tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6398257191051533422024-02-07T18:55:10.855+00:00makes me mineLucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.comBlogger439125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-76881445441719166702013-11-12T20:07:00.001+00:002013-11-12T20:32:47.081+00:00The Hungry Wasp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Putting my boots away the other day and I noticed a wasp on the top of the boot stand. It's getting cold now and you could see that it was struggling, it barely moved as I went to shush it away. I lifted it onto a leaf and couldn't help but notice what a beautiful little creature it was. Not that Summer Wasps are my favourite thing and had it been full of the joys of summer, I wouldn't have been anywhere close, but I couldn't ignore an animal in such need. I found a skewer, coated it in honey and let Waspy get some much needed food. Watching it work its way around the skewer was a fascinating and touching, it had so obviously been in need. It was also a real pleasure to enjoy a creature that I would, in other circumstances, be doing everything in my power to avoid!</div>
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<br />Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-18873201363835865052013-10-29T18:00:00.000+00:002013-10-29T18:00:00.065+00:00Selene... my nemesis... completed!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Halloween came a little early to our house this year and yes, I got the Mermaid costume finished, I was (finally) Selene for an evening. </div>
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Reading back to my first <a href="http://makesmemine.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/im-itching-to-get-sewing-again.html">thoughts</a> on this year's project, all buzzing with inspiration and optimism, I honestly don't know whether to laugh or cry; I had such great plans and hopes and have found it, instead, to be deeply frustrating. Giving up and starting again was exactly the right thing to have done, the wonderful Mrs B is a wise woman indeed! It was a therapeutic and very satisfying experience and one that I found that I didn't want to blog about. The majority of the dress is handstitched, curled up on the sofa with the boyf and the dogs, remembering, as I went along, little details about how I made the first dress and reminiscing about those first early days of falling in love with the Jedi. It became a private process that I felt no desire to document.</div>
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That said, now that it's all done, I'm more happy to share the results and finish off Selene, once and for all! Starting off with my favourite picture of the evening, taken by Mrs S. Blurry I know, but I love it. It's us.</div>
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So, to start, my lovely little Starfish and Seashell tiara. This was the second attempt as the mutts ate the first and I mean ate... demolished, destroyed. It was touch and go as to whether I took them to the vets; happily, starfish, it seems, are not poisonous to dogs, nor bits of shell and silver plated wire... Even more happily, I had spares of everything and time in which to quickly wire them all back onto the headband. It was a huge improvement on the bouncing silver stars I sported in 2006!</div>
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And then the dress itself. A boned, empire line bodice attached to a gathered skirt, in the dark grey/blue sateen. The bodice was of my own design (I may post the pattern later) and the skirt was based on the <a href="http://makesmemine.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/making-fantail-skirt-part-one.html">fantail skirt</a> from the Victoria costume. I shortened it to the point at the back of the knees where it is gathered and cut the front into a slightly deeper "V" that dropped from knee 3-4 inches. Each panel of sateen was matched with a 1/2 as big again panel of a very soft net tulle which was gathered, stitched on and then treated as one piece. In this way I was able to create the deep drapes and ruches without losing too much structure. The bodice was attached to the skirt and the netting handstitched to it, first along the neckline and then gathered, vertically, along each seam of the bodice and stitched in place. A zip was then handstitched in at the back. The bodice is a far improved version of the original and inspired by a 50's prom dress that I have. The front panel naturally fell into an attractive drape and so I left it as was. The bottom, fishtail, of the skirt was a double layer of a pale blue chiffon under a iridescent, stiffer, dress net. This was just over twice the width of the skirt hem, gathered and stitched in place. The back half of the skirt was gathered at the back as per the fantail skirt pattern.</div>
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Green ceramic beads and silver and orange seed beads were stitched across the top of the bodice and at various points on the dress, with individual shells added in places and a rosette at the knee of sari fabric ribbon and a shell "corsage". Again, a huge improvement on silver stars!</div>
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So that's it, before and after. An although I have replaced my Jedi for a Vampire...</div>
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...it all worked out in the end ;o)</div>
Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-68164848486103817032013-10-27T21:21:00.002+00:002013-10-27T21:22:55.226+00:00How to have a happy Monday...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
according to the good folk at <a href="http://exemplifyonline.com/">exemplifyonline.com</a> at least. This appeared on my FB page recently so I decided to give it a try. </div>
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Brew Something Caffeinated: One mug of Pomegranate Green Tea and, as a bonus "For All We Know" on the radio, any day that starts with the Carpenters is going to be a good one; I skipped to Blast Your Favorite Song.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7OiSnbZJU4HK6evn6uf-VFPa9oKyyMOn_eO_EqOm2g6G6giJ4tN1-PlobVlIQEf-1K96xGsvr3EZY46iYMUECzbG_LgkAj-d8naxB-JWbYnJ7MpVn5O92pHSaRKsbLIQO95X5iQaMD4X/s1600/WP_20131021_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7OiSnbZJU4HK6evn6uf-VFPa9oKyyMOn_eO_EqOm2g6G6giJ4tN1-PlobVlIQEf-1K96xGsvr3EZY46iYMUECzbG_LgkAj-d8naxB-JWbYnJ7MpVn5O92pHSaRKsbLIQO95X5iQaMD4X/s560/WP_20131021_003.jpg" /></a></div>
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Stand in the Sunshine: did that, didn't take a photo, but in October, a little warm is lovely. </div>
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Wear Your Favorite Blouse: I don't have a blouse to have as a favourite... it got me thinking that I would like a blouse to call a favourite, I will have to be on the lookout for one. In the meantime, my favourite grey marl T and matching cardigan did the job nicely.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xFxDTVOO5dG-0RAXpAxotk4j9BnU5z74jdHY1vX65CyRop3ZC7-5y67M-bUNWGoZ4lcKzpm61B8dIjOMpdUJOlh5Yfxs4ZXHELZAf_I_iFV6Jzw2iuowbt_qll_vssp12Drc8RFphueo/s1600/WP_20131021_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xFxDTVOO5dG-0RAXpAxotk4j9BnU5z74jdHY1vX65CyRop3ZC7-5y67M-bUNWGoZ4lcKzpm61B8dIjOMpdUJOlh5Yfxs4ZXHELZAf_I_iFV6Jzw2iuowbt_qll_vssp12Drc8RFphueo/s560/WP_20131021_001.jpg" /></a></div>
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Let Psalm 118:24 Take Root: "<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">This </span><i style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">is</i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"> the day </span><i style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">which</i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"> the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." </span>I may not be the most religious of folk, but I appreciate the message and it was a wonderful one to leave percolating in mind for the rest of the day.</div>
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Laugh, Laugh, Laugh: we did that and being told to do so made a difference to my mindset for the day. Seeing the humour in things is easy when you're actively looking.</div>
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Eat Lunch On Fine China: well there was none of that to be found at work, but I borrowed the nicest plate I could fine and, whilst I still ate at my desk, just the act of eating my lunch (leftover vegan chilli, yum!) from a plate made a far greater difference than I thought it would. I learnt a much needed lesson in taking a little time and a proper break to not just eat but savour my food; pause, refocus and regroup.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiw3goG_oMGzxwpdTu8n396T_NLZkDJ2uMoTAlj-RPGt6UHLTSGjAlLPcBkYHB5qQmdXdOrLdNKX3hVkVLlY7czRL37vkC-CJ_d5DuHLNUxIKQS34KaM6jTOBVYpHntaUqjTUwfXCaKCM/s1600/WP_20131021_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiw3goG_oMGzxwpdTu8n396T_NLZkDJ2uMoTAlj-RPGt6UHLTSGjAlLPcBkYHB5qQmdXdOrLdNKX3hVkVLlY7czRL37vkC-CJ_d5DuHLNUxIKQS34KaM6jTOBVYpHntaUqjTUwfXCaKCM/s560/WP_20131021_004.jpg" /></a></div>
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Work Excellently: I work hard, but do I always excellently? Another great mindset for the day and it brought a surprising amount of joy to the day too. Not just completing a task, but making the process excellent is a compelling way to approach the jobs of a day.</div>
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Stretch Throughout The Day: at any possible opportunity. I found that it centered me, focused me on my physicality and brought me back to the present. Again, all important reminders.</div>
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Eat Dessert: and that I did! I had nothing in the house so a scrubble round the cupboards resulted in my first proper attempt at tofu ice cream. Peanut Butter Maple Tofu Ice Cream to be exact and damn, is it good! Shame no-one else at home likes the sound of it... one whole tub for me!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4fWStZ8PmzS7NPAXjPtiJDjTAn7hlm8zh65KTJc3fgtuuZisVVkeM0b7_AeJ-BAr1pBfc_S1pnVUxDgEWtgkI4HcdXizF5vVkoKfqmX_A58w7i8H-svBS9Qt4PHo8fz2aFbhnJhtqziL/s1600/WP_20131021_006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4fWStZ8PmzS7NPAXjPtiJDjTAn7hlm8zh65KTJc3fgtuuZisVVkeM0b7_AeJ-BAr1pBfc_S1pnVUxDgEWtgkI4HcdXizF5vVkoKfqmX_A58w7i8H-svBS9Qt4PHo8fz2aFbhnJhtqziL/s560/WP_20131021_006.jpg" /></a></div>
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And so, in 10 simple instructions, I had a very happy Monday. More importantly I was truly "present" in my day, focused from the moment I got dressed to the final moments before I went to bed on what would bring pleasure to my day. I was also reminded that happy is not a selfish concept, that focusing on my happy was also a way of bringing my best me to the rest of my day.</div>
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So tomorrow's Monday, have a Happy One folks and, if you have time, try a some of this little experiment :o)</div>
Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-55342475480587510812013-10-27T20:28:00.000+00:002013-10-27T20:28:27.251+00:00What's been happening...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Goodness, it's been a long (busy!) time since I last had a chance to get my writing hat on; here's a small hint of what's been happening the last few weeks...<br />
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Designing, for me is more often than not purely for personal reasons; cards, invitations etc. but recently I've had a few external commissions and it's certainly been a smörgåsbord design-wise. It started with a company logo which is now on their building's external signage and I can't deny its kinda cool to see your work in 40 foot glorious technicolour. Project 2 was to design some engagement party invitations and all the corresponding paper items: menus, placecards, table number cards etc. Project 3 is a complete change of pace from florals and creams; a website for a private Respiratory specialist. I now know more about lungs and the respiratory systems than ever thought I would, its been really interesting work.<br />
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The engagement invitations are an iron grey (coincidentally, now also the colour of my bathroom woodwork) design on a very pale cream, pearlised card. The floral design is a combination of two brushes (Blossom and Sweet Pea) from one of my favourite designers <a href="http://www.pixelsandicecream.com/">Pixels & Ice Cream</a> - their website is definitely worth a look. All names and details have obviously been changed.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGosn1aHRQsAd6ar8PQGvNdVa5hUYbJp_6yRjK-bUEExNO8GW0fiIstZulqjgbNDPh-3DGgY0My0cb0XvKm2wirUGKw2siZF7Dbp9fP07yuYP1sn-lcqdA9Tg6-JuZIxasM6PDbs4jZb-/s1600/BlogEngagement.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGosn1aHRQsAd6ar8PQGvNdVa5hUYbJp_6yRjK-bUEExNO8GW0fiIstZulqjgbNDPh-3DGgY0My0cb0XvKm2wirUGKw2siZF7Dbp9fP07yuYP1sn-lcqdA9Tg6-JuZIxasM6PDbs4jZb-/s560/BlogEngagement.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Invitations</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkim6swgVPyTYTWDBF1QcsQ48GzkDQh0e860UORkhgsotnxto9awcCqLd0YYf6SX2FP2LLXcwyVg-g1xJxbFiKMYzfKOIvdnrJYPSC9efuN_PrXxyyFMohtOwF1pJyiDPgeMTyVTeIhuh/s1600/RishiRiaReplyCards.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkim6swgVPyTYTWDBF1QcsQ48GzkDQh0e860UORkhgsotnxto9awcCqLd0YYf6SX2FP2LLXcwyVg-g1xJxbFiKMYzfKOIvdnrJYPSC9efuN_PrXxyyFMohtOwF1pJyiDPgeMTyVTeIhuh/s560/RishiRiaReplyCards.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Reply Cards</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WeQDi4MUfWaj-Wut7whqi3OvaQsI4eNfm86TwTB-rN-6V69Ko4TNPUGaI0m4giSP7DVkudPCjnUVyZgWB7vSJpYPzUwXxB8SgCPDBsHXaHeIjuSMHQxcMRbmTvMKdrHGxu-qnALi3huY/s1600/RishiRiaReplyCards_Back.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WeQDi4MUfWaj-Wut7whqi3OvaQsI4eNfm86TwTB-rN-6V69Ko4TNPUGaI0m4giSP7DVkudPCjnUVyZgWB7vSJpYPzUwXxB8SgCPDBsHXaHeIjuSMHQxcMRbmTvMKdrHGxu-qnALi3huY/s560/RishiRiaReplyCards_Back.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reverse of both the invitation and reply cards</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwCTiLCK5NS3w9GBWcGB-u7sRVS1j8UdwpNFlzVeXmoZBVmyOgjyiO2qb8D_kyyj73EEvVImJfBQrvypMD80qZyVK_NSD8hbSn6qmTAT5nQyFJt1yGcHQipkqvpPcNkVFIkDyYI_jk7g-/s1600/BlogTable+No.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwCTiLCK5NS3w9GBWcGB-u7sRVS1j8UdwpNFlzVeXmoZBVmyOgjyiO2qb8D_kyyj73EEvVImJfBQrvypMD80qZyVK_NSD8hbSn6qmTAT5nQyFJt1yGcHQipkqvpPcNkVFIkDyYI_jk7g-/s560/BlogTable+No.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Table Numbers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zbrCpTCw7A6NcFTAT1-XAV30abkhrwI3rn3fDzgUeWZjW9ZkbcKFKGZm7j_XykhdpYty58yqEWzW9CkCOotTQjUwGekRc1XoFC1vZINc2D3BXbcRNNpmbXIQ312_T4to8xOHMq7c4ToJ/s1600/Menu+Cards.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zbrCpTCw7A6NcFTAT1-XAV30abkhrwI3rn3fDzgUeWZjW9ZkbcKFKGZm7j_XykhdpYty58yqEWzW9CkCOotTQjUwGekRc1XoFC1vZINc2D3BXbcRNNpmbXIQ312_T4to8xOHMq7c4ToJ/s580/Menu+Cards.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menu Cards (gorgeous menu!), each guest's choice indicated with glued on Swarovski crystal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfz2VDafhnuC0zcRtlllruCxhijwFHYpLW3KG8KxnDzBdq6C387PoV30e1mL0aoKU65rWpTybMZq7kiiRnGTkv3035vODe0WwyR2rtp2o6LLms3EWW_tvbjE3zuulUl_VKii56wK25L-J/s1600/A4+Topper.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfz2VDafhnuC0zcRtlllruCxhijwFHYpLW3KG8KxnDzBdq6C387PoV30e1mL0aoKU65rWpTybMZq7kiiRnGTkv3035vODe0WwyR2rtp2o6LLms3EWW_tvbjE3zuulUl_VKii56wK25L-J/s560/A4+Topper.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And finally, a A4 header for additional papers (maps etc.)</td></tr>
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The website is a completely different look. London based, we went for a red, white and blue theme and the dark navy blue works well with the x-ray of a throat and lungs that we chose as the site's main image. It's very simple, but clean and bold and I'm pleased to say that I have a very happy client.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIYzTvJJ1_chMnDbBivGOyi1BUgAWrYQYz9q36Fo9iBBkKQjdsBYC0TUVwPuNZUmxNeMPzNKxaiNpno8VYLIVwcEJNJMiB7h3-Q-jISb6siF4Xz6rL6MzA5R8GW1xCn_TFyzRV1QoYPrK/s1600/resplon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIYzTvJJ1_chMnDbBivGOyi1BUgAWrYQYz9q36Fo9iBBkKQjdsBYC0TUVwPuNZUmxNeMPzNKxaiNpno8VYLIVwcEJNJMiB7h3-Q-jISb6siF4Xz6rL6MzA5R8GW1xCn_TFyzRV1QoYPrK/s560/resplon.png" /></a></div>
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And finally, in amongst all that, there has been work and coursework, lots of dogs to walk, the Halloween costume (more of that later), handmade Christmas presents and Christmas card designs, and the rather mad idea that I would redecorate around the house "just because".</div>
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Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-27440638643051016062013-10-14T17:30:00.000+01:002013-10-14T17:30:00.085+01:00The Three Sardines Cushion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNjIdp3FkpMbkoIRAvAqKmOzo0TZBvh23Syf1ZzZjLw_E-mpTfXkCIdQqmIGcbEowJFlq-uQwGrP8GhM0oD4dHVzc-G5jZpIW-x-PM2vZlqF4U4ANRsk9b9J9kP7jkdlkzXf_3_milWez/s1600/WP_20131013_030a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNjIdp3FkpMbkoIRAvAqKmOzo0TZBvh23Syf1ZzZjLw_E-mpTfXkCIdQqmIGcbEowJFlq-uQwGrP8GhM0oD4dHVzc-G5jZpIW-x-PM2vZlqF4U4ANRsk9b9J9kP7jkdlkzXf_3_milWez/s560/WP_20131013_030a.jpg" /></a></div>
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My three little fishes are all done! I briefly contemplated a box cushion descriptor but there's the right way to make them, the wrong way to make them and then whatever it was that I got up to yesterday afternoon! The zip also didn't make it to the final cushion, I liked the idea but not the reality. I'm loving my three fishes though, and, as one of my lovely two decided, they do make the old uncomfy rocker look both cool and comfy! Definitely going to have to start looking around for a couple more patterns at least; just no more box ones please. </div>
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PS it's not as wonky as I've now noticed the photo suggests (promise), that'll teach me not to plump before shooting!</div>
Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-9461484469497607252013-10-08T16:55:00.006+01:002013-10-08T17:14:26.076+01:00Going Back to the Top<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFh-zItaHFzliHxkr-41dcZ4MjzmzSxnWpWv55f0K3SZpwLndbOTYZE-PL_ju3aTjuKgZV760TiYFT6F9K-QG980RDSkP3UP4ECPyG_zJ-OokpzoJHHHI7keFODDA3r9CiVB3bd25Vrjj/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFh-zItaHFzliHxkr-41dcZ4MjzmzSxnWpWv55f0K3SZpwLndbOTYZE-PL_ju3aTjuKgZV760TiYFT6F9K-QG980RDSkP3UP4ECPyG_zJ-OokpzoJHHHI7keFODDA3r9CiVB3bd25Vrjj/s320/images.jpg" width="253" /></a>I don't usually post coding tips on here simply because there are so many other sites out there that do it so much better but this one I love because it is such a simple but effective little line of code.</div>
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As you may have noticed, I now have a scrolling "back to the top" arrow in the bottom right hand corner of my page. Once I'd got my arrow and saved it to photobucket all I needed to do was open up my template in Blogger (insert standard "Don't forget to Backup" warning here) and inserted this piece of code<br />
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<a style="position: fixed; bottom:10px; right:10px;" href="#" title="back to the top" ><img style="border: none;" src="paste your arrow image url here"/></a> </div>
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just above the <body> tag. Insert the url for your own arrow image and reword the title if you want. As the Meerkats would say "Simples!" Cue gratuitous photo of Sergei ;o)</div>
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Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-21794828947791823212013-09-30T14:51:00.001+01:002013-09-30T14:51:52.151+01:00Reshaping (Blocking) Needlepoint Canvases<div style="text-align: justify;">
My first great crafting love was, and probably still is needlepoint; though we parted company for a good few years and it's taken the introduction of it to the 12yo to remind me. I learnt as a very young child and, having taught the 12yo am truly impressed with the patience on my Mother and Grandmother! When caught up in a project, I find it utterly addictive, soothing and satisfying, and especially good (and more sociable than sewing) when curled up on the sofa in the evenings. With all the big sewing projects the last couple of years, I have not had the time to risk being diverted, but as this year's big sewing project is continuing to prove problematic, a diversion was exactly what I needed. I have on the long-term "to do" list an idea that one day I will have sofas full of mis-matched, handmade and much loved cushions. This is the first of the handmades, care of the extremely clever <a href="http://www.emilypeacock.com/">Emily Peacock</a> and Kirsty Allsop's <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kirstie-Allsopp-Craft/dp/1444737589">Craft</a>: a tin of Sardines! Having not had access to the wools recommended, I took liberties both with the colours (Anchor substitutions done by sight) and, as I found out right at the end of the project, the pattern as my printer rendered a third of the sardine's spots invisible! <br />
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Back in Hong Kong, where I learnt to love needlepoint, Mum and Nan made cushion tops all the time and off they went to the cushion making man and came back beautifully stretched and sewn into cushions. A quick Google and I rapidly decided that, as a) I can make cushions and b) stretching a canvas couldn't be that difficult, £52+ was a ridiculous amount of money to spend on a similar service. One quick read of a couple of Needlepoint Blocking 101 pages later, a scrubble round the draw for some tacks and a beg of the boyf to find me a piece of wood and I took my first stab at stretching a canvas. It really is very easy to do and a good thing too as my second project is, literally, in hand!<br />
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I soaked the canvas lightly (it should be wet through but not utterly drenched) in warm water and rolled it immediately, and quite tightly, in a towel, to draw out the water: being careful not to rub or disturb the wool. I then left it to rest for 5-10 minutes while I prepared the board.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNbMj0Wl7pn_ezOOZaS1WhNKhgzzPNUqN2Q9ArtZL8A6u-yFQrj3xthjJLz_ejXjUuLQgW0sgOKItjlE1i0l6juf9ZOlXvOCizmWPofnpDRDn3ZpvsAm7g34thqrGnhu2DN8gTIp5JUZF/s1600/WP_20130929_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNbMj0Wl7pn_ezOOZaS1WhNKhgzzPNUqN2Q9ArtZL8A6u-yFQrj3xthjJLz_ejXjUuLQgW0sgOKItjlE1i0l6juf9ZOlXvOCizmWPofnpDRDn3ZpvsAm7g34thqrGnhu2DN8gTIp5JUZF/s560/WP_20130929_004.jpg" /></a></div>
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You can, or course, buy boards but I wasn't going to spend the money on what might be my first and only attempt at this. I also read suggestions that the board should be covered with fabric but this one was entirely smooth and I could not see the benefit in doing that. I decided to keep is simple. On my board I marked out a grid in pencil. No great thought was put into it, the squares were the width of the ruler, they were simply there as a guide when eyeing everything up. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKTWRpQ27D6X8bAa48BLZmzVhBVvHmb9k_o8MAGqK2E2J2HgUh0yKMPPeFVp9G0WpfmM4H3SODgnAlgBVXaORfIlNu5MxopBdbIhK34YVYY_mgXhfOERzd0BReWb9g-2vuKUw-07J7HrE/s1600/WP_20130929_005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKTWRpQ27D6X8bAa48BLZmzVhBVvHmb9k_o8MAGqK2E2J2HgUh0yKMPPeFVp9G0WpfmM4H3SODgnAlgBVXaORfIlNu5MxopBdbIhK34YVYY_mgXhfOERzd0BReWb9g-2vuKUw-07J7HrE/s560/WP_20130929_005.jpg" /></a></div>
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And then, with the help of the lovely boyf, we pinned. As all the guides recommend, it is not so much about stretching the canvas to suit a shape, but working it; allowing some areas to ease as others are gently stretched. It took a couple of goes, the canvas was quite twisted, but I am very pleased with the results. Now we just have to be patient and wait for it to dry, 3-5 days is recommended.</div>
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If the canvas needs further stretching, and it is recommended in severe cases to repeat the process rather than try to force it the first time, then it can be redipped and stretched once completely dry. I think I will be happy with mine as it is. Now I just need to brush up on my cushion making techniques as this will be a curved corner, box pillow construction ideally with a zip and I hate zips! Though the idea of the cushion being steely, sardine tine coloured, grey and a bright red or blue zip for detail does immediately make me smile. In fact, I think I have just had a good idea... a zip sewn on externally, rather than hidden, with a ribbon detail at either end for neatness.... hmmmm.</div>
Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-90746754385770026692013-09-25T17:30:00.000+01:002013-09-25T17:30:02.600+01:00Tofu Bechamel Sauce and Chilli Lasagne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Yes, Chilli Lasagne and why, I ask myself, had I not thought of it before? Moreover, having performed a very thorough taste test last night, it is really, really good... possibly even better than Lasagne Lasagne!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxNWrAGvABmhCpfE7FzxiXyHlFmz-CcTw7glKeDS7yxNp89Dr8zzsRntt0w8-osM17G0Y6bnRLE9g4XOHg1I7ZhoIAN5-ciHQ5TmeA-kDmIKIodgT_D1D-I8r7g0vuCfcxd1ZiIgCPeFH/s1600/WP_20130924_002.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxNWrAGvABmhCpfE7FzxiXyHlFmz-CcTw7glKeDS7yxNp89Dr8zzsRntt0w8-osM17G0Y6bnRLE9g4XOHg1I7ZhoIAN5-ciHQ5TmeA-kDmIKIodgT_D1D-I8r7g0vuCfcxd1ZiIgCPeFH/s560/WP_20130924_002.1.jpg" /></a></div>
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The Chilli itself, which started out as just plain Chilli, before morphing into Chilli Nachos and finally Chilli Lasagne, is based on this recipe <a href="http://www.chilirecipe.biz/Habanero-Chili.html">here</a> (which I've mentioned before and will no doubt mention again), veganised with "faux" mince and vegan Worchester sauce. The Bechamel Sauce, part of my series of "what can I do now with tofu" recipes is based on Bryanna Clark Grogan's <a href="http://www.brendajwiley.com/pasta_bechamel.html">recipe</a> with a couple of changes made for taste and ease.<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
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1 box Mori silken tofu, with liquid<br />
1-1.5 cup(s) soy milk<br />
1 vegetable stock cube (dry, not diluted in liquid, I use Knorr Pots)<br />
1 good pinch sea salt<br />
Ground black pepper (I'm generous with mine)<br />
1/2 tsp dried oregano<br />
1/2 tsp herbes de Provence<br />
2 tbsp EVOO<br />
2 tbsp white flour<br />
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Essentially, everything goes into a blender and is blitzed till smooth, nothing more complicated than that. I started off with one cup of milk and added more as needed, I was looking for a double cream consistency.<br />
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You could follow the original recipe and make a flour roux, but I didn't want to be using a warm Bechamel sauce (the lasagne was being in made advance and with cold chilli) and I was too impatient to wait for it to cool. Adding the flour to the blend and letting it cook through on a low oven for 40 minutes worked perfectly - I preferred it to my first attempt which had followed the original recipe. The addition of a stock cube to the tofu does wonders for the flavour, something that I wanted to enhance with the herbs and pepper. It also cooks well, and whilst you don't get the traditional cheese laden top, the gorgeous gooey white sauce/mince mix is still there and, in this case, made all the more moreish thanks to the subtle heat of the chilis and gorgeous rich, smoky sauce.<br />
<br />This is one recipe definitely worth a try :o)</div>
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Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-16397618716135523132013-09-20T15:05:00.000+01:002013-09-20T15:05:47.672+01:00DIY Halloween Ecard Invitation - A Tutorial of Sorts<div style="text-align: justify;">
This year I wanted to send an ECard Invitation for Halloween. I did an invitation a couple of years back that was on a CD, but this one I wanted to be able to email and play as a movie. <br />
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This is the final invitation. I've embeded it in a Photobucket player, the resolution is a better than Blogger's own video tool but please be patient, it may take a little while to appear... and ignore the play button in the top left hand corner (doesn't always work) in favour of the one in the bottom left hand corner (which does always work). In case you're asking why I bothered... you should have seen the resolution from Blogger, it was worth it, I promise!</div>
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<embed allowfullscreen="true" allownetworking="all" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid651.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu237%2Flugreen%2FYou_are_invited.mp4" height="640" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" wmode="transparent"></embed>
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So, what do you need? It's pretty simple: an image, preferably editable, and/or editing software; Microsoft Powerpoint and and music saved in a .wav format. <br />
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As there is no need to specify the theme this year, I decided to focus on the idea of a haunted house and graveyard instead and got the look just right with this great background (one of a series of Vectored <a href="http://vectorgraphicsblog.com/free-vector-graphics/scary-halloween-posters-vector/">Posters</a> free to download on the Vector Graphics Blog) with its quirky, colourful and naive styling. Having selected it, I opened and edited it in Adobe Illustrator; removing the original text and selecting the layers that I eventually wanted to animate. I then saved a background file, which only included the imagery that would not be animated:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3gbkrspNDIjZla4K6KVEs8N305DBhShBqbkgnL8Ve4VH9f5ni-vfTWt1RdaICSxDjeKJv2IWvHTGQduBhnoWOayS9GJFxpT3z08m2tGpgqqAggHsp1y8F3_5w7JV36RUHrfTBzNWzKYl/s1600/HALLOWEEN+2013+Invite+v2+Plain+Bkgrd.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3gbkrspNDIjZla4K6KVEs8N305DBhShBqbkgnL8Ve4VH9f5ni-vfTWt1RdaICSxDjeKJv2IWvHTGQduBhnoWOayS9GJFxpT3z08m2tGpgqqAggHsp1y8F3_5w7JV36RUHrfTBzNWzKYl/s400/HALLOWEEN+2013+Invite+v2+Plain+Bkgrd.png" width="282" /></a></div>
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and each of the layers for animation separately. They were saved as interlaced .png files and looked something like this:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBn7RrXWHeleEKXijoIITBV6jnvPnXxkJwxAJAtDOzXqYRuOo7Om5UbiOJK9VOEwwMnWws6BMHDlBLH_rjkyl-M1KNY5lX6yYIxHANIenYJS7-_fkCIDG_V_lzK5VUJbyXwEek4YTuSbN/s1600/Grave+Eyes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBn7RrXWHeleEKXijoIITBV6jnvPnXxkJwxAJAtDOzXqYRuOo7Om5UbiOJK9VOEwwMnWws6BMHDlBLH_rjkyl-M1KNY5lX6yYIxHANIenYJS7-_fkCIDG_V_lzK5VUJbyXwEek4YTuSbN/s1600/Grave+Eyes.png" style="border-style: none;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The eyes from the Grave Monster, so that they can flash spookily!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Fg1NCBnWskZuoB1rcO1iEN9mdm95Slj3jyTWXbstzvpBJqIZWyIXB1BH-WbnVfNzpe4sCD_eWhBgk207fksYOBMkKGiPv2Jz0ntaPlp5UquVvI5zOKyKxpBbyKZyg3s5zookfejEbdsF/s1600/Hand.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Fg1NCBnWskZuoB1rcO1iEN9mdm95Slj3jyTWXbstzvpBJqIZWyIXB1BH-WbnVfNzpe4sCD_eWhBgk207fksYOBMkKGiPv2Jz0ntaPlp5UquVvI5zOKyKxpBbyKZyg3s5zookfejEbdsF/s320/Hand.png" style="border-style: none;" width="79" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The skeletal hand that rises from the ground.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig83gDkztYDbZxDTx7u6YJLSE51yG-sVlf82JW0OeYJQyzdeMxYjVP30q-xyglEA2xyzPw2wz6sg8mzkxiLo7RnBESGvwhqQSqStvuvIyyavY_XGyqLghH6yH_ZzFrfPbVuooBroHc6-Mk/s1600/Large+Bat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig83gDkztYDbZxDTx7u6YJLSE51yG-sVlf82JW0OeYJQyzdeMxYjVP30q-xyglEA2xyzPw2wz6sg8mzkxiLo7RnBESGvwhqQSqStvuvIyyavY_XGyqLghH6yH_ZzFrfPbVuooBroHc6-Mk/s320/Large+Bat.png" style="border-style: none;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the series of bats that flies in.</td></tr>
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Finally, in AI I created the three lines of text for the invitation in three separate layers and saved each one separately, again as an interlaced .png file. I only wanted to animate each line, not individual letters.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ohyphenhyphen8S6NPXogEy6XsvNbx9HVOakqD7PbH0K8XTT4PAQM-v2gLh-ehLvH-Kmig1hbOD94OSycaJPTls9-PPTDmjRmzTVxIf3us8ZDg6K2NK8Ie4ugTR_LQXHJVd48JJ0MR1wD9eFKf4u_e/s1600/Halloween.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ohyphenhyphen8S6NPXogEy6XsvNbx9HVOakqD7PbH0K8XTT4PAQM-v2gLh-ehLvH-Kmig1hbOD94OSycaJPTls9-PPTDmjRmzTVxIf3us8ZDg6K2NK8Ie4ugTR_LQXHJVd48JJ0MR1wD9eFKf4u_e/s320/Halloween.png" style="border-style: none;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fabulous Mary Jane deGroot from <a href="http://moorstation.org/typoasis/designers/lab/index.htm">Apostrophic Labs</a>.</td></tr>
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Once everything was saved, I moved into Powerpoint and inserted the background into a new slide; fitting it to fill the screen. Then comes the fun part... animating the various parts in Powerpoint. At this point I should say, I will not be telling you how to do that! I wouldn't know where to start and there are plenty of very good tutorials to be found on the interweb that will help you far more than I could. What I will say, is that the animation had to tell a story: the eyes flicker spookily, smoke rises from the house, a colony (or cloud, for those of you like me who like their collective nouns) of bats fly in and a lone skeletal hand rises from the ground as you are invited.... See what I mean?
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One I'd started to tinker with the animation, I knew that I needed some sound effects or music and after a couple of attempts at thunder and haunting laughs, I struck gold with the first 30-odd seconds of the soundtrack to Dark Shadows. The laugh at the beginning and the overall eeriness of music were exactly what I was hoping for. As I only had an mp3 file I converted it <a href="http://audio.online-convert.com/convert-to-wav">here</a> to a Powerpoint friendly .wav file. Now, again, no tutes here from me about adding music to a Powerpoint presentation but I will say that the 2010 version impressed me. I have not played about with adding music in any of the previous versions so maybe I'm horribly behind the times, but I could edit and tinker and fiddle all I liked and needed to. Happy Halloweenie Bunny (oh! costume idea!?)</div>
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The final job was to create a video. Again Powerpoint 2010 proved its worth here as under the Save & Send options you can Create A Video, easy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNSMnMoYaD5ct6jfcJ5zCLwR1EmSaNx3brp41Z0-WhzhxWzE0EJ8JMxY6X8aMr918Vq5nCytOiSxzTqUKjcyWAunm59L7VoRIsYtbuCCzLYDH9Y0gYvJkPbrscqwm_t4qiIIr1V0IsykI/s1600/pp1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNSMnMoYaD5ct6jfcJ5zCLwR1EmSaNx3brp41Z0-WhzhxWzE0EJ8JMxY6X8aMr918Vq5nCytOiSxzTqUKjcyWAunm59L7VoRIsYtbuCCzLYDH9Y0gYvJkPbrscqwm_t4qiIIr1V0IsykI/s400/pp1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once selected, you have various options. As I was winging it (pardon the pun) I decided to chose the option to record the timings. The program plays your animation for you, you click to start the record and again to end it... I just wanted to be utterly certain of what my viewers would see and hear, and when the movie would end.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiJ0BMzKS9yQNV9QIbY5VWw_K-3Z2hC-Cse6i9cNLCkitfQLdXF-AE0KJabnLGlEnIi9V_PpWszJfjyh8MEHpgPnujA2eqW1r8TcXfuBTdU5KTowR0K7BFD_N2o709KgOjYZVqftuxNqS/s1600/pp2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiJ0BMzKS9yQNV9QIbY5VWw_K-3Z2hC-Cse6i9cNLCkitfQLdXF-AE0KJabnLGlEnIi9V_PpWszJfjyh8MEHpgPnujA2eqW1r8TcXfuBTdU5KTowR0K7BFD_N2o709KgOjYZVqftuxNqS/s400/pp2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then you create your video, it's as easy as that! As it defaults to a Windows Media File, I used my converter tool from earlier (<a href="http://video.online-convert.com/">here</a>, it really is very useful, converts most things to most other things) and converted it to any formats necessary (ie mp4 for my iPhone friends).<br />
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One Halloween Ecard Invitation, done. </div>
Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-78949451797621986122013-09-19T08:30:00.000+01:002013-09-19T08:30:00.593+01:00Thistles... I think?<div style="text-align: justify;">
Spotted these walking the furbys. At first glance, it was just a weed on the edge of the field. On closer inspection, it is really rather beautiful.</div>
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Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-41418594853667074482013-09-18T15:01:00.000+01:002013-09-18T15:04:41.896+01:00Finn's World, part 2<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's been a while since I last looked at the world from little Finn's <a href="http://makesmemine.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/saying-goodbye-to-38.html">point of view</a>. In fairness to us all, lots of photos of Finn and grass wouldn't be the most interesting of things to see. Grass, after all, is grass. <br />
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We have, however, recently had the harvest. I say "we" and obviously mean the nameless, faceless owner of the land that surrounds our little home, but it has such an impact on our daily walks that it feels far too personal not to be a "we". Since these photos have been taken, for example, the field has had it's first plough and is an impassable mass of giant sods of earth. It will be a good few weeks before we can stretch our legs across it again. But I digress. <br />
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Harvest = a field dissected by row upon row of hay (?) and whilst Megs and I simply stepped over, Finn was faced with an obstacle course. Ever the loving mother, once I had stopped my laughing, it was time to take a few shots.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XPwPMijcwitnMVA0UMoEvnsC7snCrD3azrQmUq3SJ_T5vS5sbO6ZyIKFjrBvmt2-CDdbtXPPcsqrrAsnxSKIWkisCON_lyswyva50Fslyi-6jd2W5mc-x1qiJxuV41DxO-XAUZX1WbMt/s1600/WP_20130831_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XPwPMijcwitnMVA0UMoEvnsC7snCrD3azrQmUq3SJ_T5vS5sbO6ZyIKFjrBvmt2-CDdbtXPPcsqrrAsnxSKIWkisCON_lyswyva50Fslyi-6jd2W5mc-x1qiJxuV41DxO-XAUZX1WbMt/s560/WP_20130831_001.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here comes Finn.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HDzITy2dglYQY2SM2jRNe5zpta1Svl5986djK0Z0qyrpOtEu-245mtFB_MT7aAQi1wzCfLoghaEzqfWLLyLqgmA_j9oa_UJSMGH8KCYI5AWrwN5OZvtBwK0ikDopg9ojvaYGQVGEjIIu/s1600/WP_20130831_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HDzITy2dglYQY2SM2jRNe5zpta1Svl5986djK0Z0qyrpOtEu-245mtFB_MT7aAQi1wzCfLoghaEzqfWLLyLqgmA_j9oa_UJSMGH8KCYI5AWrwN5OZvtBwK0ikDopg9ojvaYGQVGEjIIu/s560/WP_20130831_003.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here comes Megs!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finn was loving it...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwcpYN7bAphCzjADdOgolZy_E-pGCbYeZeHYMtYfiWporwW8CwK-czJPgqlCMmhHR6wA5e0oKTMHgXbpZMOLT8nFNp31xcmwtGm_fmLTCcPQclDBoTgKLIamOR1Hp4Jf6ef4JXVbjJuJx/s1600/WP_20130831_008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwcpYN7bAphCzjADdOgolZy_E-pGCbYeZeHYMtYfiWporwW8CwK-czJPgqlCMmhHR6wA5e0oKTMHgXbpZMOLT8nFNp31xcmwtGm_fmLTCcPQclDBoTgKLIamOR1Hp4Jf6ef4JXVbjJuJx/s560/WP_20130831_008.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">occasionally he'd be defeated...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiN9Rp10wGHyyod6Mp6rxLcLmUKo15U3VgK_XIIj4bU1TBz0Y9JOvpz44NbWLJhCXFVwOrji75uBhSDSrOG_7AYmg49CmGC2NEc5F2P0fbxe8l5t_7fpZSMP2eJUP4MWFAK9o3SRTN6tY/s1600/WP_20130831_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiN9Rp10wGHyyod6Mp6rxLcLmUKo15U3VgK_XIIj4bU1TBz0Y9JOvpz44NbWLJhCXFVwOrji75uBhSDSrOG_7AYmg49CmGC2NEc5F2P0fbxe8l5t_7fpZSMP2eJUP4MWFAK9o3SRTN6tY/s560/WP_20130831_010.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but mostly he just cleared them in style!</td></tr>
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And yes, go on... double click... it's worth the close up! ;o)</div>
Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-9336962860303997612013-09-17T17:30:00.000+01:002013-09-17T17:30:01.205+01:00Google+? Meh!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well I've done it, I give up on Google+, especially as there is absolutely no way round the "no-reply blogger" debacle other than to go back to the old ways. My "limited" blogger profile is restored... gotta love the irony. There are various posts floating round the interweb on how to switch back but my personal favourite was from <a href="http://www.venustrappedinmars.com/2013/06/google-ultimate-no-reply-blogger.html">Venus Trapped In Mars</a>, who can resist a super happy squirrel! </div>
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Now if I could only figure out how to restore my reading list without adding everyone back in again, I would be a truly happy camper... if anyone knows, please help!</div>
Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-19827372325556478662013-09-14T14:13:00.001+01:002013-09-16T13:49:25.160+01:00How to spend a Saturday afternoon..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Plan A was a couple of jobs and to sort out the chooks. Plan B... I make a great bed!</div>
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Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-77579443480125967482013-09-07T00:52:00.000+01:002013-09-07T00:52:01.557+01:00A new look for MMM....it was time for a change and I do hope you like the new look, I've certainly had a great time designing and geeking! I had wanted to expand last year's Christmas card <a href="http://makesmemine.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/silhouette-christmas-cards.html">design</a> to include us all (though I've still not found a place for the chooks....) and I love the new photo slider. <div>
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I have a couple more tweeks, but it's nearly 1am and even the dogs are looking a little desperate!</div>
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G'nite everybody x</div>
Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-49100321523662435822013-09-03T14:17:00.001+01:002013-09-03T14:21:04.457+01:00Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip goes Vegan<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thanks again to France, where I was eating lots of artichoke hearts in my salads, I decided to try and veganise a firm favourite of ours, Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip, to take to a BBQ that we were having with the B's.</div>
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It was the lovely Mrs B that first introduced us to it, following a holiday in Florida, and her dip is legendary. Truly, legendary. I couldn't hope to emulate its glorious melty-cheesy-tasticness, but I was pretty certain that I could create a good alternative, especially now that I have got the whole Sour Cream thing <a href="http://makesmemine.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/vegan-sour-cream-part-2.html">nailed</a>! I googled a few recipes and settled on a version of one from <a href="http://www.fettlevegan.com/4/post/2012/05/spinach-artichoke-dip.html">Fettle Vegan</a>, which goes something like this:</div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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1 piece whole wheat bread</div>
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1 tsp vegan butter</div>
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1 medium onion, finely sliced</div>
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1 tbsp EVOO</div>
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1 can butter beans, drained and rinsed</div>
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1/2 cup tofu based sour cream (follow the link above)</div>
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1/4 cup water</div>
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1 tsp seasalt</div>
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1/4 tsp dried basil</div>
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1/8 tsp red chilli flakes</div>
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6 clives garlic, minced</div>
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4 good handfuls baby spinach</div>
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1 can artichoke hearts</div>
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I preheated the oven to 180C. </div>
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In a blender I blitzed the bread and vegan butter, then set aside in a bowl. Back to the blender, I added the beans and blitzed them till mostly smooth, before adding the water, basil, chilli flakes and 3 tbsps of the sour cream and blitzing to combine. In a large, non-stick frying pan, I added the EVOO and onion and cooked for 5 minutes, added the garlic and cooked for another couple and then added the artichokes. These I did not pre-chop, but broke down gently into halves or quarters (size depending) with the back of my wooden spoon as the heat worked its way through them. Then I added the baby spinach and cooked through till it had wilted. I took the pan off the heat, stirred in the bean mixture, 3/4 of the bread crumbs and the rest of the sour cream. This was then transferred to a baking dish (I have a 6" round, 6" deep dish which is just perfect) and topped it with the last of the breadcrumbs.</div>
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I baked this in the oven for 20 minutes before going to the B's and another 15 once we were there.</div>
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As it was, Mrs B had made a dish too so we had a bit of a dip-off! Dip chips in hand, the lovely boyf nominated himself "Chief Taster" and set about the challenge with gusto. It's safe to say that I didn't embarrass myself. Paraphrasing badly, his review went something like this: "Darling, this is good! Full of texture and you can taste all the different flavours." The "Mrs B, yours is just..... GREAT!", complete with smacked lips and a touch of salivating, said it all however, I did not manage to match the gloriousness of her melted, stringy-cheese-filled magic dip! </div>
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As with all things vegan, especially if you don't try to include a cheese substitute, it's never going to be an exact match. This is however, a lovely nod to the original. I deliberately tried to maximise the texture and flavour and I was very pleased with the results. Yep, Mrs B wins hands down when her dip is sharing bar space, but it was unanimously agreed (by 5 self-confessed Mrs B dip addicts (myself included)) that this could stand beside it and, on its own, wouldn't be refused either. I call it a win ;O)</div>
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Neither lasted long enough for a photo either... I'll have to make another bowl; BBQ anyone?</div>
Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-71012894657778541202013-09-03T13:42:00.000+01:002013-09-03T16:07:40.155+01:00Pickled Garlic, a little taste of France<div style="text-align: justify;">
If I had to list my five favourite ingredients, garlic would be there, probably in the top three and one of the real treats of our little trip to France last month was a pot of pickled garlic cloves that I picked up at the market. Home and unable to find anything comparable, I decided to make my own. The recipe is based on <a href="http://www.apocketfullofbuttons.com/2011/09/french-pickled-garlic-recipe.html">this</a>, with a couple of changes as I wanted to try a sweeter pickle juice.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceV66cEHD5Hn7nW-WpnVOCQgAQ159MP7zigOSm2q43md786nzN5X5gVyu_erN0L2UsX54MfRWFarpRb3ERPkPvGEJ5e7JBIHyZ_xJydtwiXSD3PR9WSj5JSW-HFEx8iIHbYqrZ7jrTWC0/s1600/WP_20130901_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceV66cEHD5Hn7nW-WpnVOCQgAQ159MP7zigOSm2q43md786nzN5X5gVyu_erN0L2UsX54MfRWFarpRb3ERPkPvGEJ5e7JBIHyZ_xJydtwiXSD3PR9WSj5JSW-HFEx8iIHbYqrZ7jrTWC0/s560/WP_20130901_001.jpg" /></a></div>
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Ingredients: enough for a jam jar's worth</div>
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1 cup white wine vinegar and Asda's Apple Dressing (a lovely blend of white vinegar, white grape and apple juices) - approx. half a cup each</div>
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1 cup dry white wine (I chose a "crisp and fruity" Italian Trebbiano Rubicone)</div>
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A pinch each of red chilli flakes and herbes de provence</div>
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1 pinches each of dried rosemary and sea salt</div>
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2 dried bay leaves</div>
10 whole peppercorns<br />
3 tsps of granulated sugar<br />
4-5 bulbs of garlic<br />
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The jam jar was washed and steralised in the oven (100C for 15-20 minutes and left to cool) whilst I peeled my cloves... which reminds me, I learnt a lovely phrase in France; "en chemise" which means "unpeeled" but which I couldn't help but think of quite literally, and couldn't help but laugh, as I imagined lots of little prawns (which were on the menu at the time) or in this case, garlic bulbs, in their undergarments! It is the kind of job that gets equally tedious and addictive but well worth the effort. Into a heavy based pan I put all the other ingredients, brought it to the boil for 5 minutes and then put the garlic in for another 30-40 seconds. The garlic and pickling juice were instantly transferred to the jar and left to cool before being put in the fridge. I tried a piece before I put it in the fridge, soft on the outside and crunchy in the middle; I prefer my garlic soft all the way through so will have to see if that comes with time and absorption... I have a week or so to wait. I have since seen other recipes that cook the garlic for longer, the perfect excuse to try again if these are not quite as I would like! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I misread the recipe and picked the garlic out again!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTfdNyfchBI7F-AxV1Y7u0c9AGbQhTY4KwpVEhIwtSTY-lPq2txL7km4a6xPSs6eN1N8I07qTOqzbaSirvJZD1JIZ9lKSRz3-jvH5RvdZr8JDAuOq5Y1yoJ3LOWiGaI2EQCgSKa_8pIyy/s1600/WP_20130901_006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTfdNyfchBI7F-AxV1Y7u0c9AGbQhTY4KwpVEhIwtSTY-lPq2txL7km4a6xPSs6eN1N8I07qTOqzbaSirvJZD1JIZ9lKSRz3-jvH5RvdZr8JDAuOq5Y1yoJ3LOWiGaI2EQCgSKa_8pIyy/s560/WP_20130901_006.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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In the meantime, the leftover pickling juice makes a lovely light and fragrant salad dressing, an unexpected secondary treat.</div>
Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-6334989888064035562013-09-02T15:54:00.002+01:002013-09-02T15:54:54.184+01:00It's time to stop being a fool!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it.” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/82951.W_C_Fields" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">W.C. Fields</a></span></div>
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So said my calendar last month. I laughed when I first read it but it proved to be good advice,particularly for someone who doesn't like to give up. I'm quite pleased to have turned the page: all I need to do this month is laugh at myself and I do that already, as a good friend once said, "you can't be our kinda crazy without laughing about it!"<br />
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And so it is, with August's wise words echoing about the brain, that I have decided to call it time on the Mermaid costume as it currently stands. It has been wonderful, but deeply frustrating, project from the day I started and it feels like it has fought me all the way. With only a few weeks to go and left feeling, once again, as though I'm going backwards, not forwards, I am calling time on it. Life is too damn short to be swearing at my sewing, it's my "go to" not my "get away from".<br />
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The nail in the costume-coffin was a disastrous afternoon this weekend spent trying to make the pannier hips which would have started the skirt. After three attempts, the second of which involved 2 broken needles and a damaged bobbin case (all the same incident, I managed to leave my seat and duck at the same time) and more wasted fabric, boning and materials than I care to contemplate, the only good thing I can say about the experience is that my sewing machine finally got a much needed mini-service. I was left with one pannier, that looked like I'd thrown it together (truth be told, by that point, I pretty much did) and just didn't/couldn't/wouldn't follow the line I was trying to create. I was getting grumpy and when the lovely boyf stuck his head above the parapet and dared ask if maybe I shouldn't stop for now, I realised that yep, it's time for me to stop.<br />
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So I have a blue wig, a bag of blue fabric, shells and other assorted wotnots, and a lingering desire to still make it as a Mermaid in time for Halloween. For now though, I'm going to listen to Mr Fields, have a good chuckle with myself, take a couple of weeks off and, for Round 2, the strict instruction will be to "keep it simple".</div>
Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-33293018739583833572013-08-27T20:20:00.001+01:002013-09-02T16:14:07.196+01:00Stu goes on Retreat <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Try as we did, last Saturday I came to the decision to rehome the fabulous Stu. It was turning out that he was a doodler, still not a particularly good one, but very, very keen. He could doodle standing up, sitting down, lying on his back having a belly rub, daytime, nighttime, dawn, dusk and never for less than at least a couple of dozen doodles. We ran out of options for keeping him quiet and his hormones were getting the better of him too. He was picking on the girls, Macy included, and my little run is not big enough to give them all room to safely escape each other.<br />
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He still loved a cuddle and is young enough to find his place in a new coop; I found the perfect place too, a rescue that will keep him forever and has both a flock of roos and of hens. They seemed delighted to have him and I trust them to keep him well and happy.<br />
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So, Saturday morning we went on a road trip. It was pouring with rain and the traffic was awful so Stu and I did what all good road trips do, chewed the fat and sang. Well, he doodled (and doodled and doodled) and I sang loudly (and somewhat out of key) over the top. It was a good goodbye. <br />
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I can't say I'm not appreciating the more relaxed atmosphere, the girls certainly are not pining (fickle ladies, all of them) but I do wish we had had the means to keep Stu, he is a great character and I was rather fond of his doodles, despite the noise and frequency. At least we know we saved him from being "surplus to requirements" and have found him a good place to live out his days.<br />
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Happy doodles Chicken Stu xLucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-36609304092923215552013-08-11T20:59:00.000+01:002013-08-11T20:59:24.093+01:00Three very special dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I volunteer a few hours a week at a dog rescue, it is great experience for my course and even better for my soul. The kindness, commitment and dedication of the people that run it is inspiring; I love the time that I spend there and some of the dogs become very special. I took a couple of photos today of three wonderful little souls, a snapshot of life at a dog rescue.</div>
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Little Taz, he's 14 and in need of a foster who will give him lots love and care. He's booked in for a good groom and haircut but I rather love his shaggy dog look and I think he enjoyed his impromptu bath today.</div>
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Angel. One noisy little girl who will do anything for a bellyrub!</div>
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And Asia. A stunning, young girl with the most amazing ears! She reminds me a great deal of my Megs and this photo just melts my heart.</div>
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If you ever have space in your heart and your life for a dog, there would be no better bet than a rescue. I'm lucky to see for myself the trust that they place in their rescuers and the love that they have to give when they find their new family. They really are very special dogs.</div>
Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-11319058276186829642013-08-11T20:21:00.001+01:002013-08-11T20:21:12.442+01:00Fabric for the Space Mermaid costume<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I found Aladdin's Cave yesterday; a shop in a little village about 30 minutes away from me that stocks the best selection of sewing and crafting goods that I have seen in years... it will be dangerous, it's already dangerous, I don't have enough hours in the day for the ideas that it's given me!</div>
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As it was, I found a great selection of fabrics for the skirt of my mermaid costume, plus embroidery flosses, beads, pre-drilled decorative shells and the most amazing recycled, ribboned sari, that I just couldn't resist. I've matched the skirt to the wig colour (far left).</div>
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The replacement foot for my sewing still has not arrived but I am working on the patterns for the pannier hips and skirt. I feel like I'm finally over the hump on this project and actually have an idea of where it is going!</div>
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Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-81550413286912473562013-08-07T17:30:00.000+01:002013-08-07T17:30:00.097+01:00Wales, Wordy Wednesday 7th August 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I missed three Wednesdays over the course of the year, I have decided to extend the run; plus it is the perfect chance to share my favourite photographs from the annual trip to Wales with the lovely boyf's work. This year our whole pack went; the 12 yr old, Megs and Finn. It could have been utterly fraught from the start; Megs is usually an atrocious traveller and seven hours of dobe-whining could have been the beginning and the end of the weekend, Finn gets car sick and the 12 yr old gets bored, very bored. As it was, Megs was impeccable. the 12 yr old a dream and Finn, bless him, was only sick once in each direction. Wales itself was as beautiful as ever and, with the dogs and Finn on his first ever expedition, we didn't do the usual big, mad scramble but found a very picturesque river/hill/valley/lake walk instead... all 10km, 1400ft and 6 hours of it! </div>
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Our little gang of happy walkers (the boyf, his Uncle and Aunt, the 12 yr old and a couple of friends) were perfect company for the day but, for me, the dogs were the highlight. I often compare our two mutts to toddlers and do, quite honestly, think of them in much that way in terms of their needs for care and discipline and in their capabilities to learn and be naughty! I love to watch them in new situations like this; seeing them explore, watching their reactions and growing sense of achievement... I was a proud Mum on Saturday. Megs always makes me smile, she is so exuberant and into every little thing, and as for my little Finn, he was a joy to watch. He's not been well with his breathing, so it was a concern that he would even make it all the way around without help, and he has never walked in an environment like this before. At the start, we had to show him where to walk and the joys of cool river in which to paddle in were utterly lost on him. By the end, he was climbing rocks, taking a dip in the lake and, the following morning, I woke up to two bright eyes, ears that stood to attention and a little face that said "so, what's the plan for today, huh?"... it was a shame that all I could offer was a ride home in the car! </div>
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Here are my favourite pictures of a wonderful day.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We started off with Gelert, the noble hound after whom the village is named.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Aberglaslyn Pass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megs loves, loves, loves the river; here she was figuring her way down a 12ft bank back to it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remnants of the old copper mines that scatter the valley.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the top.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finn enjoying the breeze.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a paddle in the lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleepy, happy pup!</td></tr>
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Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-20650518758084868622013-07-31T21:25:00.003+01:002013-07-31T21:25:53.124+01:00Macy-I'm-sporting-a-fabulous-comb-Grey, Wordless Wednesday 31st July 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've not had one like that in the coop before, it's quite spectacular.</div>
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Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-86115868645090987042013-07-31T21:20:00.001+01:002013-07-31T21:20:33.876+01:00Butternut Squash, Leek and Spinach Lasagne with Vegan Cheese Sauce<div style="text-align: justify;">
The vegan sour cream experiment continues... sour cream sussed, the next "I need to get it sorted" was a good "cheese" sauce for lasagne. This is based on a <a href="http://jamieshomecookingskills.com/recipe.php?title=butternut-squash-sweet-leek-lasagne">recipe</a> from Jamie Oliver and a "cheezy" sauce <a href="http://www.vegetarianrecipeclub.org.uk/vegetarian-vegan-recipe/eazy-cheezy-sauce-silken-tofu-base">recipe</a>. I would post a picture showing you just how good it looked but we were far too busy demolishing it to stop and pose for photos. It went down well.</div>
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The recipe goes something like this:<br />
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Chop 1kg butternust squash into 3" cubes, put on a baking tray with a good sprinkle of EVOO, salt and pepper and over bake at 190C for an hour. Set aside.<br />
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Slice 4 leeks, add to a pan with a tbsp of EVOO and saute (with the lid on) for 10 minutes till soft. Add 200gms spinach and stir in till wilted. Add tofu cheese sauce (see below) and set aside.<br />
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Cheat and buy a large jar of Dolmio Lasagne Sauce! And fresh lasagne sheets; they cook better than dry in this recipe.<br />
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Tofu Cheese Sauce:<br />
1/2 small Red Onion<br />
1 medium clove Garlic<br />
1/2 tbsp EVOO<br />
1 pkt Silken Tofu (firm)<br />
Soya Milk<br />
1 tbsp Arrowroot<br />
1 tbsp Lemon Juice<br />
1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar<br />
2 tsp Dijon Mustard<br />
1/2 tsp Salt<br />
1/2 tsp Paprika<br />
1/2 tsp Turmeric<br />
Black Pepper<br />
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I blitzed the onion and garlic in the blender till fine and the added all the other ingredients except the milk. This was then blitzed till smooth and enough milk added at the end to thin it to a single cream consistency. All but 4-6 tbsps of the sauce was then stirred into the leek and spinach mixture.<br />
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Building the lasagne:<br />
Spread 1/4 of the Dolmio sauce on the base of the pasta dish. Lay the first layer of pasta sheets down. Cover these with 1/3 of the leek and spinach mix and then press 1/3 of the squash pieces into it. Pour 1/4 of the Dolmio sauce over this and then add a second layer of pasta. Repeat this process and when you reach the third layer of pasta pour the last of the Dolmio sauce on top and the remaining cheese sauce. Mix these two gently together and grate a little black pepper on top.<br />
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Oven bake, with tin foil on top for 15 minutes (20 if the pasta is dried) at 190C and a further 15 (20) minutes with the foil removed.<br />
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Enjoy. We did!</div>
Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-30069008097065468032013-07-31T20:32:00.000+01:002013-07-31T20:32:11.149+01:00Vegan Sour Cream, part 2<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, were sour cream in concerned, there can be a part 2... in my world there could easily be a parts 3, 4 and 5 if you let me! The reason for part two is simple, I have perfected the recipe and it is this:</div>
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1 package of Mori Nu Silken Tofu (firm)<br />
2 tbsp EVOO<br />
2 tbsp Lemon Juice<br />
2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar<br />
1/2 tsp Salt
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Blend all till smooth and enjoy!<br />
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It looks like this:<br />
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and works great in twice-baked potato with spring onions.<br />
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See.<br />
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Sour Cream, especially the utterly guilt free kind, rocks!</div>
Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639825719105153342.post-73959779362194067942013-07-29T21:17:00.001+01:002013-07-30T10:45:51.211+01:00The Corset... done!<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's been a funny old week, lots of stuff going on and nothing worth talking about... mainly just a blur of a poorly Finn, sleepless nights, general chaos and very confusing (just this unit please) homework. In and amongst it all I found a little peace in finishing the corset - a task made all the more interesting by the fact that the foot pedal of my sewing machine has broken and stopping and starting it now needs to be done by unplugging the pedal and putting it back in again. Very disconcerting, it made sewing a straight line almost impossible; a new pedal may be nearly £50 but it will be money well spent!</div>
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But enough, none of it is the point. The point is the corset is complete, finally. Complete. I'm going to savour the moment, it's been far too long a time in coming.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh280J2gdEIpTzYcYjhyphenhyphen71liX75MAp1bFnifFgOiv4RWWhCsvjvft-yBJTiZFl_YU5vCb0n4UN4pu3Rsv8JiZyU46QG95jmsb0qfUJf8V3eHq2vDFfi0orBGEfTfg9fpSd7sRW9uQORXH9S/s1600/WP_20130729_007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh280J2gdEIpTzYcYjhyphenhyphen71liX75MAp1bFnifFgOiv4RWWhCsvjvft-yBJTiZFl_YU5vCb0n4UN4pu3Rsv8JiZyU46QG95jmsb0qfUJf8V3eHq2vDFfi0orBGEfTfg9fpSd7sRW9uQORXH9S/s580/WP_20130729_007.jpg" /></a></div>
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Yes, I need different coloured laces and further decoration is still to be sorted out, but I have a corset. Phew.</div>
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Lucy Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06220373681391154119noreply@blogger.com0