tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21756930194857710172024-03-14T01:49:39.446-07:00Mavis GloverMavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-89988839196695816362015-03-04T15:39:00.001-08:002015-03-04T15:48:41.161-08:00Where has the last year gone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It is almost one year since I posted anything on my blog. This has been for two reasons. </div></span></div><div>1. Our aging desktop, with its' XP operating system, would not support the required version of Explorer. </div><div>2. Blogger decided it would no longer accept my NTL email address to log in and check my reading list or post new stuff. </div><div>I have still been busy doing creative stuff but thought I would share some of my knitting projects with you tonight so here goes. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CERdJXWkQXg/VPeY53dW4eI/AAAAAAAAB8g/XOySS3qsZXw/s640/blogger-image--1209272360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CERdJXWkQXg/VPeY53dW4eI/AAAAAAAAB8g/XOySS3qsZXw/s640/blogger-image--1209272360.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6UW5lqNPadY/VPeXf9rMLdI/AAAAAAAAB7U/Y-E-NBw_cLU/s640/blogger-image--867495516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6UW5lqNPadY/VPeXf9rMLdI/AAAAAAAAB7U/Y-E-NBw_cLU/s640/blogger-image--867495516.jpg"></a></div>This is a cardigan I knit for my granddaughter Martha last summer. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0fGhvk6JbyA/VPeXv_WTz9I/AAAAAAAAB8U/iSVf5izg0IY/s640/blogger-image--1274430574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0fGhvk6JbyA/VPeXv_WTz9I/AAAAAAAAB8U/iSVf5izg0IY/s640/blogger-image--1274430574.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Si3LRS6fvuc/VPeXoJq3cLI/AAAAAAAAB70/9KSg-vRPkyI/s640/blogger-image--1832634356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Si3LRS6fvuc/VPeXoJq3cLI/AAAAAAAAB70/9KSg-vRPkyI/s640/blogger-image--1832634356.jpg"></a></div>This Aran sweater was one I did for my other granddaughter Penny but it turned out a little too big so I haven't any photos of her wearing it yet. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-57J32QDIguI/VPeXr3J55jI/AAAAAAAAB8E/WSesQYYXna4/s640/blogger-image-777539652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-57J32QDIguI/VPeXr3J55jI/AAAAAAAAB8E/WSesQYYXna4/s640/blogger-image-777539652.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qGjENwyObm4/VPeXkCuxKHI/AAAAAAAAB7k/dFMPRpY-vrc/s640/blogger-image-1232348702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qGjENwyObm4/VPeXkCuxKHI/AAAAAAAAB7k/dFMPRpY-vrc/s640/blogger-image-1232348702.jpg"></a></div>I loved knitting this zig-zag jacket in Merino wool. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gd5-c5CDfo8/VPeXt3yZdqI/AAAAAAAAB8M/ChNK1IKen0k/s640/blogger-image-2035307994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gd5-c5CDfo8/VPeXt3yZdqI/AAAAAAAAB8M/ChNK1IKen0k/s640/blogger-image-2035307994.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KYpCBj6tQXk/VPeXp6lTT0I/AAAAAAAAB78/P4GftgADJOw/s640/blogger-image--1716179808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KYpCBj6tQXk/VPeXp6lTT0I/AAAAAAAAB78/P4GftgADJOw/s640/blogger-image--1716179808.jpg"></a></div>Finally my latest project was this rather vintage looking Fair Isle cardigan for Penny. </div><div>Well fingers crossed that this post doesn't look too bad as I have found it difficult to move the cursor around and haven't a clue how to size pictures or add captions so bare with me. </div>Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-12631472243693553562014-03-19T12:13:00.000-07:002014-03-23T11:09:41.186-07:00Preparing for Summer <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This styalised bird fabric caught my eye at the Knitting and Stitch Show in Harrogate and I couldn't resist making a purchase and then it was off to my local Boyes store to find a suitable contrast fabric - but which colour to pick?<br />
I decided on the royal blue fabric and ric-rac braid and hurried home to get started.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynsey and I decided on a pinefore style</td></tr>
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The fabric was a dream to work with and Martha loved the finished garment.<br />
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I particularly loved the hand embroidered buttons that I covered.</div>
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As usual Martha showed it off to good effect even if it is still a little on the large size for her.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha modelling her new frock</td></tr>
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My daughter Lynsey has now also become obsessed by fabric and is always on the look out for new quirky designs. She came across this next one on the web from a company called Betsy Boo Haberdashery and couldn't resist this brightly coloured design.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colourfull Design using Building</td></tr>
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This time we chose to make a very traditional dress with a gathered skirt, back fastening and Peter Pan collar. Once again it was fully lined in the plain orange fabric used for the collar and waist trim.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectacular colour combo</td></tr>
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Finally I have recently finished a third dress for this coming summer using another lovely fabric from <a href="http://www.grace-favour.co.uk/">Grace and Favour</a>. They have an excellent selection of reasonably priced fabrics especially for children.</div>
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I was "commissioned" to make a replica of a simple top/dress that Martha had last summer and my daughter loved. I tthen set about modifying an old pattern I had used before but dhanged it from a front to back fastening.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under Construction</td></tr>
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This is by far the plainest of her new outfits for the summer.</div>
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Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-70754287261658301982014-03-16T11:09:00.000-07:002014-03-16T12:38:42.554-07:00Preparing for Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Baby Penny in her Kimono</div>
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The last time I posted I was busy knitting this gorgeous kimono for my new granddaughter Penelope Constance so I thought I would share this photo of her when she tried it on. As you can see the sleeves were still a little too long but since then she has flourished and it's now a perfect fit.</div>
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A better photo for seeing the design.</div>
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The wool for this kimono was donated to me and so cost me nothing. The next freebie came from my own stash. I had bought a pack of aran weight yarn cheaply many years ago but had never got round to using it. When I saw this free pattern on a fabulous Facebook page called Weightstitches I figured it was about time to get going. It's called Bloomsbury Kids by Svetlana Volkova and is knit from the neck down seamlessly in the round. I loved the fact that the main detail was down the back.<br />
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It was great not having any sewing up what so ever to do and Martha loved it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha modelling her new sweater</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can just about make out<br />
the pattern detail despite her hair.</td></tr>
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It is always much easier to find lovely patterns for girls but when my grandson Lucas requested a jacket with his initial on I was more than delighted to oblige. Once again I had another bargain pack that my niece gave me and I used an old baseball pattern and simply knit the L separately and sewed it on later.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One Happy Boy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As Requested</td></tr>
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By I had finished his jacket I spotted another pattern on Weightstitches but this time for a baby jumper for Penny. It only took a small amount of yarn and I risked starting it with beautiful left over wool from one of my sister's projects.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penny's top with Heart detail</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Literally all the wool that was left - Phew!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penny modeling her new top</td></tr>
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It is actually ages since I started on this post but I abandoned it as my trusty desk top is so old it won't let me update my browser beyond Explorer 8. As this version is no longer supported by Blogger I was experiencing all sorts of difficulties so I have resorted to my laptop and things are fine. In the mean time I have knit another spring jacket for Martha in time for this bout of sunshine we have been experiencing here in the North East of England. Hope you like it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabled Jacket with 3/4 Sleeves</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha modelling her new jacket</td></tr>
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I even managed to squeeze a pair of matching leg warmers from the remaining wool.<br />
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Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-4085807004957095652013-11-27T06:30:00.001-08:002013-12-02T04:19:42.738-08:00My Adorable New Granddaughter<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHfo0QCtLhc/UpXwLoy27NI/AAAAAAAAByQ/y5f3dKWfUvw/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_248946="null" dua="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHfo0QCtLhc/UpXwLoy27NI/AAAAAAAAByQ/y5f3dKWfUvw/s320/003.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penelope Constance 27.10.13</td></tr>
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At the time of my last post Paul and I had just become proud grandparents for a third time. This little bundle of joy was my son and daughter in law's first child and they named her Penelope Constance but to be known as Penny.<br />
My creative time has now to be shared a little more thinly so before her arrival they asked me to help with the preperation of her nursery by stitching some curtains. My son is a keen birdy person so it seemed totally appropriate that they should choose this lovely Cath Kidson print for there.<br />
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As they had decided not to find out if they were having a girl or a boy it was a little more tricky to start making clothes but my daughter in law (also called Lynsey) had spent some time in France, as part of her language studies, and said she really liked the way the french dressed their babies.This signalled the time to start looking through old copies of Phildar and Pinguin knitting patterns that I'd kept from when my own daughter was a baby. She selected a gorgeous pattern for some pantaloons, which at first seemed quite boyish but when knit up in a neutral colour and teamed up with a matching jacket we decided they were definately uni-sex, and when Penny arrived it was time to go in search of a girly viyella top to complete the ensemble.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Panteloons</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completely Reversible Hooded Jacket</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonderfully Soft Yarn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smocked dress from Mamas and Papas</td></tr>
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Just before Penny arrived Lynsey, Lynsey's mum, my Lynsey and I went to Yarndale, a truely amazing wool feast at Skipton, and I fell in love with a gorgeous kimono pattern from a small company called OneHandKnits. This pattern was definately girly but didn't go up to a big enough size for my granddaughter Martha who is three. Undeterred I bought the pattern described as challenging and thought I could always enlarge it. It IS challenging but I didn't have to modify it (although, due to its' popularity, sounds like I might have to) and this is my progress so far.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Secret Garden" pattern from OneHandKnits</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basic stitch</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front band detail</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking good so far!</td></tr>
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Martha has not been neglected as I have reknit one of her favourite jackets in this season's colour for her.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I modified jacket pattern due to shortage of yarn</td></tr>
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Martha modelling the finished item </div>
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Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-72236443376835607612013-10-31T09:54:00.000-07:002013-10-31T11:12:27.247-07:00Autumn Knits<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha on her 3rd birthday</td></tr>
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Although I spent a lot of my creative time during the lovely summer months we had in England this year sewing gorgeous summer frocks for my granddaughter Martha I did look ahead to the cooler autumn days and knitted some cute jackets and cardigans to have ready for this three year old fashionista.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
1. Sailor Jacket</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sailor Jacket</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From all angles</td></tr>
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When we were on a family holiday in France earlier this year my daughter Lynsey and I took every opportunity to vist some amazing wool and haberdashery shops and while browsing we spotted this sparkly yarn in the end of line basket. Unsure what it would eventually turn into we purchased it and, using an old pattern from 30 years ago, I managed to just complete this sailor jacket with only a couple of metres of yarn left! The good news is she rather likes it.<br />
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2.Gilet in Random Yarn</h3>
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My lovely and very generous sister paid a visit to a wool shop in Richmond, North Yorkshire earlier this summer and, although she no longer knits herself, decided to treat me to this pattern for a hooded gilet and the wool to knit it. I then had a terrible dilema as she had forgotten that I don't do RANDOM! My brain can't handle the lack of control over where the colour changes are going to appear. Now I know this tells you a lot about my hangups but I spent a whole evening attempting to "de-randomize" it.</div>
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I unwound all 4 balls until I could see a colour repeat emerging. I then started each ball at the same point in the sequence and started knitting the back from 2 balls, alternating every second row as this piece had twice as many stitches as the front sections. It worked really well until I got to the arm shaping on the second front when things started to return to random as that 4th ball had a slighyly different sequence to the others. Not to be defeated I decided to replicate the other 3 by selecting short lengths of the correct colours! This just goes to show the trouble I'll go to to avoid random. (I will spare you the details of how I solved the hood dilemas!) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking for colour repeat matching</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah! It worked and both fronts are the same.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha modelling the finished<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and she loved it.</td></tr>
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3. Gilet Two in Flecky Yarn</h3>
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This next gilet was multi-coloured, but flecky not random, and so much easier for me to get my head round. However I was a bit reckless in that I embarked on a pattern for totally different yarn and it soon became obvious that I wasn't going to have sufficient to complete it. After trying to treck some with the same dye lot down all over the North East of England the manufactures came up trumps and sent me two balls free of charge.</div>
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I haven't learned from the experience and am curently knitting a short sleeved cardigan knowing I probably can't get more yarn if I do run short. I'll tell you in a later post how I get on. <br />
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Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-4893341164444321212013-08-20T10:52:00.000-07:002013-08-20T10:52:54.674-07:00A Passion for Fabric<br />
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Anyone who has been following my blog over the last couple of years will realise that I have a passion for textiles in all its form. Well it appears that this is genetic and my daughter Lynsey has aquired the gene. In one of her searches for beautiful fabrics she discovered an amazing company called Grace and Favour (<a href="http://www.grace-favour.co.uk/">http://www.grace-favour.co.uk/</a>) and embarked on her first dressmaking adventure. Although she needed a little help I am proud to say that the outcome was amazingly successful for a first attempt as this cute cotton top she made for Martha shows.<br />
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Flushed with success she went on to use the same pattern again but this time for a full length dress.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous pocket details</td></tr>
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Of course she finished off both outfits with matching hair clips and hairbands but she does run a bespoke service for this called Handmade by Martha so why not take a look? (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/handmadebymartha2">https://www.facebook.com/handmadebymartha2</a>)<br />
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The scraps of fabric and spare trim were too good too waste so I managed to make four pretty lavender bags for Lucas' (Martha's big brother) nursery teachers for their end of year presents.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All four slightly different and personal</td></tr>
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Having fallen in love with Lynsey's choice of fabrics I was ready to embark on another project myself - this time a top to put away for her birthday party in September. Sewing machine at the ready I set off.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of gathers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of some of the trims</td></tr>
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The four different fabics, combined with the ric-rac braids and lace trim, resulted in a gorgeous little top that she has tried on to check it fit but is hanging in her wardrobe for her special party (after all she hardly needs yet another outfit!)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Complete with matching corsage</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha trying on her new top</td></tr>
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Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-87279852741164092572013-08-20T09:39:00.000-07:002013-08-20T09:39:07.009-07:00Summer Sewing Projects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since I last posted on my blog way back in May I have had a wonderful family holiday in France and on returning home I felt full of enthusiasm to take on the challenge of making some more outfits to add to my granddaughter Martha's summer wardrobe. I saw this cute pattern in a local haberdashery and immediately purchased some fabric to get started so that it was ready for the warm weather I hoped we would be blessed with here in the North East of England.<br />
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I chose the bottom colourway as they also had really good plain turquoise and burgundy fabrics to use as a coordinates.<br />
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I got straight down to work, modifying the pattern as usual, and it went together like a dream.<br />
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The next step was to add some finishing touches like coordinating buttons and embroidery and it was ready to wear.<br />
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Luckily we had lots of warm days for Martha to wear her suntop and shorts.<br />
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For slightly cooler days I found a couple of balls of burgundy cotton yarn in my daughters crochet bag and so I've knit her a matching cardigan.<br />
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Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-27295182757768171872013-05-28T15:17:00.000-07:002013-05-28T15:17:06.785-07:00Flushed with SuccessIn my last post I shared my excitment in making a cute, hand embroidered dress for my lovely granddaughter Martha. After working on interior projects it was great to work on the much smaller scale required for a two year old. Flushed with success I dashed out to purchase a metre of this striking Babushka fabric that I had spotted in our local branch of Hobbycraft.<br />
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I loved the fabulous jewel colours that I knew my favourite little model would really suit. So once again, armed with a really old pattern I borrowed from my niece and a bit of design input from me, I set about producing my next designer dress.<br />
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So, after making decisions about colour and hem trim, I managed to come up with the complete garment.<br />
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Both my daughter Lynsey and Martha were delighted with it and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/handmadebymartha2">Handmade by Martha</a> rustled
up a coordinating pair of slides to add the finishing touch.<br />
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When, on one of my regular visits to my local branch of Boyes to gather haberdashery supplies, I spotted a range of black and cream coordinating fabrics that made we want to make yet another outfit. <br />
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I know that I should have made my selection there and then but instead I went home to look at patterns and consider my choice. Sadly, when I returned ready to make my purchase I had much less choice and my favourite one (at the bottom of the pile) had sold out.<br />
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<strong>My Selection</strong></div>
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I was rather disappointed that there were none with dark backgrounds but settled on the three above. I wanted yet another change of style so decided to use this 80s pattern in the hope that the finished dress would look more current than the one on the front.<br />
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<strong>Let Production Begin</strong></div>
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To complete the outfit I went on to make a little heart-shaped matching purse.</div>
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Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-6998520837436406982013-05-22T09:29:00.000-07:002013-05-22T09:29:11.749-07:00Designer Dresses<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
It is virtually unheard of but this is my second blog post of the day! </div>
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Just in case I give the impression that all I do these days is sit and knit I would like to redress the balance by reporting some of my other projects - that are still Martha related but involve getting out my lovely Benina sewing machine and the good old ironing board and iron. Consequently I need a decent chunk of time to make it worth while getting set up and that is something I'm a bit short on.</div>
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When I was studying for my degree in Textile and Surface Design I had to complete a fashion module. As I was a mature student (very mature!) I chose to work on children's fashion as I felt I was much more knowledgeable about this market than other areas and went on to design several dresses on the theme of "creatures that visit the garden". I loved every minute of it from dying fabrics, appliqueing motifs and embroidering details before making up the garment fronts. As a result I was awarded a Madeira Scholarship for this work!<br />
When I was given some lovely needle cord from my neice I dragged the samples out from their folder to act as inspiration for a pinefore I planned to make for Martha using this fabric. The samples happened to be the right size for her - much to the frustration of my daughter who would have liked the whole dress and not just the front.<br />
I set to work using an ancient pattern but adding my own twist to it.<br />
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<strong>The Construction Process</strong></div>
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<strong>The Fun Bit</strong></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabric Paints, Buttons and Embroidery</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha wearing grandma's creation.</td></tr>
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Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-59273327100655233882013-05-22T08:45:00.000-07:002013-05-22T08:45:34.584-07:00Knitting UpdateThis afternoon I found myself in the unusual position of having some time on my hands as husband Paul, daughter Lynsey and grandchildren Lucas and Martha have gone off to <a href="http://www.sevenstories.org.uk/">Seven Stories</a>, the National Centre for Children's Books, in Newcastle. Lucas, at 4 years old, is an excellent reader and was very excited about going - meanwhile I have the house to myself and decided to update some of my latest knitting projects into the folder of that name.<br />
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After updating this I realised that the current number of recent children's projects was a surprising nineteen with the score:<br />
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<strong>Martha 18 v Lucas 1</strong></div>
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I must say in my defense that one for Lucas was not a resounding success as the pure wool proved troublesome. On the other hand Martha loves all of hers and frequently asks "Are you Knitting me another cardi grandma?"</div>
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As she already had a plethera of hand knits I thought it wise to knit some in bigger sizes to put away but when I saw the Mia Mila pattern for the fairisle kimono style jacket I wanted her to wear it straight away (and very nearly knit it too small!). Here are some pics of the finished garment I previewed in my last post.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished Garment which was very challenging</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha modelling her new jacket</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"It doesn't really itch grandma"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VzV1NQx4rhI/UZzjj303yGI/AAAAAAAABk0/ibTfkh_azG0/s1600/swedish+fairisle+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VzV1NQx4rhI/UZzjj303yGI/AAAAAAAABk0/ibTfkh_azG0/s320/swedish+fairisle+3.JPG" width="240" ya="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha enjoying cake at Hidden Gems <br />
in Sedgefield</td></tr>
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This was quite an extravagent little number, as 12 balls of wool were needed, but at the end there was nearly half of it left so not being one to waste resources I used it up by knitting a waffled striped cardigan I knit originally for Martha's mum about 30 years ago.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O1J3lhRX96Q/UZzleWRDxBI/AAAAAAAABlE/TDvCDaDp_4w/s1600/227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O1J3lhRX96Q/UZzleWRDxBI/AAAAAAAABlE/TDvCDaDp_4w/s320/227.JPG" width="239" ya="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waffle stripes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished garment</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d-BDEUIRDg4/UZzlzbpBhuI/AAAAAAAABlU/DCxtxuuE5A4/s1600/245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d-BDEUIRDg4/UZzlzbpBhuI/AAAAAAAABlU/DCxtxuuE5A4/s320/245.JPG" width="239" ya="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha admiring her new cardigan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWaHf8bOK_Y/UZzl8JgCwtI/AAAAAAAABlc/hXbpNnZiymc/s1600/246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWaHf8bOK_Y/UZzl8JgCwtI/AAAAAAAABlc/hXbpNnZiymc/s320/246.JPG" width="239" ya="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing her dolly Florence </td></tr>
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The ripple effect was created by increasing in every stitch of the first row, and decreasing in every stitch of the last row, of every coloured stripe.</div>
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Since these two cardigans I have knitted a cotton shrug for our lovely British summer and have started a chunky gillet for the autumn so I will post these when i have more photos.</div>
Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-71356525728483463452013-02-14T05:29:00.002-08:002013-02-14T10:50:30.142-08:00Addicted to KnittingIt's been quite a while since I posted anything on my little blog. I can make all sorts of excuses, like being addicted to other forms of social media like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter - Oh and there's always Christmas - but the true reason if I'm honest is my <strong>obsession with knitting!</strong> What better way then to celebrate passing the 10 000 "hits" I've had on this blog than to update it with my latest knitting projects.<br />
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In November, when I last posted, I had just embarked on a bit of an experiment to use up some of my stash of yarn, some of which I have had since my kids were quite little. I had enjoyed knitting my grandaughter Martha a dress with a lacy yoke and hem which was knit from the neck down on circular needles. This was my inspiration for the pattern I invented for this balloon style striped dress.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-keFcbB1ySBI/URzepRW-XyI/AAAAAAAABZM/Ljdykd4_czs/s1600/stripe+dress+yarn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-keFcbB1ySBI/URzepRW-XyI/AAAAAAAABZM/Ljdykd4_czs/s200/stripe+dress+yarn.JPG" uea="true" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cotton DK yarn from stash</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vhEZe-SESYc/URzet-cOxWI/AAAAAAAABZU/en3hu-KEHjk/s1600/stripe+dress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vhEZe-SESYc/URzet-cOxWI/AAAAAAAABZU/en3hu-KEHjk/s200/stripe+dress.JPG" uea="true" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colour combination</td></tr>
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I absolutely love knitting on circular needles and nearly always choose to use them even when not knitting in the round<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33Y1huiaMwo/URzeSDR2iRI/AAAAAAAABYo/9JoZXG7cMdI/s1600/stripe+dress+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33Y1huiaMwo/URzeSDR2iRI/AAAAAAAABYo/9JoZXG7cMdI/s320/stripe+dress+1.JPG" uea="true" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished garment.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zvXDVLnGsTI/URzeY6SOm4I/AAAAAAAABYw/kQyxzdz07nA/s1600/stripe+dress+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zvXDVLnGsTI/URzeY6SOm4I/AAAAAAAABYw/kQyxzdz07nA/s200/stripe+dress+2.JPG" uea="true" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a great deal of debate of flower <br />
versus cherries the cherries won</td></tr>
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Martha is always a delight to knit for as she looks good in what ever she wears.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wr1ORHY9tXo/URzefkQtTiI/AAAAAAAABY8/yh603IS6sX8/s1600/stripe+dress+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wr1ORHY9tXo/URzefkQtTiI/AAAAAAAABY8/yh603IS6sX8/s320/stripe+dress+3.JPG" uea="true" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha standing on one of my upturned lucite tables<br />
- as you do!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZalB2XG_A_c/URzekGO2bHI/AAAAAAAABZE/yELpgzOjojI/s1600/stripe+dress+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZalB2XG_A_c/URzekGO2bHI/AAAAAAAABZE/yELpgzOjojI/s320/stripe+dress+4.JPG" uea="true" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also she has a bit of an obsession with <br />
washing her hands</td></tr>
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It didn't really seem possible but when it was finished I still had a lot of the green yarn left and quite a lot of smaller amounts of the other colours so I felt I had to use it up. This time I used the the pattern I had previously used for her checky cardigan but instead of using multi-colours I added the details by working sections in different stitches. I enjoyed the mathematical challenge of choosing ones that divided exactly into the total number of stitches I had for the back and two fronts (which I knit as one as far as the armholes) so that the patterns at the centre front are identical. I like knitting the whole body together because then you have no sides seams to pattern match and it looks much neater.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxGEV1TFOm0/URzkid8AIkI/AAAAAAAABak/_CX381Gi6yw/s1600/green+cardi+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxGEV1TFOm0/URzkid8AIkI/AAAAAAAABak/_CX381Gi6yw/s320/green+cardi+2.JPG" uea="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of cable section</td></tr>
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Sorry I didn't take many pictures of the different sections but you might be able to make them out on the finished garment. There are no model shots either as I knit it for next winter as she's not exactly short of hand knits.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished garment with striped yoke</td></tr>
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At the request of my daughter I embarked on a project to knit a chunky short sleeved cardigan in a tweed wool for Martha to wear with jeans. Unfortunately when I saw the pattern she had chosen I wasn't too keen so we decided I would use a pattern from a book I already had. This did however involve a bit of modification as the one I had had a hood and long sleeves. It soon became obvious, due to the dense nature of the knitting, that I was going to run out of wool. I contacted every branch of Hobbycraft in the North of England only to find that all of their current stock was of a different dye lot. Fortunately after an email to the manufacturer they sent me two balls of the correct one free of charge so I was able to complete it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xOysApqs07s/URzwn3-NrhI/AAAAAAAABdY/_ClBsGbfk8U/s1600/chunky+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xOysApqs07s/URzwn3-NrhI/AAAAAAAABdY/_ClBsGbfk8U/s320/chunky+3.JPG" uea="true" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completed cardigan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABzyj0o-9eI/URzwshiy0SI/AAAAAAAABdg/_tnnpDgCtZg/s1600/chunky+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ABzyj0o-9eI/URzwshiy0SI/AAAAAAAABdg/_tnnpDgCtZg/s320/chunky+4.JPG" uea="true" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of back showing pleat detail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of cable</td></tr>
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Marha's wardrobe of handknits have been much admired at many of the toddler groups she goes to and we are always happy to share the patterns. One lady was so grateful the next week she brought in a fabulous book of patterns by a swedish company called Millamia. We both loved a knitted coat in it but when we priced it it was going to be too expensive so iI knit it in a substitute wool and I'm pleased to say it worked out well.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-41-nL1_Epsk/URzy01onB4I/AAAAAAAABes/8WstBb9uezw/s1600/coat+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-41-nL1_Epsk/URzy01onB4I/AAAAAAAABes/8WstBb9uezw/s320/coat+1.JPG" uea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dh5eKg0EWII/URzy8hSEB5I/AAAAAAAABe0/LSs7saBP8IU/s1600/coat+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dh5eKg0EWII/URzy8hSEB5I/AAAAAAAABe0/LSs7saBP8IU/s320/coat+2.JPG" uea="true" width="283" /></a></div>
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It was a perfect fit and when Martha was asked to model it she struck up this pose.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a Cutie!</td></tr>
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When I was searching the internet to find out more about the thickness of the MillaMia yarn I can across another of their children's pattern books and it was a "must have". I fell in love with this gorgeous Fair Isle kimono.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cQuG1hBjl3k/URz1zf7gdeI/AAAAAAAABfU/Zf8JfgswKw4/s1600/fairisle+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cQuG1hBjl3k/URz1zf7gdeI/AAAAAAAABfU/Zf8JfgswKw4/s320/fairisle+2.JPG" uea="true" width="212" /></a></div>
We were straight out to the wool shop to select 10 colours of 4ply wool to get started.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colour selection</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">samples to match up with colours on chart</td></tr>
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It described the pattern as "challenging" but that didn't stop me deciding to "improve" it by knitting all three body pieces in one. This way there would be no pattern to match at the sides and would save me having to finish off quite so many ends!It is totally addictive, but as you are often working with 3 balls simultaneously and every row is different, progress is slow but this is how far I have got so far.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETJxntnOru8/URz4u-SdGbI/AAAAAAAABf4/G3kBOc2IaiI/s1600/fairisle+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETJxntnOru8/URz4u-SdGbI/AAAAAAAABf4/G3kBOc2IaiI/s320/fairisle+7.JPG" uea="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The different bands of pattern</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtr3CjC0rm8/URz2mAnWRTI/AAAAAAAABfk/NwnMsw7jiAY/s1600/fairisle+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtr3CjC0rm8/URz2mAnWRTI/AAAAAAAABfk/NwnMsw7jiAY/s200/fairisle+3.JPG" uea="true" width="149" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ldrkApFwQPQ/URz2g1pH47I/AAAAAAAABfc/hGjemJGj0dU/s1600/fairisle+4+JPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ldrkApFwQPQ/URz2g1pH47I/AAAAAAAABfc/hGjemJGj0dU/s200/fairisle+4+JPG.JPG" uea="true" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-im3GoXO6XOg/URz57apPUaI/AAAAAAAABhI/k3sBCNFHX-w/s1600/fairisle+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-im3GoXO6XOg/URz57apPUaI/AAAAAAAABhI/k3sBCNFHX-w/s320/fairisle+6.JPG" uea="true" width="239" /></a></div>
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Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-1238304552666622252012-11-09T09:30:00.000-08:002012-11-09T09:30:04.171-08:00The Garden Yarners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is just a quick post to tell you about a lovely new knitting and crochet group that my daughter-in-law Lynsey has started in her village of Whickham near Newcastle. I have posted an <a href="http://www.mavisglover.blogspot.co.uk/2012_09_01_archive.html">article earlier</a> about the wonderful "secret garden" (well almost as it is tucked away behind the main street) called the <a href="http://www.whickhamhermitagegarden.co.uk/">Whickham Hermitage Community Garden</a> and the group met there for the first time last Wednesday evening in the lovely surroundings of the Orangery cafe to knit or crochet.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Anq1ET1bbe8/UJ04YvER95I/AAAAAAAABWk/n18h1nTn_-k/s1600/IMG_4272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Anq1ET1bbe8/UJ04YvER95I/AAAAAAAABWk/n18h1nTn_-k/s200/IMG_4272.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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It was a really warm and friendly atmosphere and people chatted and exchanged ideas while being served tea and biscuits from the pretty vintage crockery of <a href="http://www.thewhistlingbunting.co.uk/">The Whistling Bunting</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrzpNnTOnvo/UJ06SNeYDDI/AAAAAAAABXE/ytFSP0RvaQ8/s1600/L&L.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrzpNnTOnvo/UJ06SNeYDDI/AAAAAAAABXE/ytFSP0RvaQ8/s200/L&L.JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
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Several members brought along books and magazines for others to browse and many ideas, from types of yarn to good places to buy it, were all talked about.<br />
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It was a select little group to start with but we hope that when more people get to know about it it will grow just like the wonderful plants in the garden where it all happens.</div>
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Why not join us at the next meeting on the first Wednesday in December from 6 - 7 30pm?</div>
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You can follow it on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/528981067129936/">Facebook</a></div>
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Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-10295552261790031812012-10-27T08:13:00.001-07:002012-10-28T08:35:52.204-07:00Keep Knitting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I received this card for my birthday it brought a smile to my face because that is exactly what I do, especially now I have grandchildren to knit for. Anyone who has been following my blog will have seen earlier posts dating back to April this year when I posted a <a href="http://www.mavisglover.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/marthas-new-cardi.html">smocked jacket</a> for Martha. Then there were a few last year, one in August and one in December, and these were a <a href="http://www.mavisglover.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/catching-up-with-projects.html">cerise cardigan</a> and another <a href="http://www.mavisglover.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/marthas-new-cardigan.html">jacket style cardigan</a> for which I wrote the pattern. Since then I have been so busy knitting I have neglected to share any of them with you so here is the last six months worth in one go!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kimono style jacket </td></tr>
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Lynsey and I saw this pattern in a shop in Northallerton and decided we "needed it" even though it was the wrong season but now there has been a change in the weather it's great with jeans.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9QtFov-L89Y/UI0qM5u6kuI/AAAAAAAABRI/-6fPcpuAuyE/s1600/Picture+178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9QtFov-L89Y/UI0qM5u6kuI/AAAAAAAABRI/-6fPcpuAuyE/s320/Picture+178.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chunky short sleeved jacket</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great with jeans</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zsIvxmT-H0k/UIv69_bdHQI/AAAAAAAABKs/W-xr8JstHlo/s1600/Picture+220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zsIvxmT-H0k/UIv69_bdHQI/AAAAAAAABKs/W-xr8JstHlo/s200/Picture+220.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LKf9jFURR-k/UI1EFGnVviI/AAAAAAAABSU/X0644saLcjo/s1600/Picture+217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LKf9jFURR-k/UI1EFGnVviI/AAAAAAAABSU/X0644saLcjo/s200/Picture+217.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clever pocket detail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I went to my favourite wool shop, Bobby Davisons in Hartlepool, to get the wool for the kimono I spotted this chunky knit jacket in the window so got the pattern and wool for this as well!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E6zUSuQBXRo/UIwAvdupz9I/AAAAAAAABL0/fwwqkeATqHQ/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E6zUSuQBXRo/UIwAvdupz9I/AAAAAAAABL0/fwwqkeATqHQ/s200/048.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chunky Knit cardi for the winter</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GYfjvQC_WjQ/UIwBDjtbQXI/AAAAAAAABL8/1jyXfJtwpcY/s1600/050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GYfjvQC_WjQ/UIwBDjtbQXI/AAAAAAAABL8/1jyXfJtwpcY/s200/050.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up to show embroidery <br />
and ribbon detail</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i0koQ59OjgI/UIwBX25r0EI/AAAAAAAABME/R6YkPljlOw8/s1600/checky+cardi+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i0koQ59OjgI/UIwBX25r0EI/AAAAAAAABME/R6YkPljlOw8/s200/checky+cardi+2.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn stroll to the duckpond</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TnQ1pV7FkTE/UIwBmzriHPI/AAAAAAAABMM/0cuDhkeNg8c/s1600/checky+cardi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TnQ1pV7FkTE/UIwBmzriHPI/AAAAAAAABMM/0cuDhkeNg8c/s200/checky+cardi.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At toddler group</td></tr>
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This is another great pattern from Bobby Davisons and I loved knitting it but when it came to the embroidery I had my "Maths head" on and got a bit frustrated by the fact that the no of loops were not a multiple of the second type of embroidery stitch so i just left it out rather than end a row with half a chevron<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMe6pxnCsIE/UI1GiH7poEI/AAAAAAAABSc/nIinEjDD0lA/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMe6pxnCsIE/UI1GiH7poEI/AAAAAAAABSc/nIinEjDD0lA/s200/049.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginning of the next assignment</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3eL0oJD_X5M/UI1G3O1nw4I/AAAAAAAABSk/M1Lyl4bZJG8/s1600/075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3eL0oJD_X5M/UI1G3O1nw4I/AAAAAAAABSk/M1Lyl4bZJG8/s200/075.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed cardi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVeuXMr8kwo/UI1HN5DnswI/AAAAAAAABSs/O6wM6lyASdg/s1600/076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVeuXMr8kwo/UI1HN5DnswI/AAAAAAAABSs/O6wM6lyASdg/s200/076.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of embroidery detail<br />
and cute buttons</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFzh73nhd60/UI1HnonN5CI/AAAAAAAABS4/yRIFSMYKdOY/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFzh73nhd60/UI1HnonN5CI/AAAAAAAABS4/yRIFSMYKdOY/s200/photo.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha sporting her new cardi at ABC</td></tr>
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This simple little yoked cardigan was dead easy to knit, a bit tricky getting a neat finish when picking up the loops for the yoke and definitely challenging for me to do random lazy daisy embroidery with no right or wrong placement.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-462RCVPWsVg/UIwDCAf2w4I/AAAAAAAABM4/318FRLA4BcI/s1600/098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-462RCVPWsVg/UIwDCAf2w4I/AAAAAAAABM4/318FRLA4BcI/s320/098.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For a change I knit a dress from the neck down</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4xs29f6Ownw/UIwDrUddDCI/AAAAAAAABNA/MxKyzV5G1nE/s1600/097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4xs29f6Ownw/UIwDrUddDCI/AAAAAAAABNA/MxKyzV5G1nE/s200/097.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My stitch markers came in very useful <br />
as keeping the pattern correct whilst <br />
increasing was a bit tricky</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eFqb3nqP4zA/UIwEF9XVE9I/AAAAAAAABNI/SmTUXSR8E8Q/s1600/201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eFqb3nqP4zA/UIwEF9XVE9I/AAAAAAAABNI/SmTUXSR8E8Q/s200/201.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completed dress</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSf8ZdAe7QA/UI1PuWKVl7I/AAAAAAAABVQ/BpXxwc2eg2Y/s1600/red+dress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSf8ZdAe7QA/UI1PuWKVl7I/AAAAAAAABVQ/BpXxwc2eg2Y/s200/red+dress.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha is always good at <br />
coordinating her accessories</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1pVYKv1z_YU/UI0pTRqub_I/AAAAAAAABRA/rGXo92-3yjQ/s1600/red+dress.2JPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1pVYKv1z_YU/UI0pTRqub_I/AAAAAAAABRA/rGXo92-3yjQ/s200/red+dress.2JPG.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perhaps not the most appropriate <br />
dress for a soft play area</td></tr>
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My daughter Lynsey spotted this dress pattern on the internet and we went off to buy the cotton yarn in our local branch of Boyes, where you are always granted good value for money. I loved the pattern so much I wanted to knit it but so did Lynsey and since she had spotted the pattern it seemed only right that she should. However we reached a compromise and decided we would both knit it but in different colours! </div>
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As I speak hers is not yet finished, as she does have a much busier lifestyle than me with 2 kids under 4 years, teaching part time and running <a href="http://www.handmadebymartha.blogspot.co.uk/">Handmade by Martha</a> a bespoke service making hair slides. I will just remind her though of the lovely cardigan she did that took so long it didn't fit!!!!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynsey's creation now destined for someone other than Martha</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fSfdr0nqZFc/UIwE_yKFQQI/AAAAAAAABNg/uzEj7xSkwnY/s1600/202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fSfdr0nqZFc/UIwE_yKFQQI/AAAAAAAABNg/uzEj7xSkwnY/s200/202.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I spotted this pattern and sequined wool <br />
and thought it would be ideal for <br />
Martha for her dance class</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TlmvCsDtVPs/UIwFp81-1YI/AAAAAAAABNo/90OV9I5AlKM/s1600/dance+bolero.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TlmvCsDtVPs/UIwFp81-1YI/AAAAAAAABNo/90OV9I5AlKM/s200/dance+bolero.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Project complete</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dZLJY68xCyc/UIwF2V30FLI/AAAAAAAABNw/bxJcAuTuP-U/s1600/dance+bolero+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dZLJY68xCyc/UIwF2V30FLI/AAAAAAAABNw/bxJcAuTuP-U/s320/dance+bolero+2.JPG" width="125" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini dancer </td></tr>
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As Martha at just 2years has joined S&N dance school she did of course need to look good so to coordinate with her leotard she needed a little bolero to keep warm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x2M__ypKKHU/UIwGNeLSwsI/AAAAAAAABN4/SNioHci8g_o/s1600/aran+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x2M__ypKKHU/UIwGNeLSwsI/AAAAAAAABN4/SNioHci8g_o/s200/aran+1.JPG" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aran "hoody"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bnQoS0PFPws/UIwGpJBjsNI/AAAAAAAABOA/Mz4jb0KPCxE/s1600/aran+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bnQoS0PFPws/UIwGpJBjsNI/AAAAAAAABOA/Mz4jb0KPCxE/s200/aran+2.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hood detail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPfo_CvjKrQ/UIwG2Pgb2pI/AAAAAAAABOI/8zksT_VQIr0/s1600/aran+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPfo_CvjKrQ/UIwG2Pgb2pI/AAAAAAAABOI/8zksT_VQIr0/s200/aran+3.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cable detail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DTPINaV53_k/UIwHFFzRLLI/AAAAAAAABOQ/wHr54F5LVr0/s1600/aran+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DTPINaV53_k/UIwHFFzRLLI/AAAAAAAABOQ/wHr54F5LVr0/s200/aran+4.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking a little uncomfortable</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HaCrUqfpqFQ/UIwHX08PUiI/AAAAAAAABOY/52akOKgqeXY/s1600/aran+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HaCrUqfpqFQ/UIwHX08PUiI/AAAAAAAABOY/52akOKgqeXY/s200/aran+6.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucas loved it at first.....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EydfwVdL0UQ/UIwHsMJAQJI/AAAAAAAABOg/8NsL140RBeM/s1600/aran+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" oea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EydfwVdL0UQ/UIwHsMJAQJI/AAAAAAAABOg/8NsL140RBeM/s200/aran+5.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... but soon realised that it itched</td></tr>
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I decided that after all these knits for Martha it was about time Lucas got his turn. I had started this navy aran jacked about 17 years ago, and the models on the pattern were definitely from another era, but basically it was a very classic knit. My son Matthew advised knitting the hooded version but I didn't have sufficient wool so on his advice I went for a contrast colour which I also introduced into the ribs and button bands. I was really pleased with the outcome but we did hit a snag when Lucas declared it was "itchy" round the neck but I'm sure this can be resolved with a shirt with a collar. Fingers crossed.<br />
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I've decided to stick with girly projects for now until we solve the scratchy problem <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selection of cotton DK from<br />
earlier projects</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random stripes</td></tr>
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After rummaging through my stash of yarns I discovered that I had sufficient of one type to knit another dress but this time in "random" stripes (well actually carefully planned to take into account how much of each colour I have) .</div>
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Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-3501349007754238472012-10-11T15:35:00.000-07:002012-10-14T10:19:33.418-07:00Gibside Estate<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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The Ruins of Gibside Hall</div>
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In my last blog post about the community garden at Whickham I mentioned that the former coal mines there had once been owned by the wealthy Bowes family who had their family home at Gibside Hall. Well last Sunday Paul and I decided to take advantage of the lovely autumn sunshine and join our son Matthew in a country walk and what better place to do this than <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside/">Gibside</a> in the Derwent Valley. The estate is now owned by the National Trust and although the Hall itself is now in ruins there are still some lovely buildings including the chapel which was built as a mausoleum by the architect James Paine.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gibside's Palladian style Chapel<br />
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The lady inside was lovely and gave us a potted history of the Bowes family which was just as exciting as plot from a soap opera today. In the 18th century a wealthy landowner called George Bowes owned the Gibside estate and in 1760, when he died, his daughter Mary Eleanor inherited it making her one of the richest women in Europe at that time. She later married John Lyon, 9th Earl of Strathmore & Kinghorne, from Glamis Castle in Scotland and they became known as the Bowes-Lyon family (from whom the late Queen Mother was a descendant).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the Bowes-Lyon family tree</td></tr>
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After the death of John, Mary Eleanor married Andrew Robinson Stoney and this was a disastrous union. Stoney, a fortune hunter, virtually imprisoned her and squandered their money but she did eventually divorce him and he spent the rest of his life in prison for debt.<br />
The 10th Earl, her son John Bowes, fell in love with his housekeeper and together they had a son, also called John,. In order for him to inherit his father married the boy's mother the day before he died. This was not well received by the rest of the family who fought to have the title removed from him but they were unable to prevent him inheriting his father's fortune. <br />
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The son later did the Grand Tour and, while in Paris, fell in love with Josephine, an actress,and married her. On returning to England they built a home in the French style at Barnard Castle which is now <a href="http://www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk/about/history/">Bowes Museum.</a><br />
So as you see the family was not without drama and intrigue!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Long Walk" looking towards The Column of Liberty</td></tr>
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After a leisurely stroll down the "Long Walk" taking in the views across to the orangery, ruined hall and the stable block we climbed up the hill to the base of the Column of Liberty and had a well earned rest in the autumn sunshine.
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There are miles of tranquil walks and the estate is a haven for wildlife with red kites often circling in the skies above. It also has a wildlife hide to view and photograph visitors such as cold tits, great tits and nuthatches so Matthew got in a bit of practise here before visiting the Potting Shed cafe.</div>
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It was a lovely experience and well worth a visit if you are in the area.</div>
Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-34478745112398041752012-09-12T13:59:00.002-07:002012-09-14T02:39:05.897-07:00A Secret Garden<br />
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Last weekend, along with my husband Paul and grandson Lucas, I headed off north to Whickham (near Newcastle) to see for myself the wonders of <a href="http://www.whickhamhermitagegarden.co.uk/">Whickham Community Garden</a> that I had heard lots of good things about from our son Matthew and daughter in law Lynsey.<br />
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Before I tell you about this garden I want to tell you about Whickham itself. It is a lovely village on the outskirts of Gateshead, quite high up on a ridge above the Tyne, with amazing views across to Newcastle. Both Bronze Age and Iron Age remains have been found and aerial photographs of the area taken in 1970, revealed crop markings in the shape of a playing card showing that there was a Roman Fort there in the fields of Washingwells Farm. I find this particularly interesting because in the 70's Paul and I used to dig at another Roman fort, Vinovium, in Co Durham at <a href="http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/roman%20britain/piercebridge.htm">Piercebridge,</a> where Dere Street crossed the River Tees, and no doubt some of the same soldiers who passed through that fort went on to Whickham. The fort at Whickham is thought to have been part of the <a href="http://www.roman-britain.org/frontiers/stanegate.htm">Stangate Frontier</a> (cA.D.105) built when Roman soldiers were withdrawing from Scotland and is a possible explanation to why the forts of this period stretched from Carlisle to Corbridge but not eastwards to the coast. [Hadrian's Wall wasn't built until c 130 A.D.]<br />
Amazingly this site is on the same farm that a very close friend of ours, Joan (1911 - 2011), spent many happy years. Her father farmed this land in the first half of the 20th century. The discovery of the fort was only made after the family had moved on to another farm at Wolviston and so they were totally unaware of its' importance as a Roman site.<br />
Whickham was a rich agricultural area even in Anglo-Saxon times and still has the remnants of a village green, around the church of St Mary the Virgin, which would have been much more extensive then to accommodate the villagers' livestock. It was however coal that became the chief commodity and records as far back as 1356 show the Bishop of Durham granting a lease to mine the coal. There was a massive expansion in mining here in the 16th century with coal being carted down to the River Tyne. These coal wains were horse drawn on wooden railways and the oldest railway bridge in the world, built in 1727, can be found 3 miles from Whickham at<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causey_Arch"> Causey Arch</a>. One wealthy mine owning family from that time were the Bowes whose family mansion was at nearby <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside/">Gibside</a>.<br />
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A wealthy Tyne keel owner, and owner of brewery at Swalwell, built his home, the Hermitage, in 1790 in Whickham. By the early 19th century it had a lavishly laid out garden including a watchtower that overlooked the Tyne Valley, a lake with a boathouse and bridge of a "willow pattern design", a pagoda and tennis courts adjacent to the lake. It is part of this that now forms the Whickham Community Garden.<br />
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Part of the garden was acquired by Gateshead Council but became neglected. In 2002 Dave Peacock formed a committee to try to gain planning permission to restore the gardens to their former glory.He was successful and work started in 2004, retaining many original features but the lake was reduced in size and is now a wildlife pond and bog garden. It also has an accessible vegetable garden with raised beds so that local children can gain hands on experience of gardening.<br />
I hope this selection of photographs speak for themselves and give credit to Dave, Gateshead Probation and Payback scheme and all the other volunteers who have made this project such a success.<br />
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Lucas had a lovely time as children were very well catered for and we enjoyed a nice cuppa in the newly opened Orangery Cafe where we were served by my lovely daughter in law Lynsey and son Matthew who acted as a guide.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Orangery Cafe and Lucas</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the cafe</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynsey behind the counter</td></tr>
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Next time you are up at the Metro Centre why not take a look for yourself. It is open daily between 10am and 4pm and well worth a visit.Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-58684473945937016552012-08-25T09:05:00.000-07:002012-08-25T16:48:24.590-07:00Middlesbrough's Artistic LegacyYesterday I met up with a group of good friends Jackie, Bev, Joy and Colleen to spend a very enjoyable day of catching up on what we have been up to since our last get together. We first met 7 years ago when we enrolled on our <em>Textile and Surface Design </em>degree course at Cleveland College of Art and Design and still keep in regular touch just over a year since graduating.<br />
This time we met up at Colleen's house and, after lots of tea and chatting, we set off for a visit behind the scenes at <a href="http://www.visitmima.com/">mima</a>. Colleen had organised with the archivist, Helen Welford, for us to take a look at their collection of paintings and ceramics that included many pieces from the old Middlesbrough Art Gallery that I fondly remember visiting in my younger days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R6G54xpI6B4/UDgA_Eb3-BI/AAAAAAAAA2E/T7VyNKaq0xc/s1600/St+Hilda's+Church+LS+Lowry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R6G54xpI6B4/UDgA_Eb3-BI/AAAAAAAAA2E/T7VyNKaq0xc/s320/St+Hilda's+Church+LS+Lowry.jpg" width="236" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>The Old Town Hall and St Hilda's Church</em><br />
by L S Lowry 1959</td></tr>
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Helen pulled out a painting of Middlesbrough by LS Lowry, which I had seen previously in an exhibition earlier this year at MIMA, and then allowed us to just pull out our own and browse at our leisure through the carefully, chronologically organised collections. <br />
There were many outstanding paintings e.g. two studies of nudes in pastel by Anthony Eaton, a dramatic oil painting by one of <a href="http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/glasgow-boys/">The Glasgow Boys</a> but my favourite by far was a modest sized oil painting, in the 1940s section, that Joy and I stumbled upon, entitled <em>Scullerry Sink </em>by a local Boro artist <a href="http://www.glynnporteous.co.uk/renes_favourites.html">Glynn Porteous</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f37cBSxb5Yc/UDf5mY9Oy_I/AAAAAAAAA1Q/bD-lrG9NrOA/s1600/scullery_sink_Glynn+Porteous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f37cBSxb5Yc/UDf5mY9Oy_I/AAAAAAAAA1Q/bD-lrG9NrOA/s320/scullery_sink_Glynn+Porteous.jpg" width="291" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Scullery Sink</em> by Glynn Porteous</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M1EcHLaDWvc/UDf5ohHLgzI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/WpeQ_4kV-ro/s1600/scullery_sink_sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M1EcHLaDWvc/UDf5ohHLgzI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/WpeQ_4kV-ro/s320/scullery_sink_sketch.jpg" width="220" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparatory sketch</td></tr>
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These pictures don't really do justice to this little gem of an oil painting so I recommend that you go and see for yourself.<br />
Another favourite artist of mine is <a href="http://gallerina.co.uk/mcguinness.html">Tom McGuiness</a>, who is one of the <em>Pitmen Painters</em> who were a group of working miners from the North East, and my husband and I are proud owners of a small but precious limited edidition a lithograph of his, entitled <em>Miners Going In Bye, </em>which we bought in 1977.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfzTkNEm_k0/UDjm-JiQCqI/AAAAAAAAA34/xXJsG9Ry30M/s1600/Our+Tom+McGuiness.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfzTkNEm_k0/UDjm-JiQCqI/AAAAAAAAA34/xXJsG9Ry30M/s320/Our+Tom+McGuiness.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Miners Going In Bye 1976 </em>by Tom McGuiness</td></tr>
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MIMA however have a magnificent oil painting entitled <em>Early Morning Shift</em> as well as 3 beautiful lithographs and etchings similar to ours and the one below.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l0R7sOFL_MM/UDjgzq4cdfI/AAAAAAAAA3A/t2EoM1Opcl4/s1600/TheATeamAPEtching+Tom+Mc+Guiness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l0R7sOFL_MM/UDjgzq4cdfI/AAAAAAAAA3A/t2EoM1Opcl4/s1600/TheATeamAPEtching+Tom+Mc+Guiness.jpg" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>The A Team</em> by Tom McGuiness</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xl6PWZ4CdRc/UDjkKXssgfI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/R-eUewBYHTY/s1600/Early+Morning+Shift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xl6PWZ4CdRc/UDjkKXssgfI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/R-eUewBYHTY/s320/Early+Morning+Shift.jpg" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Early Morning Shift 1959 </em>by Tom McGuiness. A large oil <br />
painting purchased by Middlesbrough Art Gallery in 1964</td></tr>
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After the excitment of the archives we paid a visit to one of the current exhibitions <em>Metadomestic </em>which includes ceramics, furniture, jewellery and film. The two pieces of work that caught my imagination were Martin Arnold's <em>Passage a l'acte </em>which was a visual equivalent of "scratching" using images from <em>To Kill a Mockingbird</em> and Veronica Schubert's 800 knitted black and white film frames. I really don't know how these artists come up with such concepts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6G0XvLH0Wb8/UDlhXsBbxFI/AAAAAAAAA7o/urPXuNhTO6k/s1600/Tomenos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6G0XvLH0Wb8/UDlhXsBbxFI/AAAAAAAAA7o/urPXuNhTO6k/s320/Tomenos.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Temenos</em> by Anish Kapoor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uRz8iRAWkBE/UDjzgAQba1I/AAAAAAAAA6Y/s_LKOtIhpyA/s1600/friends+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uRz8iRAWkBE/UDjzgAQba1I/AAAAAAAAA6Y/s_LKOtIhpyA/s320/friends+2.JPG" width="239" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good Friends at Temenos</td></tr>
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After yet another cuppa we happily went off to show Bev and Joy another part of Middlesbrough's artistic legacy situated at Middlehaven Dock. <a href="http://www.anishkapoor.com/157/Temenos.html">Temenos</a> by Anish Kapoor, currently in the news for having designed the sculpting <a href="http://www.anishkapoor.com/157/Temenos.html">Orbit Tower</a> for the Olympic Park, is a 110m long 50m high steel structure situated between the Riverside Stadium and the Transporter Bridge. I think they were quite taken with the sculpture and the industrial landscape that it is set in.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2lhG3aNTDao/UDlh1rn6Q2I/AAAAAAAAA7w/-cnfsHNW-fA/s1600/Orbit+Tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2lhG3aNTDao/UDlh1rn6Q2I/AAAAAAAAA7w/-cnfsHNW-fA/s320/Orbit+Tower.jpg" width="213" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Orbit</em> by Anish Kapoor at the Olympic Park</td></tr>
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To complete our trip we took the <a href="http://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1854">Transporter Bridge</a> to carry us across the river in its moving cage proving, despite what Auf Wiedersehen Pet claimed, it was not sent to Arizona!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6XBhTgVMlDQ/UDjzPirf_JI/AAAAAAAAA6I/4qgTg963b3k/s1600/transporter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6XBhTgVMlDQ/UDjzPirf_JI/AAAAAAAAA6I/4qgTg963b3k/s320/transporter.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the moving car deck.</td></tr>
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<br />Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-32972585150075589702012-08-05T10:43:00.000-07:002012-08-05T15:25:33.279-07:00Saltburn Arts FairToday my friend Bev (fellow alumni of CCAD) and I took ourselves off for a sunny Sunday morning trip to the Victorian sea-side town of Saltburn to visit their inaugural Saltburn Arts Fair. Firstly we called in at <a href="http://www.saltburnschool.co.uk/">The Salburn School</a> which has been saved from developers as a community venue by Saltburn Community & Arts Association and was being used as a gallery to display local artists work. We then walked a little further into the centre where there was a real buzz as people browsed the outdoor stalls bulging with paintings, pottery and textiles created by North East artists. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A crazy peddle powered mobile tea room blasting <br />
out tunes helped set a carnival atmosphere</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colleen, Bev and Lauren</td></tr>
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The first person we met was Lauren, also from CCAD, who was visiting from that other Yorshire beauty spot of Bridlington, and together we went off to find the stalls of two other ex-CCAD students who were exhibiting.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colleen's Stall</td></tr>
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Colleen had brought lots of work that we recognised from college plus a host of new products that she had been very busy screen printing from her home studio. These included cushions, lampshades and some retro chairs that she had upholstered herself. Check out her web site <a href="http://www.created-to-design.co.uk/">Created toDesign</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helen's Stall</td></tr>
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Helen Stevens was also a former student and part-time lecturer at CCAD but is now the creative genius behind an interiors company called <a href="http://www.surfacephilia.co.uk/">Surfacephelia</a> as well as the organiser of <a href="http://www.designersmarketplace.org.uk/">Designers' Marketplace</a>. She had brought her recently launched range of cushions along with her matching crockery and gift card ranges.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Sarah's beautiful sreen prints</td></tr>
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A very nice surprise was to see Sarah Heseltine from college, who graduated a few years ahead of Bev, Colleen and I. She too has set up a studio at her parents' farm and is producing some stunning gift products.You can see her work <a href="http://www.lillianshouse.blogspot.co.uk/">here</a><br />
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And what better way to round it all off than with coffee and cake in a vintage inspired cafe in Station Precinct called The Sitting Room.Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-76555068506022764892012-07-22T06:09:00.001-07:002012-07-23T16:23:46.516-07:00Vintage Tea Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "HfW cursive";"><strong>All Set Up and Looking Pretty</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "HfW cursive";">On Friday we held a vintage tea party at our house to raise funds towards the Blooming Great Tea Party campaign for <a href="http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/teaparty">Marie Curie Cancer Care</a> and it was FABULOUS! The idea was the brain child of my daughter-in-law Lynsey Glover who hires out her vintage crockery under the name of <a href="http://www.thewhistlingbunting.co.uk/">The Whistling Bunting</a>. She has organised several charity events but has previously had to hire a venue so this time my daughter, also called Lynsey, and I said that we would host the next event at my house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "HfW cursive";"> <strong>The Two Lynseys Ready for a Busy Afternoon</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "HfW cursive";">My best friend Alison is an amazing cook, as is my daughter, and so they set about baking cup cakes, lemon drizzle cakes, carrot muffins, banoffee cakes, raspberry and white chocolate cakes and a whole lot more including a huge fresh cream strawberry sponge. My sister was in charge of scones that included date and walnut, cheese, fruit varieties and of course the ever popular plain ones served with lashings of cream and topped with a strawberry.My contribution was a batch of Rocky Road as I'm not much of a cook but I did make the 4 of us matching aprons so we looked the part.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: HfW cursive;">The Guests Arrive</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: HfW cursive;">Alison and my Grandkids, Martha and Lucas</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "HfW cursive";"> </span><span style="font-family: "HfW cursive";"><strong>Lots of Chatting Inside......</strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: HfW cursive;">......and Outside</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: HfW cursive;">The Kids Enjoy Playing in the Garden</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "HfW cursive";">About 30 friends, relatives and neighbours turned up, some baring more lovely food, and, as we were blessed with a lovely sunny afternoon, people spilled out into the garden, which we had bedecked with bunting, to enjoy the lovely weather.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "HfW cursive";">It was great to see everyone chatting and enjoying themselves while having a nice cup of tea from a china cup and lush cakes displayed on vintage cake stands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "HfW cursive";"><strong>Still Looking Chilled After About 100 Cups had been Poured!</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "HfW cursive";">It was a fabulous way to spend a Friday afternoon and we raised £241 for a worthy cause at the same time.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-83938684498011264612012-07-02T11:35:00.001-07:002012-07-02T11:42:17.458-07:00Amsterdam - Day 3I have been able to return quite unexpectedly to my blog today as I thought I would be fully tied up with 2 lovely, but boisterous, grandchildren aged 1and 3 years old who have moved in while mum and dad go off with friends to see the Stone Roses in Manchester. Fortunately "Uncle Matthew" has paid us a visit and, along with grandad, they have gone off to see the owls at Kirkleatham Old Hall.<br />
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Well on our last day we decided to revisit the Van Gogh Museum that we had last visited nearly 40 years ago. Since it was just around the corner from our hotel we knew that we had plenty of time to take in a few more sites and this time we chose to do it by way of a canal cruise. The first leg of the journey we sailed the canals that we had walked along on our first day passing under the now familiar bridges.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new view point from which to admire the bridges</td></tr>
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It also meant that we got to see many of the houseboats that line the canals.<br />
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It was a very liesurely way to get to see the port area that we didn't manage on foot.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The harbour area north of Central Station including the <br />
EYE Film Institute, Science Centre NEMO and The National <br />
Maritime Museum</td></tr>
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On returning from our trip with the Blue Boat Company we enjoyed a spot of lunch in the open space near the Rijkmuseum before setting off to "what no visit to Amsterdam is complete without" i.e. the Van Gogh Museum.<br />
It dawned on us that when we first visited this museum it couldn't have been open for very long as it was built in 1973 and we went on a camping holiday to Holland around that time and one of the highlights was visiting it. We were not disappointed this time either as the route through allowed you to follow the short (he was only an artist from 1880 - 1890) but very productive (800 paintings, 1000 drawings and a large number of watercolours,lithographs and sketches) career. <br />
What also helped set every thing in context was the many letters to his brother Theo and some of his friends, including Paul Gaugin, which you can read <a href="http://www.vangoghletters.org/">here</a>.<br />
Van Gogh was largely self-taught with only a few classes at academies in Brussels and Anterp and as a result he developed a very unique style. I hope that the images of his work, which represent the different phases of his working life, inspire you as they have many artists over the years.<br />
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Early Work To 1886</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BMc1fRNUXq8/T_HUE4TbFLI/AAAAAAAAAuw/VW50azTucKM/s1600/Pollarded+birches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BMc1fRNUXq8/T_HUE4TbFLI/AAAAAAAAAuw/VW50azTucKM/s1600/Pollarded+birches.jpg" vca="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Pollard Birches</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qSLe8SRflug/T_HU5pYuYiI/AAAAAAAAAu4/NnEeHYmeA9Q/s1600/potato+eaters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qSLe8SRflug/T_HU5pYuYiI/AAAAAAAAAu4/NnEeHYmeA9Q/s1600/potato+eaters.jpg" vca="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Potato Eaters</em></td></tr>
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Paris 1886-1888</h4>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sjQT8Ccme-8/T_HVToEiaUI/AAAAAAAAAvA/cpx8bYHksAQ/s1600/Portrait+of+Theo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sjQT8Ccme-8/T_HVToEiaUI/AAAAAAAAAvA/cpx8bYHksAQ/s1600/Portrait+of+Theo.jpg" vca="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Portrait of Theo</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eAbbDge2cjk/T_HVfrfyAVI/AAAAAAAAAvI/mv1M62EfyTw/s1600/Small+Pear+Tree+in+blossom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eAbbDge2cjk/T_HVfrfyAVI/AAAAAAAAAvI/mv1M62EfyTw/s320/Small+Pear+Tree+in+blossom.jpg" vca="true" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Small Pear Tree</em><br />
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Arles 1888-1889 </h4>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BEfENK5C1c0/T_HWD0l_b4I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/mDSekaR0TRI/s1600/Sunflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BEfENK5C1c0/T_HWD0l_b4I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/mDSekaR0TRI/s1600/Sunflowers.jpg" vca="true" /></a></h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Sunflowers</em></td></tr>
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Saint-Remy 1889-1890 </h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kHFEhucXkJk/T_HW2QcyfoI/AAAAAAAAAvY/FGhPbZN3Pfs/s1600/The+Garden+at+St+Pauls+Hospital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kHFEhucXkJk/T_HW2QcyfoI/AAAAAAAAAvY/FGhPbZN3Pfs/s1600/The+Garden+at+St+Pauls+Hospital.jpg" vca="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>The Garden at St Paul's Hospital</em><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uamsp6AdmC0/T_HXSNfsLmI/AAAAAAAAAvg/fI3P7NHMbTg/s1600/Irises.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uamsp6AdmC0/T_HXSNfsLmI/AAAAAAAAAvg/fI3P7NHMbTg/s1600/Irises.jpg" vca="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irises</td></tr>
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Auvers 1890</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Y7t3pBqJT0/T_HX4KYKWzI/AAAAAAAAAvo/5e7wMuu7Sfg/s1600/View+of+Auvers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Y7t3pBqJT0/T_HX4KYKWzI/AAAAAAAAAvo/5e7wMuu7Sfg/s1600/View+of+Auvers.jpg" vca="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>View of Auvers</em><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CqjUJETZ0bU/T_HYEEGTiKI/AAAAAAAAAvw/Z6v18QIjh2k/s1600/Wheatfield+with+Crows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CqjUJETZ0bU/T_HYEEGTiKI/AAAAAAAAAvw/Z6v18QIjh2k/s400/Wheatfield+with+Crows.jpg" vca="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Wheatfields with Crows</em></td></tr>
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Well the family did return quicker than I could complete this little blog post but from the photos below you can see that they had a good time.</div>
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</div>Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-4799456006770892112012-06-29T10:45:00.002-07:002012-06-29T15:40:04.735-07:00AmsterdamThis time last week my husband Paul and I were enjoying a wonderfully cultural break in the city of Amsterdam. After a short flight from our local airport (Schiphol is about the only airport, other than Aberdeen, that you can fligh directly to from Durham Tees Valley!) we arrived in glorious sunshine and checked in to our hotel in a lovely leafy street in the Museum District.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_b8xstit60k/T-2zCVXcLMI/AAAAAAAAArE/m_oHNq84oRA/s1600/hotel+Aalders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_b8xstit60k/T-2zCVXcLMI/AAAAAAAAArE/m_oHNq84oRA/s320/hotel+Aalders.jpg" vca="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was still only about 9 o' clock and we were ready for a day of walking and exploring all of the streets and canals of this beautiful 17th Century city.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wg7EHmoehww/T-20N8yXUnI/AAAAAAAAArU/DGim0vsslVg/s1600/canals+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wg7EHmoehww/T-20N8yXUnI/AAAAAAAAArU/DGim0vsslVg/s320/canals+2.jpg" vca="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the multitude of picturesque canals</td></tr>
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If there are canals then there have to be bridges to cross them and some of the designs for these are quintissentially Dutch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XKUjW4IWCbk/T-21G0SVgaI/AAAAAAAAArc/e6jCtqcWdaA/s1600/bridges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XKUjW4IWCbk/T-21G0SVgaI/AAAAAAAAArc/e6jCtqcWdaA/s320/bridges.jpg" vca="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the plethera of bridges including the historic Magere Brug</td></tr>
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Wandering the historic streets you soon get used to the fact that they drive on the "wrong" side of the road but I don't think we would EVER be able to anticipate when and where you would find a cohort of bikes heading straight for you. These were not mad youths out to scare the tourists but business men, mothers with there children in wooden boxes strapped to the front and old ladies, obviously fitter than myself, returning home with their shopping. It was blatently obvious that Health and Safety is not what it is in our somewhat "nanny" state as there was no sign of seat belts for the kids or bike helmets, even for scooters and mopeds.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ubiquitous bike found tied to every railing</td></tr>
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Day 2 meant we now had a feel for the place and we set off, via the floating flower market, to visit a recently opened exhibition of Impressionist paintings at the Amsterdam Hermitage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iOjRhseu3Zo/T-26UufrZBI/AAAAAAAAAr4/LXxqULFdd_I/s1600/flower+market+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iOjRhseu3Zo/T-26UufrZBI/AAAAAAAAAr4/LXxqULFdd_I/s320/flower+market+1.jpg" vca="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The floating flower market ....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QcM1S46eZYY/T-26e8OB-WI/AAAAAAAAAsA/qVfNmSO6D04/s1600/flower+market+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QcM1S46eZYY/T-26e8OB-WI/AAAAAAAAAsA/qVfNmSO6D04/s320/flower+market+2.jpg" vca="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...with its amazing collection of bulbs, plants and cut flowers.</td></tr>
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A few years back we had visited the Hermitage in St Petersburg where we were amazed at the extent that Russian merchants, as well as nobility and the imperial family, collected the "new" French paintings from the second half of the 19th century. Business men likeSergey Shchukin and Ivan Morozov were not patrons of these new artists but obsessive collectors who seemed to foresee the future. After the Russian Revolution their collections were nationalised and eventually divided between the Hermitage in St Petersburg and the Pushkin Museum in Moscow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-24ENI15a99I/T-3GlVURUWI/AAAAAAAAAsM/QLc5Cls2rXo/s1600/Hermitage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-24ENI15a99I/T-3GlVURUWI/AAAAAAAAAsM/QLc5Cls2rXo/s320/Hermitage.jpg" vca="true" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>The Smoker </em>by Paul Cezanne 1891</td></tr>
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What we loved most about this exhibition "Sensation & Inspiration" was the way it has put this collection of Impressionist paintings from St Petersburg in their artistic context. It includes paintings by their predecessors, contempories and successors. It starts by taking you to the Paris of the Salons i.e. the great, official exhibitions where impressionist canvases were refused entry. Classical paintings were carefully staged scenes of a historic, biblical or mythological events (compared with landscapes and city scenes depicting everyday life such as boating trips, Paris cafes and informal portraits). Their colourful "impressions" were seen as shocking and radical.<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Predecessors and Contempories</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wzU8rhqLKpk/T-3OOaXLMBI/AAAAAAAAAsY/7dwt3hMhzG8/s1600/sale+of+a+slave+girl+in+Rome+Gerome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wzU8rhqLKpk/T-3OOaXLMBI/AAAAAAAAAsY/7dwt3hMhzG8/s320/sale+of+a+slave+girl+in+Rome+Gerome.jpg" vca="true" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Sale of a Slave Girl</em> <em>in Rome</em> by Jean-Leon Gerome<br />
1884</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZ45j4hduqE/T-3PG0FIHPI/AAAAAAAAAsg/qmZMCyCmtPo/s1600/lion+hunt+in+morocco+Delacroix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mZ45j4hduqE/T-3PG0FIHPI/AAAAAAAAAsg/qmZMCyCmtPo/s320/lion+hunt+in+morocco+Delacroix.jpg" vca="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Lion Hunt in Morocco </em>by French Romantic artist Eugene Delacroix 1854</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uc8f-myrjmc/T-3RENX6ynI/AAAAAAAAAso/ihy9Qiih5CU/s1600/Landscape+of+a+ploghman+Rousseau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uc8f-myrjmc/T-3RENX6ynI/AAAAAAAAAso/ihy9Qiih5CU/s320/Landscape+of+a+ploghman+Rousseau.jpg" vca="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Landscape with a Ploughman, </em>1860-65, by artist Theodore Rousseau <br />
of the Barbizon School (who were considered forerunners <br />
of the Impressionists as the painted in the open air).</td></tr>
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Impressionists</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTrzY7yejEw/T-3U2qkexwI/AAAAAAAAAs0/3KTSK_Yjeu0/s1600/Lady+in+garden+1867+claude_monet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTrzY7yejEw/T-3U2qkexwI/AAAAAAAAAs0/3KTSK_Yjeu0/s320/Lady+in+garden+1867+claude_monet.jpg" vca="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Woman in Garden </em>by Claude Renoir 1873</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjIa245R170/T-3WvX01GzI/AAAAAAAAAs8/ifN6fG2Qcho/s1600/Portrait+of+Actress+Jeanne+Samary+Renoir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><em><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjIa245R170/T-3WvX01GzI/AAAAAAAAAs8/ifN6fG2Qcho/s320/Portrait+of+Actress+Jeanne+Samary+Renoir.jpg" vca="true" width="183" /></em></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Portrait of the Actress Jeanne Samary</em><br />
by Pierre-Auguste Renoir 1878</td></tr>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Post- Impressionists</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JA32TRrjmcw/T-3YXCCvqGI/AAAAAAAAAtE/54iKIqL3NMU/s1600/woman-holding-a-fruit-1893_jCezanne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JA32TRrjmcw/T-3YXCCvqGI/AAAAAAAAAtE/54iKIqL3NMU/s320/woman-holding-a-fruit-1893_jCezanne.jpg" vca="true" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Woman with Fruit </em>by Paul Gaugin 1893</td></tr>
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Even though Vincent van Gogh was born in Holland and not France the total lack of reference to him surprised us because he did do much of his work in France and the Hermitage collection includes some of his best work. We later discovered that when the Van Gogh Museum closes for refurbishment a new wing will be opened in the Hermitage dedicated to his contribution to the Impressionist Movement.<br />
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Just around the corner from the Hermitage we visited the botanic gardens where we had lunch in a lovely outdoor court yard. They were first established in 1638 as a medical herb garden but in the 17th and 18th century they included exotic ornamental plants and spices brought back by ships of the Dutch East India Company.<br />
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We have been to bigger, and probably better, but this little gem had a butterfly house, a palm house, that is over 100 years old, and a lovely collection of my favourite carnivorous plants.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAwGhtVgr8M/T-3nudR96LI/AAAAAAAAAtY/LaT27cjee0M/s1600/botanic+gardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAwGhtVgr8M/T-3nudR96LI/AAAAAAAAAtY/LaT27cjee0M/s320/botanic+gardens.jpg" vca="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterflies and the historic Palm House</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtKh7gLgIig/T-3oDwyCSbI/AAAAAAAAAtg/MM6xVUU8XmI/s1600/carvornivorous+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dtKh7gLgIig/T-3oDwyCSbI/AAAAAAAAAtg/MM6xVUU8XmI/s320/carvornivorous+1.jpg" vca="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My all time favourite carnivorous pitcher plants (Sarracenia)</td></tr>
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Well it is getting very near tea time and so I will save "Day 3" and the Van Gogh Museum for a later post. It will be worth calling back to take a peak.</div>Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-63623111388882940682012-06-05T10:24:00.000-07:002012-06-05T13:40:50.307-07:00The Chelsea Flower Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't believe after all the cold and damp of the Jubilee celebrations that just over a week ago my son Matthew, daughter-in-law Lynsey and I were basking in glorious sunshine at the Chelsea Flower Show. We had looked forward to this since getting the tickets as a Christmas present and we weren't disappointed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vqYff7OLoEY/T84GjrLPmmI/AAAAAAAAAno/L2OFc0n3rVI/s1600/Brewin-Dophin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="119" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vqYff7OLoEY/T84GjrLPmmI/AAAAAAAAAno/L2OFc0n3rVI/s320/Brewin-Dophin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brewin Dolphin Show Garden</td></tr>
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Equipped with our map of the site we planned our route and the first show garden we came to, the Dolphin Brewin garden, just happened to have won Best in Show. It was beautiful as it combined the formal structures of yew topiary and beech hedges with lots of herbaceous planting. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ekiIxn1AObA/T84KF1Vq07I/AAAAAAAAAn0/Atf9X_ZtCd4/s1600/blog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ekiIxn1AObA/T84KF1Vq07I/AAAAAAAAAn0/Atf9X_ZtCd4/s320/blog+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolphin Brewin Garden</td></tr>
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The next garden didn't seem at all out of place in the sweltering heat of Chelsea.It was Trailfinders Australian Garden.<br />
This one was designed by Jason Hodges and was much more about features such as a plunge pool, barbecue and pizza oven (all the things essential in an aussie backyard) rather than the planting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NQi82CAf6RE/T84PJmAC3CI/AAAAAAAAAoA/SY6qfBnqWGA/s1600/blog+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NQi82CAf6RE/T84PJmAC3CI/AAAAAAAAAoA/SY6qfBnqWGA/s320/blog+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trailfinders Australian Garden</td></tr>
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The next garden, which featured a Victorian greenhouse set in an English country garden, more than made up for the lack of flowers with its' amazing show of blooms.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3s6YitZJHME/T84URedQmyI/AAAAAAAAAoM/0uZDLf3RBPs/s1600/blog+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3s6YitZJHME/T84URedQmyI/AAAAAAAAAoM/0uZDLf3RBPs/s320/blog+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Country Greenhouses Garden</td></tr>
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We went on to visit, Fresh Gardens, a new for 2012. These smaller gardens had no brief and so no constraint and consequently some quirky new ideas emerged including the QR Code Garden which was very appropriate as it was also the first year that smart technology had been used at the RHS.I had already noticed the QR codes earlier and enjoyed using my QR reader app on my phone to try and get more details of some of the plants I had really liked.<br />
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By now it was time for refreshments and so Lynsey and I enjoyed a cool glass of Pimms.<br />
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After our refreshments we headed for the remaining large show gardens.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homebase Teenage Cancer Trust Garden</td></tr>
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This lovely garden, designed by the television gardener Joe Swift, had four bold cedar wood structures that framed the foliage but the stunning part was the colour palette of burgundy and rusty brown. For this alone it deserved its Gold Award.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OmcbExch8kA/T84mnmxV_KI/AAAAAAAAApI/qkWh_DCFzBY/s1600/blog+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OmcbExch8kA/T84mnmxV_KI/AAAAAAAAApI/qkWh_DCFzBY/s320/blog+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The World Vision Garden, The Laurent-Perrier Bicentenary <br />
Garden and TheArthritis UK Garden.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Joq3hRcVbw4/T84sn1YFLuI/AAAAAAAAApU/EZ6hT1OEzVk/s1600/blog+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Joq3hRcVbw4/T84sn1YFLuI/AAAAAAAAApU/EZ6hT1OEzVk/s320/blog+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Telegraph Garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-APaYZP1h1cY/T84t6og_WjI/AAAAAAAAApc/cvI1wJPoYQo/s1600/blog+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-APaYZP1h1cY/T84t6og_WjI/AAAAAAAAApc/cvI1wJPoYQo/s320/blog+10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The RBC Blue Water Garden</td></tr>
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Our last stop before lunch was Diarmuid Gavin's giant pyramid shaped terraced garden. It won the award for "most creative show garden" which I'm sure you will have seen on the BBC when it had Chelsea pensioners forming a guard of honour on each of the seven levels.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Westland Magical Garden</td></tr>
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After a sit down and a bite to eat we looked forward to exploring the Artisan Gardens, mainly because they were set in the tranquil wooded Ranelagh Gardens which provided welcome shade. We were in for some lovely surprises as designers such as Kaffe Fassett and Orla Kiely had some amazing sheds and summer houses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6XCG_uZI2VM/T841-9F2NII/AAAAAAAAAp0/_mCjQAjIdC0/s1600/blog+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6XCG_uZI2VM/T841-9F2NII/AAAAAAAAAp0/_mCjQAjIdC0/s400/blog+12.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaffe Fassett's summerhouse</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orla Kiely's shed</td></tr>
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The garden I most wanted to see in the whole show was the Satoyama Life Japanese garden. It was designed to reflect the symbiosis between our lives and nature and reflect the simple life of the Satoyama region of Japan It was tranquil and absolutely gorgeous and definitely deserved to win Best Artisan Garden.It made me want to go back and visit Japan again. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ADt37WtKQHc/T847lIvNIiI/AAAAAAAAAqM/DXGliyOyyKE/s1600/blog+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="227" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ADt37WtKQHc/T847lIvNIiI/AAAAAAAAAqM/DXGliyOyyKE/s320/blog+14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Satoyama Life Garden</td></tr>
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There were lots of other stunning artisan gardens but none compare with this little gem.<br />
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All that remained for our tired little feet to do was get us to the Grand Pavilion to soak up the atmosphere and select a few to special plants to drool over. i was delighted when the first display I saw on entering was Hewitt-Cooper's carnivorous plant display. I had become fascinated by these after visiting Charles Darwin's house in Kent and I went on to feature these in both fabric and wallpaper designs for my Final Major Project at college.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hfahnB6fp7w/T849zZCwq5I/AAAAAAAAAqk/Kvuu8TuYSAo/s1600/Carniverous+plants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hfahnB6fp7w/T849zZCwq5I/AAAAAAAAAqk/Kvuu8TuYSAo/s1600/Carniverous+plants.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hewitt-Cooper Carnivorous Plants</td></tr>
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I will leave you with some delightful bulbs that caught my eye.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8NemRLlEnE/T84_zQWOFLI/AAAAAAAAAqw/3RqXn3mdtFw/s1600/blog+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="283" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8NemRLlEnE/T84_zQWOFLI/AAAAAAAAAqw/3RqXn3mdtFw/s400/blog+15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tulip, Fritillaria and Alliums</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-21239563056706677202012-05-30T15:48:00.000-07:002012-05-31T03:00:47.455-07:00Family Trip to LondonLast Thursday we set off for a family visit to London. This trip was planned before Christmas by both my daughter Lynsey and son in law Nathan as a "thank you" to Paul and I for looking after our two grandchildren a couple of days each week while Lynsey works.This was totally unnecessary but a wonderful surprise. To top it off our son Matthew and his wife Lynsey arranged to whisk me away with them to the Chelsea Flower Show on one of the days we were there. This was something I always wanted to do but, because it always falls in term time, I have previously been unable to do (because of teaching or college commitments) - but not any longer!<br />
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From getting on the train in Darlington to arriving back there it was a really special time as I hope you can see from the selection of snaps below.</div>
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<strong><u>The Journey Down</u></strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xPD24cAfN5s/T8Z5e6xbVmI/AAAAAAAAAjw/K89xgNHnFXc/s1600/Martha+on+train+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xPD24cAfN5s/T8Z5e6xbVmI/AAAAAAAAAjw/K89xgNHnFXc/s320/Martha+on+train+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pass me a cherry please Matthew"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSyBzBtD2K8/T8Z5zP3mDiI/AAAAAAAAAj4/pSpYZx5-hOs/s1600/Lucas+on+train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSyBzBtD2K8/T8Z5zP3mDiI/AAAAAAAAAj4/pSpYZx5-hOs/s320/Lucas+on+train.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucas loved his fishing game from his comic</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8u9ijCjn7M/T8Z7LwmHVOI/AAAAAAAAAkA/2uee8_Wvoso/s1600/Martha+on+train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8u9ijCjn7M/T8Z7LwmHVOI/AAAAAAAAAkA/2uee8_Wvoso/s320/Martha+on+train.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you believe we had a whole carriage to ourselves!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HZA58La7-9g/T8aWCt3jEFI/AAAAAAAAAlI/7jyWwPI5htg/s1600/Martha+on+train+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HZA58La7-9g/T8aWCt3jEFI/AAAAAAAAAlI/7jyWwPI5htg/s320/Martha+on+train+3.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist in the making?</td></tr>
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<strong><u>The Natural History Museum</u></strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QdPxF2UtxtU/T8aPBGG04CI/AAAAAAAAAkM/cypxY9_E43w/s1600/Picture+096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QdPxF2UtxtU/T8aPBGG04CI/AAAAAAAAAkM/cypxY9_E43w/s320/Picture+096.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting in the sun waiting for the fellas to take the cases to the hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZEF8uIDwVc/T8afZ8qWB4I/AAAAAAAAAmk/nyFkmVXBSTw/s1600/Lucas+nhm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZEF8uIDwVc/T8afZ8qWB4I/AAAAAAAAAmk/nyFkmVXBSTw/s200/Lucas+nhm.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to keep cool</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qqlE0Z8xv6Q/T8ahhWrj6DI/AAAAAAAAAm8/YmWqh9Xge3A/s1600/Matthew+at+nhm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qqlE0Z8xv6Q/T8ahhWrj6DI/AAAAAAAAAm8/YmWqh9Xge3A/s320/Matthew+at+nhm.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew back from the hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5PoCJvOYkI/T8aQxSN-beI/AAAAAAAAAkg/eKae99dT4AY/s1600/Lucas+at+nhm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D5PoCJvOYkI/T8aQxSN-beI/AAAAAAAAAkg/eKae99dT4AY/s320/Lucas+at+nhm.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucas' name magically appears on <br />
the screen below the Diplodicus <br />
- the wonders of mobile phones<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWSgK4ZZ_C4/T8aQHJcGbRI/AAAAAAAAAkU/pX7MejXnTZ8/s1600/Dippy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wWSgK4ZZ_C4/T8aQHJcGbRI/AAAAAAAAAkU/pX7MejXnTZ8/s320/Dippy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straight from the mouth of a 3yr old "W.O.W. Wow"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j38mpLyryaY/T8agXs98yrI/AAAAAAAAAmw/BnFa89ClT_c/s1600/Lucas+at+nhm+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j38mpLyryaY/T8agXs98yrI/AAAAAAAAAmw/BnFa89ClT_c/s320/Lucas+at+nhm+2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After visiting the museum shop</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TkqOoo2O_0I/T8aR4HSJL7I/AAAAAAAAAko/Dnue_yiI8fc/s1600/Lucas+p+%2526l+atnhm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TkqOoo2O_0I/T8aR4HSJL7I/AAAAAAAAAko/Dnue_yiI8fc/s200/Lucas+p+%2526l+atnhm.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 generations enjoy seeing the T-Rex anamoton</td></tr>
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<strong><u>Kensington Palace Gardens</u></strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d6WrCXUF0aU/T8aUbE0WB-I/AAAAAAAAAk4/HPftYB6ssGU/s1600/Lucas+at+nhs+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d6WrCXUF0aU/T8aUbE0WB-I/AAAAAAAAAk4/HPftYB6ssGU/s320/Lucas+at+nhs+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucas picking daisies...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lFd1UhhVrxs/T8aU2ao2llI/AAAAAAAAAlA/0uRBWE-huQ8/s1600/Lynsey+Mc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lFd1UhhVrxs/T8aU2ao2llI/AAAAAAAAAlA/0uRBWE-huQ8/s320/Lynsey+Mc.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....to adorn Auntie Lynsey</td></tr>
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<strong><u>The London Eye</u></strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_a1lBOVMt58/T8aXMeLdycI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/yTEY4nZxOPU/s1600/London+Eye.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_a1lBOVMt58/T8aXMeLdycI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/yTEY4nZxOPU/s320/London+Eye.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue skies all the way</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JYmKqICr_k4/T8aXtOOk_WI/AAAAAAAAAlY/PxnuJFHOCic/s1600/London+Eye.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JYmKqICr_k4/T8aXtOOk_WI/AAAAAAAAAlY/PxnuJFHOCic/s320/London+Eye.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hegarty branch of the family</td></tr>
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<strong><u>Buckingham Palace</u></strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RNn2PvLak7Q/T8aYjD88OZI/AAAAAAAAAlg/auAwXEQSo4E/s1600/London+gaurds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RNn2PvLak7Q/T8aYjD88OZI/AAAAAAAAAlg/auAwXEQSo4E/s320/London+gaurds.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Changing of the Guard<br />
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<strong><u>Hamleys</u></strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zKb4lotAt9I/T8aaFUlYKoI/AAAAAAAAAlo/gnzFZKGVnLo/s1600/Lucas+hamleys.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zKb4lotAt9I/T8aaFUlYKoI/AAAAAAAAAlo/gnzFZKGVnLo/s320/Lucas+hamleys.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucas in Toy Heaven</td></tr>
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<strong><u>The Science Museum</u></strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hvLihhMxu10/T8abh9K-2AI/AAAAAAAAAl4/_sNK6_zrShE/s1600/Martha+lights.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hvLihhMxu10/T8abh9K-2AI/AAAAAAAAAl4/_sNK6_zrShE/s320/Martha+lights.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha learns about secondary colours - CYM</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJ2s00pMuCo/T8abwcJwrpI/AAAAAAAAAmA/Nf2_dZ1oviQ/s1600/Lucas+mirrors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJ2s00pMuCo/T8abwcJwrpI/AAAAAAAAAmA/Nf2_dZ1oviQ/s320/Lucas+mirrors.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucas studies concave & convex mirrors</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WKrhYZs3lkM/T8ab917ZEEI/AAAAAAAAAmI/n0R8aN7vq8U/s1600/Lucas+Sc+Mus+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WKrhYZs3lkM/T8ab917ZEEI/AAAAAAAAAmI/n0R8aN7vq8U/s320/Lucas+Sc+Mus+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Experimenting with sound</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6txnmp1MNPE/T8acaYt3HLI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/LNLka2O4K_I/s1600/Martha+Sc+Mus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6txnmp1MNPE/T8acaYt3HLI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/LNLka2O4K_I/s320/Martha+Sc+Mus.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha investigates fluid flow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gBxPXjVAyo/T8aa_sYUm_I/AAAAAAAAAlw/QkTNFr2AnYg/s1600/Lucas+Sc+Mus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5gBxPXjVAyo/T8aa_sYUm_I/AAAAAAAAAlw/QkTNFr2AnYg/s320/Lucas+Sc+Mus.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What is it about kids and space?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-drAJj2U-7UI/T8acnq54-BI/AAAAAAAAAmY/sDBluufrQkc/s1600/Lucas+astronaut.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-drAJj2U-7UI/T8acnq54-BI/AAAAAAAAAmY/sDBluufrQkc/s200/Lucas+astronaut.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Lucas the astronaut</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IMoUivu8_Gs/T8dA7-iyyeI/AAAAAAAAAnI/WUZmjX4rsAw/s1600/Martha+&+babycchino.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IMoUivu8_Gs/T8dA7-iyyeI/AAAAAAAAAnI/WUZmjX4rsAw/s320/Martha+&+babycchino.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After all this fun time for a babyccino</td></tr>
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I will let you see all the amazing gardens at Chelsea in a seperate post <br />
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<img height="96" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TkqOoo2O_0I/T8aR4HSJL7I/AAAAAAAAAko/Dnue_yiI8fc/s320/Lucas+p+%2526l+atnhm.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 559px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 2819px; visibility: hidden;" width="64" /> <br />
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<img height="96" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TkqOoo2O_0I/T8aR4HSJL7I/AAAAAAAAAko/Dnue_yiI8fc/s320/Lucas+p+%2526l+atnhm.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 538px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 6064px; visibility: hidden;" width="64" />Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-24000845417274506922012-05-03T08:04:00.002-07:002012-05-03T08:07:46.561-07:00Going InternationalA while back I posted some news about a commission I was working on for Alison - a lovely client from the North East of England but now living in Abu Dhabi - who wanted some large canvases for her new house to remind her of home.She was very easy to work for because she knew exactly what she wanted i.e. the Transporter Bridge in Middlesborough and Antony Gormley's Angel of the North in Gateshead.<br />
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She now has the canvases hanging on her wall in the UAE and has sent me photos to show me how they look which is just great.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tKLgnelhIt8/T6KdL1VO06I/AAAAAAAAAjc/jrJH9P1XK-8/s1600/Transporter+in+situ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" mea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tKLgnelhIt8/T6KdL1VO06I/AAAAAAAAAjc/jrJH9P1XK-8/s320/Transporter+in+situ.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cosmic Shower of particles entering the Earth's atmosphere <br />
are embroidered in red to complement her chosen clour scheme</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWWDd8PWJOk/T6Kddvq6PTI/AAAAAAAAAjk/LXB60EUwQhk/s1600/Angel+in+situ.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWWDd8PWJOk/T6Kddvq6PTI/AAAAAAAAAjk/LXB60EUwQhk/s320/Angel+in+situ.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colour of the stitch in this one isn't as clear due <br />
to the lighting but it is in orange to match her cushion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-15310755356427272082012-04-13T16:07:00.002-07:002012-04-13T16:19:26.303-07:00Bedroom TransformationWell as promised, now that our bedroom make over is just about finished, I have posted some "Before" and "After" photos to show the transformation.<br />
About 20 years ago, the exact year has vanished in the mists of time, we decorated this room from scratch with a lovely Zoffany wallpaper and fabrics and bought some traditional mahogany furniture. Approximately 10 years later we decorated again with new carpet curtains and wallpaper. This time we kept the same furniture and some of the Zoffany fabric that I still loved. <br />
At this point in time I visited India for the first time, whereas Paul was already a regular visitor with his job going out to inspect suppliers of mangoes, poppadoms and spices. We had collected quite a few artifacts of interest like cushions, statues and woodblocks and so we decided to have a bit of an Indian theme going on, using quite a bit of gold paint and rich colours.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pW0V03t2Vns/T4inupueLYI/AAAAAAAAAic/yPb7KvCuYYQ/s1600/Picture+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pW0V03t2Vns/T4inupueLYI/AAAAAAAAAic/yPb7KvCuYYQ/s200/Picture+002.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before 1 - Golds and terracottas, framed prints<br />
of maharajahs and silk cushions</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2iclhLuQTDM/T4ioHAPZB6I/AAAAAAAAAik/lTUNpV3XXxs/s1600/Picture+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2iclhLuQTDM/T4ioHAPZB6I/AAAAAAAAAik/lTUNpV3XXxs/s200/Picture+021.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 1 - Greys, cerise pink and bold yellow, <br />
velvet throw and my embellished cushions<br />
and wallpaper I designed for my FMP</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LauJS36PlUE/T4iqgbx_1qI/AAAAAAAAAi0/tt5QxtOyN5w/s1600/Picture+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LauJS36PlUE/T4iqgbx_1qI/AAAAAAAAAi0/tt5QxtOyN5w/s200/Picture+007.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before 2 - Mahogany wardrobes,Zoffany <br />
fabric on doors and silk curtains </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6iVkf2GnV-8/T4irV18XMLI/AAAAAAAAAi8/AwSOuiWD6L8/s1600/Picture+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6iVkf2GnV-8/T4irV18XMLI/AAAAAAAAAi8/AwSOuiWD6L8/s200/Picture+019.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 2 - Same wardrobes painted to match new <br />
furniture, new curtains at window and doors</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Djp1nRparSI/T4itDum5V6I/AAAAAAAAAjE/jMjjUjyJSps/s1600/Picture+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Djp1nRparSI/T4itDum5V6I/AAAAAAAAAjE/jMjjUjyJSps/s200/Picture+003.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before 3 - Canopy above bed and rocking <br />
chair with more cushions</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6yjZ7VfpTfU/T4itpS2sn_I/AAAAAAAAAjM/YwycyXVScxg/s1600/Picture+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6yjZ7VfpTfU/T4itpS2sn_I/AAAAAAAAAjM/YwycyXVScxg/s200/Picture+024.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 3 - Canopy gone and wallpaper now <br />
the feature, still needs a chair but the one I <br />
want is out of stock</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We still aren't quite finished as some of the plain walls need some artwork, our Georgian chair for the dressing table has gone off to be french polished and upholstered and I'm still hoping to get a small chair in grey felted wool but apart from that it's done! I have had some very positive feedback but I still wonder if people are just being polite knowing that I designed the wallpaper. Honest comments welcome.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H1FPgB3NX0I/T4i0Be5GAEI/AAAAAAAAAjU/zpN1wNAxuRg/s1600/Picture+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H1FPgB3NX0I/T4i0Be5GAEI/AAAAAAAAAjU/zpN1wNAxuRg/s320/Picture+026.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely new curtains I made with Villa Nova fabric from Jackie</td></tr>
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</div>Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2175693019485771017.post-20862046625950324812012-04-07T06:15:00.001-07:002012-04-07T07:04:49.790-07:00Bedroom Make OverSince finishing my degree in Textile and Surface Design I have been dying to see some of my work in a real life situation. As our bedroom was ready for decorating it seemed like the perfect opportunity to showcase some of my work. I started with a collection of cushions that I had submitted as part of my Final Major Project, which was based on the theme of Evolution. After visiting lots of museums I had a good selection of drawings of fossils that became the basis for several fabric and wallpaper ranges and so I used some of the imagery again to design some boxed cushions, which I embellished with sparkle using fabric paints and the embroidery threads I had chosen as part of my Madeira sponsorship.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cnRcl830YUY/T4ARnpr508I/AAAAAAAAAhE/oJSxANCOiOU/s1600/Picture+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="82" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cnRcl830YUY/T4ARnpr508I/AAAAAAAAAhE/oJSxANCOiOU/s320/Picture+026.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The difficult bit was choosing a wallpaper to coordinate as there were so many but I short listed two. The first was based on some amazing fossils called Phacops Strenbergii that I had produced in sombre reds and greys but I decided to change the colours to match some of those in the cushions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YfSJVlj9hUU/T4ArVyaRj2I/AAAAAAAAAhs/U3PA2i7lJ_M/s1600/Phacops+Strenbergi+wallpaper+repeat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YfSJVlj9hUU/T4ArVyaRj2I/AAAAAAAAAhs/U3PA2i7lJ_M/s200/Phacops+Strenbergi+wallpaper+repeat.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original colourway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFqs2OvDVcs/T4Aoo80B92I/AAAAAAAAAhc/eDdKPQFrU3Q/s1600/Phacops+Strenbergi+wallpaper+repeat-new+colour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFqs2OvDVcs/T4Aoo80B92I/AAAAAAAAAhc/eDdKPQFrU3Q/s200/Phacops+Strenbergi+wallpaper+repeat-new+colour.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New colourway</td></tr>
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I was all ready to send this off for printing when I had a change of heart. I wanted some plain grey curtains but struggled to find any fabric that toned with the background colour. My friend Jackie has her own curtain making business and has supplied some amazing fabrics in the past so I searched her sample books and came up with a Villa Nova fabric that I thought would look good.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JTxWHFkP7BU/T4AuZ_8lReI/AAAAAAAAAh0/sJzOeEkhyqQ/s1600/Picture+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JTxWHFkP7BU/T4AuZ_8lReI/AAAAAAAAAh0/sJzOeEkhyqQ/s320/Picture+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samples of fabric, carpet and paint</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This made me look again at my wallpapers and I decided to change to another wallpaper that I had had a length printed of for my degree show and New Designers in London. Once again I changed the colours to blend with the cushions and this time I had it printed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJOIPAD9H6k/T4A0gR1gY7I/AAAAAAAAAiE/aO54CF2OqS4/s1600/Brachiopod+repeat+2+3rd+colourway+corrected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJOIPAD9H6k/T4A0gR1gY7I/AAAAAAAAAiE/aO54CF2OqS4/s200/Brachiopod+repeat+2+3rd+colourway+corrected.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original colourway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UvV9AKvOh0M/T4Av0hLaaXI/AAAAAAAAAh8/X6_NZXT7lZI/s1600/Brachiopod+repeat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UvV9AKvOh0M/T4Av0hLaaXI/AAAAAAAAAh8/X6_NZXT7lZI/s200/Brachiopod+repeat.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New colourway</td></tr>
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It's all very exciting and Darren the decorator is putting it up as I type.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UloXTg4OpH4/T4BI8-mJ28I/AAAAAAAAAiU/5qaTKv2Hekk/s1600/Picture+173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UloXTg4OpH4/T4BI8-mJ28I/AAAAAAAAAiU/5qaTKv2Hekk/s320/Picture+173.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darren hanging the first few strips of paper.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HF9P_hPKQSk/T4A4EUuaDnI/AAAAAAAAAiM/o0nivXN4Vtc/s1600/Picture+172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HF9P_hPKQSk/T4A4EUuaDnI/AAAAAAAAAiM/o0nivXN4Vtc/s320/Picture+172.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first roll I've had printed</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I will post a blog showing the before and after when its all finished.Mavis Gloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15833862639587196342noreply@blogger.com8