tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56221436820019437642024-03-05T20:59:08.426+00:00Woolly Two ShoesWoolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.comBlogger384125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-74001247588052915112014-12-09T18:59:00.000+00:002014-12-09T18:59:47.848+00:00Black Circle Skirt<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Hey look, another black jersey item...how exciting! </div>
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Yes fine, it's not the most challenging make, but I'd argue that a good circle skirt is a pretty essential part of a wardrobe. Especially when that wardrobe has to fit into a rucksack and spend the next two weeks travelling by rail and bus through Poland, Germany and France. </div>
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It was for that very reason that I chose this black, textured double-knit jersey from my gigantic eBay haul of a couple of years ago. The fabric's weight gave the skirt a nice drape, while the all-over crinkly texture helped disguise most packing wrinkles. I was able to shake it out of the bag and put it on without fussing with an iron. Best of all, it helped me look and feel slightly more elegant - even when I was just wearing a t-shirt - then the pair of shorts and crumpled trousers I'd brought along. </div>
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The lovely team at By Hand London brought out a <a href="http://byhandlondon.com/pages/circle-skirt-app" target="_blank">circle skirt app</a> several months ago - if you haven't tried it yet, what the hell are you waiting for? It's helped simplify things so much, and was what I used to make this skirt. I've used it before to make another circle skirt - a navy and white striped piece that has yet to be blogged. And now I keep wanting to make more skirts! I'm currently restraining myself from making 20 different circle skirts, but it's hard to do when the app makes it so easy and the results are so comfortable. </div>
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There's not much else to say about this skirt really - other than I really LOVE IT and have worn it A LOT. So much, in fact, that I have to make a conscious effort not to wear it every week so the people I work with don't think I only have one set of clothes. I really should make one or two more circle skirts in other fabrics to change things up a bit. </div>
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What else? It's got a lapped zipper, and a waistband made of the same fabric, which unfortunately stretched a bit but is really useful for when I've eaten too much. Oh, it's also got big, deep pockets, lined in big pink fabric. For keeping my hands in, either on cold days or when I'm feeling awkward and have no idea what to do with them.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sunglasses - Shotgun Wedding at the Tea Rooms, T-shirt - op-shop, Skirt - self-made, Bag - op-shop, plimsolls - John Lewis</span></i></div>
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Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-30853713830669185212014-11-28T21:07:00.000+00:002014-11-30T18:35:43.566+00:00The Lil(le) Black Dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Now that winter is well and truly on it's way, why not do a post about a really hot summery daytrip in July, eh? The occasion was The Manbacon's 35th birthday, and I'd spent the previous two weeks frantically arranging tickets to Lille, and making sure that he'd booked that day off, while keeping the trip a surprise from him. I also managed to make myself a little black dress for the trip, in between everything else. </div>
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It's difficult to make out many details on this dress, but it's made with black jersey (from the op-shop, of course), to a bodice pattern by <a href="http://veravenus.com/diy-things-to-make-tutorials-patterns/" target="_blank">Sew Vera Venus</a>. The pattern itself is only available in one size, for busts between 35 to 37 inches, and is meant for woven fabrics. Since I usually wear a 34" bust, I simply 'cheated' and made the seam allowances slightly larger, instead of faffing about with grading it down. I figured that since my fabric had quite a bit of stretch to it, it wouldn't really matter too much if I accidentally took too much in. </div>
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Once the bodice came together, it took no time at all to make a skirt from the rest of the fabric (simply two rectangles joined at the side seams) and attach it to the top. I also cut a long strip of fabric and sewed it into a tube, to make the spaghetti straps for my dress. Probably not the best idea to use a flimsy strip of stretchy jersey to hold up your dress - I spent many minutes throughout the day tugging at the bodice and tying and retying the straps and as they had a tendency to stretch and head south as the day progressed. </div>
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Other than that little problem (which seems to have finally sorted itself out - the straps seem to have stopped stretching), the dress itself was a dream to wear, especially on a filthy hot, humid summer day. I've since worn that dress several times, putting it to the test by cycling and even getting tangled in blackberry bushes while wearing it, and it's held up wonderfully. </div>
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As I mentioned above, it was a pretty disgustingly sweaty type of day, so we passed the worst of it in the seemingly under-hyped treasure that is the Lille Natural History Museum (<a href="http://www.musenor.com/en/Les-Musees/Lille-Musee-d-Histoire-Naturelle" target="_blank">Musee d'Histoire Naturelle</a>). There was almost no one else there except for us and the staff, so we explored the collections in peace. There's plenty of wonderful taxidermy animals in it, including the rather magnificent Ron Swanson-like snow leopard above, as well as a little tableau showing how they mount the animals for display. </div>
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The twitchers among you might also be interested to know that the museum has a vast collection of stuffed birds, all displayed in beautiful old vitrines, including hundreds of jewel-toned hummingbirds. These were breathtaking, I spent ages staring at them trying to memorise every single detail. There are a few displays of dinosaur fossils, although nowhere near as spectacular as the displays at the <a href="http://woollytwoshoes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/rocks-and-bones.html" target="_blank">Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences</a>. And, almost forgotten in a hidden corner upstairs, is a rather lonely little axolotl. It's quite a small musuem, but it's got such a still, old-fashioned air about it that it's easy to lose hours in there enjoying the various exhibits. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Dress - self made, pattern from <a href="http://veravenus.com/diy-things-to-make-tutorials-patterns/" target="_blank">Sew Vera Venus</a>, handbag - vintage, belt - Sainsburys, sunglasses - vintage</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.musenor.com/en/Les-Musees/Lille-Musee-d-Histoire-Naturelle" target="_blank"><br /></a></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.musenor.com/en/Les-Musees/Lille-Musee-d-Histoire-Naturelle" target="_blank">Musée d’Histoire Naturelle</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, FreeSans, Helvetica, 'Trebuchet MS', Tahoma, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.6566390991211px;">19, rue de Bruxelles</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, FreeSans, Helvetica, 'Trebuchet MS', Tahoma, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.6566390991211px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, FreeSans, Helvetica, 'Trebuchet MS', Tahoma, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.6566390991211px;">59000 Lille</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, FreeSans, Helvetica, 'Trebuchet MS', Tahoma, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.6566390991211px;">France</span></div>
Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-86086421623958172392014-09-02T19:27:00.002+01:002014-09-02T19:27:57.522+01:00The Red House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, this post is a <i>little</i> late. Okay, more than a little - I went to the <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/red-house/" target="_blank">Red House</a> last August Bank Holiday, so a whole year ago, in fact. Located a short walk away from Bexleyheath train station, it was built and lived in by William Morris and his family, and was a gathering place for a host of Pre-Raphaelite artists. It is currently managed by the National Trust, and features a wealth of paintings, furniture and artworks created by Morris and his contemporaries, especially Edward Burne-Jones. </div>
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We chose to explore the house without a guide, and so could spend as long as we wanted admiring the various nooks and crannies of the place. The house is surrounded by a rather large garden, which, despite being nearly the end of summer, was still in bloom, full of lazy dahlias and fragrant herbs. We packed a small lunch, and spent some time on a bench in front of the main house, just taking it all in. Anyway, less talk, more photos... </div>
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<a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/red-house/" target="_blank">Red House</a></div>
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Red House Lane, Bexleyheath</div>
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DA6 8JF</div>
Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-42575997769486330382014-08-07T17:58:00.000+01:002014-08-07T17:58:30.783+01:00Two-tone Bucket Bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The temptation to sew my own bags hit me hard about a year ago, but I tried to resist, until, one fateful night about six months ago, what should I find on ebay but a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/MCCALLS-FASHION-ACCESSORIES-PATTERN-BACKPACKS/sim/B009QPYTHU/2" target="_blank">McCall's 9261</a>. It included about 7 patterns, mostly for simple tote bags, but what really caught my eye was the military-style bucket bag on the cover. All that for only 60p, because the seller's dog had taken it for a chew toy. Two clicks and it was mine! </div>
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I wanted a hard-wearing bag that wouldn't clash too most of my clothes, so I dug out a piece of black faux leather that a friend had given me a while ago. The leather was just long enough, but alas, not wide enough for the bag. What to do? A quick dig through my stash and I found a leg from some old black jeans - it turned out to be wide enough to make up the missing height, and made a nice textural contrast against the black leather. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1qbHybr0iFzznYvrnpuuX_gODT0-ZupnR54bN3pBtKVa7eMrcwYsMc4Wl71ZNTRpXDzB9VwXuRZqDnX0iZM0jAQurqC6jfMIwehKQvjYtcAL9fms3xt4q600psBCVFgAxDbeZKyrYX0/s1600/P6092513_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1qbHybr0iFzznYvrnpuuX_gODT0-ZupnR54bN3pBtKVa7eMrcwYsMc4Wl71ZNTRpXDzB9VwXuRZqDnX0iZM0jAQurqC6jfMIwehKQvjYtcAL9fms3xt4q600psBCVFgAxDbeZKyrYX0/s1600/P6092513_1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The pattern itself is fairly simple - two large rectangles for the bag and lining, and two circles for the base of the bag and the lining. There's also one smaller rectangle for the pocket, which I placed inside, on the lining fabric, instead of front and centre as in the illustration. The other change I made was to add two straps, so I could wear the bag on both shoulders (more comfy this way!), instead of one strap across the body. I cut the straps out of some lovely dark blue suede that was purchased from an op-shop last year. </div>
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The lining fabric - which you can see peeking out in some photos - is a <i>very</i> polyester-y, 1960/70s upholstery fabric that I got for free (FREE!) when a friend of a friend was destashing and moving to faraway lands. It was a nice loud floral, very emblematic of it's era, but I had qualms about using it in something wearable, because, urgh, so plasticky. It made a nice contrast to all the black and blue on the outside and was a nice, heavy weight. The pattern also suggested interfacing the fabric, but I skipped it because the denim was thick enough, and also, laziness. </div>
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It all came together fairly quickly, mostly straight lines except for having to sew the round base to the tube of fabric to form a bag, but even that was pretty straightforward once I neatened up the edges of the circles. The machine did groan a little when going through double or triple thicknesses of denim and leather, but I just told it to shut up, used a leather needle and sewed very slowly. I also topstitched everything, in an attempt at a professional, finished look. </div>
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The longest, and perhaps most annoying bits, were having to insert the grommets into the top of the bag for the drawstring closure. The grommets required were pretty big, about 15mm wide, and I had to be very careful and make sure I didn't tear the fabric too much so they popped out and left a big hole in the bag. Which, when all you want is to go the park with your new bag, is very frustrating. I used a awl (the sharp point thing, not an owl, the bird) to make the initial hole, then widened it slowly with a variety of sharp implements, carefully pushing the threads aside instead of cutting through them. Then, when it was wide enough, I had to hammer the grommet in, making sure no sharp metal bits stuck out. The first one took me about half an hour to insert, I kid you not. I think I managed to get it down to about 7 minutes per grommet towards the end, but dammnit, that was a long afternoon. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuMOPL5dCNTLvtmnEGhZ3GF_TmVsihQRZqTe0PtoazWwphv3Btq943UwFVbhyphenhyphenCG_OrNYAbcE9ouOHISzhumNMMds-esUZwBl-FvI14aQyv7m8FPzdLZhx8F8Z-kkL5yINz-ug9lj1rVM/s1600/P6092515_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuMOPL5dCNTLvtmnEGhZ3GF_TmVsihQRZqTe0PtoazWwphv3Btq943UwFVbhyphenhyphenCG_OrNYAbcE9ouOHISzhumNMMds-esUZwBl-FvI14aQyv7m8FPzdLZhx8F8Z-kkL5yINz-ug9lj1rVM/s1600/P6092515_1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXLRqQ5YzMouHgOlDbWNvvjrfVpq2HdpstcDXoAsVy8UuySVWxaGsEL-PhP2mwbEVNHGwEnJcSoHSywRVDZ14K0ZmdXhizISb7PGyqgxNB51xDufUGkfo8vGqKc86oAM8Fiz2Ayj_xpA/s1600/P6092526_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXLRqQ5YzMouHgOlDbWNvvjrfVpq2HdpstcDXoAsVy8UuySVWxaGsEL-PhP2mwbEVNHGwEnJcSoHSywRVDZ14K0ZmdXhizISb7PGyqgxNB51xDufUGkfo8vGqKc86oAM8Fiz2Ayj_xpA/s1600/P6092526_1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>Sunglasses - Shotgun Wedding at <a href="http://www.bricklane-tearooms.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Tea Rooms</a>, Brick Lane</i></div>
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<i>Dress - from Hong Kong (about 15 years old)</i></div>
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<i>Bag - Self-made</i></div>
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<i>Boots - H&M (about 3 years old)</i></div>
Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-9857365147351975202014-07-23T18:25:00.000+01:002014-07-28T14:25:15.237+01:00None More Black Bustier Top<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uDQgVqNRAUWDlvW0AU0xM_cBsy5xmkX1PNz4PylSmWfcHsx4AldLpzzvSHIPiNJgv1n8vuJzkTZ66mer8IHaNQjEP5Uhl60NBQDwqiGjqTXPcgAv9B6Er7B3jWQRC1828Diu0tpvdt4/s1600/P4182353_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uDQgVqNRAUWDlvW0AU0xM_cBsy5xmkX1PNz4PylSmWfcHsx4AldLpzzvSHIPiNJgv1n8vuJzkTZ66mer8IHaNQjEP5Uhl60NBQDwqiGjqTXPcgAv9B6Er7B3jWQRC1828Diu0tpvdt4/s1600/P4182353_1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hello, remember me? I fell off the blogging map for a bit. My excuse? The computer imploded, and despite being married to an IT genius, I had to survive on an ancient Mac laptop that was basically help together with several reels of sticky tape for the next few months. My hands have been far from idle during this period - this bustier is one of a number of items I've sewn up but haven't had time to blog about yet. </div>
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I intended this to be a wearable toile, before cutting into my fancy fabrics. The material came from two old skirts - a corduroy one that had seen better days, and a velvet skirt that had already been partly incorporated into a <a href="http://woollytwoshoes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/the-swanning-around-outfit.html" target="_blank">pencil skirt</a>. It was also lined with some scraps of double-knit jersey from my stash, to prevent any potential chafing situations. </div>
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The bustier was based on <a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/satin-panties-and-bustier-012012" target="_blank">Burdastyle 01/2012 #127</a> - it comes with a pattern for highwaisted pants which I will attempt sometime soon (in Spandex perhaps?). It's a relatively simple pattern, with three pattern pieces - centre front, sides and back. I also added some thick straps to it, which were traced from <a href="http://www.simplicitynewlook.com/6675/#.U86hi_ldX_o" target="_blank">New Look 6675</a>. The straps help prevent any embarrassing clothing malfunctions, and also stop me from having to hoik up the bustier every 10 seconds or so. The bustier was lengthened by about 1.5 inches, by attaching the waistband of the corduroy skirt to the bottom of the bustier. I felt that this gave it a more finished look, turning it from lingerie-style top to a proper 'outside' top.</div>
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I made it in a size 34 bust, and used the size 8 for the straps. Unfortunately, my shoulder-to-boob ratio (proper technical term) is slightly shorter than the long lithe creatures they usually design for, so the straps were just ever slightly too long. Which I only found out after wearing the top around town for a day, constantly fiddling and pulling them back up onto my shoulders. So I ended up unpicking about half the machine-sewn stitches and cutting about 1cm off the straps. The top fits so much better now but let me tell you, I could have stabbed someone with a seam-ripper when I had to do that correction.</div>
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The double-layer of thick fabric was perfect for April, which was when the bustier was finished and when these photos were taken. It was perfect over a high-waisted skirt or trousers, and under a light jacket or cardigan. However, the temperature has risen considerably since than, which means that I end up with a rather unglamourous line of sweat between my boobs. It's a very comfortable top for these warmer temperatures though, so I will be working on one of two more versions in the near future, made with much thinner fabric. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-0n2xp6BiDEIGP4lzDvLbyLxZDKhXMbMlOrxqhy7x2DrWQPcpoKP_fRyi2AL_5nPz9he9Bup5QJ5WXc4MjEqB0ItPpB5F7YCOglx8Px7hKkzsqdsWKmObGlvGmx1Wg5QPp2ZC-QpYtA/s1600/P4182357_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-0n2xp6BiDEIGP4lzDvLbyLxZDKhXMbMlOrxqhy7x2DrWQPcpoKP_fRyi2AL_5nPz9he9Bup5QJ5WXc4MjEqB0ItPpB5F7YCOglx8Px7hKkzsqdsWKmObGlvGmx1Wg5QPp2ZC-QpYtA/s1600/P4182357_1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVKYssGgvfCk7LPtN68hjWyk4OxICi-QaZKyL9umD2d7VoobvdSJYs26CMtpmKt8uuMggv-1PPmOy1tM_k7MQAzyAFUk9Lvs1_XroUm2xQZCR6-wONd591eKfmPnbj8pse8zlIC3IWQg/s1600/P4182358_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVKYssGgvfCk7LPtN68hjWyk4OxICi-QaZKyL9umD2d7VoobvdSJYs26CMtpmKt8uuMggv-1PPmOy1tM_k7MQAzyAFUk9Lvs1_XroUm2xQZCR6-wONd591eKfmPnbj8pse8zlIC3IWQg/s1600/P4182358_1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Sunglasses - vintage (op-shop)</i><br />
<i>Necklace - op-shop</i><br />
<i>Denim jacket - Levi's (bought new about 15 years ago)</i><br />
<i>Bustier top - self-made</i><br />
<i>Belt - Sainsburys </i><br />
<i>1970s skirt - op-shop</i><br />
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Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-29357869221655340982014-04-25T17:58:00.000+01:002014-04-25T17:58:00.387+01:00Icarus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUHgsGTNCU-7W4y0gY4vGRyka2-R-z35ikhUbfrHUzqBX9HKQIjm3w7Pz1KwDFk9lII2rMVBRGkriISbfYTCQ2hvpIP09CgtIQCXMA7VIIL9oPb8-B4lTFqH2gKfALBMwhJq1lVJLk34/s1600/Icarus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUHgsGTNCU-7W4y0gY4vGRyka2-R-z35ikhUbfrHUzqBX9HKQIjm3w7Pz1KwDFk9lII2rMVBRGkriISbfYTCQ2hvpIP09CgtIQCXMA7VIIL9oPb8-B4lTFqH2gKfALBMwhJq1lVJLk34/s1600/Icarus.jpg" height="640" width="446" /></a></div>
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Hand-cut collage, approx. 4" x 6"</div>
Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-81959286677005201342014-04-24T17:58:00.000+01:002014-04-24T17:58:01.183+01:00Hercules <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9c3vmV9BW5A5zifdZKFTBJ2n4fhXJdXvPcsUN6ZklACASeTmhyphenhyphenDW_s3hMcPB3-0yTNX2r0EYFr4wEzM75QT-LF6kbOXBMuDz5SECbeTdN378_sU5vx-S3YFysuhujeMqLn07QpmhL7r4/s1600/Hercules.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9c3vmV9BW5A5zifdZKFTBJ2n4fhXJdXvPcsUN6ZklACASeTmhyphenhyphenDW_s3hMcPB3-0yTNX2r0EYFr4wEzM75QT-LF6kbOXBMuDz5SECbeTdN378_sU5vx-S3YFysuhujeMqLn07QpmhL7r4/s1600/Hercules.jpg" height="640" width="456" /></a></div>
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Hand-cut collage on card, approx 4" x 6". </div>
Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-68691346590118318952014-04-14T19:55:00.000+01:002014-04-14T19:57:14.629+01:00Mocha Choca Madeleines<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Having chanced upon some madeleine tins while in Calais in November last year, I returned to London with all the best intentions of churning out try after tray of the tiny delicacies. I would be making madeleines every weekend, my kitchen would be filled with edible seashell shapes in all colours of the rainbow, all with different flavours. Best-laid schemes of mice and (wo)men, and all that...and so the tins languished in my kitchen cupboard for the next few months. </div>
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Anyway, Ari sent me a link to that John Whaite off the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b013pqnm" target="_blank">GBBO</a>'s* recipe for madeleines flavoured with chocolate and coffee. They sounded tasty, and not too complicated. So I gave them a go. He also includes a recipe for a cocoa-flavoured dipping sauce, but I left that out and simply dusted with icing sugar instead.</div>
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*That's Great British Bake-Off for those of you not au fait with today's yoof slang. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIrpnDDYvawuS8H8zmCUGP1OSx8VTGipvzqtpiLTK4ztg3n4ByQFTtQLlFpEGo3qrmmhbka60fj5KWIktHA-Szo-s96lmb3dLr8NKQgOo2wCF9_5RoWNcsHy3-AmljK0mK4k4oymakqE/s1600/2014-03-07+01.40.12+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIrpnDDYvawuS8H8zmCUGP1OSx8VTGipvzqtpiLTK4ztg3n4ByQFTtQLlFpEGo3qrmmhbka60fj5KWIktHA-Szo-s96lmb3dLr8NKQgOo2wCF9_5RoWNcsHy3-AmljK0mK4k4oymakqE/s1600/2014-03-07+01.40.12+1.jpg" height="638" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Mocha Choca Madeleines </b>(adapted from <a href="http://www.johnwhaite.com/" target="_blank">John Whaite's</a> <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/recipes/10435359/Great-British-Bake-Off-John-Whaites-coffee-break-recipes.html" target="_blank">recipe for the Telegraph</a>)</div>
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Ingredients<br />
100g salted butter<br />
2 eggs<br />
100g caster sugar<br />
1 tsp coffee extract (I used <a href="http://www.naturallygoodfood.co.uk/Natural_Essences/Pure_Coffee_Essence_59ml" target="_blank">this</a>)<br />
85gms plain flour<br />
15g cocoa powder</div>
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Directions<br />
- Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C.<br />
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- Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat, then set aside.<br />
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- Put the eggs, sugar and coffee extract into a mixing bowl, and beat with an electric whisk until light and fluffy, and tripled in volume. This should take about 12 -15 mins.<br />
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- Sift the flour and cocoa powder into the egg mixture, then pour in the butter. Gently fold these into the egg mixture until smooth and silky.<br />
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- Fill the madeleine moulds about 2/3 full, then bake for 8 - 10 mins or until the madeleines look slightly browned around the ages. Turn them out of the tin as soon as they are baked or they will stick. Lightly dust with icing sugar or cocoa powder (optional). </div>
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Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-36939949532157630412014-04-08T18:41:00.002+01:002014-04-08T18:41:54.470+01:00First Aid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVpzfn8ne472cCMrhDVN7bUU3p4p4YaExR3sQf-Z-wX5eAXDA0Px9TYkxxDDWOtaz5XpZ24g3OhYREiuONjdwau9aW7EVoINx0-XjzP9skl0HMZFFqoEwvI33vRPe3xXq0EOKhqFguPE/s1600/2014-04-04+01.28.01+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVpzfn8ne472cCMrhDVN7bUU3p4p4YaExR3sQf-Z-wX5eAXDA0Px9TYkxxDDWOtaz5XpZ24g3OhYREiuONjdwau9aW7EVoINx0-XjzP9skl0HMZFFqoEwvI33vRPe3xXq0EOKhqFguPE/s1600/2014-04-04+01.28.01+1.jpg" height="640" width="638" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqTUwWReUk-zsQfHu83y7Wj99lCgrlidcUlydHkGG6X81TQKKfGasiIeduXg5sLA04Y_RO4QClci6_6Boo9lMPoIHG4QIbYBKcmf6iboF1QF2lYdifP8j08wbQoJpqUibvXUkP29uGRw/s1600/2013-12-28+07.05.09+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqTUwWReUk-zsQfHu83y7Wj99lCgrlidcUlydHkGG6X81TQKKfGasiIeduXg5sLA04Y_RO4QClci6_6Boo9lMPoIHG4QIbYBKcmf6iboF1QF2lYdifP8j08wbQoJpqUibvXUkP29uGRw/s1600/2013-12-28+07.05.09+1.jpg" height="638" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you find yourself with a cut, a scrape, a bruise, or a wound of any sort...please do not seek me out. My stall at the Tea Rooms may have a rather impressive collection of First Aid kits, bandages, and various lotions and potions, but they're all rather, erm, old. Strictly for display, or to frighten off some squeamish friends. </div>
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Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-84418177341709128152014-03-19T19:26:00.000+00:002014-03-19T19:26:58.855+00:00Stranger In My Camera<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSQtJ1nLvwG8CuldyONyx2DRjW1_BCuK6r1xWHnpNAr1mqm7hvd0vElUeNtXS89LGjMS1rqN9HIFLkyIjGTvxT3KikQ6w0soqBNGVlvaamDOWtTVgi7-EqXfrMjdbgPSHP5BUQwyqWb8/s1600/1stRoll-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSQtJ1nLvwG8CuldyONyx2DRjW1_BCuK6r1xWHnpNAr1mqm7hvd0vElUeNtXS89LGjMS1rqN9HIFLkyIjGTvxT3KikQ6w0soqBNGVlvaamDOWtTVgi7-EqXfrMjdbgPSHP5BUQwyqWb8/s1600/1stRoll-01.jpg" height="294" width="640" /></a></div>
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I found a <a href="http://microsites.lomography.com/diana/" target="_blank">Diana F+</a> at a car boot sale several months ago. I'm usually not too keen on cameras from Lomography, but the lady selling it enticed me with the offer of a free, unused roll of 120 film. There was already a roll in the camera, so I took it with me to Belgium to test it out. The shots above were taken by the lady's daughter (I assume), and the only ones of her photos that turned out. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtiQRyWG3Imnqjl5VpD58gLfvdPStOMMbTGXJBL7huXdhKHUX87Po8vjFVW7dlLejc3IXXr5To8RPl6XWkeVy2dZmcwko8xk8erf__PwV1ClUUL8LlnYj2BkXF2TqqrROLMKTyLiAFZRw/s1600/1stRoll-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtiQRyWG3Imnqjl5VpD58gLfvdPStOMMbTGXJBL7huXdhKHUX87Po8vjFVW7dlLejc3IXXr5To8RPl6XWkeVy2dZmcwko8xk8erf__PwV1ClUUL8LlnYj2BkXF2TqqrROLMKTyLiAFZRw/s1600/1stRoll-03.jpg" height="190" width="640" /></a></div>
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Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-68741655145757864952014-03-13T17:03:00.000+00:002014-03-13T17:03:05.076+00:00Pele-Mele<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0pFJnX5DuN4MPYNdG3PJXdPCSm7w6uR8G_pfXieaGSvGp_Bief-rlbTT8vctwznX6XgvvVX5AZ0_wN9eoh5UlL0qdCi724XS93g4COEd6uddNlhQrbX7L3fpncsypVptSqNVC4MA7z8/s1600/P2072125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0pFJnX5DuN4MPYNdG3PJXdPCSm7w6uR8G_pfXieaGSvGp_Bief-rlbTT8vctwznX6XgvvVX5AZ0_wN9eoh5UlL0qdCi724XS93g4COEd6uddNlhQrbX7L3fpncsypVptSqNVC4MA7z8/s1600/P2072125.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-SC_xHIOBgiOF7VtFQesy1MO9OzLnTS5DxhTd6nk0E9gwRfudMRVhyphenhypheneRs0lP-e-6RRHXn7D_LiaBmzI-esSoHJXz-6oGxI8MCYStRxcwsrv81efOhJBnQvzpDshkpoEHtlFVfzbuOCo/s1600/P2072126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-SC_xHIOBgiOF7VtFQesy1MO9OzLnTS5DxhTd6nk0E9gwRfudMRVhyphenhypheneRs0lP-e-6RRHXn7D_LiaBmzI-esSoHJXz-6oGxI8MCYStRxcwsrv81efOhJBnQvzpDshkpoEHtlFVfzbuOCo/s1600/P2072126.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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What's a holiday without a visit to at least one ramshackle second-hand bookshop, eh? Pele-Mele is a small-ish Belgian chain (there are <a href="http://www.pele-mele.be/plan.php" target="_blank">two other branches</a> in Brussels) that buys and sells books, magazines, records, and some toys. It's also a brilliant way to escape from a grey, rainy Brussels day. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3L4oNDonxdFgSVlO1D6gTNYi30Pv0wWtvDTaBHlay0BQfjCkMOcR6FcYy-FH6nWKVB5OqmPsATBBEpQ_v789l5faErz8qN6AslDEp00AZIojKEBU8vDHVXDfq6_q5V8JNJIE1o6Qx7M/s1600/P2072127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3L4oNDonxdFgSVlO1D6gTNYi30Pv0wWtvDTaBHlay0BQfjCkMOcR6FcYy-FH6nWKVB5OqmPsATBBEpQ_v789l5faErz8qN6AslDEp00AZIojKEBU8vDHVXDfq6_q5V8JNJIE1o6Qx7M/s1600/P2072127.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>For the hardcore tram aficionado</i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfTT8Dm7MWE_5UYdmMZiZEKBEQWTxiMFXL1VWC-3R1uo5p1hNG_iy04huY3j9LzuQcwhtAJ5RuFP2dGoS6cx84t4ZgxX3ibjLZ51l3I3MUh3ZRcuvcZi5O49O4qjcJ6t36j7iKPjHBIo/s1600/P2072128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfTT8Dm7MWE_5UYdmMZiZEKBEQWTxiMFXL1VWC-3R1uo5p1hNG_iy04huY3j9LzuQcwhtAJ5RuFP2dGoS6cx84t4ZgxX3ibjLZ51l3I3MUh3ZRcuvcZi5O49O4qjcJ6t36j7iKPjHBIo/s1600/P2072128.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The majority of books and records are Belgian or French, although there's a small selection of English-language books toward the back of the store. (See this photo above? It's here, as well as on the wall in front of it.) You might have to do some pretty thorough excavations to find an interesting book (be prepared to wade through lots of airport-books/Paulo Coelho/non-Harry-Potter J.K Rowling/perhaps even a Dan Brown or two!, you get my drift), as most of the tomes on offer seem to have been offloaded by backpackers passing through the capital. Still, isn't that part of the fun of second-hand shopping? The thrill of looking for treasure, the possibility of finding something special! </div>
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Or you could simply pick up a few copies of Tram 2000 for the special tram-spotter in your life.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-4993SOD-Lr_gOWSTob-3Xy9s1KVLxNeA_TI58FTZK7kR5Qi0QFgF45WArXG9bZDvsw1J0xffnClseZrHUD6JUXk1fybla7ne3C8DZ6O4jIbezFQ6D0KtKE0S2N1dco_0aecVxJzud8/s1600/P2072130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-4993SOD-Lr_gOWSTob-3Xy9s1KVLxNeA_TI58FTZK7kR5Qi0QFgF45WArXG9bZDvsw1J0xffnClseZrHUD6JUXk1fybla7ne3C8DZ6O4jIbezFQ6D0KtKE0S2N1dco_0aecVxJzud8/s1600/P2072130.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUvtP0y3DF-iNjEouEr4lE3dD6B2Fbytoayva5s43cK-g-BjHMCvZUdFEEk4OYy0Uk6HTraOK65UkWV5Sg4074fEW1zsyHj2tOMIgND_r-iCnKJPfYKm2eGMryQSg-VDOWaAeZ3dlyM4/s1600/P2072129_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUvtP0y3DF-iNjEouEr4lE3dD6B2Fbytoayva5s43cK-g-BjHMCvZUdFEEk4OYy0Uk6HTraOK65UkWV5Sg4074fEW1zsyHj2tOMIgND_r-iCnKJPfYKm2eGMryQSg-VDOWaAeZ3dlyM4/s1600/P2072129_1.jpg" height="629" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Beautiful wallpaper - I need this</i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSn4bzLcmFT117nyWFDjH71nDywJEb0DJPfywGOUV0I_YAJabib1AqS8lW-RbVCH3MbLJLSEFalQnNeqD23Cf0xyHgiWCrF4W1lrByXkLRgoaM8H2ugZcqfcFc_kQzWzWeu-e7sj5fOTA/s1600/P2072124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSn4bzLcmFT117nyWFDjH71nDywJEb0DJPfywGOUV0I_YAJabib1AqS8lW-RbVCH3MbLJLSEFalQnNeqD23Cf0xyHgiWCrF4W1lrByXkLRgoaM8H2ugZcqfcFc_kQzWzWeu-e7sj5fOTA/s1600/P2072124.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.pele-mele.be/" target="_blank">Pele-Mele</a></div>
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Boulevard Maurice Lemonnier 55</div>
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1000 Brussels</div>
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Belgium</div>
Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-40897756339010333652014-03-05T17:30:00.000+00:002014-03-05T18:43:37.538+00:00Rocks and Bones<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOri0yfQI0wrOEMPbszHSHKyc2kYnn-aMDLGmJDE3obado_Xtp5cfybYDBshe3IHh-qJwredlUhYkHn2JPYaEeiYmUifnPZG_oyJGAImgSbbuaMb0CNcq7S3GXBsE_IXP8SkZb9G6a67w/s1600/IMG_20140211_084039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOri0yfQI0wrOEMPbszHSHKyc2kYnn-aMDLGmJDE3obado_Xtp5cfybYDBshe3IHh-qJwredlUhYkHn2JPYaEeiYmUifnPZG_oyJGAImgSbbuaMb0CNcq7S3GXBsE_IXP8SkZb9G6a67w/s1600/IMG_20140211_084039.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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You don't expect me to miss out on dinosaurs, do you? Even though I'd already been there on my <a href="http://woollytwoshoes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/prehistoric.html" target="_blank">first trip</a> to Brussels, I had to revisit my <a href="http://www.naturalsciences.be/" target="_blank">favourite Belgian museum</a> again. There's something pleasantly old-fashioned about this place - the beautiful wrought iron stairs, awkwardly posed models, and the glass-fronted cases in the geology section. Having lots of big dinosaur skeletons around don't hurt either. </div>
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<span id="goog_1384528579"></span><span id="goog_1384528580"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zD7j65gj6sfmBYclobx4wcAEOz0HUIOacOQBd-jb3Lwv9Q36_uHRiLm-8lP9bk3kKshajlfODZU_WumCjpwr7b7exKA7rLigRT2Is0yNO24KJWhrgNgzCw-amVzuQrAD91BnKsmu2p8/s1600/P2082217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zD7j65gj6sfmBYclobx4wcAEOz0HUIOacOQBd-jb3Lwv9Q36_uHRiLm-8lP9bk3kKshajlfODZU_WumCjpwr7b7exKA7rLigRT2Is0yNO24KJWhrgNgzCw-amVzuQrAD91BnKsmu2p8/s1600/P2082217.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.naturalsciences.be/" target="_blank">Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences</a> </div>
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Rue Vautier 29</div>
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1000 Brussels</div>
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Belgium</div>
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Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-3989214371524224122014-02-21T18:46:00.001+00:002014-02-21T18:46:14.141+00:00Broad Bean Blossoms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The last couple of days have been unseasonably warm for the time of year, and my broad beans have been flowering away. I planted three seeds in November - all have sprouted, but this particular plant is the strongest (and now prettiest!) looking of the lot. The blossoms seem so delicate, and up close, smell very sweet. I hope this means I'll get to enjoy some broad beans in a couple of months.</div>
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Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-75210215826343487162014-02-17T19:08:00.001+00:002014-02-17T19:08:38.515+00:00Fast Food Brussels<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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So, I went to Brussels last week! Which you would have known if you bothered to follow me on <a href="http://instagram.com/bobbielola" target="_blank">Instagram</a> (or 'Instant-gram', as the Manbacon calls it). It ain't all fine-dining in fancy restaurants when I'm on holiday...sometimes I get to eat some fast food too. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BNi8mIWjcFMngVHvsleXRJeyigWs6kel37oRrrtoKKaeN77c8D3V1BHP_x5mc7e7fNGmIYBzMBTyQg6Wk1QNVmG9k7LtQI9lOkrnNrEUe8KeAZZbldfKBq134JAw5EQi9g10sPaZkIk/s1600/P2082243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BNi8mIWjcFMngVHvsleXRJeyigWs6kel37oRrrtoKKaeN77c8D3V1BHP_x5mc7e7fNGmIYBzMBTyQg6Wk1QNVmG9k7LtQI9lOkrnNrEUe8KeAZZbldfKBq134JAw5EQi9g10sPaZkIk/s1600/P2082243.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The interior at Exki in Porte de Namur</i></td></tr>
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Exki is a Belgian chain in the vein of Pret a Manger/Itsu, and they seem to be everywhere in Brussels. We went to the branch in Porte de Namur, because we needed to calm down after a visit to the <a href="http://www.naturalsciences.be/" target="_blank">Dino Museum</a> where we were surrounded by rowdy toddlers.<br />
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The food is precisely what you'd expect from such places - clean-looking, supposedly healthy sandwiches, pastas, noodle dishes, soups and drinks. Their staff are cheery and wholesome-looking, and the dining room upstairs was bright, airy, and warm, with a mix of Ikea-style and random 'vintage' furniture. All very clean, as you'd expect. It made me feel a little like I should have wiped my battered plimsolls on the mat before entering. They also provide complimentary Wifi, so you can grab a couple of drinks and while away an afternoon if you're so inclined.<br />
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Manbacon went for a roast chicken sandwich from the refrigerated section - probably not the best choice on a blustery cold Brussels afternoon. So it wasn't much of a surprise when he said he didn't think much of it. The single bite I made tasted rather...indistinct, and certainly didn't make me want to have more. In fact, I'd initially assumed the beige, insipid-tasting meat was some sort of turkey, until informed otherwise. My quiche, on the other hand, was pleasantly warm and had generous portions of bacon and ham in it. What else can I say about it? It was a salty warm quiche, I had no complains.<br />
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<a href="http://www.exki.be/en-be/home" target="_blank">Exki</a> (locations all around Brussels)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bacon, ham and cheese quiche</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Phillipa - roast chicken sandwich with a carrot and ginger emulsion, salad and olive oil dressing</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hector on De Brouckere</i></td></tr>
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How could we resist the bright lights of Hector? It seemed so out of place, a fried chicken joint right beside our <a href="http://www.metropolehotel.com/" target="_blank">fancypants hotel</a>. We'd been burning through episodes of Breaking Bad, and if you've seen it, you'll know that <a href="http://blog.wblakegray.com/2011/09/my-breaking-bad-pilgrimage.html" target="_blank">a fried chicken restaurant</a> is almost a major character in the series. Part of us really, REALLY wanted to meet a Belgian <a href="http://breakingbad.wikia.com/wiki/Gustavo_Fring" target="_blank">Gus Fring</a> and maybe uncover a major meth business. The other parts just wanted to sit in a warm place and indulge in some fried chicken.<br />
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Unfortunately, Gus didn't seem to be at work the day we were there. We relayed our orders to the two guys industriously frying up coated chicken pieces, then took a tray and slid it towards the cashier, stopping to help ourselves to drinks and sauces ('<a href="http://www.thebelgianbeershop.com/contents/en-us/d54.html" target="_blank">Samourai</a>' and '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauce_andalouse" target="_blank">Andalouse</a>'). The experience was reminiscent of school lunchtimes. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>No. 3 - Wings, chips and coleslaw</i></td></tr>
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And the fried chicken? Not bad...but not up there with my current favourite fried chicken place - Chicken Inn on Rye Lane. The wings were juicy enough, although rather unevenly crispy. There certainly wasn't a pleasurable shattering of batter when I bit into it. Still, it's a stack of hot fried chicken and chips, so who am I to complain? Also a side of coleslaw and requisite limp lettuce leaf, for the, y'know, vitamins and that. No blue meth on the side. </div>
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<a href="http://www.hector.be/" target="_blank">Hector</a> (locations all around Brussels)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlQYv6H54vwJDvGR9EaFjS0DSF4H8dMaSoeVxE8IdgG3Kbd92NJOyzND0LGslPrExwdYml_aibMtdHeHyaAehRMrite4PvvsxOAn4qMah2veoKlN-0XgKVwat1a7wqO3z0vDyssXdJtw/s1600/P2082246_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlQYv6H54vwJDvGR9EaFjS0DSF4H8dMaSoeVxE8IdgG3Kbd92NJOyzND0LGslPrExwdYml_aibMtdHeHyaAehRMrite4PvvsxOAn4qMah2veoKlN-0XgKVwat1a7wqO3z0vDyssXdJtw/s1600/P2082246_1.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">No. 4 - Chicken tenders, chips and coleslaw</span></i></div>
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Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-8228059865140187632014-02-12T15:49:00.000+00:002014-02-12T15:49:04.007+00:00Folksy Front<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwatpj_UQgIeWMa8rauuU28JhvkR1caRjqTLWipqPJ9PoC-W9XO9kvS_EY71qeKp88iAknHyhujIVtX8pRbNZJTL1vJgRZwCxgFVRQrc69Ez0_QSBrKkY31yauTB-SqWk7lhLTxAXvkY/s1600/FolksyFront120214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwatpj_UQgIeWMa8rauuU28JhvkR1caRjqTLWipqPJ9PoC-W9XO9kvS_EY71qeKp88iAknHyhujIVtX8pRbNZJTL1vJgRZwCxgFVRQrc69Ez0_QSBrKkY31yauTB-SqWk7lhLTxAXvkY/s1600/FolksyFront120214.JPG" height="418" width="640" /></a></div>
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It doesn't happen too often, but when it does...it feels like a treat everytime I go on to <a href="https://beta.folksy.com/shops/BobbieandLola" target="_blank">Folksy</a> or Etsy and see one of my items included in the front page. </div>
Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-57572561660491033722014-01-31T17:09:00.000+00:002014-01-31T17:09:04.856+00:00Ginger Quince Upside-down Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61tuICqyu0EI5MWnkQPva4fLU-uuzpC6YqbnWpfosYoo99zPO1NkiM5gasO_hyDYBUSJXdP1nlRdlj1KvbSFw5wMX5vfwLZwomgog2Ej8cmtUDY2JV4ukufohfAtC-9_cz1Uggo9u03Q/s1600/P1022042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61tuICqyu0EI5MWnkQPva4fLU-uuzpC6YqbnWpfosYoo99zPO1NkiM5gasO_hyDYBUSJXdP1nlRdlj1KvbSFw5wMX5vfwLZwomgog2Ej8cmtUDY2JV4ukufohfAtC-9_cz1Uggo9u03Q/s1600/P1022042.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Let's return to our regular blogging schedule now, shall we? Regular readers may remember that quinces are one of my favourite fruits, so I couldn't resist an opportunity to add them to a cake when I found a couple of huge specimens at the <a href="http://www.generalsto.re/" target="_blank">General Store</a>. </div>
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This particular recipe was inspired by <a href="http://apt2bbakingco.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Yossy Arefi</a>'s <a href="http://apt2bbakingco.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/ginger-quince-upside-down-cake.html" target="_blank">version</a>, and combines some of my other favourite flavours including ginger and molasses. It's especially comforting on a rainy winter day, with a steaming cup of tea, but if quinces aren't in season (or you simply can't find them where you are), they can always be replaced by apples or pears. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-tuyu1tiBKXM0WirEMw-ga_Mf_wwn9CukDYg9EDs-EmD44o-SFtnrVnSFTtina_2y7yXR2JNofixefrY_D9CRBF5WQRBa96Q01hy5gF76xXP0STi-e2VaTx6OizdwntWY_T-MCvXCUY/s1600/P1022043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-tuyu1tiBKXM0WirEMw-ga_Mf_wwn9CukDYg9EDs-EmD44o-SFtnrVnSFTtina_2y7yXR2JNofixefrY_D9CRBF5WQRBa96Q01hy5gF76xXP0STi-e2VaTx6OizdwntWY_T-MCvXCUY/s1600/P1022043.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Ginger Quince Upside-down Cake </b>(adapted from <i><a href="http://apt2bbakingco.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/ginger-quince-upside-down-cake.html" target="_blank">Apt. 2B Baking Co</a>.)</i></div>
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<b>Poached Quince </b></div>
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1 large quince (or 2 small/medium quince)</div>
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3 cups water</div>
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1/2 cup sugar</div>
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1/4 cup honey</div>
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1/2 lemon</div>
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few strands of saffron</div>
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1 tsp vanilla extract</div>
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1/2 tsp ground cinnamon</div>
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<b>Directions</b></div>
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- Mix all the ingredients (minus quince) in a saucepan, and bring to a simmer.</div>
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- Cut, peel and core the quince, and plop them into the simmering pot. Put a lid over the top, covering about half the pot. </div>
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- Simmer until tender (at least an hour). Leave quinces to cool in the syrup* until ready to use. This step can be done the day before.</div>
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<b>Ginger Cake</b> (adapted from <i><a href="http://apt2bbakingco.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/ginger-quince-upside-down-cake.html" target="_blank">Apt. 2B Baking Co</a>.)</i></div>
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Topping</div>
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1 1/2 tbsp butter (room temperature)</div>
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1/4 cup brown sugar</div>
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poached quince, cut into wedges</div>
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Cake</div>
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115gm unsalted butter</div>
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6 tbsp light brown sugar</div>
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2 large eggs</div>
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1/3 cup molasses (or black treacle)</div>
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2 tsp ground ginger</div>
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1 1/2 cups plain flour</div>
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3/4 tsp baking powder</div>
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3/4 tsp baking soda</div>
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1/4 tsp salt</div>
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1 tsp cinnamon</div>
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1/4 tsp nutmeg</div>
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3/4 cups milk</div>
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<b>Directions</b></div>
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- Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Grease a high-sided 7" cake tin, and line the bottom with baking paper. </div>
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- Topping: In a saucepan, mix butter and brown sugar, and cook over medium heat for about 1 min. Pour mixture into bottom of cake tin, and cover bottom of the tin with quince slices. Put aside with preparing cake mixture.</div>
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- Cake: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add ground ginger, mix for 1 more min. Add eggs one at a time, then pour in molasses.</div>
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- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. </div>
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- Alternately, add dry flour mixture and milk to the batter in first bowl, being careful not to overmix. Pour batter into cake tin and smooth the top.</div>
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- Bake for 45 mins or until golden brown (a skewer inserted into the middle should come out clean). Let cake cool in tin for about 10 mins, then invert onto a plate and peel away baking paper. </div>
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Enjoy warm, with clotted cream or vanilla ice cream.<br />
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*The leftover poaching liquid is delicious as cordial - pour a bit into a glass, and top up with sparkling water.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssJEZ2yuE9tSTWZ3wK5azHGSJ05gmYgeIIJW11YBz0dcrLksHATwvE_mnNUAjpwXQqI_Tcd49IPQ3BfOQ0dHEDG2MSxWV_c994Fo1Av8kTG64LOge5gdhm_3BlNO_oTJIDlMdr3IXrok/s1600/P1022048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssJEZ2yuE9tSTWZ3wK5azHGSJ05gmYgeIIJW11YBz0dcrLksHATwvE_mnNUAjpwXQqI_Tcd49IPQ3BfOQ0dHEDG2MSxWV_c994Fo1Av8kTG64LOge5gdhm_3BlNO_oTJIDlMdr3IXrok/s1600/P1022048.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_X5YkRpbuTj7KwgwG9pjPt-FndFQIre5VUs6JHWWChw1C-NN1rJDL60Ian6PIoH6ZYXLsgtUygfr1OK1pQM2H6dncVOxvNFOzfQPR8dKxSbI1eAYHXjLxnLm_C4-o1cnbd8wC2-a44I/s1600/P1022052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_X5YkRpbuTj7KwgwG9pjPt-FndFQIre5VUs6JHWWChw1C-NN1rJDL60Ian6PIoH6ZYXLsgtUygfr1OK1pQM2H6dncVOxvNFOzfQPR8dKxSbI1eAYHXjLxnLm_C4-o1cnbd8wC2-a44I/s1600/P1022052.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-48439835821190432222014-01-22T17:44:00.000+00:002014-01-22T17:44:09.410+00:00Christmas Past<div style="text-align: justify;">
Happy New Year, kittens! It was a few weeks ago, but here are some photos from Christmas, when all I did was eat a lot and have marathon sessions of movie-and-TV-show-watching. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3odbeEMNzhMoradFC_Dq1Zjt-mKWCuF5HER2tNgcOIUTj4bX2YtB03L4KiNUgshHKnG9WsEFjFNf_kKkeD-ifIaxo5tE9sihSZM9i3M4SwHOmM3CNJHyOkFBDRv252EgJ9i2RBsLTk4/s1600/PC252025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3odbeEMNzhMoradFC_Dq1Zjt-mKWCuF5HER2tNgcOIUTj4bX2YtB03L4KiNUgshHKnG9WsEFjFNf_kKkeD-ifIaxo5tE9sihSZM9i3M4SwHOmM3CNJHyOkFBDRv252EgJ9i2RBsLTk4/s1600/PC252025.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zxVAl-dsVcJ2K_f6yqE6XtOxT-1jYNckvhZDKK6r4LSfcMs4sj6PhUVnQUajXYL4uzuQGu9i7VtQvifzt18fKrsxwXOrJv9t6xFkhu5OUlOfel7WavyMLetj1dCzd3czsA8pp8H4cIM/s1600/PC252009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zxVAl-dsVcJ2K_f6yqE6XtOxT-1jYNckvhZDKK6r4LSfcMs4sj6PhUVnQUajXYL4uzuQGu9i7VtQvifzt18fKrsxwXOrJv9t6xFkhu5OUlOfel7WavyMLetj1dCzd3czsA8pp8H4cIM/s1600/PC252009.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7Kv-qORYe7yRXMg19S_oO8V0Toye_Vuhk89NWpkEE1RCYI9nUfJ4IeuxBPe-3ihCGOnpkh5VHlZZzVnlgLZvx-voPYVd-EZKYc23tA-HL5gvCCxyDyTLjqHSt6QdlYZAYBpK1XR0LjY/s1600/PC252010_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7Kv-qORYe7yRXMg19S_oO8V0Toye_Vuhk89NWpkEE1RCYI9nUfJ4IeuxBPe-3ihCGOnpkh5VHlZZzVnlgLZvx-voPYVd-EZKYc23tA-HL5gvCCxyDyTLjqHSt6QdlYZAYBpK1XR0LjY/s1600/PC252010_1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>A rather unfortunate gingerbread man fell into my coffee. </i></div>
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We had homemade gingerbread biscuits for breakfast on Christmas morning, made with the recipe from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hummingbird-Bakery-Cookbook-Tarek-Malouf/dp/1845978307" target="_blank">The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook</a>. I like my gingerbread really spicy, so I always add twice as much ginger to the recipe when making. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DnsemvS8W1lR3l7MNw6Kqc4gbxU-baFwEYTBh3ysHwyD9VmShFMrFVZjmr_9uufrTwvKg52_rLgpVl-xz9SjsORYfGuVaQwqWQr8TuU9Qg8ZxAmFlQSXNuHMLof7oaqY-qiS1LEMKr0/s1600/PC242004_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DnsemvS8W1lR3l7MNw6Kqc4gbxU-baFwEYTBh3ysHwyD9VmShFMrFVZjmr_9uufrTwvKg52_rLgpVl-xz9SjsORYfGuVaQwqWQr8TuU9Qg8ZxAmFlQSXNuHMLof7oaqY-qiS1LEMKr0/s1600/PC242004_1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrRVs9g7Vq9h4NX4zkObJGnyOtpmqd-NIwcqHrGXQTNnQkIREfVuDZjiJ-ss9FD4CaLz6ffvpkS0yxGXEvE-vkduzSTwoVqVQQyQgrxaRZzsGmAnlUIXjA4fpLRsdCmr0W_MUotaK-mQ/s1600/PC252012_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrRVs9g7Vq9h4NX4zkObJGnyOtpmqd-NIwcqHrGXQTNnQkIREfVuDZjiJ-ss9FD4CaLz6ffvpkS0yxGXEvE-vkduzSTwoVqVQQyQgrxaRZzsGmAnlUIXjA4fpLRsdCmr0W_MUotaK-mQ/s1600/PC252012_1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCInTQUvF9Yv1texPE3LIkBdkliAg1II3ehX9E1xJAz_1qkSryHKtpih-U6mYJbdLs16aD4WHTD1VX0iPcKvBkYzi_0au53XdaP07bKfOURnvhdqq_MXrQr5BnsBXBXVMIL0ZFSV7aDbA/s1600/PC252015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCInTQUvF9Yv1texPE3LIkBdkliAg1II3ehX9E1xJAz_1qkSryHKtpih-U6mYJbdLs16aD4WHTD1VX0iPcKvBkYzi_0au53XdaP07bKfOURnvhdqq_MXrQr5BnsBXBXVMIL0ZFSV7aDbA/s1600/PC252015.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-79462164300039619102013-12-22T18:56:00.000+00:002013-12-22T18:56:00.839+00:00Brighton Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65eRCxUgx_dbhmgicO51nD1T-ng_GR63IT38TxzUQbgP_eh-pOug6Np5tZiKHT_Q1tVj6ZhcjXyf2cW2qfmq2lYxQG8BUldKkHqe4VDBKrG_9kzOz9YCYUaGX35IR10f_Lp-42YuudRk/s1600/1stRoll-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65eRCxUgx_dbhmgicO51nD1T-ng_GR63IT38TxzUQbgP_eh-pOug6Np5tZiKHT_Q1tVj6ZhcjXyf2cW2qfmq2lYxQG8BUldKkHqe4VDBKrG_9kzOz9YCYUaGX35IR10f_Lp-42YuudRk/s640/1stRoll-14.jpg" width="416" /></a></div>
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Towards the end of summer, my lovely Jodie came over from Sydney for a (much too short) visit. We decided that a daytrip to Brighton was in order. Despite London being typically wet and grey when we left in the morning, by the time we got to Brighton, the weather had decided to behave, and we had a glorious day by the seaside. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRu929fraFGM5HgqGBGpgJdEu6g-aAXBCl6P6uR7jfl7Vlupom02TMVFS9Wr8XSixMjzwGwf4wyubjR79D2x_oXFYXa2IaOCspFqUTLNlH50YK_qwqfZFtTBo2Ba0jqDFNgyVdFRa8sw/s1600/1stRoll-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRu929fraFGM5HgqGBGpgJdEu6g-aAXBCl6P6uR7jfl7Vlupom02TMVFS9Wr8XSixMjzwGwf4wyubjR79D2x_oXFYXa2IaOCspFqUTLNlH50YK_qwqfZFtTBo2Ba0jqDFNgyVdFRa8sw/s640/1stRoll-15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90rokXkIuI8GDq5JhFF5wtZBhIs_Qrn-vbYeGq6LrlftQ3mmbY3SqI8vTmxgcB9a8216G_ItyJr8wpxrpRK6j-lJAHgtQR5epYXZ3ZdMsvapERZvjTT3ILOEqhAuZlEsz31rTsA2cN9A/s1600/1stRoll-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90rokXkIuI8GDq5JhFF5wtZBhIs_Qrn-vbYeGq6LrlftQ3mmbY3SqI8vTmxgcB9a8216G_ItyJr8wpxrpRK6j-lJAHgtQR5epYXZ3ZdMsvapERZvjTT3ILOEqhAuZlEsz31rTsA2cN9A/s640/1stRoll-17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tUgNROG-0oQh2Zca8SDyaFo1xYz05pU71_-sxSVjRMHKmuKeINnj3-FmOlCENfUf621RsYGr5u590zC1Uz-F4vAbtm3YaVx0dvibIuIM_oty-EdBgNemNegNocAjhk-Qrsw5Ux0ikRw/s1600/1stRoll-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tUgNROG-0oQh2Zca8SDyaFo1xYz05pU71_-sxSVjRMHKmuKeINnj3-FmOlCENfUf621RsYGr5u590zC1Uz-F4vAbtm3YaVx0dvibIuIM_oty-EdBgNemNegNocAjhk-Qrsw5Ux0ikRw/s640/1stRoll-18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDyGt24uSVAzt0L10fqKuwTGQWDAWt-tpfq75Qn4bozWprxIICuvL-rtbvC8r6s3DI0RlGx3Z8U57m64hMcjDKaAaDKACdPv4crz8TxY7tj06CnQroRb5SBkpoPGerlZRyiLYPR97KcI/s1600/1stRoll-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDyGt24uSVAzt0L10fqKuwTGQWDAWt-tpfq75Qn4bozWprxIICuvL-rtbvC8r6s3DI0RlGx3Z8U57m64hMcjDKaAaDKACdPv4crz8TxY7tj06CnQroRb5SBkpoPGerlZRyiLYPR97KcI/s640/1stRoll-19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtia8QLXMR-EvO7SNtD9vWMuJnrxIuBfKrng5GBLTWDN7Kcajqs5aFyqUIOd3PH5k0YFWKdSlVtjme1gtSQleyTL5NLrlfCiXSoUiaRgoH25LT2x0E_xpp7k3RdS0Izi5To0rZXxzBNA/s1600/1stRoll-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtia8QLXMR-EvO7SNtD9vWMuJnrxIuBfKrng5GBLTWDN7Kcajqs5aFyqUIOd3PH5k0YFWKdSlVtjme1gtSQleyTL5NLrlfCiXSoUiaRgoH25LT2x0E_xpp7k3RdS0Izi5To0rZXxzBNA/s640/1stRoll-20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXz9H3ng6qDd69KCt7tYUBmhXBDgjuZjEHN-9u12HcMsuqCaUZHo_pMQumWlg8oKYcMCnmUkoC1avR_V7IZKDNUP3zj8fmZ1mz52Sscr-AZYyZbm5U0-J7EjvwOewcTgbFv7EZN1LUtJ4/s1600/1stRoll-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXz9H3ng6qDd69KCt7tYUBmhXBDgjuZjEHN-9u12HcMsuqCaUZHo_pMQumWlg8oKYcMCnmUkoC1avR_V7IZKDNUP3zj8fmZ1mz52Sscr-AZYyZbm5U0-J7EjvwOewcTgbFv7EZN1LUtJ4/s640/1stRoll-23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-7041340183078861802013-12-17T18:45:00.000+00:002013-12-17T18:45:39.230+00:00Recently Made and Eaten<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsky-Hq5HNKBrxIChQRTpIB26IMujy-B2XjXbPKB8vXWShMJ_0xeoF0VQXxg7w0Y0dwGWDWxy6WGNsmC3sp7FAcwgGnaAtgbhPXwHGIPY_KVV-KQ48ftTBiQGDxU12taCqS_J8lnJeHq0/s1600/PB151966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsky-Hq5HNKBrxIChQRTpIB26IMujy-B2XjXbPKB8vXWShMJ_0xeoF0VQXxg7w0Y0dwGWDWxy6WGNsmC3sp7FAcwgGnaAtgbhPXwHGIPY_KVV-KQ48ftTBiQGDxU12taCqS_J8lnJeHq0/s640/PB151966.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some almost-neon popcorn sprouts - very sweet, almost artificial-sugar levels of sweetness, in fact. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVC5epvFrbEFM918nVI2_WpPCGiQIHecyy9d4jV0UIIRilLDq8PauUmjsorMBrAzA3IjPIF_Zr65TxwwU7zwfhkitgK_VKd6HufCIWnGI_e6wKwEi9U9FHKqvl2gTeBuOcyu2EcqPnR0E/s1600/PB211970_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVC5epvFrbEFM918nVI2_WpPCGiQIHecyy9d4jV0UIIRilLDq8PauUmjsorMBrAzA3IjPIF_Zr65TxwwU7zwfhkitgK_VKd6HufCIWnGI_e6wKwEi9U9FHKqvl2gTeBuOcyu2EcqPnR0E/s640/PB211970_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Half white/half wholemeal bread with cranberries and pistachios. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LdxeluO3AFrW3X5pd_iL7bAX_O98k6ptGkDn72H51uPd8Zrcj0oRaf8VqnsCBqZAi1UQDktjz-bjfj2xNO18WtfEdrH5Y2pVDRnO6Mo6vm4yJKn42gD7ZPtAxfumyZ_-BmBhRX0lvCM/s1600/P9271909_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LdxeluO3AFrW3X5pd_iL7bAX_O98k6ptGkDn72H51uPd8Zrcj0oRaf8VqnsCBqZAi1UQDktjz-bjfj2xNO18WtfEdrH5Y2pVDRnO6Mo6vm4yJKn42gD7ZPtAxfumyZ_-BmBhRX0lvCM/s640/P9271909_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Caraway seed cake topped with vanilla glaze and cornflowers - recipe coming soon (i.e. when I remember to post again).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheU1H5CwyoVb3H9_eKZ_teNi9W2PBcYVDlc5VztonD-GESFaFHvZXbZDm0du7IUI4zqTG3rR3zTA_7sjaWL_mNXFwGmtigNAALkJqgAcOl7IWS-NAYaUzkngwKqPE2CzHnrQc932JGKwg/s1600/P9191880_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheU1H5CwyoVb3H9_eKZ_teNi9W2PBcYVDlc5VztonD-GESFaFHvZXbZDm0du7IUI4zqTG3rR3zTA_7sjaWL_mNXFwGmtigNAALkJqgAcOl7IWS-NAYaUzkngwKqPE2CzHnrQc932JGKwg/s640/P9191880_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Homemade pizza dough, topped with tomato paste, button mushrooms, jalapeno peppers, salami and cheddar cheese. </div>
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Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-67824765683770101232013-12-12T18:45:00.001+00:002013-12-12T18:45:34.209+00:00Cards <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQOV4C6rOsc-pxxAcL5FEF4GO3Ka4T3PyiHK9IPdc5RrYyJj1qDiOf469NW6FsXK8Jw8gdNbYtOjMDXgJS_Msk1ujbYIrICteOUvx7MSU1j5GPr84dzF0PiDsD_aKXTxhRgZM5cR0PRM/s1600/Card47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQOV4C6rOsc-pxxAcL5FEF4GO3Ka4T3PyiHK9IPdc5RrYyJj1qDiOf469NW6FsXK8Jw8gdNbYtOjMDXgJS_Msk1ujbYIrICteOUvx7MSU1j5GPr84dzF0PiDsD_aKXTxhRgZM5cR0PRM/s640/Card47.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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The last couple of weekends have seen a flurry of activity, lots of paper scraps and bits of glue flying about, and some papercuts sustained in the process. And this is the result of all that. One-of-a-kind, handmade cards, which will be available, as usual, at the <a href="http://www.bricklane-tearooms.co.uk/" target="_blank">Tea Rooms stall</a>. Feast your eyes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfsncWCbnFITy6IVLmtcJnuyrZjCr2ISU8L4YsB6DoELAClMtIJZrFku-zxOZLKG_dCCco0QKBE0ztJ1bC2XSVKwlEiVg9fTvnrybWQrF66u2F_jueD6P-SMIq_GbYuaaHSmRLI-1b_U/s1600/Card48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfsncWCbnFITy6IVLmtcJnuyrZjCr2ISU8L4YsB6DoELAClMtIJZrFku-zxOZLKG_dCCco0QKBE0ztJ1bC2XSVKwlEiVg9fTvnrybWQrF66u2F_jueD6P-SMIq_GbYuaaHSmRLI-1b_U/s640/Card48.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXCpoDFaD_GI11s0U1XpTufcZpqFWVy0vljRg-n3iUo0utOwEitfaqKnzqZfbXwcxtsEBm75I3N8ccKwe0V6jjsku2PuoAf4K1ku2whSn1lTMN3UJDT1j0O8zF5Ys3CFJI2S8Vw-9sV0/s1600/Card49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXCpoDFaD_GI11s0U1XpTufcZpqFWVy0vljRg-n3iUo0utOwEitfaqKnzqZfbXwcxtsEBm75I3N8ccKwe0V6jjsku2PuoAf4K1ku2whSn1lTMN3UJDT1j0O8zF5Ys3CFJI2S8Vw-9sV0/s640/Card49.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZQTmoZyDz85E5ORj3SV7HLGR23POr_STDd45WL9Qg5ktHqRKPD8r9J0Ycw1R8zZ7wRM4Vr3ehj1Qj6qsaYINGQbagl95wkyQbaa3GO5hT-hWT4QuJ215yh6eRIbiv9lpqO5d73xhQtQ/s1600/Card50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZQTmoZyDz85E5ORj3SV7HLGR23POr_STDd45WL9Qg5ktHqRKPD8r9J0Ycw1R8zZ7wRM4Vr3ehj1Qj6qsaYINGQbagl95wkyQbaa3GO5hT-hWT4QuJ215yh6eRIbiv9lpqO5d73xhQtQ/s640/Card50.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieh6w2qofA2dbNXbcunX5q70gndzuUW9n1ul22klcsQC6b7fMpDvHxWpSsUjDotAc9TXY-VTSUvKxglK-AIgrVs7qLpkb_g5e3sCl5z4QGj1LXwMkPxWwWkZjtAdu9N7CR5XLGwkjlICA/s1600/Card52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieh6w2qofA2dbNXbcunX5q70gndzuUW9n1ul22klcsQC6b7fMpDvHxWpSsUjDotAc9TXY-VTSUvKxglK-AIgrVs7qLpkb_g5e3sCl5z4QGj1LXwMkPxWwWkZjtAdu9N7CR5XLGwkjlICA/s640/Card52.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BGsJ3vB-AH5_qldLOAu2BkX8d5vQ17EeAQzkYgvNAdUjPd0OHtTMpzzJ9m2IlZkcHj-aXOOiBF_ajDaH9-AIpPBhZtyGNtHFWdyVl20PiY9EBZXpb6BDR1KQHjLfooHupC8ermabO4s/s1600/Card53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BGsJ3vB-AH5_qldLOAu2BkX8d5vQ17EeAQzkYgvNAdUjPd0OHtTMpzzJ9m2IlZkcHj-aXOOiBF_ajDaH9-AIpPBhZtyGNtHFWdyVl20PiY9EBZXpb6BDR1KQHjLfooHupC8ermabO4s/s640/Card53.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOSYyHpYq8Tcf9cIAVjXHELSg62Xgs8pAYj25TPXG80Ab3YSHyj7gmoutPbHMyB5SN3SIMYdFh5L9aY0LwliDGJ8FkD5dyqGLCSf1ou7KbP7-0s1QYh-HFN22gk1iWgE8SpuvgnNV8dA/s1600/Card54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOSYyHpYq8Tcf9cIAVjXHELSg62Xgs8pAYj25TPXG80Ab3YSHyj7gmoutPbHMyB5SN3SIMYdFh5L9aY0LwliDGJ8FkD5dyqGLCSf1ou7KbP7-0s1QYh-HFN22gk1iWgE8SpuvgnNV8dA/s640/Card54.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyABgH65shvOCHIVoNNaBPeaj2yz0GmopRWD8q0q0OqJ0kZEO-l8LzDqKEn1QVtoLDIJkYVj9nwdRqSucymu_i3E1hMdyLa-VS5hG-an29_uZqgcUltRmeoECs0R2QjcUKXM7bkJtr7A/s1600/Card51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyABgH65shvOCHIVoNNaBPeaj2yz0GmopRWD8q0q0OqJ0kZEO-l8LzDqKEn1QVtoLDIJkYVj9nwdRqSucymu_i3E1hMdyLa-VS5hG-an29_uZqgcUltRmeoECs0R2QjcUKXM7bkJtr7A/s640/Card51.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-81584219994818327562013-11-14T20:02:00.001+00:002013-12-17T18:53:52.796+00:00Untangled<div style="text-align: justify;">
Several weeks ago, during an extended whinging session at the markets, Daniel came up and mentioned that he'd spent the last couple of hours attempting to separate some cameras from the tangled rats' nest formed by their straps. It was a very quiet Saturday (even for a Saturday at the markets), and I'd left my book at home. Looking for a way, any way, to pass an hour or so, I volunteered to help extricate the cameras. My reward was to pick any camera I wanted. Most were your run-of-the-mill 1980s/early 1990s point-and-shoots, nothing interesting, until a bulky blue brick-like shape caught my eye.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIU4OQ3wtZn_dtWiOmSCgNA2EzOfpQi-SO0iH8V19y8yHqlJGu2PxksC6n00cT4UvdHQgXuJcJc-5DTo0xMo0FXAlivoOdzlBh39E2Yn1yIgJvLNmq0RkhH7HhWL5L0CnysJtiMvkwZA/s1600/1stRoll-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIU4OQ3wtZn_dtWiOmSCgNA2EzOfpQi-SO0iH8V19y8yHqlJGu2PxksC6n00cT4UvdHQgXuJcJc-5DTo0xMo0FXAlivoOdzlBh39E2Yn1yIgJvLNmq0RkhH7HhWL5L0CnysJtiMvkwZA/s640/1stRoll-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Ricoh_TF-500/TF-900" target="_blank">Ricoh TF-900</a>! Sounds like some sort of robot from the Terminator, doesn't it? It's slightly larger than my trusty Olympus Trip 35, but still fit into my shoulderbag without a struggle, so I tested a couple of rolls in it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1a3fPKP1D83Bort3lev8XDHgVpKPh1ao5yCjnvOI8f9RiE2XlL5IFq3AH6NYM9FpBnB3Mt5UF6KDHKLfxVplZ4RTzv2RD7oazcsp6TlV6n37En1oIJhJGmUrxv_9ERxkSlv-g-2gUOk/s1600/1stRoll-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1a3fPKP1D83Bort3lev8XDHgVpKPh1ao5yCjnvOI8f9RiE2XlL5IFq3AH6NYM9FpBnB3Mt5UF6KDHKLfxVplZ4RTzv2RD7oazcsp6TlV6n37En1oIJhJGmUrxv_9ERxkSlv-g-2gUOk/s640/1stRoll-07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are more photos in my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/integer_club/sets/72157637598484526/" target="_blank">Ricoh set</a> on Flickr if anyone's interested. </div>
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Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-61676612905099474852013-10-04T20:12:00.001+01:002013-10-04T20:17:26.412+01:00The Garden Party Dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uzhO3HrxNVeptdUfFs_ug1eZ9wnOFE6jQWiq8W4i-QeXhwiqFWMJBnp5pOyEBHa8Qz6_D1ve2jF45EJYW21oeisxO0G1tKW0yPHcyFGQfxrHuzdA0Psg5oz6WgRmqcnHhkGtYeqVnVQ/s1600/P7041602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uzhO3HrxNVeptdUfFs_ug1eZ9wnOFE6jQWiq8W4i-QeXhwiqFWMJBnp5pOyEBHa8Qz6_D1ve2jF45EJYW21oeisxO0G1tKW0yPHcyFGQfxrHuzdA0Psg5oz6WgRmqcnHhkGtYeqVnVQ/s640/P7041602.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The warm, golden sunlight in these pictures will probably alert you to the fact that these pictures were taken months ago. Oh well, best get blogging about this dress before winter finally gets here!</div>
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The impetus for this dress came about when an acquaintance handed me the invite to her wedding. Dress code - 'formal'...which always brings to my mind some sort of Disney princess dress (like<a href="http://images.wikia.com/disney/images/4/45/Belle2.jpg" target="_blank"> this</a>) - you know, floofy skirt, lots of sequins and tulle, the works. The type of dress that I would wear to a Manowar show, but felt a bit uncomfortable wearing to a mid-summer, outdoor wedding reception. Thus began the hunt for a 'grown-up' dress pattern. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBBb8GU8Z25oHWudNLDzbUZjtPaAwCb-PXz19ChVLJsDcC9ewR3L5qiXJgAE54jJfZq4wBHlayTMABXnIuByncKfhQHplo2JovFnHftsW4Vcs6dqIBdblCh_qbyyM0u2JY0N_lQM4wMw/s1600/P7041554+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBBb8GU8Z25oHWudNLDzbUZjtPaAwCb-PXz19ChVLJsDcC9ewR3L5qiXJgAE54jJfZq4wBHlayTMABXnIuByncKfhQHplo2JovFnHftsW4Vcs6dqIBdblCh_qbyyM0u2JY0N_lQM4wMw/s640/P7041554+copy.jpg" width="338" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfodtdzJsHZgs8n5HPKQAtD5cV11RR_RBIA8Cf3QWq-7W5q7HRxAEEMEz1ER6I5dAh1NoMikAB_bYX_SUPy_t4c4qjv296UrheY4ZgH83wOaPPfOyZ0ke2wastww1jvBFNlXeNYeqiPnM/s1600/P7041617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfodtdzJsHZgs8n5HPKQAtD5cV11RR_RBIA8Cf3QWq-7W5q7HRxAEEMEz1ER6I5dAh1NoMikAB_bYX_SUPy_t4c4qjv296UrheY4ZgH83wOaPPfOyZ0ke2wastww1jvBFNlXeNYeqiPnM/s640/P7041617.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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A quick online search lead me to <a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b5281-products-9615.php?page_id=371" target="_blank">Butterick B5281</a>, a reissue of a 1946 pattern. Those illustrated babes looked so elegant and sassy, so a few clicks later and I was on my way to replicating that sassy elegance. Unfortunately, elegance is a foreign country to me, as evidenced by the above photo of me hanging on to 2 wine glasses. Oh well, I'll go for sassy then.<br />
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On to the technical bits. For the bodice, I decided to trace a size 10 at the bust, graduating up to a size 12 at the waist seam and skirt. The other change I made to it was to hack about 5 inches off the skirt, because I have short stumpy legs. Since it was rather more complicated than my usual patterns, I decided to make a toile first, in the same fabric that would later be used for the lining (a pink polycotton sheet for the bodice, and a navy blue acetate for the skirt, both from the opshop). The dress fabric was two metres of slightly sheer ikat-looking fabric that I purchased last year at the Wimbledon car boot sale. It's most likely a wool/polyester mix - it has no label, but I have a skirt that feels exactly the same, and is about 70% wool/30% polyester.<br />
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Constructing the dress was suprisingly easy, although the shoulder-flap bit on the left threw me a little.The trickiest part was probably inserting the side zipper - my first! I took my time and yelled a few unnecessary words, but managed to fit it in without too many wrinkles. It's a lapped zipper, which I thought fitted the whole vintage pattern thing a lot better than an invisible zipper.<br />
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Although it wasn't too difficult to sew up, it did take a lot of time though...so much so that I was sat at my machine at 10.30pm the night before the wedding, trying to finish fit the lining in. I cheated in the end, and set in the sleeve lining with big rough basting stitches. The skirt was roughly turned up and sewed with big machine basting stitches. No-one else could see it, and I've since managed to clean it all up. </div>
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<i>Dress - selfmade, necklace - vintage, brooch - vintage, tights - Sainsburys, shoes - from Hong Kong</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYnfnPSBZfmnMKv3r0q3_D3xDDvnbUnk9R_tdhmCosYH5RJ90o9vJO5qZkLfPhTfVxH0BsU40wL6dGxAT0rxwTwjZST20ZJG5g5KSp8Ts0BvWYOakfMvuYEEhaQVHKGH-0oIoWAMDWkE/s1600/P7041624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYnfnPSBZfmnMKv3r0q3_D3xDDvnbUnk9R_tdhmCosYH5RJ90o9vJO5qZkLfPhTfVxH0BsU40wL6dGxAT0rxwTwjZST20ZJG5g5KSp8Ts0BvWYOakfMvuYEEhaQVHKGH-0oIoWAMDWkE/s640/P7041624.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-55207124569803049912013-09-03T10:30:00.000+01:002013-09-03T10:30:00.370+01:00The Concrete Jungle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiYVYRptAkHLdWovs9Hp6_XnYjm5u9H6zWKod9Vmo-qnQXjQHjdlYXy3fmIf6pNXcxGE-5yCKwWovnMuXgwnNWak3pA9qqjIp27KeIzewN_M5GRFMPtarMDWL6WLKOaK3sQWLETV2GF0/s1600/18th-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiYVYRptAkHLdWovs9Hp6_XnYjm5u9H6zWKod9Vmo-qnQXjQHjdlYXy3fmIf6pNXcxGE-5yCKwWovnMuXgwnNWak3pA9qqjIp27KeIzewN_M5GRFMPtarMDWL6WLKOaK3sQWLETV2GF0/s640/18th-04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tucked away in the midst of the Brustalist wonderland that is the <a href="http://www.barbican.org.uk/" target="_blank">Barbican</a> lies an unexpectedly serene secret garden. I'd heard rumours about its existence a while ago, and one sunny Bank Holiday weekend in May (yes, these were from that long ago), I decided to investigate. </div>
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Tucked away behind an almost hidden set of glass doors, the <a href="http://www.barbican.org.uk/visitor-information/conservatory" target="_blank">Barbican Conservatory</a> is an unlikely, underworldly respite from the city just outside. There are plenty of plants, as you may expect, but there are also birds, turtles and rather large koi. Even a little wooden bridge over a tinkling stream. </div>
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Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-39988696021326482302013-08-23T20:07:00.000+01:002013-08-23T20:07:20.736+01:00The Mjolnir Shorts<div style="text-align: justify;">
Look, another new post! Despite my absence from this poor ole neglected blog, I haven't been slacking off. Okay, well, maybe a little...but I've been making stuff too!<br />
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These shorts were made sooo long ago - before our summer 'heatwave' (which has since disappeared). It might be sunny in these pictures, but it was still chilly enough for the good old black tights.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuscFpnCroGfGteTNEoK8Ys1QHw1Bhicr0XJ8GzIje1YOQdtZX5bPHjUA59BGFedIiU1zHK8LX4UXlYPYQE7KYCWJ8pMdWrzMTdqJA-HJ5460sobRN3zioudpNTT6aiGjg04ymJwqhVig/s1600/P6221497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuscFpnCroGfGteTNEoK8Ys1QHw1Bhicr0XJ8GzIje1YOQdtZX5bPHjUA59BGFedIiU1zHK8LX4UXlYPYQE7KYCWJ8pMdWrzMTdqJA-HJ5460sobRN3zioudpNTT6aiGjg04ymJwqhVig/s640/P6221497.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The pattern is <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/la-prairie-lady/7162701897/" target="_blank">Simplicity 6337</a> - if you click on the link, you'll see a spectacularly mum-jeans-esque confection, styled in superbly 1980s fashion. Your first instinct might be to shy away from the computer screen. However, mum jeans (or mom jeans if you're an American reader) are now cool again, according to <a href="http://nymag.com/thecut/2013/02/elle-fanning-fashion-as-after-school-activity.html" target="_blank">Elle Fanning</a> and Topshop. </div>
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I've been wanting a pair of highwaisted jeans for a long while, since all my other pairs of jeans were quite literally falling apart. I actually ordered the much talked about <a href="http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/clover" target="_blank">Colette Clover</a> pattern last autumn, but worked on a toile, but found that they need way too much faffing about with, so I got lazy and gave up. Then I found this pattern for 50 cents in a Melbourne op-shop, and picked it up mainly because it was so cheap, and who can have too many patterns anyway? Not me!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgVPsAeNaGSNA-kgwBHquGW_3YSbz1DXpTV7ID_VhF4ZjgBp1LV9fnyWsX3KjBE_MfKsuAx-0Q-6Wg0tkA1R2IaJsFSLk7NKKLTglzW3tKlmqfqioleLqhXJJkl62nGGUlPxDs_4_XZw/s1600/P6221505+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgVPsAeNaGSNA-kgwBHquGW_3YSbz1DXpTV7ID_VhF4ZjgBp1LV9fnyWsX3KjBE_MfKsuAx-0Q-6Wg0tkA1R2IaJsFSLk7NKKLTglzW3tKlmqfqioleLqhXJJkl62nGGUlPxDs_4_XZw/s640/P6221505+copy.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_583147157"></span><span id="goog_583147158"></span>The pattern languished in the dark for a while, until I found this thickish mid-blue denim, with a nice weight to it, at another op-shop. It's really stiff and sounds like thunder if you try to wave it in the air. I imagine this was what cowboys in Westerns used to wear. </div>
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Anyway, this came together surprisingly easily. I made a toile, found it fitted pretty well, and cut into the denim. It's easy to be fearless when you don't care too much about the fabric. I did make a couple of changes to the pattern though - left out the front pockets, and moved the front fly zip to a side lapped zipper. The insides were all overlocked with my awesome new toy, a <a href="http://new.husqvarnaviking.com/en-US/Machines/HUSKYLOCK-s21" target="_blank">Huskylock S21</a>.</div>
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I also added some belt loops to the waistband - which is why they are called the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mj%C3%B6lnir" target="_blank">Mjolnir</a> shorts. Have you ever tried sewing through about 5 layers of thick denim? It's not fun. My sewing machine definitely wasn't having any of it. Out came the hammer so I flatten the fabric before sewing the loops on, and even then it was hard going. I'm pretty sure I was sweating the whole time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaoXg9wjXHr_jlBhjOv0LL-iugwTIXIVLOgUbM7jz2pzUwE3LVUWVaDEoxfPv_2awjCDEBg76pLLAdBDNwJMOFppIRdycQqjwzSixpWawyKEX3tSXNKdAAMBdH6VUxullzYucz9TSsrI/s1600/P6221495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaoXg9wjXHr_jlBhjOv0LL-iugwTIXIVLOgUbM7jz2pzUwE3LVUWVaDEoxfPv_2awjCDEBg76pLLAdBDNwJMOFppIRdycQqjwzSixpWawyKEX3tSXNKdAAMBdH6VUxullzYucz9TSsrI/s640/P6221495.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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It ended up very fitted around my bum and hips (great for holding it all in after a juicy kebab), and slightly too loose around the waist. The waistband hits just above my belly button, and I had wear a belt to prevent gaping around the area. I thought I could live with it, but it eventually got too annoying and had to be altered. Which meant unpicking those pesky belt loops so I could take it in an inch around the front about about 4 inches in the back. And then sewing on the belt loops again. </div>
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These photos were taken before the alteration, but I guess you get an idea of how it looks. They are immensely comfortable, and I've seen found that dark grey stretchy denim I purchased in Poland last year, which means there will be a long version of them coming soon. </div>
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Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5622143682001943764.post-87770632492405410282013-08-21T18:15:00.000+01:002013-08-21T18:15:00.398+01:00Carte de Visites<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hello, anyone out there? *waves* I'm back - with some moody 19th-century types for your perusal...</div>
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I found a stack of these wonderful photographs recently. Most have gone into the Tea Rooms stall, but I've hung on to a few, including the one of the young man surrounded by lots of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxing" target="_blank">foxing</a> - it sort of makes it look like he's floating about in space. </div>
Woolly Mammothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03419501315210739534noreply@blogger.com0