself something you've been meaning to, or another of something you made for someone else and reluctantly sent out into the world. So not really selfish at all.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/60481893@N00/22947126071/" nbsp="" title="Selfish Swap Inspiration Mosaic"><img alt="Selfish Swap Inspiration Mosaic" height="1530" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/672/22947126071_4532dede03_o.jpg" width="615" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
All of these bags have been pinned on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/littlelixie/bags-and-pouches/" target="_blank">this Pinterest board</a> and I have borrowed the images just for inspiration purposes. I have botched enough projects to know that I want to buy a pattern if one exists but a few of these are purely inspirational with no templates attached.<br />
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I almost feel I'd like three bags - one shoulder for day-to-day, one cross-body for more casual usage and one for carrying my sewing machine. I suppose I would have more luck making a decision about which to use if I decided on just one of these rather than trying to juggle all ideas simultaneously.<br />
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There. I knew writing it all down would help me make a decision.<br />
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<br />littlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-91839052292218705422015-11-07T07:00:00.000-08:002015-11-07T07:00:01.563-08:00Sew Simple Saturday #2Linking up with the <a href="http://sewandsowfarm.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sew and Sow Farm's Sew Simple Saturday</a>.<br />
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When it comes to simple, fabric precuts like jelly rolls make it a no brainer. Last month I was wowed by a quilt on another blogger's site and knew I had to give it a go. A bit of googling and waiting for it to arrive and I had a Gradations jelly roll.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/22840098265/in/photolist-AakjyX-AcDxtt-ANittF" nbsp="" title="Gradations Jelly Roll"><img alt="Gradations Jelly Roll" height="600" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/617/22840098265_a294b5d5ec_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
I was using the <a href="http://www.nancyrinkdesigns.com/shop/quilt-patterns/204-strip-it-three-ways-detail.html" target="_blank">Prism pattern by Nancy Rink</a>. I was fairly amazed to find this wasn't a download but an actual paper pattern - I feel she's missing a trick there - so another week [snore] later I was ready to go.<br />
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Without needing to trim the strips at all you just sew them together along their lengths.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/22447936589/in/photolist-AakjyX-AcDxtt-ANittF/" nbsp="" title="Gradations Jelly Roll Strips"><img alt="Gradations Jelly Roll Strips" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5756/22447936589_0d2f10c44c_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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From there it was a matter of cutting some triangles and then sewing them together.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/22421748167/in/photolist-AakjyX-AcDxtt-ANittF/" nbsp="" title="Gradations Jelly Roll Quilt"><img alt="Gradations Jelly Roll Quilt" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5658/22421748167_0088b9fe39_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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Sewing triangles together isn't quite as simple as sewing straight strips so I am still half way through this but it is going well. As it has progressed I've realised it's not really to my taste so I'll probably donate it to the Guild's outreach project, but I'm glad I tried it out!<br />
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<br />littlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-60310281824327933992015-11-06T21:06:00.000-08:002015-11-06T21:06:27.968-08:00So that must have been OctoberThere was some of this. <div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/22217940844/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="October 2015"><img alt="October 2015" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5764/22217940844_16b5b4ab35_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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Then at work I went full american-halloween-mode and this happened.</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/22448556749/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Halloween in the Office"><img alt="Halloween in the Office" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5658/22448556749_e1f1d35125_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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Plus of course there were some kittens. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/22840777825/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Kittens"><img alt="Kittens" height="615" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/717/22840777825_82b88177cc_o.jpg" width="615" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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Not enough. But still. </div>
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So that's me caught up. </div>
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littlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-31718390804704448022015-10-03T11:05:00.000-07:002015-10-03T11:05:33.415-07:00Sew Simple Saturday!I am joining up with the <a href="http://sewandsowfarm.blogspot.com/2015/10/sew-simple-saturday-october-2015.html" target="_blank">Sew and Sow Farm Sew Simple Saturday linky</a>! Joining in has made me think about what is meant by "simple sewing". Jan is encouraging us to think about what seams simple to us but to others seems like something really complicated. The craft that, for me, definitely falls into that category is cross stitch. I started doing cross stitch when I was a little girl using those cardboard punch cards that showed you where to put every stitch using a needle the size of a pen. I went through various kits starting with those plastic canvas and scratchy wool ones...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000HZAYU4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B000HZAYU4&linkCode=as2&tag=liknit-21"><img border="0" src="http://ws-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000HZAYU4&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=liknit-21" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-uk.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=liknit-21&l=as2&o=2&a=B000HZAYU4" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
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...and then for, I think, my 14th birthday I got this one. </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/7357164720/in/photolist-cd8oKA-af1F6k-eV6L8P-eV6xDz-etqAFs-etqFjS-etnBz2-etnk8t-etqCWu-etnzVV-etqHo5-efGANc-edALti-edAJTV-edAKVg-edAJgV-edAKqn-edAHBa-edg3Qj-dEUHNx-dF18wN-dF18XQ-dEUJoP-dzdJs3-bVL3ui-bVL4D4-bskeg6-bqCTrF-amioEj-amirEs-amfCkM-af4Bsb-af1H62-af1M12-af1Nmg-af4wPu-a8muM7-8PtPQY-8PtPnN-8PtPBw-8PqJjt-8PtPHJ-8PqJpH-8HvT1K-8j3tGg-8fEd4i-84FAPQ-7CdnXR-7zjc9X-7yZya7" nbsp="" title="Unfinished house cross stitch"><img alt="Unfinished house cross stitch" height="600" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8007/7357164720_71135d2bd6_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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As you can see I haven't got too far in the last 22 years but I've not given up yet! </div>
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Since then I have sewn some weird and wonderful things, some of which are here:</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/15476928977/in/album-72157622399092547/" nbsp="" title="Deb's cross stitch framed"><img alt="Deb's cross stitch framed" height="799" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7500/15476928977_1d1e52ce77_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/14949246068/in/album-72157622399092547/" nbsp="" title="cross stitch book cover"><img alt="cross stitch book cover" height="800" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3919/14949246068_f71cfba244_c.jpg" width="608" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/14621619497/in/album-72157622399092547/" nbsp="" title="Home Sweet Home Tardis"><img alt="Home Sweet Home Tardis" height="600" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5551/14621619497_5afb350c5f_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/8217127116/in/album-72157622399092547/" nbsp="" title="Cross Stitch Finished"><img alt="Cross Stitch Finished" height="600" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8487/8217127116_10f3b82437_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
<div>
These are all quite big but ultimately cross stitch comes down to putting straight stitches into a grid with holes in it. It's that simple. One of the workshops I taught in Tokyo was for cross stitch and there are a few basic rules to get going:</div>
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<ol>
<li>Don't try and sew with thread longer than your finger tips to elbow. It will just get tangled. </li>
<li>To start a new cross stitch find the centre of your pattern and decide on a colour or element to start sewing with. Then fold your cloth in half left to right then top to bottom to find the centre and finger press to show where it is when you unfold again. Now you've found the centre of the cloth and know where to start to make sure your design is centred.</li>
<li>Go ahead and knot your thread to start and finish. Purists might talk about working without knots but it's really "knot" a problem. </li>
</ol>
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Here is a little one that anyone can make using a scrap of aida fabric. </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/15944395212/in/album-72157622399092547/" nbsp="" title="cross stitch scissor fob"><img alt="cross stitch scissor fob" height="723" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8577/15944395212_412d8a8849_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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It's a fob for my tiny embroidery and applique scissors. And here is what I am currently working on:</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/21905025372/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Cross stitch ABC of Faith in progress"><img alt="Cross stitch ABC of Faith in progress" height="600" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5811/21905025372_d4d8eba9b3_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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This a simple kit by Lizzie Kate called "ABCs of Faith". I am an Atheist so this isn't to my taste but I know the person I'm giving this to for Xmas will be very happy with it. </div>
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Give Cross Stitch a try!</div>
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littlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-25922359686516351982015-09-17T16:21:00.000-07:002015-09-17T16:21:00.702-07:00Working GirlWhen Worlds Collide....<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/7505445330/in/photolist-crenpQ-7JKvr6-aG4qbg-7b36Xp-9kYvuT-tobhBS-buhkZF-buhmLr-buhmyK-buhmjF-buhm9e-buhmF4-buhnvr-buhn9V-buhngH-buhkUr-9m2A2Y-8wNEAu-aUV3n-9m2zZW-9kYvWF-9m2A25-9m2zRY-9m2A3A-9kYvMc-9m2zPS-9m2zTq-9kYwdv-gm69Np-kkeaqW-6rwNwK-sQRhmA-sQTZTj-b8C1Mk-buhkLi-buhnXX-9kYw7H-buhkAi-buhkFF-buhoUP-buhowc-buhpqx-9kYvDK-buhpgk-7JKx2V-7JPu3C-9kYwcg-bAP1Wr-9kYvP6-9kYvCr/" nbsp="" title="1951 ... 'When Worlds Collide'"><img alt="1951 ... 'When Worlds Collide'" height="800" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8147/7505445330_1e9886969b_c.jpg" width="542" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
...or in my case:<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/21206845648/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/563/21206845648_f073301094_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
One of the three sofas at work had been used for non-office purposes in the distant past plus was pretty mangy. I just could not sit on it. It being part of my remit to look after the office, I sorted out a new cushion. It's on odd size so online ones with covers were coming out at $800. Outrageous! So I ordered some foam and some fabric and got to work. The result is the zig zag seat.<br />
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Things at work proceed fair to middling. The actual work is fun but the hours are troubling. We're looking to get me an assistant (so weird - I am the assistant) but until then I am beavering away. There are plus points - such as conducting phone interviews from a hammock.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/21207517290/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/667/21207517290_d78ac2512b_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
I love that hammock. I've always wanted one at home but have never lived in the right kind of property. Plus I also took a few minutes to create one of these.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/21368456116/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/674/21368456116_4fc2d63931_c.jpg" width="550" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
We have some big ones hanging from the ceiling but I've missed having a plant near me while working so I decided to make my own. I am pretty pleased with it! I got both the orb and the plants from Etsy.<br />
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<br />littlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-19348549482303696082015-09-15T15:56:00.000-07:002015-09-15T15:56:00.237-07:00Kittea Again!I am sold on this place.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/21394688495/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/597/21394688495_633b88408e_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
I do still love Cat Town Cafe in Oakland but this one is only a third of the distance from my house and while I love cats of all ages, it is funny getting to see all the kitten action. There are actually two in this photo.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/21206606650/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="683" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/608/21206606650_0fd3ee303e_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
Two little brothers wrestling each other all over the place. In fact this is one of them in an unusually still moment.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/21206604760/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5645/21206604760_79dc1b9078_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
And this could be either one using me as an actual human shield.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/21207791969/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="609" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/632/21207791969_2d997dc425_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
And who knows which this is playing "catch the hand".<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/21368471686/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5671/21368471686_2fee9265d9_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
There were others too.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20773613643/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/695/20773613643_86b61ef499_c.jpg" width="710" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
Some veeeeery relaxed.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20773611233/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/750/20773611233_3fee4779b6_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
So adorable!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/21368450736/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="744" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5824/21368450736_6002fb1f00_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
Just when you think it can't get any better...look what I spotted on the way out!<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/21394708975/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5809/21394708975_0f251826a8_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
That's my week accessorized.<br />
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<br />littlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-33655035455637842052015-09-13T15:55:00.002-07:002015-09-13T15:55:58.552-07:00My New Sewing Case and Other MakesI saw a few of these being made on Instagram and was thrilled to find the pattern was free. It is the <a href="http://www.ohhowsweet.com/2015/05/06/zipped-sewing-travel-case-tutorial-ohszippedcase/" target="_blank">Oh, How Sweet Zipped Case</a>. I started off thinking I'd use my newest paper shape from <a href="http://paperpieces.com/">PaperPieces.com</a> - the squashed hexagon.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/21206622550/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5808/21206622550_28d51087a0_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
But I decided I loathed the look of the shape. Maybe they might work horizontally, but like this they simply look squashed. I had a look through Pinterest for some inspiration and decided on a fabric tray, using some denim with raised silver dots that I found a scrap of when I was still in Tokyo.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/21383857992/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="634" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/727/21383857992_092cd75a86_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
This left me without a cover for my sewing case when my eye fell on a strip of selvage. Out came my collection and I found myself sorting them into colour piles.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20772005454/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/768/20772005454_516ac7068a_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
The pile of ones that were truly multicoloured seemed about the right size. Some stitching later and...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/21368453656/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/718/21368453656_d296261c29_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
...I had a cover and a pocket. The zip gave me a few tense moments and is also the point at which I screwed up the last thing like this I tried. Welcome to the arena - bulldog clips!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/21206605310/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/647/21206605310_1f40186006_c.jpg" width="780" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
Here is the inside with the zip and bias binding in place. Vinyl pocket on the right and selvage pocket on the left. Two elastic loops to hold thread.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/21403059161/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="610" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/754/21403059161_6ac0b74754_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
I like the outside too.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/21368467996/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5788/21368467996_9ac74bf81a_c.jpg" width="725" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
If I were to make one again I would use some interfacing on the lining. I just used batting on the cover so it is a tad floppy.<br />
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The Sewing Case took quite a while to make - lots of pieces of different sizes and materials - while this one was much quicker. It came out about 12"x14" and is a tiny version of the i-spy quilt I made for my niece.<br />
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It is for her toy bunny!<br />
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My other make-in-progress is based on a quilt in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Pieced-Modern-Step-Step/dp/1607059894" target="_blank">Paper Pieced Modern</a> which I have on loan from the Library. I'd seen different versions of the quilt on a few blogs and decided to use the idea for a mini quilt. Here is my block.<br />
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Another 24 later and I had these:<br />
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Which led to this:<br />
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It isn't sewn together yet but will be soon!<br />
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<br />littlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-79878701810336868602015-08-30T20:53:00.000-07:002015-08-30T20:53:00.692-07:00Tea at KitTeaI am not a tea drinker. But were I to be one I would never go to any cafe except <a href="http://www.kitteasf.com/" target="_blank">KitTea</a>. It only opened a month or so ago and I finally got there at the weekend.<br />
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<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20963114446/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="KitTea Sign"><img alt="KitTea Sign" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5759/20963114446_a65b01197c_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
The cat cafe I had been visiting in Oakland is an hour each way including a 20 min walk from the metro when you get there. So although I love the set-up I was more than ready to get some cat time closer to home. I only booked 30 minutes since I wasn't sure if it would be any good but in future I'll definitely be going for the full hour. Even if you haven't booked a session with the cats, the cafe is very nice and has a huge picture window.<br />
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<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20801295690/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Inside KitTea"><img alt="Inside KitTea" height="600" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5719/20801295690_b1636e3810_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
You get as much tea as you can drink during your booking plus there are cakes and things to be bought. When my time came I got to spend time with such a cute gang of guys and girls.<br />
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<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20996872291/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Sleeping Tuxedo Kitten"><img alt="Sleeping Tuxedo Kitten" height="576" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5689/20996872291_e5922c0c34_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
This tiny fellow came to sit next to my legs...<br />
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<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20801295600/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Tiny kitten by my feet"><img alt="Tiny kitten by my feet" height="698" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5715/20801295600_dcd9ccfdbe_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
...and when I squatted down to stroke him he decided to take shelter underneath my derrière.<br />
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Then when I did sit down this little one came over and got straight into my lap.<br />
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<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20801293750/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Cream Kitten"><img alt="Cream Kitten" height="800" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/644/20801293750_42be886500_c.jpg" width="785" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
He was heading off to his new adoptive family later that day as this is also a place where you can adopt the cats there. I would have loved to take them all home with me!<br />
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<br />littlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-62929630761522237302015-08-29T17:53:00.000-07:002015-08-29T17:53:08.600-07:00Walking Haight Street"Haight Ashbury" is a phrase that comes up as soon as you start reading about the history of San Francisco. The area was swinging in the sixties and has been the centre the hippie culture of SF ever since. It is kind of like Camden used to be when I first moved to London but with more smoke shops. <div style="text-align: center;">
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Haight Street is long - really long. The hippie bit is near where it crosses with Ashbury St but back towards the city centre there are some amazing houses. </div>
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I knew beforehand that there were a few shoe shops in the area and I had planned on just some window-shopping until...</div>
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<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20801293620/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Mermaid Shoes"><img alt="Mermaid Shoes" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5619/20801293620_28760085d8_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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That is just them in their box but you should have seen them in the window. It was like seeing the glisten of mother of pearl in the midst of a load of dull shells. I went into the shop and made straight for them. They were...expensive. I toyed with them and the assistant came over, looked into my face and said she knew just how I felt. Did I want to try them on - just for fun? Oh my. I had hoped they'd be uncomfortable, but no. They are wonderful. And now they're mine - squee! One or two other things are now mine too. </div>
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<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20963114356/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Shopping Spoils"><img alt="Shopping Spoils" height="600" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5635/20963114356_11deb2ba1c_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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There is a lovely craft shop there called <a href="https://www.mendels.com/" target="_blank">Mendels</a> and they have an awesome selection of pretty much everything, including quilting fabric which they sell in quarter yards. I only chose two but then I saw this slightly heavier, slightly lineny cat print. </div>
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<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20996877341/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Cat Fabric"><img alt="Cat Fabric" height="600" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/672/20996877341_9fc3698096_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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The colour is actually a dark grey-green and I got two yards so now I need to decide what kind of top to make out of it - since I feel it does need to be a top. </div>
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One of the things I like about this kind of area of SF is the locals don't feel constrained to just decorating the walls of the buildings. </div>
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<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20802566029/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Pavement Graffiti"><img alt="Pavement Graffiti" height="800" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/760/20802566029_0b82a7dc1e_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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I rather love this "Love Thyself" one I spied on the pavement. It just goes to show how much you can gain from looking where you leap. </div>
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littlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-62326111689653809682015-08-22T16:54:00.003-07:002015-08-22T16:54:36.613-07:00Finished Item Round UpI seem to have only been making things for other people for quite a while now. Not that I'm complaining, but perhaps I should do a little 'me' sewing. Despite that, here is the mini quilt I made for the Pusheen Swap that recently concluded on Instagram.<br />
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<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20789385262/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Finished Alliance Pusheen Mini Quilt"><img alt="Finished Alliance Pusheen Mini Quilt" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5717/20789385262_72f8711764_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
The explanation behind this quilt is a little complicated. The Pusheens are on the applique'd fabric and are the ones I printed and mentioned in my last post.<br />
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<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20789388582/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Detail of the Alliance Mini Quilt"><img alt="Detail of the Alliance Mini Quilt" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5724/20789388582_7c489b2f1f_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
The lion's head of the symbol of the Alliance on World of Warcraft (a massive computer game), the unicorns are...unicorns and the most like colours of the recipient are purple and grey. I combined all of these references into one mini and accompanied it with this one-hour basket...<br />
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<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20177862433/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Finished Unicorn Basket"><img alt="Finished Unicorn Basket" height="600" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/590/20177862433_22e2c9ca0b_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
...because the recipient is also a big Labyrinth fan. So having included elements of Pusheen, WoW, unicorns, purple and Labyrinth I then forgot to tell her which swap it was for and she had to puzzle it out by herself. She seem to have liked them though! These are the basket handles.<br />
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<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20772573906/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Printed ribbon handles"><img alt="Printed ribbon handles" height="600" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/586/20772573906_f118b3f77b_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
A dotted cutting line with scissors and 'cut here' printed on the ribbon.<br />
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I have been very much enjoying participating in the SF Quilt Guild for the last few months and at the July meeting they were asking for volunteers to bind some finished Community quilts. I stepped up and was given a *very* brightly coloured one about the size of a single bed.<br />
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<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20177867733/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Adding binding to a community quilt"><img alt="Adding binding to a community quilt" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5720/20177867733_8e1b2ec292_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
I duly delivered it back at this week's meeting and asked if they had any more. They didn't but they did need some more tops so I was handed a bundle of fabric and told to make a baby quilt. 6 hours later and ta da!<br />
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<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20610834458/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Finished Sheep Quilt Top"><img alt="Finished Sheep Quilt Top" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5820/20610834458_1fc487fd8a_c.jpg" width="730" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
I was a little unsure about the black but they had included it in the bundle so off I went. I basically made it up as I went along but I knew as soon as I saw it that the sheep would have to be a focus.<br />
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<a data-context="false" data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="false" data-header="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20177866053/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Block of the sheep quilt"><img alt="Block of the sheep quilt" height="800" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/755/20177866053_5a06905784_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
Overall I am pretty happy with it and will hand it over at the next meeting.<br />
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<br />littlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-34465550470092122812015-08-14T20:45:00.000-07:002015-08-14T20:45:00.053-07:00Swaps and BeesI mentioned the Pusheen Swap in my last post and here is part of my main swap item - a mini quilt. I designed and printed my own Pusheen fabric using my home printer. It's something I've done a few times and it works well as long as you don't want to wash the finished item. <div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/19905613203/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5670/19905613203_568294ddcc_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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I printed two letter-sized sheets and then used them for applique. Here is part of the design...</div>
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It is quite an intricate design which I am applique-ing to a plain white background. </div>
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For the Simply Mini swap (another one from Instagram) I had a big scrap dive using the hexagon fabric on the left as the main fabric. </div>
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I'm trying some reverse applique portholes for this so I'll have to see how it goes. This palette is quite unusual for me as there is no red. Makes it a bit more of a challenge!</div>
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Something else unusual and slightly challenging was this pencil case. Isn't it adorable?</div>
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The <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/2329866" target="_blank">fabric comes from Spoonflower</a> with the design ready printed and instructions included. I got it completely free by combining a free-shipping day with some Spoondollars I had earned by selling my own design. </div>
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Finally I said a few posts ago that I was going to join the 30's Farmers Wife Sew-A-Long, and had a crazy idea I might do it in Liberty fabric. Yeah. A bit of surfing showed me prices and brought me to my senses. Mind you, I did then splurge somewhat on Etsy, and add a few long term stashed fabrics, to assemble this lot. </div>
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The inspiration behind my colour scheme is one of my Somerset-from-the-train photos a la this:</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/8093996465/in/album-72157631806206949/" nbsp="" title="View from Cheddar Gorge Tower 1"><img alt="View from Cheddar Gorge Tower 1" height="600" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8474/8093996465_ea9b2bf0d8_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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Lots of blues, greens and bit of brown. Lovely!</div>
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littlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-87090758580101524012015-08-12T20:41:00.000-07:002015-08-12T20:41:50.200-07:00The Babe With The PowerThere have been further experiments with my embroidery machine. I am trialling a handy piece of software called <a href="http://www.sandscomputing.com/id67.html" target="_blank">Sew What</a> which looks a little old school in layout but allows you to put together your own designs to embroider. There are a few stitch options so I decided to try out a little applique, since I haven't used the machine for that yet. <div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/20532916991/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5690/20532916991_045d499f57_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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I ended up making this coaster for a friend out of some Cotton and Steel charm squares, an offcut of batting and some scraps of bias binding. On the software it was very simple - decide on one of the set alphabets in the software (there are about 30), get the size right and select "Satin Outline". I had to try a few experiments to get the outline thick enough and I still think it could have gone a lot thicker but it looks ok. </div>
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The second thing I tried was a simple phrase. This is for part of my Pusheen Swap parcel and the recipient is a fan of all sorts of things I know nothing about. A bit of research told me she would like this. </div>
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This one came out OK but it taught me that variegated thread doesn't really work on this kind of design. Having said that, I am still really happy with the way this basic design came out and the suggestions it offers for future development. </div>
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There is one set of designs that I have been eyeing up - <a href="http://www.anitagoodesignonline.com/blackboard-bags/" target="_blank">chalkboard type ones by Anita Goodman</a> that I first saw on Instagram which you can <a href="http://www.quiltinglines.com/2014/12/zip-it-up.html" target="_blank">see on this blog</a>. I'm not sure where I can buy them from though so if anyone knows share that with me!</div>
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littlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-67223167848019456352015-08-04T05:49:00.001-07:002015-08-04T05:49:15.418-07:00Goodbye England, Hello AmericaEngland from above is truly a patchwork, and specifically a crazy patchwork, of fields.<br />
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America, or at least the bit I flew over on my way back to San Francisco, is not so crazy.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelixie/19664665883/in/dateposted/" title="American Fields from Above"><img alt="American Fields from Above" height="800" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/499/19664665883_0a0aa50e2b_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
You can imagine putting a quilt of that together with a jelly roll of pre-cut strips whereas the England one would definitely be a chance to use up scraps.<br />
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I have blogged several times about how much I love the view from aeroplanes. On this trip I saw a few startling and interesting things. It took me a while to realise these 'steaming' mountains weren't some sort of active volcanoes no one had mentioned to me.<br />
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Wildfires - I'd missed hearing about them on NP Radio but now I'm back I know that they are burning large parts of California at the moment.<br />
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One thing no one who has spent any time in California in the last year or two can have missed hearing about is the drought here. These pictures of a lake show how much it has shrunk by - see the whiteness of the exposed rock around the water.<br />
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Pretty shocking.<br />
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Of course as well as the shocking, there is the breathtaking.<br />
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Isn't that beautiful? I never tire of looking at the sky. Even at work I can look up and see it through the skylights and get lost for ages before remembering my to do list is a mile long.<br />
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It was heartbreaking to leave Sian, Jasmine and the rest of the family behind. On Saturday my Dad and Brother came to visit and we had a great time taking Jasmine to a playground before heading to a cafe. "Grumps" rendition of Meg and Mog brought the house down.<br />
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While Jas and I got to exchange some final words of wisdom.<br />
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Isn't she beautiful? And so clever. She talks in phrases and often in sentences now, although sometimes the latter are not so intelligible. You just have to listen and if you don't get it the second time say something like "Wow, really?" to which she responds with a highly affirmative "Yes".<br />
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The downside to getting to experience a different culture is leaving your family and friends behind.<br />
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<br />littlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-6372442283260509912015-07-29T06:15:00.000-07:002015-07-29T06:15:05.587-07:00Joining a Quilt-A-LongI am going to join the 1930's Farmers Wife Quilt Along!<br />
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I am not committing lightly to something that will take about a year but I have been wanting to try this kind of project for a long time now and since I have all the blocks I need (for now) for my Lucy Boston Patchwork of the Crosses Quilt it seemed like a good time to start a new thing. This one is being run by <a href="http://verykerryberry.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/the-farmers-wife-1930s-quilt-along-is-on.html" target="_blank">Very Kerry Berry and there are details on her blog</a>. </div>
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The key thing now is what fabric to do it in. This is the full quilt. </div>
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This image is from <a href="http://store.quiltingbythebay.com/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=774&page_id=23&Item_ID=19177" target="_blank">Quilting by the Bay who have a block of the month club</a> for the quilt. I did consider something like that but then a crazy thought entered my head. Liberty. Liberty fabrics. But that's crazy. Right? Sheer crazy. I mean...who would even think that. Yep. Too crazy. </div>
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littlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11438332.post-65041689750088952552015-07-27T11:18:00.000-07:002015-07-27T11:18:24.780-07:00Catching Up With My Ickle NieceI am back on the right side of the pond, which is to say back in England, my England. The view from one of the three trains I got form the airport to my sister's in the south west.<br />
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Needless to say, it has rained pretty much non-stop since I arrived. I love it! I have really missed proper clouds and rain.<br />
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I gave Jasmine the i-spy quilt I made her and she took to it immediately.<br />
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Another thing she took to was the glitter wand thing I picked up on some shopping trip. I have been hit - mainly in the face - by that thing more times than I can count in the space of 48 hours.<br />
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Since I saw her last Jas has started saying phrases and attempting whole paragraphs of conversation. She has a very precise way of saying "Yes" which she combines with "Let's do that" or some other random phrase she's heard someone say and has stuck in her little head. She is just as inquisitive as ever but now, rather than simply emptying and refilling whatever bag she finds, she wants to know what everything is. I thought I might be able to use this to my advantage when she found my EPP pouch.<br />
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I explained what all the pieces were as she held each one up and then asked whether she wanted to try sewing. "No" was all I got in response. Very disappointing. I'll keep trying, although possibly using the lace-up cards Jan from <a href="http://sewandsowfarm.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">SewandSowFarm</a> suggested first.<br />
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Yesterday we went into Bath and got Jasmine some new wellington boots - not an easy task since the first pair she tried on caused her to howl with anguish. No doubt that it is not easy being two years old. Fortunately Clarks had some rabbit ones as well as a number of women to measure her feet.<br />
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Jasmine wore one of her patent "what's this woman doing to me?" looks through the whole thing but her enthusiasm about the wellies was the real indicator. While paying I asked the woman at the counter whether most children were happy about buying shoes - since when I was young I hated it. She said it was completely random and sure enough, as I got back to Jas and my sister, Jasmine was beside herself with woe because she was once again wearing the wellingtons she'd been so keen on 2 minutes earlier. Luckily by the time we got back to the house she was in love with them again and has hardly taken them off since. I even got an impromptu drawing lesson from her in them.<br />
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Today saw us arriving at a family friendly spa in Worcester which is a wonderful place. It's clearly been a country home for a family in the past and the set up is of that ilk circa 1910. Velvet covered sofas cover the ground floor rooms, decked with multiple cushions in all sorts of patterns. A huge carved mahogany fireplace sits nicely with the ornate grandfather clock and bar. I feel like we've done nothing but eat since we've got here although we did go for a swim this afternoon and Jasmine and I explored the large gardens earlier while Sian had a snooze. She got onto a trampoline for the first time and after some hesitancy was bouncing all over the place.<br />
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Because the place is aimed at families with small children there are some very nice touches like free milk and the place settings which echo those for the adults.<br />
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I am loving it - especially high tea this afternoon.<br />
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My sister is not quite as relaxed. There is a listening service so the little one can go to bed and you go back and have your dinner and, perhaps (she says with one at her elbow), a cocktail. However, Sian is convinced it will be Madeleine McCann all over again if she leaves Jas in the room by herself so I will be dining alone tonight. Not that I'll be eating that much. Not after that tea.<br />
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<br />littlelixiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221573694562604740noreply@blogger.com1