My bee hive update...

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Hi all, just popped in to give you a quick update on my solitary beehive that i've mentioned here before. As you may well remember, i bought the above hive and waited patiently for it's first residents....it didn't take long before i had some interest...
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This was last year, the idea is that they make individual nests in there for thier eggs. So for the past few months they've been busy coming to and fro, and this is what they've produced....
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How cool is that?.
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Each hole is full of this packaging....it is tiny bits of leaf that have been bitten off by the bee, then stuffed into the hole, then they have made little tube type things for thier eggs to go in. So what you are seeing here is about 5 bee eggs in each hole, each one carefully wrapped in leaf and pollen. Then the bee stuffs the end with leaves to keep it well protected..
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My kids were fascinated by this, as was i too. This is what i liked about this kind of solitary hive, you can take the sections off to learn about how the bees store thier eggs. So eventualy these eggs will hatch and the new bees will emerge and the cycle will start again.
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You can make these yourself, or just drill loads of holes in a log like i've just done today, it's just somewhere nice for the bees to find shelter for thier young. If the worlds bee population dissapeared we'd be in serious trouble...so i reckon this is a worthy project for the kids to folow in the garden.
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See ya soon. :)

My first ever painting.

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Hi everyone, tonight is a first for me, i painted a picture for the first time in my life, and it actualy looks half decent!

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For those who don't know me, whilst i can usualy knock up an ok looking craft project, when it comes to painting, i have always been useless. In fact, if i may quote the famous Blackadder for a second, when it comes to painting "I have all the artistic talent of a cluster of colourblind hedgehogs....in a bag!". I have never been any good with paint, so have avoided it any every oppurtunity.

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Enter Maddy....yes Maddy spent the evening with me and my kids, showing us how to paint with acrylics on canvas. This is particulary funny because Maddy has never painted before either, so she made it up as she went along. The results were very pleasing for a first effort and it has certainly given me the enthusiasm to do some more. They were not copied from any picture or anything, just made up as we went along.

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So the above painting is mine....here is my youngest daughters....she's 12 years old....enjoys art but is very self critical and like i say, has not painted like this before. If you are wondering what the "tyre tracks" are doing leading into the lake, i have no idea......they were intentional, she has a strange sense of imagination...

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Below is my 13 year old daughters first painting....she has never really been one for art, thinks she is rubbish at it and steers clear of art if she can. We always encourage her and with perserveranace she can accomplish bits she is proud of...takes some doing though....so she is chuffed to bits with this.

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I am so proud of the kids paintings, they've done a few paintings at school before, but they were typical kids stuff. This is thier first try at something a bit harder.

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Not bad first attempts considering all we used was some paintbrushes that i had in my shed which i use for painting my skirting boards with!

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A big thank you again to Maddy for being patient enough to get us through these paintings, lets just say it was a bit challenging at times.

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Hope you like them. :)

Welcome home Rotty!!!

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Aha! Look what the cat dragged in!
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Hi everyone. Well as some of you may remember, Rotty Rat has been up to all sorts of adventure over the past few months. He threw a tantrum because Calvin Mouse had a house nd he didn't, so in the end he left home. Needless to say, he's been in trouble as usual. Last week i had a letter from the police saying he had to come home. He was charged with stealing cupcakes from Calvin Mouse, and he is seriously on my naughty list!
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"So then Mr.....how are you doing? Long time no see?"
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"Oh, yeah...hi there boss...the police just dropped me off...said i had to come straight home."
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"Home Rotty? Are you saying you want to come back here after all the trouble you've caused? Look at you, you've got to wear an electronic tag for a week due to your naughtyness!" I am seriously not impressed Mr!!!"
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"Ah yeah but...i can explain boss....you see it's a funny story....."

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"Sorry Rotty..i don't want to hear it! You've brought embarrassment to my doorstep, i don't appreciate getting letters from the police through my letterbox! What have you got to say for yourself?"

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Yes i'd hang your head in shame you little scallywag! So you are expecting me to house a criminal? Really Rotty, i thought you knew me better than that."

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"But boss, you need me to guard your stash from that thieving little Calvin Mouse. You know what he's like, he's got those evil eyes, and don't get me started on his ears!"

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"Sorry Rotty, i've made up my mind...you can't stay here any more."

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"But boss....i....sniff....sniff....i need a cuppa and a decent bed....sniff.....my tummy hurts."

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"Look Rotty, grab your stuff, i might know of a place round the back where you can stay for while."

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"Really boss? Does it have a bed...coz i need a good sleep....police cells are no laughing matter you know?"

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"Yes Rotty, i hear it has a bed....come on Mr....this way..."

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"So where is it then boss? Maybe i'll ask at this house here. Bit posh around these parts isn't it...look at the size of that place!"

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"Go and ask them then Rotty, you never know, they might even know of somewhere you can stay?.

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"Hey look at that boss...that has has a plaque on the upper floor with initals like mine....how cool is that? Wonder who lives there?"

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"Umm boss....i don't understand....i knocked and nobodys in, but thats not all....have you seen this door?"

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"Whats the matter Rotty?"

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"The door plaque boss....look at the name on it..."

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"That is strange Rotty....maybe you should take a look inside?"

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"Ok boss....will do....you watch my back...."

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"Why do i need to watch your back Rotty?"

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"Well just incase the police turn up.....don't want to be caught raiding someones house again, that would be all i need."

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"Rotty you doughnut...who's name is on the door? It would be difficult getting arrested for entering....YOUR OWN HOUSE!!!"

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"WHAT?!!!! Say that again? This is my house? My very own house? You mean to say you actualy made me one in the end? I can't believe it!!!"

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"I sure did Rotty. Not that you deserve any treats after what you've put me through, but i did promise you a house a while back didn't i?"

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"Go on then, go have a look at some of your things. It still needs some things to make it more cozy, but i think you'd like it. I wanted it to have that old feel to it, just like the places you like to frequent."

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"Your very own flatscreen telly...i know you like your TV....made you some nice curtains too, and your very own furniture."

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"Wow boss!!! This is amazing!!! Look....i got my own log fire too!"

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"Certainly have Rotty, just what you need on a cold night. Already stocked up with logs and coal too...even made you a little stoker for the fire, and of course a broomstick to sweep up the mess."

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Oh my boss...is that what i think it is above the fireplace?!!!"

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"Yes Rotty....your very own piece of rat artwork by Banksy!" Just a print of course, it's hard getting him to do personal commissions."

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"Of course...i'll be the envy of the sewers with that!

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"I also made you a coffee table Rotty, and a little something on it to help you get back on your feet again."

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"Oh boss, i don't know what to say....it just doesn't get better than this when you are a sewer rat like myself!!! This sofa is great too...very comfy indeed!"
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"Yes it is, and you have Maddy to thank for that sofa, she was kind enough to donate it to you."

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"Really? That was nice of her....Calvin Mouse didn't touch it did he? You'll have to disinfect it if he did you know?"

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"No it's nice and clean Rotty....now then, you might want to take a look upstairs..."

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"NO WAY!!!! I have my own bedroom!!!!! WOOHOOOOOO!!!"

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"Yes indeed Rotty.....just look at those most excellent duvet and pillow sets that our lovely friend Nicki from Switzerland made you! Aren't they fantastic? You've also got another TV so you can watch telly in bed...and dartboard too, can't be a boys bedroom without a dartboard!"

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"THANK YOU NICKI...i love them!!! xxx ....and you are so right boss... if you notice, Calvin Mouse hasn't got a dartboard in his room....so i'm seriously starting to have my doubts about him! I HAVE TWO BEDS!!!!!"

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"Yes Rotty, just incase you have any friends over to stay".

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"Oh boss this is way too cool, you wait till i tell the other rats in the sewer, they'll all want to come and stay!"

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I'm sure they will, oh you found your teddy. Actualy Maddy made that little horse, i thought you might like it for a bit of company in your new bed."

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"Thank you so much boss....i really like my new house....might change a bit of the decor here and there but you can't get everything right can you?"

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"I guess not Rotty. Now look, you have to take good care of this house ok? I don't mind having it in my craft room so you're a bit warmer, but no wild parties ok and make sure that fire is out when you go to bed! Deal?"
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"It's a deal boss....a rats promise even and you can't get better than that. By the way, i did notice that you didn't make my laboratory and gym that i asked for, but i'll let you off as you did such a good job. All in good time eh boss?"

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"Lol yes ok Rotty...i'll say goodnight now and leave you to your new place."

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"Night boss."

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Well folks....thats that! Rotty has his house, and i think he's quite happy don't you? I hope he has as much fun in it as i had making it. It took a little while as it's my first attempt at anything like this, but i like to think it was worth it...don't you?
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I wonder how he's getting on....lets have one last peek before we go eh?....

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Big tough Rotty Rat eh....look at him cuddling that teddy lol.

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Night all.....see you soon, i'll explain a few things about the build of this house in my next blog post. Thanks for popping in to take a look. :)

Quick dry brushing tutorial.

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Hi everyone. :)
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How do you like this stone box i found? Just kidding, i am making something and needed to do a bit of dry brushing on it to get a slate effect, so i thought i'd take a few pics along the way to show you how easy it is.
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Many of you will already know how to do this, and i'm sure you can do a better job as there are some most excellent tutorials out there. These are great for giving a stone effect to anything, especialy scenery or houses built for kids. No reason why you can't use it on cards though.
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Firstly, i bought one of those cardboad boxes (are they cardboard? Papier mache maybe? i dunno).
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Now we need to give it a base coat of black matt paint. I just used some old black acrylic paint, you can also get a really nice matt black spray base coat from places like Games Workshop or other scenery or modeling shops.
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Now for the dry brushing. You'll need a stencilling brush. They come in many sizes, so depending on what size your project is depends on how big a brush you'll need.
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Get yourself some tissue paper, and get a blob of white acrylic paint. Now dip your paint brush in the while, but just a tiny bit, you'll see why in a second...
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Now you need to take all the paint off again. Sounds stupid i know, but you only want a hint of the white to dust over the contours of the black. So take the paint off by brusshing it clean over the tissue. Keep going until you think there is literaly nothing left on the brush.
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It should be virtualy clean...
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Now to dry brush. Holding the brush so it is upright and the flat bottom of the bristles are on the project, i just flick it around lightly over the black paint. Very lightly, you are after just hitting the raised surfaces of the black paint so you are only dusting the surface.
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Eventualy you'll see a white powdery hint coming to the black paint which gives you a stone or slate effect. You'll know if you still have too much paint on your brush, it will leave whiter marks on your black surface. If you really mess it up, just recoat with black and start again.
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Easiest technique ever. Like i say, this one was done really quick, so you can get a better effect if you take your time and really clean that brush off well. You can see a few places where i had too much paint on, it's too white.
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This would be a great thing to do with your kids on a weekend, get one of those chipboard houses from any of the craft shops, and try some dry brushing. You can also add other colours to give different effects, on Rotty's house that i'm doing, i drybrushed with brown on top of this to give a tile effect.
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A big thank you goes out to Maddy, as she showed me this technique many years ago.
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Thanks for looking and i hope it comes in handy. :)

A letter from the police!

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Hi everyone.....this is quite an embarrassing day for me......i've had a letter from the police!
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It would appear that a certain little man....or should i say rat.....has finaly got his comeuppance after being caught with stolen cupcakes. Guilty as charged it seems.....i'll let you read the letter yourselves....click on the image if you want it bigger.....
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I can't believe it! Oh well, i'll have to get the place ready for him i guess, i'm sure he'll be glad to get back home, he's been away for quite a while if you remember.
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Who knows, i may even have a big surprise waiting for him when he gets back...not that the sack of mischief deserves it!
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Thanks for stopping by, stay tuned for Rotty's return....and a much awaited present. :)

Handmade bookmark.

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Hi all. :)

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Ok, first make back after a long break, i thought i'd better make it simple. No not like me thank you. :)

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My usual tactic when deciding what to make goes something like this...

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1. Think that i have to make something amazing.

2. Think it has to be something big and complicated.

3. Then i get stressed to bits with the whole cuffudle (yes thats a word down our way) of ideas in my head that i don't even make a start.

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So Maddy told me to just keep it simple...they do say that behind every good man is a woman rolling her eyes, so i thought i'd listen to her this time. :)

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A basic card piece covered with some 12 x 12 paper i had from The Far East selection (DCWV). I have used a stamp from a old writing stamp set i have, due to the textured paper, the image didn't come out too well but not to worry.

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I dotted some holes along the side with a dart, yes a dart as i've lost my pokey tool, then sewed along the sides and middle with a double strand of metallic embroidery thread.

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The different colours give quite a cool effect don't you think? Oh yeah, i used a little gold embossing powder on the edges...

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I was going to add some tassles at the top, but instead i used some old chain i had left. Added a button to it and it works great for some weight drooping over the pages when the books closed.

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Had to test it in use of course....

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So thats is, a nice way to slide back into the blog again. I do a fair bit of reading so another bookmark is always welcome. Thanks for looking. :)

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Happy New Year everyone!!!

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Happy New Year everyone!!!
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Firstly, i hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year. I hope Santa brought you everything you asked for, and that most of you who were probably on the naughty list got at least a little something. :)
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I must apologize for my absence from the blog over the past few months, many excuses, but i wonlt bore you with them. Luckily Maddy has kept me informed with all the crafty goings on so i know what you've all been up to. (Yes even that!) :)
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We had a great deal of snow and ice here, we weren't as bad as most places in the UK, but it did make for a few lovely pictures.....heres one from my village....
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Rotty is nowhere to be seen at the moment, there are a few rumours circulating the sewers regarding his whereabouts.....none of them great i'm afraid. One said that he was staying at Maddy's house, another was that he'd left there and was involved in the "catering business" down in the underground sewers of London again.....something that worries me slightly after reading this article recently...
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Hmmm i know....concerning eh?
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Rotty's house is nearing some kind of completion, the paint job on the exterior didn't quite go to plan so i will be working on that in my spare time. So don't fret....Rotty will get his house soon!
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Other than that, i look forward to getting back into the swing of things with the crafting and getting around all your blogs. I hope you are all well and are enjoying your crafting, wishing you all a great 2011.
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Oh yeah, i have a couple of resoloutions, some of the normal ones, some a bit different, but the main one is to keep in touch with friends more often. I love writing, and there is nothing better than a handwritten letter through the door......one without text talk too! So if you get a letter with a wax seal on the back...it may just be from me. :)
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Oh yes, one final thing.....i would like to give a big shout out to the numerous spammers that have graced my blog whilst i've been away. I always enjoy reading my friends and followers comments, but nothing gets me all warm and fuzzy like a whole host of random spam posts linking people to sex sites and the likes.
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So to any spammers out there, one day i hope we'll meet.....i promise i'll give you a personal up-close tutorial on another use for a pokey tool!!!

What a nice crafty suprise!

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Who doesn't love receiving post through the letterbox that isn't a bill? Well today i had the nicest of surprises when i opened a letter to find a beautiful handmade card from the children at Kids Company. Some of you may remember i knitted some scarves for the kids last winter, and this was a lovely thank you from them. :)
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They'd obviously put a lot of work into the card, a gorgeous seascape theme to it and lots of little details that outshine my cards lol. I love this spray they've used on the gold card, it would also look good in a snow scene...
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The little sailing boat is just great! Almost makes you think you are there under that blue sunny sky with the big white clouds...
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On the back of the card it says, "Dear Calvin, thank you so very much for knitting warm wears for our children, you made them very happy last winter."
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Makes all those years of me getting stressed whilst trying to learn to knit worthwhile doesn't it?
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So a huge thank you to the children at Kids Company (and of course the staff too) for sending this, it really has made my day. :)
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For anyone else that is interested in making or sending donations or items for the kids, my friend Nicki's website explains it all in great detail.
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Bye for now...