tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46427445801040681612024-03-14T13:42:47.420+00:00Haberdashery PieCreate. Craft. Cook.Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-51907936585326468602020-06-08T11:53:00.001+01:002020-06-08T11:53:19.047+01:00Day Four 30 Days Wild = Small Gloria part 2<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Just look at that concentration! For Day Four of 30 Days Wild we were back on ladybirds. This time our main activity was hand sewing some little ladybirds from Eco Felt. We like making things from Eco Felt because it's easy to work with and made from recycled plastic bottles, so we can feel good about using it too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div>I always like it when our invitation to play has a colour theme! This tray holds so many lovely crafty bits including the prints and stones we started on our first Small Gloria Day and everything we need to make the felt ladybirds and turn them into hair clips or pegs. When I was looking through my craft stash I found these cute little wooden ladybirds, they made someone very happy and are now appearing all over the house!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>The first thing we did was to sort through a big jar full if black buttons looking for more ladybird spots. This was a great sensory activity and we all enjoyed hunting through the buttons to find which ones were the smallest or the biggest or the prettiest! We will doing some more button sorting soon I think as my girl really enjoyed this, I love buttons so you won't hear any complaints from me!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBf4W-8zJ2sDz7uYFJZOI8YcbCJWIq_29rzrqCGqSQ3NKd5dNg2UITpg9J4rF6P6cUJCCLU1wzhn-SAeNLD2b2S_7F7DLdeqeQoF2v8Oodey1AqtJbHAyIbY21T5ZjjxD7GzLcrGw3lk/s1600/1591543473568852-0.png" width="400" />
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</div>My girl really benefits from spending a little time sewing by hand, it helps her focus, be calm and slow down for a while. Many wonderful benefits are attributed to sewing, these include improving concentration, creativity, self-esteem, perseverance, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and sequencing. Sewing can also act as a form of mindfulness and therefore helps to relieving stress and increase happiness. There is even evidence that using both hands in this way can stimulates brain growth!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcgkgj08Y0HM3qkZnvyjzHyftVve7TibkV-S3Fp3qrYtelrnVfXOEXR9QqhqhSZhKJrwLaXvwqOdSiQbpyVSk5GS_T_X074kV67YuqOH_rCZipb-Eu8Y-Zh2BxIEzgY-aSrhOdhbldNE/s1600/1591544156217737-0.png" width="400" />
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</div>In case you hadn't guessed from the name of the blog sewing is my happy place (and cooking, hence the "pie" part). I haven't found much time for sewing or any other hobbies lately so seeing the table strewn with sewing bits and bobs really made me smile. This picture is really just here because it makes me smile every time I look at it, sorry.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>We finished off the prints and stones from our first Small Gloria Day by using Sharpies to add in the details. My girl asked Daddy to help her with the prints and they looked very sweet working together (see Project Life page).</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Both the pictures are now up on the wall above our dinning table and the stone and felt ladybirds have taken over a shelf in the kitchen too (see last picture), they really cheer the place up. I especially love this balloon print ladybird which my girl turned into herself! Isn't it just too cute?</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Here is the layout I made for the day using the Project Life app. I really enjoy seeing all the pictures together and recording the days story. It will be wonderful to look back on these in the future, I'm so glad I found the app.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGsYuU9d-oE_DlgBNlG6oJoVylWL9wfAeCRViwVBUEMVvTCbXQBdqrgSB5fZ1n9mCp6nmUdIpWlsFrodI4uyTByfDS6miSRyhG1nVKQzgC2qN2SLE9eDy2vkCsZOd3SGHns9Aq72vw2E/s1600/1591547716543206-2.png" width="400" />
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</div>Today's chocolate rice cake design was a butterfly! I wonder what she'll ask for next.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>My wild moments for the day included making a salt blend with flowers and herbs from my garden, I shared the recipe for this on Instagram. I also went for a solo walk on the beach where I found a few treasures and collected another bag of rubbish. My girl had picked this perfect rock rose for me from the garden and I spent some time appreciating it's beauty because I know it will only last for one day. The stormy day ended with this gorgeous sky when the sun finally decided to rejoin us.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVZc_oj5TbVylyRNLv_Q8yA4vD-9XF1BLEK95RJEMdVzhfcrGft3F09ZgK4n8YzGG6i8YN2PcdCpkqoUzpqeYu25-4in8PvKOcapisrejZbCR2iAheLbImhyn2_mYGVltXRlAcooMwBA/s1600/1591557341913583-0.png" width="400" />
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</div>I actually managed to squeeze in a bit of creativity of my own and used the leftover pieces of felt to sew a few ladybirds, they have a little bit of stuffing inside them to give a rounded shape. So far I haven't decided what to do with them, maybe one could be a broach or perhaps they will be decorations for the seasonal table. I had a go at making some shell ladybirds too. These are each made from a different type of shells and two have cord antenna glued on.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Thanks for reading my ramblings. I hope you are able to enjoy spending some time connecting with nature, whatever the weather. I'd love to hear about your adventures.</div>Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-60855236716632833242020-06-06T16:43:00.000+01:002020-06-27T07:21:31.256+01:00Day Three of 30 Days Wild = Small Things. (29/90 DW)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Day Three of 30 Days Wild and Day Thirty of our own 90 Days Wild, I can't believe it's been that long already! (or that I'm so far behind with writing blog posts!).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDi2fVKtei62OqugSQsyBWJ98rcnfvmxJi3P24bjs8aahRYUhUm9ju-qbNKertnkQfKMtssJ1i9iHjelUuZ0JRam06Ni96H7kEEIDxHDG0xXUJZ_TZPx_M2SZBiGRKREsWbhEkJzbrLw/s1600/1591479294378978-0.png" width="400">
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</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was a day of doing Small Things because my girl wasn't in a happy place and found it difficult to focus on anything for long. I let her chose all the activities we did, (this seemed like my best chance of getting her to engage with anything) it was no surprise that the things she chose mostly involved water! First she asked for a bowl of water and a paintbrush so she could paint on the fence, but quickly lost interest because the hot sun kept drying her pictures too fast (shown in first picture).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WGSlnSQ4TH6QfuJD9whhEc9uQ2AVo2fiP547wS5knPotEoCbWFvJ2CV1iBZL2bLPvAeVZZVGkY_Uho9l0Sp2W1oOXNsG__5c9jndDVmtrLY15MS6Z5S8K529sRlF0HsduHVMgxmwxiw/s1600/1591383860360262-0.png" width="400">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So she asked for lolly sticks instead to "make a raft like we did in schools". I was given strict instructions to go away until she was ready to test out her raft because she knew what she was doing and didn't need any help! There was much busying about and use of sticky tape in the gazebo as she made her raft, it took a surprisingly long time because she kept getting distracted by things like the neighbours cat!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the time the raft was ready Daddy was home too so we both attended the ceremonial launch. Our funny girl had taped her raft to the side of the bowl so that she could cut its moorings to send it on its maiden voyage!<br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09KMF0CjyhjOpBnOYrl9aWNc4nASIAP_CnNHr8-tg55nIcO_vR1TQZPyw-OJVIdxiRfcwXGe2nCnWmARCJbgEnx_zUuyleXe5BhBX0imChkXpMNL6i7jPYUOk-yb_17Cqeb77ccSkty0/s1600/1591383855281938-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09KMF0CjyhjOpBnOYrl9aWNc4nASIAP_CnNHr8-tg55nIcO_vR1TQZPyw-OJVIdxiRfcwXGe2nCnWmARCJbgEnx_zUuyleXe5BhBX0imChkXpMNL6i7jPYUOk-yb_17Cqeb77ccSkty0/s1600/1591383855281938-1.png" width="400">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My girl spotted this wooden house puzzle kit sitting on a shelf and decided she'd like to make it. We bought this years ago, in fact we bought several and there are already at least two other completed one around our house! This time around she was able to do much more by herself than she had managed to previously. The glitter glue which originally came with the kit was long gone but she said that didn't matter as she will paint it another day and place it in her flowerbed to be a fairy house. I'm hoping she might let us make a little fairy garden around it too with pebbles paths etc!<br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div>It seems I really started something with the Small Gloria ladybird rice cake the other day, now she wants them decorated every day! This time she requested a bee, so I did my best.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>My "random acts of wildness" for the day included finding this mouse nest. I saw something going under our pile of driftwood in the garden, from the way it was moving I thought it was a frog or toad so I decided to have a look as that is something we haven't seen yet this year. When I moved the wood a bit I found this nest and solved the mystery of who stole all the sweetcorn and peas we were trying to sprout! Sorry Mr Robin, you were wrongly accused. I'm pretty sure this mouse has been thinning out my lettuce seedlings for me too! I put the wood back how it was, I don't really mind having a mouse in the garden, as long as it stays outside the house.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Now I am planting my seeds like this; using fruit punnets I have saved as mini greenhouses. So far this is working well, the seeds are germinating quickly and the mouse has left them alone! Also the ventilation holes in the top and bottom of the punnets allow for good drainage whilst only allowing a small amount of water in, even when it rains, so my seedlings don't get drowned.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpFp4W2lTjhdWV1GFwaxXehGgnGoLgkVvctQySumTCCdwby79kctjvkqtIOUnG2a5ATqSmtAZ2tuDbiqyhQHs7GwkIIjbSXIXotS5IMBKKwQubMCaloY9n0ApxE_RoPBH_edvD342XF0/s480/Collage+2020-06-06+15_39_26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpFp4W2lTjhdWV1GFwaxXehGgnGoLgkVvctQySumTCCdwby79kctjvkqtIOUnG2a5ATqSmtAZ2tuDbiqyhQHs7GwkIIjbSXIXotS5IMBKKwQubMCaloY9n0ApxE_RoPBH_edvD342XF0/s320/Collage+2020-06-06+15_39_26.jpg" width="320"></a></div><div>We were very excited to discover that this little caterpillar has started to change. At least we are assuming it's a caterpillar, we found it inside an oak gall we were investigating! When we cut the gall open we expected to find it empty because there were holes in the side and were very surprised to find this little fellow! I have kept it in a jar and tried to feed it various types of leaves (I have no idea what it is so I don't know what it eats) but so far as I can tell it hasn't eat anything. Everyday I checked it and put a few drops of water in the jar, I thought it would surely die but after a couple of weeks it has actually started to change, you can see legs and antenna now! I'm fascinated to see how it continues to develop.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1wYWFUpgLCvk29YRtqH_aPHzg9Z-HIbhe-Lxzi3f78kcEAUaFo3TfnDmyiyxmbu_7qXYSyBBUH_tq1dy081_LDdF6fw9h4-5Wes1497M2C0ffakGKp0qf1hZNpmFHF3eVTt47O4xCbE/s1600/1591301348002076-4.png" width="400">
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</div>It had been a stressful day (with lots of challenging behaviour) and I felt the need to unwind, so I decided to colour in this beautiful 30 Days Wild colouring page by illustrator Annalees Lim. She is releasing wonderful nature themed pages every day in June with prompts to inspire "random acts of wildness". You can see the pages on her Instagram feed and download them from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Annalees-Lim-Illustration-104264371287476">her Facebook page</a>. She also has some other lovely colouring pages available on <a href="https://annaleeslim.com/illustration/fun-stuff/">her website</a> with a variety of themes.</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks for reading my ramblings. I hope you're having a lovely wild summer and I'd love to hear what you've been up to.</div>Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-29519159237280618952020-06-04T19:08:00.000+01:002020-06-27T07:21:55.701+01:00Day Two of 30 Days Wild = Small Gloria Day. (28/90 DW)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01j-gf-1cuTwHyOiaMlDUbYjv3M-ZG7Isdwjq4MRo00yroqw261lFh78Tl6_tQVW23QSa1zbuWTVJUlTrF8WA2z3rfbC7ajlVmpgokY6VhlNEhqKJHzL5kFkvMO0PtcxBdUJZB9BX9dI/s1600/1591207033051263-0.png" width="400">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you have read the Violet Mackerel series of books by <a href="https://www.annabranford.com/books">Anna Branford</a> you will have met Small Gloria. Even if you haven't you can probably guess that she is a ladybird! In <i>Natural Habitat</i> Violet befriends an especially tiny ladybird and she helps her sister make a very special ladybird life cycle display.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh49TsMxvZBOmbJ-mZhRg8hoTZVFGV5geCNlyQHPZ4TKVC6wsN9gK-vDVzDSHX8W5El-s1_Jg_yG6psOxEuZeCMkNyEbFqwM0yNARxWOOI0CYPhI_NA9b9GAdOq6-ANSyTi_ESbq4VEpI/s1600/1591248047062518-0.png" width="400">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the morning we went for our usual walk on the beach. I found this balloon whilst doing some beach cleaning and my girl had so much fun with it, until it popped! She has kept the ribbon and tied it to another balloon, she plans to use it over and over so it won't end up in the sea again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6A4lr-eNS-xqtr1TkuBcEOLszcghikWd93_vCV-U64SEIXho-doAHmCocKxI9BvF4qKEbapZmMjq3GxFfTsSb6ACrPoCnOwWQxf1VeOJLNh5PbV8Uwv3-PbYH6ixt0JShVuzt4CtFu4/s1600/1591206998344492-2.png" width="400">
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</div><div>Our invitation to play included balloons and <i>Natural Habitat</i> along with lots of ladybird themed crafts, activities, stickers and stamps. I used the ladybird balloon as an incentive to encourage my girl to come out into the garden. She quickly pointed out that I had forgotten to give our Small Gloria balloon antenna and added them before making her own ladybird balloon. She loved these balloons so much, they had to go everywhere with her, including up to bed! Obviously they were washed well first.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nlW4j0f5mj_5M8Y9vGEqlUpxo5zAy5FL7_-8hCjy0MaET15b_i4ouijVTK-uUztaCtkwtse68V_nT0r4FBJ9tkmzNPv0_oJnvY6uxIFbRs1fXwXRLLBr993G1cDbNbfGLGZeyHjWoLE/s1600/1591206992754334-3.png" width="400">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We did some print making, first using the balloons and then with an apple. I'm not a big fan of "wasteing" fresh food this way but this apple got forgotten in the fruit bowl when we moved everything into the fridge due to the hot weather and it was very wrinkled so I didn't mind. My daughter cut it in half all by herself, using a knife is something we have been working on. We decided to place the other half of the apple in the flowerbed for our garden wildlife, it didn't take the ants long to find it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_v5BwGeeYGxKNnkoAw-ALXLpk5zVm2IW1mc8Old5xMayL2SQpVaJqERK5A8nR9JDXYf6jEWCiTuyTuBXee13PCkO5dVmWH95W0xI3jbwLxb9dRJ9XsqGhImQptVkuTlqjTNJUAaVoIA/s1600/1591246289817498-0.png" width="400">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next we covered some stones in red tissue paper and painter a couple red before setting everything aside to dry. I found a lot of great ladybird craft ideas through a round up on the <a href="https://buggyandbuddy.com/ladybug-crafts/">Buggy and Buddy website</a>, we added our own too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZDo8je1nloKMDajCpIxEDjEkTzdKt1wc7hz3A7K7hCSZ9PNfpwZZ_V69O4RYpKDYor6O0mB-m84Y_cSwqXsUmBbukpjnfleng4Gfei1lTYu2b9Mm0Vjd8LCNask8YXHYyctxXV1A9VE/s1600/1591246284467133-1.png" width="400">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are some great ladybird worksheets available for free on the <a href="https://www.twinkl.co.uk/search">Twinkl website</a>. My girl liked this cut and stick life cycle and referred to one of the illustrations in <i>Natural Habitat</i> to help her place things in the right order. We also completed a quarters maths sheet which used sharing ladybirds between leaves to help you work out the answer. My girl didn't need the ladybirds to work out smaller numbers or ones she has a good grasp of, like multiples of five and ten, but it was very helpful for more intimidating numbers like 36and I think we'll use this strategy for other maths problems in the future. We stuck some of the leftover ladybirds into her journal along with an extra set of life cycle images.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVJXHq6zMSHUQ45CHYVgUn9L8GYiX3ddQcF8qjaECFS9FACuiTusIi-V73XoPnQmhj70sILD31wJdch1UIjyLQ5NUMkMqvluT0aMTURHqh_QANcKzsNdlcwR0kgz1peu75h_ljNbilng/s1600/1591248041812398-1.png" width="400">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The last ladybird activity for the day was decorating dark chocolate rice cakes with writing icing. I had made one as a surprise for morning snack and naturally my girl wanted to have a go too, and an excuse to eat an extra rice cake!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xom-e7sGRGtOJ0K_zR_dUgWbDpo7nCgJmA0aE10C6FME_Rs_6YQiPP4tSw8_i6sjK_TL-FOmeIkX4wCgFPYbY62YSeHpPddITbwQTuyBuqTeO1sLcRLTeTbBHXiVrqznmfnx2Kg-5SA/s1600/1591248036405532-2.png" width="400">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the one I made, you can see her finished one in the Project Life layout above.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9s5cxIOh87R4dj6tUtuol-L4Kj8JoVsk38GRFQ1huFNgrsvsm_1WeEGKebhi11FYM0c1Xwdg72yRLmPLdu7j7Yl8dxUxAcQ0I2JQ8AEcEXBz2cUgKHx_mcmEacWhPZkiRXj9qcJUYhAI/s1600/1591248030644734-3.png" width="400">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are our completed worksheets and journal. My girl put a lot of extra effort into her life cycle page. We will have a Small Gloria Day part two soon when we add spots and other details to our prints and stones to turn them into ladybirds</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYw22bNRYRtfA-kVWmihKdMO4-DzMK_gNnCLCXfOzsvwSk_LB0g7L6nS3axpaUlSd2gH5jEJ3Vp44TXiIb6sMfnyGcL2KgFBR-XCAWjROMK2q1zsFhvMkpquWqx9FnQBQMwPV_TqDhc6Q/s1600/1591249212034926-0.png" width="400">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the evening my girl coloured in her 30 Days Wild window poster and checked off things she had spotted around the garden on the bingo sheet. She managed to get bingo by complete a row with sightings from days one and two so I gave her a small prize. These sheets can be downloaded from <a href="https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/">The Wildlife Trusts website</a> once you sign up to join the challenge.<br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3M1Lcr1J4CPVRWNofOtFi9dUmoDmE94YdywDUa0CWj532PeoPQKHnQh6ka8N5HQFAU5jf4dNppSn8w6nmnNm5ouBBoUjyg3jn2XJ_7RG0WlXReSorTJn4Gy9G7H28N4RphyphenhyphenaWHNlS0tE/s1600/1591206956373000-8.png" width="400">
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</div><div>Lastly my girl complete this ladybird picture on her digital colouring app. She worked on it throughout the day whenever she needed to rest. The app is called <i> </i><a href="https://happycolor.app/">Happy Colour</a>,<i> </i>she really enjoys using it during quiet moments. There is a wide choice of picture including cartoon characters, art, nature, fantasy and much more. The pictures are very detailed so you have to concentrate, when you complete a picture you can watch an animation of how you coloured it in, which is a really fun bonus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBOyDaZxARAHdwJ9q2W-eI7yP8sV4xTdcgREuMjCYqvgZLqCc3MPeQchA5Kcnj-Pa9zdiZKRKbFRy9R0aLmQC8dTngrEP78ShB7s78n4FAUh8V9gPYJH7FtIsuiS-gAO8itdAM3-_AS4/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="1039" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBOyDaZxARAHdwJ9q2W-eI7yP8sV4xTdcgREuMjCYqvgZLqCc3MPeQchA5Kcnj-Pa9zdiZKRKbFRy9R0aLmQC8dTngrEP78ShB7s78n4FAUh8V9gPYJH7FtIsuiS-gAO8itdAM3-_AS4/s320/IMG_20200407_194427_168.jpg"></a></div><div>My "act of random wildness" for the day was to eat a bowl of lettuce and three-cornered leek soup for dinner. I actually made a batch of this soup a while ago and froze some portions but you may still be able to find the three-cornered leek leaves in shady wild places if you would like to make your own. I have shared my soup recipe on my Instagram feed. I also pick up a small bag full of rubbish whilst we were in our beach walk. That makes two bags in two days. I usually fill a bag once or twice a week but I plan to do it as often as I can during the month of June.</div>Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-62145902528228448172020-06-03T14:43:00.003+01:002020-06-27T07:20:54.980+01:00Day One 30 Days Wild = Splashing! (27/90 DW)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first day of June and the start of this year's 30 Days Wild, it really did feel like the start of summer! This was day twenty eight of our 90 Days Wild and we are loving it! I will try to post more frequently during 30 DW to keep up with our adventures and hopefully I will eventually catch up with our 90 DW posts too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">30 Days Wild is a challenge organised by The Wildlife Trusts to encourage people to get outside and connect with nature. The idea is to do a "random act of wildness" each day in June. These "acts" don't have to be big, they can be something as simple as listening to a bird sing. Last year I wrote a post with 15 ideas of ways to connect with nature in five minutes or less, wherever you are, without spending a penny. I've refreshed that post in case it is useful to anyone. If you would like to join in with 30 Days Wild you can sign up on <a href="https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/">The Wildlife Trusts website</a> and download their lovely info pack as well as finding lots of other ideas for things you can do to support wildlife.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We kicked off Day One with a walk on the beach. I guess for us this is more an "act of predictable wildness" but is still counts! My girl had a great time alternating between paddling in the sea and climbing on the rocks of the sea defences. The beach has different surprises for us everyday and this time it was crabs and clams. I found a tiny crab, it could move faster than the camera shutter which is why there is a photo of my empty hand on the Project Life page above! We found live clams and lots of empty shells, including pairs, which is unusual for our beach. We plan to use some of these shells to make a butterfly mobile or picture eventually.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the afternoon it was so sunny and warm that my girl begged to go back to the beach,isn't to wonderful that we can do that again no). She had a brilliant time splashing and jumping, she even had a little go at swimming! We made some funny video of her antics, which will be so lovely to look back on when she's older, and she loved posing for the camera. The sea is so wonderful for her as she can express herself freely through movement without having to worry about bumping into anything or getting hurt. Of course it is also fantastic on a sensory level, she can't get enough of splashing or swooshing her hands in the water. Each day she gets a little bit more confident, this was the first time she wasn't upset by getting water in her mouth or eyes. Maybe by the end of the summer she will be swimming properly, that would be really great because she should have started swimming lessons at school this term but obviously that couldn't happen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm planning to do my own 30 Days Wild too, focusing on things I love such as foraging and upcycling. This morning I went out for an early walk by myself, it was so magical out on the beach at 5am with the gorgeous light of the rising sun and the birds all singing. I went in the opposite direction from our usual walks and came back through the sand dunes which made it feel extra special too. I was hoping the dunes would be full of wild roses as they were last year and I wasn't disappointed, they were everywhere! I carefully picked a little handful to make into tea. My other highlight was seeing a sky lark soaring up into the air, as far as I can remember that was a first for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The tea I made using the roses was really delicious. I brewed them up with a couple of pinches of whole leaf green tea and some dried nettles from my garden. Floating the flowers in the cup meant they release their beautiful perfume and that really enhanced the pleasure of drinking the tea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><div>In the evening my girl said she wanted to draw something and I could choose what it would be. So I suggested a bumble bee. She made this beautiful picture and gave it to me with strict instructions that I put it up by my bed! What a wonderful reminder of our first day of this year's 30 Days Wild.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading my ramblings! Are you taking part in 30 Days Wild? What wild things have you been getting up to?</div><div><br /></div>Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-78587358279175682542020-06-01T10:00:00.001+01:002020-06-01T10:00:02.065+01:0090 Days Wild. Day Eight: Sea Walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today's Wild Adventure was very simple but incredibly enjoyable. It was really warm and sunny this afternoon with very little breeze, a rare occurrance here, so we decided to go for a walk on the beach but this time we walked in the sea! My girl adores water, especially the sea, and this was a wonderful opportunity for her to be totally free and express herself through movement.<br />
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The combination of warm sunshine and mineral rich water is so relaxing and therapeutic, I have no doubt this walk did us both a lot of good. In previous year when I have been able to walk in the sea on a regular basis I have seen a noticable improvement in my health, hopefully there will be more opportunities for us to do this as summer progress.<br />
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<br />We noticed a lot of small pieces of seaweed floating in the otherwise clear water, they looked so pretty that we decided to gather a few to take home and press. My daughter was a little unsure about touching the seaweed with her hands so she used her doll to hook pieces she liked out of the water! We also found a lovely mermaids' purse.<div><div style="text-align: center;">
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When we got home I pressed some of the seaweed by sandwiching it between layers of paper and kitchen towel which I placed under a couple of heavy cookery. After about a week they were flat, dry and ready to go into the journal.</div><u><font color="#000120"></font></u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-56678779135717872202020-05-31T18:20:00.002+01:002020-05-31T18:38:52.652+01:0090 Days Wild. Day Seven: VE Day.<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjM2247rhlFOs0R_4Bdi6kBRx2lTUKdH7Abc7FtXnVwDg81sooexxhyphenhyphenMl4Yqo-__EXd3gjFkuydZEIDJ3Vf3Z4KbA81RHB-JNoAFOQu5hdC7IKFSdlZ1xECZjJNcdqp541dTd8-BcamGo/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjM2247rhlFOs0R_4Bdi6kBRx2lTUKdH7Abc7FtXnVwDg81sooexxhyphenhyphenMl4Yqo-__EXd3gjFkuydZEIDJ3Vf3Z4KbA81RHB-JNoAFOQu5hdC7IKFSdlZ1xECZjJNcdqp541dTd8-BcamGo/s320/IMG_20200508_101816%257E2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>
Our VE day celebrations began with our daughter dressing up in the evacuee outfit she wore when her class did an assembly about WW2 earlier in the year. We visited the village war memorial so that we could remember all those who sacrificed their lives during the World Wars.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VnCH9waRp4R1W9m5kFWFMbAqt25Hs0RFSq5Waw6ehnjOSR7Ly1kHwkYIlgzGFpnAurCFwsccKTxNpIPH7btbVEl5wAaQUBhliNytQP4VW6Pyc2k4MBlzXEuJwEae7InyU9kv6G2DkzA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VnCH9waRp4R1W9m5kFWFMbAqt25Hs0RFSq5Waw6ehnjOSR7Ly1kHwkYIlgzGFpnAurCFwsccKTxNpIPH7btbVEl5wAaQUBhliNytQP4VW6Pyc2k4MBlzXEuJwEae7InyU9kv6G2DkzA/s320/Collage+2020-05-31+17_49_52.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our girl had a look around the garden at all the wonderful art work that people have made to honour our fallen. Some of the paintings were made by children from her school and the school it is paired with through the Shared Education Scheme. She read the dedication plaque and looked at the sculpture it describes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">
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When we got home I set out some crafty goodies for us to use. Issue 84 of Creative Stamping came with this "Best of British" stamp set and Union Flag stencil which were just perfect for our celebrations. I also had this stamp commemorating the Queen's diamond jubilee which I got from a charity shop for 50p! The list of ideas I had for things we could do was typically overambitious so we didn't have time to do everything but having a range of options to pick from seems to work well for us.</div>
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The first thing we did was make some bunting. I made some templates from an old cereal box and we cut the flags from a sheet of packing paper we had saved, this all seemed fittingly "make do and mend"! Our girl had a go at using the template to draw a couple of flags before handing the job over to me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WRcG1C1bzOFERbXP7EaLUZBSsl-5aueETqG1SPSIbDx9YrDnQZ0c4NEmEW5t96x_8Cuwt5NaAyuzXMFzNFq4Ox5WrqanG68jdGaFmd0K2y-8WQu_aSRVu-6QUhfY6MBamLYGxclrhU8/s1600/IMG_20200508_172503_273.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1561" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WRcG1C1bzOFERbXP7EaLUZBSsl-5aueETqG1SPSIbDx9YrDnQZ0c4NEmEW5t96x_8Cuwt5NaAyuzXMFzNFq4Ox5WrqanG68jdGaFmd0K2y-8WQu_aSRVu-6QUhfY6MBamLYGxclrhU8/s320/IMG_20200508_172503_273.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We all worked together making the bunting; we made letter flags to spell out "VE DAY" and we each added our own designs too. Our girl used the Union Flag stencil on two of the flags and enlisted Daddy's help to colour them in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-IpzkABX5NublXYPMnPFZewrpCAaxeRyIaEdHRDoJtJATDXGceIWpzQiVQnY1_4IjIhltKN66i1cIXBOWJuLJjaAqrH3g6EPirdwrikEBZ08M9-tKeY1jOPG_RgapngoK2IexhRrtPY/s1600/IMG_20200508_172418_687.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1561" data-original-width="1560" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-IpzkABX5NublXYPMnPFZewrpCAaxeRyIaEdHRDoJtJATDXGceIWpzQiVQnY1_4IjIhltKN66i1cIXBOWJuLJjaAqrH3g6EPirdwrikEBZ08M9-tKeY1jOPG_RgapngoK2IexhRrtPY/s320/IMG_20200508_172418_687.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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These are the flags our daughter made. The first two in the top row depict soldiers from the two opposing sides firing guns at each other whilst planes overhead drop bombs (unfortunately I placed them in the wrong order when I took the photograph) the third flag shows the surrender.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was a little surprised by the stamps our girl chose to use to decorate her journal, I thought for sure she'd pick the bulldog, but her stamping skills are certainly improving.</div>
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This is the book we used to learn about WW2 and VE Day, it is pictured with two of the styrofoam gliders as well as a Spitfire we made using a free printout from the<a href="https://www.twinkl.co.uk/"> Twinkl</a> website. On the right of the picture are some of the treasures we found that day, the feather was left in the garden by a jackdaw who visited one of the feeders we made and the other things we found as we walked home along the beach. We think the bone is from a bird skeleton. We each made two of the styrofoam gliders and we had a lot of fun with flying competitions in the garden, we also tested out the Spitfire and a paper plane Daddy made, the Spitfire only flew after we added a paperclip to its nose to adjust the balance, which was an interesting thing for our daughter to discover.</div>
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Here is our finished bunting, when we eventually take it down I will stick the flags my daughter made into her journal to help us remember the day. Some of the other things we enjoyed doing today were listening to music from the 1940's and watching Spy Watch, a TV show about a group of evacuees. We also talked about the similarities between life during the wars and life in lockdown, things like food rationing, restricted travel, being separated from family members and having to make do with what we have. It was interesting to realise that we, too, are living through an important period in world history that will no doubt be studied and discussed long after we are gone.</div>
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Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-79073125484624725242020-05-27T18:02:00.003+01:002020-05-27T20:00:40.825+01:0090 Days Wild. Days Five and Six: Bird Feeders.<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsq56m7IrLtKBiCx2gkwRnGoyF3sckL2yH-pQ40DqDsgy07ZeXiDFSsccYw8pgfwdRfaI5zRBKt8kejW2HXabzAcrItjHEvtnp8tWHESUUWUaS_rLukVSajb5ZMT3SzTM-iuEbXNGLLA/s1600/IMG_20200527_195652_308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1560" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsq56m7IrLtKBiCx2gkwRnGoyF3sckL2yH-pQ40DqDsgy07ZeXiDFSsccYw8pgfwdRfaI5zRBKt8kejW2HXabzAcrItjHEvtnp8tWHESUUWUaS_rLukVSajb5ZMT3SzTM-iuEbXNGLLA/s320/IMG_20200527_195652_308.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We love to feed the birds that visit our garden and we all enjoy watching their antics, so when my husband saw this idea for toilet roll bird feeders on-line we were excited to try it out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUMpjCQR-R5-eTHQ1GPhqVNe10PHs94KXdKuDuIvAsUR97gCl5JALjpLVegf5tm1lGk99-TpHiPAtqqtp4XgqKpnfcS6GI1XkJC0hOHCX0W5mcpDRTNjB8qG4-Q5LpIXiokvmm7rGKhE/s1600/IMG_20200506_174633_116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1561" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUMpjCQR-R5-eTHQ1GPhqVNe10PHs94KXdKuDuIvAsUR97gCl5JALjpLVegf5tm1lGk99-TpHiPAtqqtp4XgqKpnfcS6GI1XkJC0hOHCX0W5mcpDRTNjB8qG4-Q5LpIXiokvmm7rGKhE/s320/IMG_20200506_174633_116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I gathered together all the items we would need and arranged everything on this little table out in the garden, so we wouldn't have to worry about spilling seeds or making a mess.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tuWtTVBzLyw_vKldc4kHpAShlP2hTjCD3i6LbHKNMXj7kK5930697Djb8ePzivj4A4GxipcaQhFOj932QJvRQUQmyT4mD5GcE5mV_iOMe39ytV5p7GGVXQt4N2Qo9vNj5eB9QvVZk_w/s1600/IMG_20200506_174710_545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1560" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tuWtTVBzLyw_vKldc4kHpAShlP2hTjCD3i6LbHKNMXj7kK5930697Djb8ePzivj4A4GxipcaQhFOj932QJvRQUQmyT4mD5GcE5mV_iOMe39ytV5p7GGVXQt4N2Qo9vNj5eB9QvVZk_w/s320/IMG_20200506_174710_545.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had decided to use a sturdy cardboard tube, saved from a roll of wrapping paper, instead of actual toilet roll tubes because a lot of larger birds visit our garden and we thought they might destroy the more flimsy tubes! So our first job was to cut the tube into smaller sections, we did this using a serrated knife, which worked well, and added an extra element to the project.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5JIJufx7J2qcl0xHxDOflDsniSNHGKE9ISuS7h8lzMjouDy_xUTfBVLqKR9nDsJDOif6ptqWw7zbxoZ7mDWmU3j5HWyOvXWu4NigEYafuMpxnf6VfJbNB3kjSwF0lkhkXWA9itl_r88/s1600/IMG_20200506_174836_395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1561" data-original-width="1560" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5JIJufx7J2qcl0xHxDOflDsniSNHGKE9ISuS7h8lzMjouDy_xUTfBVLqKR9nDsJDOif6ptqWw7zbxoZ7mDWmU3j5HWyOvXWu4NigEYafuMpxnf6VfJbNB3kjSwF0lkhkXWA9itl_r88/s320/IMG_20200506_174836_395.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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Next we spread peanut butter on to the rolls. I had supplied knives for this and our daughter started out using one. We don't usually eat peanuts in our house so she wasn't used to the smell and at first found the thought of touching it with her hands disgusting but she is always looking for the sensory elements in everything we do so after a while she got brave.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsobs6nM3spePV1bqJozdhZYwHJZHOXofRRBatIFs2U39jBYsROE62wClzKoyF4DUuD89TgBNWhBMcpSFBGtJQ8DWc7Zgg2B26OAfojCiQ3uhSLiLmQPomRjtPzIUGE-ZhraQ6T6NbWJ8/s1600/IMG_20200506_174958_096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1560" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsobs6nM3spePV1bqJozdhZYwHJZHOXofRRBatIFs2U39jBYsROE62wClzKoyF4DUuD89TgBNWhBMcpSFBGtJQ8DWc7Zgg2B26OAfojCiQ3uhSLiLmQPomRjtPzIUGE-ZhraQ6T6NbWJ8/s320/IMG_20200506_174958_096.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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She started to use her fingers to spread the peanut butter and explore its texture and it was definitely easier for her to get good coverage this way. We kept a damp cloth on hand so she could wipe her fingers as needed and this made her feel more comfortable.<br />
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Once the tubes were covered in the peanut butter we rolled them in a tray of bird seed, pressing down so the seeds would stick well.</div>
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Finally we threaded the rolls so we could hang them up, some we put straight onto garden twine, others we threaded onto pieces of driftwood and used lengths of twine to make hanging loops.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikI1ltXdrUTvvbzt1Bs7dgfrDAlHGH2F5buNPy0240Az4KdCIt36mOx1DqtTlZeH9K_cQ5JURdCNZjTwVEXgm0zHOVuIMUKHihKcdE3Kilv1kSTN_eMqkQMhaXIWWDgVv3YwD_E3cpOlQ/s1600/IMG_20200506_175604_739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1321" data-original-width="1321" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikI1ltXdrUTvvbzt1Bs7dgfrDAlHGH2F5buNPy0240Az4KdCIt36mOx1DqtTlZeH9K_cQ5JURdCNZjTwVEXgm0zHOVuIMUKHihKcdE3Kilv1kSTN_eMqkQMhaXIWWDgVv3YwD_E3cpOlQ/s320/IMG_20200506_175604_739.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our daughter did a lovely drawing of our bird feeder in her journal and used stickers from the RSPB to show some of the birds that visit our garden. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsICYVa6icGsIYQO1Ohyy3ABTqBySQRsfN9ikfJ11bxD20CwjVQEeygqKMJYj41yJrqzyXVq3X7vXQ4VtrRSp9pueK7T2qhUGIJzmxymn7jHIfCaw1bHvJ1XvczcxvBPhsuKKVw9F47Ek/s1600/IMG_20200506_175643_427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1438" data-original-width="1438" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsICYVa6icGsIYQO1Ohyy3ABTqBySQRsfN9ikfJ11bxD20CwjVQEeygqKMJYj41yJrqzyXVq3X7vXQ4VtrRSp9pueK7T2qhUGIJzmxymn7jHIfCaw1bHvJ1XvczcxvBPhsuKKVw9F47Ek/s320/IMG_20200506_175643_427.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The blackbird at the top of the picture is there to represent the house martins who live in a nest under our eaves. While we were in the garden we enjoyed watching them flying to and fro with mouthfuls of insects and she wanted to record this. We also took the opportunity to fill up all the feeders on our bird table and around the garden to help all the parent birds who are busily feeding their young right now.</div>
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On Day Six we spent time watching the bird table from our patio doors to see which birds came to visit. In the space of half an hour we saw eight different types of birds and many of them visited the feeders we'd made the day before! Later on my daughter recorded what we'd seen in her journal. We used this guide book to help us identify the birds we'd seen and also filled in the log section at the back, hopefully we will be able to add more birds to the log as time goes by.<br />
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This picture isn't the greatest but if you look closely you can see a robin flying away from the feeder! Actually I should apologise for the quality of most of the photos in this post, the light was very intense that day and the camera really struggled with it.</div>
<br />Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-62136804382650565332020-05-22T17:59:00.000+01:002020-05-22T17:59:36.296+01:0090 Days Wild. Day Four: Butterflies.We were long overdue to change our seasonal table from its Easter theme to something more suitable for early summer, so we decided to make some butterflies. On our walks recently we have spotted a few fluttering about and a <i>small white</i> regularly visits our garden, so it felt like the perfect theme.<br />
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Looking through our books I found lots of ideas for butterfly crafts; there were several variations on tissue paper butterflies and I decided we should make these ones from <i>The Children's Year</i> by Christine Fynes -Clinton, Marine Rowling and Stephanie Cooper because they seemed like the easiest for little hands.</div>
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For today's invitation I gathered together everything we'd need to make some butterfly decorations along with other themed items; I love all the pretty spring colours. Whenever possible I like to find books, stories and poems to accompany our theme, this time it was the charming <i>Hello Butterflies</i> by Margaret Linton and Trevor Terry with beautiful illustrations by Tricia Newell.</div>
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I made several little paper butterfly templates for us to cut around. We found that the tissue paper butterflies look prettiest when we cut straight around the template instead of drawing an outline and it doesn't matter if they aren't cut perfectly. My girl cut out a few butterflies herself but found it tricky and unenjoyable so she asked me to take over.</div>
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It hadn't even occurred to me that we could decorate the butterflies' wings but my girl thought of it straight away and did a couple of experiments, first using coloured pencils...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpgVXasOZohDtCF70gFcOrBLSoAoG_Un4JUCpSuba0uKXl0hU1HPMY13vCy6pkxOfv89L6xsKgsMxEpYRYn4RkTxG7wuCEuGBDqPTDSD_3nIpnTH6zK7kxDS6dPprJRfeUe6l3_hzGVo/s1600/IMG_20200505_162956_433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1383" data-original-width="1383" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpgVXasOZohDtCF70gFcOrBLSoAoG_Un4JUCpSuba0uKXl0hU1HPMY13vCy6pkxOfv89L6xsKgsMxEpYRYn4RkTxG7wuCEuGBDqPTDSD_3nIpnTH6zK7kxDS6dPprJRfeUe6l3_hzGVo/s320/IMG_20200505_162956_433.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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then with some stick on gems we remembered we had! The gems proved to be a little too heavy and affected the way the butterfly hung, but they do look very pretty.</div>
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My girl made a few tissue paper butterflies in different styles before getting distracted by other ideas, such as making things with pipe cleaners and filling in her journal, so I used up the rest of the materials and we soon had a whole bowl full of beautiful butterflies, each one a unique mix of colours.</div>
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As you can see she had lots of ideas for filling in her journal, including her own illustrated version of the instructions. These are some of the butterflies she made, each trying out a slightly different technique or style.</div>
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Here's a quick "how to" for making the butterflies: you need one pipe cleaner, two or more 10 cm square pieces of tissue paper and a template of a butterfly shape you wish to use, or you can just cut freehand. Fold the tissue paper squares in half and place inside the template, if using. Cut out the butterfly shape and open out. Fold the pipe cleaner in half and give a small twist to the folded end. Place the butterfly in between the two parts of the pipe cleaner, ruffle the tissue slightly then twist the open ends together to trap the tissue paper. Shape the leftover pipe cleaner into antennae. Add a thread close to the butterflies head to hang, you may need to adjust the position of the thread or the antennae in order to get it to hang well. </div>
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I think our seasonal table looks wonderful with its new decorations. The butterflies have been joined by some felt leaves I sewed a few years ago along with a little bird in a real nest we found in the garden. The rest of the space on our table is quickly filling up with all the natural treasures we have been finding on our walks. </div>
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Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-39837647961300344732020-05-19T10:31:00.003+01:002020-05-19T10:31:29.728+01:0090 Days Wild. Days Two and Three: Land Art, Rainbows and May Day.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm writing about Days Two and Three together because the journaling for Day Two happened on Day Three, and I really need to catch up!</div>
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My daughter requested that the prompt for Day Two be about making Land Art, and so, it was! I found and marked all the pages about Land Art in our books, just in case she needed some ideas, but this proved to be unnecessary as she already had a plan in mind and never even opened the books! There was no need for an invitation to play either as she was already out in the garden and raring to go, hurray!<br />
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We hunted round the garden for different coloured and shaped flowers that could be used in her art. I tried to steer her toward using weeds or plants we have a lot of, such as the honesty and dandelions, but when she asked to use the red tulips I agreed because they were about to drop. I thought it would be a lovely way for them to end their days. Her idea was focused on using these sticks to make a frame, the sticks were originally part of a piece of trellis that we inherited with the garden and they have been treasured playthings ever since.<br />
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Once the "Garden Art" was finished my girl requested that we try to make rainbows with the hose again. This time Daddy joined in and after a bit of experimentation we really did make our own rainbows!<br />
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It took a few tries and a little guidance but in the end our girl was able to make rainbows all by herself too! We found that the best method was to stand with our backs to the sun, use our fingers to adjust the water flow to a fine spray and experiment with the angle until we got it just right. Surprisingly the colours showed up best in the shade of the fence. It was also great fun to stand in the spray so it looked like we were actually in the rainbow! Naturally we all got soaked, again, so that was the end of our adventures for the day! If you have a hose I highly recommended having a go at this, it was great fun and so thrilling each time a rainbow appeared!<br />
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Day Three was May Day, or at least it would have been if the bank holiday hadn't been moved to Friday, and if we weren't in lockdown! We went on a family walk to the beach (which is right outside our house), and Dad and our girl had a brilliant time playing "Minecraft in real life"! This involved using sticks (those sticks again!) and driftwood as tools and weapons to do things such as mining for ores (otherwise known as seaglass!).<br />
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We walked home along the lane and picked a bunch of wild flowers, just like I remember doing as a child. At home we talked about traditional May Day celebrations and looked at some pictures in our books. My girl drew this sweet picture of herself Maypole dancing. This photo also shows some of our special finds from the beach that day, the most exciting was the cow's tooth, a first for our collection, and they are all now proudly displayed on our seasonal table.<br />
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My girl also filled in some pages in her journal for the previous day, first she drew a representation of her beautiful "Garden Art" and noted where she had used multiples of 3 and 5 as I had suggested. Then she interpreted my request for her to "draw a rainbow and write the colour names out" by writing the colours of the rainbow in their correct order and colours with an example of something for each colour.</div>
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Lastly, she drew a super picture of her and Daddy making rainbows with the hose. Although she is often reluctant to start an activity and do what she sees as "work" I am constantly amazed by the innovative way she interprets the suggestions I give her and comes up with ideas that hadn't occurred to me, and which are often much better than mine!<br />
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<br />Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-71778393701670994572020-05-06T19:28:00.002+01:002020-05-22T17:45:14.628+01:0090 Days Wild! Day OneWe recently signed up for this year's 30 Days Wild with The Wildlife Trusts. Every year for the month of June they run a 30 day challenge which encourages participants to do "something wild" each day of the month. Wild activities can be something small such as watching a butterfly, smelling a flower, taking a walk, or something big like planting a flower meadow or building a pond, anything goes. You can sign up to join in <a href="https://action.wildlifetrusts.org/page/57739/petition/1?locale=en-GB" target="_blank">here</a>, usually they will give you the option of receiving a lovely info pack with a wall chart and other goodies but this year's packs are all digital, for obvious reasons.<br />
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After signing up I started to think about all the fun things we could do during our 30 days and I just couldn't wait for another whole month so I decided we should try for 90 Days Wild! Ideally we will do 90 consecutive days during May, June and July but with my daughter's health and other problems that might not be possible so we are aiming for 90 days total, even if that means we carry on into August. I gave my daughter this sketch book to use as a journal to record our wild adventures, she had a lot of input into what I drew and will eventually fill in the remaining space herself. Each day I will write in a prompt and some questions or ideas to get her started and see where it takes us! I have also cleared out a shelf in one of our bookcases and filled it with all our wild activity and guide books so we will have lots of inspiration and information to hand when we need it.<br />
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For Day One we kept it really simple: planting sunflower seeds. I was amazed by how this stretched into a long and involved activity and all the learning opportunities it presented. After initially being enthusiastic about the idea my girl dragged her feet when it was actually time to start. So, I set up this invitation to play as I have found, in the past, this significantly increases the chances if her engaging with an activity, and it worked!</div>
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We have been working on three times tables so I asked her to count three seeds into each pot. This gave us an opportunity to practice counting in threes, she wrote this into her journal, and did simple sums using division and remainders. She is often reluctant to do maths when it is a worksheet which she sees no application for but she actually quite enjoys it when we incorporate maths into an activity like this or cooking where she can see the purpose.<br />
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I provided her with this stick (saved from scratch art) to push the seeds in with because she doesn't always like to touch soil but after a few tries she switched to using her fingers and said that she liked the feel of the soil which is great and hopefully means that she will help me fill the pots up next time we plant seeds.<br />
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We decided that we should label our pots (just in case!), so I found some lolly sticks and she wrote "sun" on them, as she said this is all we really need to remind us!<br />
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Thanks to a little encouragement from our neighbour's cat my girl decided to move out into the garden, hurray! Luckily we have a little camping table which is just perfect for working on outside and it was lovely to be out in the sunshine. She had good fun using these acrylic sunflower stamps to decorate her page (they were a cover gift from Creative Stamping Magazine last year). She coloured in a few bits (including one with reversed colours!) and asked me to cut out the stamped images I had made to stick in, mostly to cover one of hers that didn't come out right.<br />
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After we had stuck in the seed packet she decided it would be fun to hide something behind it so she drew some pictures of sunflowers "growing".<br />
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At this point she spotted some flowers growing in the garden which had a similar shape to sunflowers. I explained they were called "composite" flowers and produced an ID book to prove it! I asked if she could find any other flowers like that in the garden and off we went on an adventure to hunt for them. She had a great time spotting flowers and comparing them to the book to decide what type they were. We found a surprising number of composite flowers in the garden, a sample of each was carefully picked and explored for smell etc. They make a pretty little posy in a vase on the seasonal table.<br />
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One of the flowers we picked had this little pollen beetle in it!</div>
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At this point the hose pipe became a distraction! She wanted to clean and refill the bird's water tray which was a great idea and I have seen several birds using it since but...<br />
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then this happened! We both got soaked and we laughed a lot too so it's all good! We did try making rainbows with the spray but it wasn't quite sunny enough.</div>
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All in all it was a successful and enjoyable afternoon, we completed our first day of the challenge and the first pages in the journal. Day One was definitely a success, I really hope we have many more days like this.</div>
Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-73329773374232010462019-08-01T22:08:00.001+01:002019-08-01T22:08:39.706+01:00Lughnasa - the wheel turns<br />
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Today is Lughnasa or Lammas, the mid point between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox. Traditionally it is a time to celebrate successfully gathering in the first of the harvest. My own celebrations this year were very simple, observing the natural world around me and gathering a bunch of the first ripe seed pods from our garden.</div>
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<msreadoutspan class="msreadout-line-highlight msreadout-inactive-highlight"><msreadoutspan class="msreadout-line-highlight">Over the last few days I </msreadoutspan><msreadoutspan class="msreadout-word-highlight msreadout-inactive-highlight"><msreadoutspan class="msreadout-line-highlight"><msreadoutspan class="msreadout-word-highlight">have</msreadoutspan></msreadoutspan></msreadoutspan><msreadoutspan class="msreadout-line-highlight"> felt the shift as the wheel turns, the days are noticeably shorter,</msreadoutspan></msreadoutspan> the nights are darker and the quality of the light has changed. The garden is still growing, blooming and producing and the heat is still building but summer is definitely drawing to a close. I noticed the little apples and pears on the trees for the first time and the buds of the passion flower are nearly ready to burst open. Today we found our first ripe blackberry and my daughter spent a long time savouring it (they are her favourite) before long we will be visiting the woods, hedgerows and wild places to fill our baskets, and our bellies, with autumn berries.<br />
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<br />Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-87561153726039703342019-06-10T11:49:00.003+01:002020-06-03T15:06:28.962+01:0030 Days Wild - 5 Minute Wild Ideas<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxojBO-yp5Yy_EubswUhLn5uTg4vNEvvAtjpGwfUJDLZv15QsyKdOdmuwpqgdtTg_qEjy6NUN7nzAXBkik4w4J5PjolVfA9tBcT4-da4YkOTzN7ECGEE-cXyMG-wK5LZJuF-n6FH203E/s1600/IMG_20190610_094759.jpg" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxojBO-yp5Yy_EubswUhLn5uTg4vNEvvAtjpGwfUJDLZv15QsyKdOdmuwpqgdtTg_qEjy6NUN7nzAXBkik4w4J5PjolVfA9tBcT4-da4YkOTzN7ECGEE-cXyMG-wK5LZJuF-n6FH203E/s320/IMG_20190610_094759.jpg" width="319" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div><div>I have been having a great time taking part in The Wildlife Trusts' 30 Days Wild challenge. I have got really into it and been spending lots of time outdoors, taking photos and harvesting wild foods but there was one day where I put too much pressure on myself to do something great, to produce a "Pinterest worthy" photograph and suddenly it wasn't fun anymore, it was another thing on the to-do list and a source of stress. Then I read through the leaflet that came with my pack again and realised that I was totally missing the point, it isn't about "grand gestures" at all it's about connecting with nature and the world around us in little ways. I know that other people have experienced this "performance anxiety" as well so I wanted to share something I realised when I stopped to think about it; <b>most people who have signed up for the challenge or joined the Facebook group are probably already doing "acts of random wildness" everyday, it is so much a part of their lives that they don't even notice them.</b> For me the point of this challenge seems to be to encourage us to be more mindful of our relationship to nature, to notice and celebrate the casual interactions that happen every day. You don't need a fancy video or a perfect photograph or even to share about it on social media, just relax and enjoy your wild moments. I still intend to take photos and share them on Facebook and Instagram, and I still plan to write wild food recipes and share them here because these are things that I enjoy anyway but I won't be putting pressure on myself to do something amazing and if my "wild act" for the day is watching a bird in the garden through the window then so be it.<br /></div>
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The first thing I did when I signed up for the challenge was start making a list of things I wanted to do (I like lists), and today I started making one full of ideas that I could share. Here is a list of fifteen little "acts of random wildness" that take five minutes or less and cost nothing. I have tried to think of things that can be done wherever you are, whether that is in the city or the countryside, and that will fit into your day without any special effort.<br />
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Connect with nature in five minutes or less.</h4>
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<li><b>Smell a flower</b>. It could be wild flower in a wood or park or a cultivated flower in a civic flower bed or a window-box, maybe even a bunch of flowers at the florist or the supermarket. Just take a moment to smell it and appreciate its wonderful, natural fragrance.</li>
<li><b>Identify a wild flower</b>. Find a wild flower, maybe in a park or by the road side, could be in a carpark or a crack in the pavement, it doesn't matter where or what, just find one flower. It might be a plant you can already identify but if not have a look at it and think about its features, colour, size, petal number and shape, leaf type, try and identify it using a book or the internet (you could take a photo to refer to).</li>
<li><b>Pick up one piece of litter</b>. It might not seem like much but if everyone picked up just one piece of litter and put it into the bin or recycling then just imagine what an impact that would have on the world. </li>
<li><b>Watch a bird</b>. Wherever you are just stop, sit quietly and watch a wild bird for a few minutes. Even in the built up areas there are usually pigeons and other birds to be seen. It's a great way to pass the time when waiting for a bus or train or even stuck in traffic and makes a change from looking at your phone!</li>
<li><b>Go bare foot</b>. Take your shoes off and wiggle your toes in the grass, sand, soil, mud, water etc. whatever natural material is available to you. Spend a few minutes exploring the sensation.</li>
<li><b>Listen to a bird</b>. Stop and listen, can you hear a bird? Maybe a beautiful song bird or a crow cawing, perhaps a seagull or a pigeon, just listen for a moment. You could try to identify the bird from its song, there are apps and websites which can help, but don't let the need to identify it stop you from enjoying the moment.</li>
<li><b>Watch a mini beast</b>. Insects, spiders, worms and molluscs are everywhere, most of the time we don't notice them but they are there. Is there a spider in the corner of the room, an ant on the pavement a snail in a flower pot? Find one wherever you are and watch it for a few minutes.</li>
<li><b>Pick up a pebble</b>. Once you start to look you find rocks and stones are just about everywhere too, even the gravel in the driveway is a stone. Pick one up and have a look at it, feel its texture and weight, observe its colour, maybe even smell it! Does it leave a mark if you rub in on paper or another surface? Just spend a few minutes with your stone then put it back or keep it to remind you of your 30 Days Wild.</li>
<li><b>Just breathe</b>. Find somewhere quiet and natural to just sit and breathe, a wood, a park a garden, even a cemetery could provide a peaceful spot away from traffic fumes and pollution. Two minutes a day sitting quietly and focusing on your breath can have a big impact on your health. There are lots of breathing techniques you can try, I like full yogic breathing and nadi shodhana, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">but the most important thing </span>is to jut breath deeply and slowly.</li>
<li><b>Listen to recorded nature</b>. It is wonderful to sit quiet and still surrounded by nature and just listen to the sound of the wind in the trees, a babbling brook, the sea or bird song but it isn't always possible to go and visit a real wild place. Try listening to recorded sounds instead and visualise a wood or beach etc around you. There are many apps and on line recording available, my family use Insight Timer for nature sounds, music and guided meditations.</li>
<li><b>Cloud watch</b>. Lie down on the ground (somewhere safe) and look up at the sky. Watch the clouds floating past, do you know what type they are? Is it going to rain? Or maybe you can spot an interesting shape or a fairy-tale castle.</li>
<li><b>Stargaze</b>. Wait until it is really dark, preferably on a clear night away from the full moon, then wrap up warm and go outside to look at the stars. Sit, stand or lie on the ground, whatever you're comfortable with and just spend a few minutes admiring their beauty. In built up areas the brighter stars are visible on a clear night but in the countryside the view is truly spectacular.</li>
<li><b>Just listen</b>. Sit quietly outside or by an open window and focus on listening to the sounds around you. What natural sounds can you hear? Maybe the wind or water, perhaps birds or insects, it's amazing what you can hear when you really listen. I don't advise doing this just before bed though as it can be hard to tune back out again!</li>
<li><b>Take a sniff</b>. Find somewhere outdoors where you are as far away from pollution and artificial fragrances as possible and take a big sniff. What can you smell? Cut grass, wildflowers, manure or maybe the sea? You might not smell much the first time if your nose isn't used to natural smell, I was amazed at how much more I could smell once I removed all artificial fragrances from our home and let my sense of smell recover.</li>
<li><b>Touch a tree</b>. Close your eyes, or ask a friend to join you and use a blindfold, and explore a tree using your sense of touch. Feel its size and the texture of the bark. Can you tell what it is from how the bark feels? You might find clues on the ground beneath it like shaped, leaves, acorns or pinecones.</li>
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Thank you for reading. I hope that you found this list helpful in some way. I would love to hear your ideas in the comments.Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-2238088563656646352019-06-08T19:49:00.000+01:002019-06-08T19:49:51.647+01:0030 Days Wild - Elderflower and Strawberry Chia Jam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm taking part in The Wildlife Trusts' 30 Days Wild challenge. Every day in June I will try to connect with nature in some small way, I especially want to focus on wild food but I will also be doing "random acts of wildness'. You can find out more about the challenge<a href="https://action.wildlifetrusts.org/page/40705/petition/1?locale=en-GB" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"> here</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> and download a lovely wall chart and leaflet when you sign up or order an info pack. I am also posting about my 30 days on Instagram @haberdasherypie, it is quicker and easier to share photos that way.</span></div>
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<b>6th June</b>. Todays wild food was this incredibly delicious Elderflower and Strawberry Chia Jam, so delicious I may have eaten it out of the had with a spoon! I have been enjoying it on various baked goods as well as just as it comes and I will certainly be making this as often as I can while both strawberries and elderflowers are available. I am very lucky to be able to get wonderful locally grown strawberries with my fortnightly veg box from <a href="https://flavourfirst.com/" target="_blank">Flavour First</a> at this time of year. We have been getting the bulk of our fruit veg from these guys for more than two and a half years now and we love; fresh, local ,seasonal and reusable packaging. If anyone local to the Ards and Belfast area would like to try out their veg boxes I have a which will get you a box of six eggs free with your first order, I get a reward too if you use it, OC75LJAL.<br />
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Our wild adventure today was a walk at the wonderful Corrog Wood, a Woodland Trust site close to Portaferry. It is a beautiful little wood and meadow with this sculpture at the entrance and a stone circle at it's heart. There is always some wild magic to be discovered there among the trees and wild flowers.<br />
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Part of the stone circle, or "Merida Circle" as my daughter calls it, as Corrog Wood. My daughter loves to go around the circle and climb over each stone and each time she does we notice how much she has grown since our last visit. Today's other "act of wild randomness" was planting cress seeds in an egg box but I think I will give that it's own post soon.</div>
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I love elderflowers, the smell and taste of them signal summer to me and always make me smile. They are not just delicious but also have lots of health benefits, I like to mix up a herbal tea blend using elderflower which really helps my allergies. Both the flowers and berries of the elder tree are nutritious, have many health benefits and are used in various traditional medicines as well as foods. <a href="https://www.indigo-herbs.co.uk/natural-health-guide/benefits/elderberry" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" target="_blank">Here</a> is some information about elder.</div>
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Last year was a bad year for elders, as for most wildlife, and I was only able to gather a handful of heads which I dried to make my tea. I have been gathering twice already and have a small jar of dried flowers as well as having been able to experiment with a few recipes so I'm feeling pretty happy about that!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Q5eRW9MSiRJ60hboOf9IiuC45nu3N20t7RhndIzMB-F6K5i1HzsEvXnqIBNH_oiLE5Uk-WpRhbaM5fUPGgUaAMbC-gqej9u2w1156ck6doBHmFV0ouSlusZUiF70gPeWpYDIMtMZK5A/s1600/IMG_20190608_084807_020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1561" data-original-width="1560" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Q5eRW9MSiRJ60hboOf9IiuC45nu3N20t7RhndIzMB-F6K5i1HzsEvXnqIBNH_oiLE5Uk-WpRhbaM5fUPGgUaAMbC-gqej9u2w1156ck6doBHmFV0ouSlusZUiF70gPeWpYDIMtMZK5A/s320/IMG_20190608_084807_020.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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Elderflower and Strawberry Chia Jam</h3>
<div>
160g fresh strawberries</div>
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160g frozen strawberries</div>
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1 tbsp. white wine vinegar</div>
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2-1 tbsp. carob syrup</div>
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4 elderflower heads or 1 tbsp. dried flowers</div>
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2 tbsp. chia seeds</div>
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<ol>
<li>Place the frozen strawberries into a small saucepan with a lid. Cover and simmer gently until the strawberries are very soft and can be mashed with a potato masher, about 10 mins.</li>
<li>Meanwhile cut up the fresh strawberries and remove the flowers from the stems if using fresh elderflowers.</li>
<li>Add the fresh strawberries to the pan and simmer gently until they start to break down, stir occasionally.</li>
<li>Next add the vinegar, syrup and flowers to the pan, stir well. Bring to the boil then turn off the heat and allow to cool a bit.</li>
<li>Once cooled stir in the chia seeds and transfer to a sterilised jar. Allow the chia seeds to soak and swell before eating. Store in the fridge and eat with in a few days.</li>
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So far I have enjoyed this with sprouted buckwheat pancakes (pictured above), chocolate walnut muffins (pictured below) and shop bought gluten free bagels, all were scrumptious!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oKuvzt8g0Aa4CM_hyJlwxFeTRSX0iJ3fpdd-146SCt4aBpwEIRXETyGpgfj7LYhyphenhyphenECrLaBgVKKhxOwKmBtMAXC4s2QJMCieTjRFS8fQbMEmT5xb6fW5tAkL8ap9KJfQSwm308m54Ejk/s1600/IMG_20190608_134318_359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1561" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oKuvzt8g0Aa4CM_hyJlwxFeTRSX0iJ3fpdd-146SCt4aBpwEIRXETyGpgfj7LYhyphenhyphenECrLaBgVKKhxOwKmBtMAXC4s2QJMCieTjRFS8fQbMEmT5xb6fW5tAkL8ap9KJfQSwm308m54Ejk/s320/IMG_20190608_134318_359.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Please be very sure of identifying plants correctly before eating anything, if you aren't sure don't eat it or consult an expert first. When wild harvesting be mindful of the environment, don't pick anything which is endangered or protected and always leave plenty for the local wildlife who need it to survive. If gathering on someone else's property it is best practice to ask their permission and don't dig anything up, I only dig things up on my own property.</div>
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Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-9677830066608071492019-06-05T21:59:00.001+01:002019-06-08T14:54:11.262+01:0030 Days Wild - Wild Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing<h4 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I'm taking part in The Wildlife Trusts' 30 Days Wild challenge. Every day in June I will try to connect with nature in some small way, I especially want to focus on wild food but I will also be doing "random acts of wildness'. You can find out more about the challenge</span><a href="https://action.wildlifetrusts.org/page/40705/petition/1?locale=en-GB" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank"> here</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> and download a lovely wall chart and leaflet when you sign up or order an info pack. I am also posting about my 30 days on Instagram @haberdasherypie, it is quicker and easier to share photos that way.</span></h4>
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June 5th.</h4>
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The dressing I used here is my absolute favourite and I will share it below. Smooth Sow-thistle leaves taste and smell pretty much like lettuce but they are a bit coarser, even when young, so pairing them with an unctuous dressing like this makes them more enjoyable, also the sweetness of the dressing helps to balance out any bitterness from the dandelion. There are lots of other wild leaves you could try out in a salad, and edible flowers are lovely too, but these were the easiest for me to gather in the rain today.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYMOsNfDuU9i7lwzm-86O0RbK2McuJrR2dsNNgsccVfaxK1wnlIgXpPeQ94UW4MTe3sqGWyODsTpO-Ii_jFZH_UrHFAe3FTJD3z-FYRbUb96jAbLkz9Ye9hZwUcyu2Hg6lBpWYSr0Svg/s1600/IMG_20190605_175337_673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="1231" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYMOsNfDuU9i7lwzm-86O0RbK2McuJrR2dsNNgsccVfaxK1wnlIgXpPeQ94UW4MTe3sqGWyODsTpO-Ii_jFZH_UrHFAe3FTJD3z-FYRbUb96jAbLkz9Ye9hZwUcyu2Hg6lBpWYSr0Svg/s320/IMG_20190605_175337_673.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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For the salad I used a bed of sow-thistle leaves, I sliced the larger leaves and kept some smaller ones whole, and scattered baby dandelion leaves and the tops of broadleaved willowherb over it. I find that anything other than the tiniest dandelion leaves are too bitter for me and I couldn't eat very many at once but I didn't even notice them with this dressing and it's certainly worth it for their nutritional benefits. The willowherb can become bitter as it grows too so choose small tender leaves either from small plants or the tops and side shoots of older plants.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh9syatdiz-nuPMisBpwyZFutZAgPIwf0KPG33Q6nLWiR_f0RqMXA_la2f6kVTMIaNG1kQcM0W8bsfFMjL6lrpN-08MxB-7F2-gX1BadS5wkrZfJOtTWgRPJeNk65_j9E4AD7XPWUni4/s1600/IMG_20190605_175453_735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1441" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh9syatdiz-nuPMisBpwyZFutZAgPIwf0KPG33Q6nLWiR_f0RqMXA_la2f6kVTMIaNG1kQcM0W8bsfFMjL6lrpN-08MxB-7F2-gX1BadS5wkrZfJOtTWgRPJeNk65_j9E4AD7XPWUni4/s320/IMG_20190605_175453_735.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
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This dressing is very simple and takes just a few minutes to mix up. It keeps well and doesn't even need to be refrigerates as all the ingredients are ambient foods! It you don't eat honey you can swap it for maple syrup and the recipe will be just as delicious and vegan too.</div>
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Honey Balsamic Dressing</h3>
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2 tbsp balsamic vinegar</div>
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1/2 tbsp. raw honey (or maple syrup)</div>
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1/8th tsp mustard powder</div>
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1/8th tsp fine sea salt or Himalayan oink salt</div>
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pinch fine black pepper</div>
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4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (EVO)</div>
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Put everything except the EVO into a clean jar or bottle and shake vigorously until well combined. Add 1 tbsp EVO and shake again, repeat until the oil is used. Can be stored at room temperature, shake well before use.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBRrUGNZQG17uN_ClqxAndGcZImpFT1GAQso6eHhRw30dWPf9Z_rD250czyAgRlzsfAb8DnUYC_u9sdRW3tfrZ4zaBpYbXUfFQnzNzkhcrB43glfjJgbQrmcr3EJLbei3uRZlOL4-_2c/s1600/IMG_20190604_070906_380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="1600" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBRrUGNZQG17uN_ClqxAndGcZImpFT1GAQso6eHhRw30dWPf9Z_rD250czyAgRlzsfAb8DnUYC_u9sdRW3tfrZ4zaBpYbXUfFQnzNzkhcrB43glfjJgbQrmcr3EJLbei3uRZlOL4-_2c/s320/IMG_20190604_070906_380.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Todays other acts of wildness include walking on the beach in the rain and collecting my daughter from school with the neighbours dog. This is a moody early morning view of the beach from my living room!</div>
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Please be very sure of identifying plants correctly before eating anything, if you aren't sure don't eat it or consult an expert first. When wild harvesting be mindful of the environment, don't pick anything which is endangered or protected and always leave plenty for the local wildlife who need it to survive. If gathering on someone else's property it is best practice to ask their permission and don't dig anything up, I only dig things up on my own property.</div>
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<br />Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-72187851003697188452019-06-05T14:01:00.001+01:002019-06-05T21:59:44.810+01:0030 days wild - Wild TeasI'm taking part in The Wildlife Trusts' 30 Days Wild challenge. Every day in June I will try to connect with nature in some small way, I especially want to focus on wild food but I will also be doing "random acts of wildness'. You can find out more about the challenge<a href="https://action.wildlifetrusts.org/page/40705/petition/1?locale=en-GB" target="_blank"> here</a> and download a lovely wall chart and leaflet when you sign up or order an info pack.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVH0NVWZmSGu9SBNhn1nINEr2L5OMGuL7yr3MeTdYZ8TP1e4kCaY3JlukfsISDFe2vBc5LaN7sNQ2wiNnhHbEp1KNBoSFimGx4EHc-bX11lpaeBSsl7Mxkp1dbfDannmm3-K2t9v_m6U/s1600/IMG_20190603_183337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVH0NVWZmSGu9SBNhn1nINEr2L5OMGuL7yr3MeTdYZ8TP1e4kCaY3JlukfsISDFe2vBc5LaN7sNQ2wiNnhHbEp1KNBoSFimGx4EHc-bX11lpaeBSsl7Mxkp1dbfDannmm3-K2t9v_m6U/s320/IMG_20190603_183337.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>June 3rd</b>. Today's wild food is chamomile tea, sweet and simple. I have to say the flavour of this tea was world's apart from any I've bought in a shop, even the organic ones.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTom27GkwVtbGOkSf8ybaGj-wVDCKmT3-ohElUtfj87s0bjpK7IEhsfVonXJRqdec-kMLMkfjpV-yI7IpB3zWp2305obGYfv8DHr6YcO9sed2rmQpW8aLWS4uc1SQRMc9l_l0wSRA1kE/s1600/IMG_20190603_184242_992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1378" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTom27GkwVtbGOkSf8ybaGj-wVDCKmT3-ohElUtfj87s0bjpK7IEhsfVonXJRqdec-kMLMkfjpV-yI7IpB3zWp2305obGYfv8DHr6YcO9sed2rmQpW8aLWS4uc1SQRMc9l_l0wSRA1kE/s320/IMG_20190603_184242_992.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
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I noticed some wild chamomile popping up in one of the flower beds last summer so I left it alone in the hope that it would spread. Then today I spotted several patches in the lawn, I was happy to harvest these because the lawn needs to be cut anyway but I left the roots intact so hopefully it will grow back.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1J3-9-_I26sbImj4BH2Tg_oQrJrZiALR7NlF0LvWp73sjo0EH3zRj_SAIzS35uQmAfoT8YfBjCaVoBwOcuDzVHLrdD5LZZcT3eaM70-DmvbWj3y9vfHueQr-BgLLX7M0dOlitNmbh7U/s1600/IMG_20190603_175416_051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1235" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1J3-9-_I26sbImj4BH2Tg_oQrJrZiALR7NlF0LvWp73sjo0EH3zRj_SAIzS35uQmAfoT8YfBjCaVoBwOcuDzVHLrdD5LZZcT3eaM70-DmvbWj3y9vfHueQr-BgLLX7M0dOlitNmbh7U/s320/IMG_20190603_175416_051.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today's act if random wildness was to start making a catalogue of the plants and flowers to be found in our garden. This photo was a happy accident whilst laying out the plants and I kind of like it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEc8SVG2IvO6XhmyIE2RiRpCNmEQNNJDzDSJcXOL1ZVwbKsQa2BGuZmv9-3RLQjuI74AuV3Fiw_oeZOlCI7uLd5uQQZAeJ-rYsXdZO0xfjkBByR0U7-SRuDI8qLhXGJ0uCnJk00Mn1L6U/s1600/IMG_20190603_175519_218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1600" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEc8SVG2IvO6XhmyIE2RiRpCNmEQNNJDzDSJcXOL1ZVwbKsQa2BGuZmv9-3RLQjuI74AuV3Fiw_oeZOlCI7uLd5uQQZAeJ-rYsXdZO0xfjkBByR0U7-SRuDI8qLhXGJ0uCnJk00Mn1L6U/s320/IMG_20190603_175519_218.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is only a fraction of what is there but it's a start. I plan to compile a list of all the plant I can find in the garden, check their identification and note whether they are edible or not. identifying wild plants I something I have been interested in for many years, is it great to know what edible and/or medicinal plants I have around me but it is also worth knowing which are poisonous so I can educate my daughter to avoid them in her play. Below is a list of what I have identified so far, as shown left to right in the photograph. I have marked the poisonous plants with an asterix.<br />
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Dandelion, Taraxacom officinalis<br />
Shamrock/ pink sorrel, Oxalis articulate<br />
Common storks bill, Erodium cicatorium<br />
Hedgerow cranes bill, Geranium pyrenaicum<br />
Broadleaved willowherb, Epilobium montanum<br />
Grounsdel, Senecio vulgaris *<br />
Smooth sow-thistle, Sonchus oleraceus<br />
White clover, Trefolium repens<br />
Daisy, Bellis perenis<br />
Black medick, Medicago lupulina<br />
Ground-elder, Daucus carota<br />
Common mouse-ear, Cerastium fontanum<br />
Cleavers/ goose grass, Galium aparine<br />
Meadow buttercup, Ranunculus acris *<br />
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<b>4th June</b>. Today was very wet (the kind of very wet with a severe weather warning!), so outdoor activities were somewhat curtailed. However I did sit quietly for a bit in the early morning, before the rain, and watch the birds in the garden. I was surprised by how many different species I was during that brief time and/or noticed throughout the day, even though many of our regulars were absent. A family of sparrows spent most of the day in the garden teaching their young how to use the bird feeders and they provided a lot of entertainment! It was difficult to photograph them though because if I opened the door they wouldn't come so this photo was taken through the glass. The birds I saw today included: sparrow, starling, robin, magpie, jackdaw, rook, collared dove, blue tit, house martin and pied wagtail.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3V7tKYE2En6XeUfyDkiQAwf_VE8qkxa2Ce0Qgj38DVHmOJdu18LFVFPjOxrKmWsVU7ydyVQFW1ucxCGW0nE21MtSLJnkm1l0ngqAefcBfuGF8pqjUrO-lz3FYuHcYuWv5wR5SgqvOKY/s1600/IMG_20190604_195543_513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1547" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3V7tKYE2En6XeUfyDkiQAwf_VE8qkxa2Ce0Qgj38DVHmOJdu18LFVFPjOxrKmWsVU7ydyVQFW1ucxCGW0nE21MtSLJnkm1l0ngqAefcBfuGF8pqjUrO-lz3FYuHcYuWv5wR5SgqvOKY/s320/IMG_20190604_195543_513.jpg" width="309" /></a></div>
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Todays wild food is a herbal tea blend, I used plants which I had already dried because wet plants aren't the best for most recipes. All the plants I used are currently in season and can be found either in my garden or the field behind my house.<br />
<h3>
Wild Tea Blend</h3>
<div>
5g nettle</div>
<div>
5g hawthorn flowering tops</div>
<div>
2g rock rose flowers</div>
<div>
2g lemon balm</div>
<div>
1g chamomile</div>
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<div>
I used an electric coffee/herb grinder to break up the larger plants such as nettle, working in small batches. Then I mixed everything together in a bowl and transferred it to a clean, dry jar for storage, that's it! If you don't have a grinder you could try a blender or food processor, or go low tech and use a pestle and mortar or even just crumble the leaves with your fingers. Please be aware that nettles can still sting even when dried but don't worry they won't sting you once made into a tea! When you want to drink the tea just add a couple of teaspoons full of the blend to a teapot with a strainer and allow to steep for a ten or more minutes (or use a regular teapot and pour through a strainer to serve).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In order to weigh out dried herb you need to have an accurate digital scale as the amounts are so small, if you don't have a scale just use roughly the same proportions. I used all dried plant matter but you could also make this tea using fresh plants in similar proportions.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Please be very sure of identifying plants correctly before eating anything, if you aren't sure don't eat it or consult an expert. When wild harvesting be mindful of the environment, don't pick anything which is endangered or protected and always leave plenty for the local wildlife who need it to survive. If gathering on someone else's property it is best practice to ask their permission and don't dig anything up, I only dig things up on my own property.</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-3712619582743098052019-06-03T21:30:00.001+01:002019-06-05T22:00:16.628+01:0030 Days Wild - carrot and nettle juice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYR4CgZHIy-l90MZY9CmE3R4zYPho2uSsNRwm7vzBpiga7DVkIQDQ5DEyNlGgcW3tcoiAK4Rquzpp7yzD-1D3vPpVQMvx6k57WBPNS6pT5O-zAeP7RRSAs5BYRJ2JP1hMKFjAeQN64Udw/s1600/IMG_20190602_155747_729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1126" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYR4CgZHIy-l90MZY9CmE3R4zYPho2uSsNRwm7vzBpiga7DVkIQDQ5DEyNlGgcW3tcoiAK4Rquzpp7yzD-1D3vPpVQMvx6k57WBPNS6pT5O-zAeP7RRSAs5BYRJ2JP1hMKFjAeQN64Udw/s320/IMG_20190602_155747_729.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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I saw a post my sister had put on Facebook about taking part in The Wildlife Trusts' 30 Days Wild challenge and decided that I wanted to join in too. The Wildlife Trusts website says<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">"In June, we challenge you to do something wild everyday. That's 30 simple, fun and exciting random acts of wildness"</span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">t</span>he idea is to encourage people to spend more time outdoors connecting with nature. An "act of random wildness" can be as simple as walking barefoot in the grass, walking in the park or feeding the birds in your garden. I have decided to focus on eat something wild everyday, I have done this in the past and really enjoyed it. Foraging has been an interest of mine for many years, really I have been doing it instinctively since I was a child running wild in the disused railway line and fields behind our home. Most of my wild foods will be weeds and wild flower collected from my garden and the surrounding countryside but I may have a go at foraging on the beach too, an added bonus is that the act of foraging will mean that I have to spend more time outdoors! I will also try to do little "random acts of wildness" each day and encourage my daughter to join me as much as possible. You can find out more and sign up to take part in the challenge <a href="https://action.wildlifetrusts.org/page/40705/petition/1?locale=en-GB" target="_blank">here<span style="color: #007600;">.</span></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix25vllWrCNLkzrd5LDsnYFgDt-p5B3cBSkLrgQP4ILp78paeQWXTF7HINdFGX-sX3m3N0Gy7bTO6Wn-Qzk-9T-7DdEuiDqPIPDSDbBej1RvAtcBPyUcB1bowXRyLj_EehqOyP0EwrE_4/s1600/IMG_20190525_172530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #b00000;"></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix25vllWrCNLkzrd5LDsnYFgDt-p5B3cBSkLrgQP4ILp78paeQWXTF7HINdFGX-sX3m3N0Gy7bTO6Wn-Qzk-9T-7DdEuiDqPIPDSDbBej1RvAtcBPyUcB1bowXRyLj_EehqOyP0EwrE_4/s320/IMG_20190525_172530.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #000032;"><b>June 1st</b>. I didn't join the challenge until the 2nd but luckily I had eaten some Wild Pesto on the first so I didn't have to start my challenge a day late! The ground elder shown in this photo went into a lovely jar of pesto which I have been enjoying for the last week on just about everything and last night I munched some poppadoms which I'd dipped in it! I plan to make some more pesto this week and will check the ingredients and share the recipe when I do.</span></div>
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<b>June 2nd</b>. Today I wild harvested a basket of nettles and used some of them to make carrot and nettle juice, pictured at the top of the post. I know the juice looks a bit murky but unfortunately that is the natural result of mixing bright green nettle juice with orange carrot juice! I popped the rest into the dehydrator to be used as nettle tea, it would be great if this summer I could dry enough that I didn't need to buy any nettle tea bags, I thought I had last year but the two ice-cream tubs full didn't last nearly as long as I'd expected! I love drinking nettle tea for it's anti-inflammatory properties and because it helps with my allergies, it is also very nutritious. <a href="https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/stinging-nettle.html" target="_blank">This article</a> has some good information on the benefits of nettle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdZV_T1TSWkuHvJ3aKVQScwiOH0_AmvcwXgIg5ssgSu-qWZ_YdMoFt6eF6wncYvbggPMhjYO3TahCQkqxbKU_nXcYCcwq_CxD3WTNSticQybinlkiUS3gaBqH8yynEfpYa4ynFizpCRo/s1600/IMG_20190602_142416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdZV_T1TSWkuHvJ3aKVQScwiOH0_AmvcwXgIg5ssgSu-qWZ_YdMoFt6eF6wncYvbggPMhjYO3TahCQkqxbKU_nXcYCcwq_CxD3WTNSticQybinlkiUS3gaBqH8yynEfpYa4ynFizpCRo/s320/IMG_20190602_142416.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Carrot and nettle juice</h2>
<h4>
Ingredients:</h4>
2 medium carrots<br />
2 apples<br />
Small bunch of nettle tops<br />
1 inch of ginger root, peeled<br />
Filtered water, too taste<br />
2 tsp apple cider vinegar (ACV)<br />
1 tsp spirulina or super greens powder, optional<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Prepare and cut up the vegetables. I don't peel the carrots or apples because I use local produce from farms which don't use pesticides but I do peel the ginger because this is imported and not organic.</li>
<li>Juice the carrots, apples, nettles and ginger as you usually would. Pour water through the juicer to flush out any remaining juice or just add to the extracted juice to dilute as required.</li>
<li>Stir ACV into the juice. I add this as it brightens the flavour, helps prevent the apples from browning and has it's own health benefits too.</li>
<li>Add in spirulina, super greens or other superfood powders as desired. This is totally optional but I find it's an easy way to squeeze a bit of extra nutrition into my day.</li>
</ol>
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When making this batch of juice I found I had run out of fresh ginger so I added half a lemongrass stalk instead, it was pleasant but I didn't enjoy it as much as the ginger.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5dWQwQvQ17amWAOlCcKFOgllCBGCMvVSCEHHvdCpT4_Ez4SgJX8rM6Uh91orN-EgE24Kd9an3qpdrY2-qTSaU5Sxhs7whB6bNB9HYm23rlWQEg5mtU0Kd3Ternah-lYQEIzmmTsnvWU/s1600/IMG_20190602_141232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5dWQwQvQ17amWAOlCcKFOgllCBGCMvVSCEHHvdCpT4_Ez4SgJX8rM6Uh91orN-EgE24Kd9an3qpdrY2-qTSaU5Sxhs7whB6bNB9HYm23rlWQEg5mtU0Kd3Ternah-lYQEIzmmTsnvWU/s320/IMG_20190602_141232.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Before using the nettles I checked them over well for wildlife and brushed any I saw off into a bowl to put back outside. It was mostly aphids and tiny spiders but I also found this, spider or caterpillar eggs do you think?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP99IcIP2B70WsK8bwVjSDI5ppzCo0_jiz0IFUs1aXkIW0bOgca8jwwp-B7q_UGxbHrEseC23q2zvtt5U5ValNedRdqMWbaZtQ4nc0L9VYuQJskyFpCphN9UyOyajsWQieHX0m56LTu0/s1600/IMG_20190602_134623_735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="995" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP99IcIP2B70WsK8bwVjSDI5ppzCo0_jiz0IFUs1aXkIW0bOgca8jwwp-B7q_UGxbHrEseC23q2zvtt5U5ValNedRdqMWbaZtQ4nc0L9VYuQJskyFpCphN9UyOyajsWQieHX0m56LTu0/s320/IMG_20190602_134623_735.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Todays other act of random wildness was to watch (and photograph) the bees in the garden. I will be sharing more photos of what I get up to during this challenge on my Instagram account each day. I hope to post more pictures and recipes here but I can't post about them everyday so if you want to see what I'm up to "in real time" look me up on Instagram.<br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Please be very sure of identifying plants correctly before eating anything, if you aren't sure don't eat it or consult an expert. When wild harvesting be mindful of the environment, don't pick anything which is endangered or protected and always leave plenty for the local wildlife who need it to survive. If gathering on someone else's property it is best practice to ask their permission and don't dig anything up, I only dig things up on my own property.</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-68454526555293622982019-05-31T17:50:00.003+01:002019-06-12T18:23:49.271+01:00Cabinets of curiosity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsIX66Kpry3d_I2rTnfTh8G0g7BfoekoT7LC6EW727tQzg4Rfms0DAz6LAokyXqW_QGuW62Uue6Dpbu9v4s6QYIlZuzi4x5c-SgWJPd3lJGCmuj47vwmFBXkLCDjn9J0kMwIubrlAeY4/s1600/IMG_20190419_112756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsIX66Kpry3d_I2rTnfTh8G0g7BfoekoT7LC6EW727tQzg4Rfms0DAz6LAokyXqW_QGuW62Uue6Dpbu9v4s6QYIlZuzi4x5c-SgWJPd3lJGCmuj47vwmFBXkLCDjn9J0kMwIubrlAeY4/s320/IMG_20190419_112756.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I was very taken with the cover stamps from issue 67 of Creative Stamping (which is a few issues ago now) and they have provided the inspiration for some great "off the page" makes. This is hardly surprising as they are right up my street and Crafty Individuals have been one of my favourite stamp manufacturers for years. It is a rare treat for me to get my hands on their wonderful stamps and those that I have are much prized, so I'm sure these will be favourites for a long time to come. Stamps from Crafty Individuals are usually made from red rubber and supplied unmounted, this is the first time I have seen their designs as polymer stamps. I do love the retro chic of the rubber stamps but have to admit that I find polymer stamps easier to work with. I will put a photograph of the complete stamp set at the end of this post.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuKsr1VXgkofEOowO4FSJOECq_ggAdzkXmgSdZNziNi_f54sXpPpcwFmuiQ3X6byf6OvVoE5mEfim_vuJWBbp63Xi3Eg4vaq4JNaKpSf8d2zdSMjW8_0LqYJzwZT51AA4qIWnm78gxV0/s1600/IMG_20190517_201315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuKsr1VXgkofEOowO4FSJOECq_ggAdzkXmgSdZNziNi_f54sXpPpcwFmuiQ3X6byf6OvVoE5mEfim_vuJWBbp63Xi3Eg4vaq4JNaKpSf8d2zdSMjW8_0LqYJzwZT51AA4qIWnm78gxV0/s320/IMG_20190517_201315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The first project I made using these stamps was this little mixed media shadow box or "Cabinet of Curiosities". I ten stamps from the set as well as lots if lovely bits if vintage ephemera including sheet music, map section milk bottle top, postage stamps, tea cards, coins and buttons. What is a cabinet of curiosity? Well essentially it is a collection of notable or special items, it could fill a whole room or a small box, the items might include artwork, antiques and items related to natural history, geology, archeology and ethnology (see what Wikipedia says about it <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinet_of_curiosities" target="_blank">here</a>). The most impressive one I have ever seen is the <a href="https://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank">Pitt Rivers Museum</a> in Oxford, England (my home town). I find the whole idea fascinating and plan to make one of my own to house many of my treasures but for now I will have to content myself with a stamped one!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhha6xwev9Zf_2vGMvn3pZWlb6RDoc9Rn__dj9kGa1eWs6B8qEbrzcJuhmdDfUwjsK4au1MZhmisxRXIa2MveAkuZX_NbJm82mjSbxVeV2S30_dXTDrXitjPNhK0EEhPDYYBJTnZTG0D88/s1600/IMG_20190517_201342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhha6xwev9Zf_2vGMvn3pZWlb6RDoc9Rn__dj9kGa1eWs6B8qEbrzcJuhmdDfUwjsK4au1MZhmisxRXIa2MveAkuZX_NbJm82mjSbxVeV2S30_dXTDrXitjPNhK0EEhPDYYBJTnZTG0D88/s320/IMG_20190517_201342.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The little wooden box I used for this cabinet is the packaging from some craft supplies which I saved. To prepare it I dry brushed it with gesso before inking the edged with a Stazon ink pad. The images were stamped onto white card with the same ink pad and then coloured using a combination of watercolour pencils and pearlescent watercolours. Next I fussy cut the images before shaping some of them and building up the designs using adhesive foam pads. I layered pieces of the vintage ephemera under the main stamped image and built the rest up around it. I wanted to created more texture and movement so I added modern embellishments to the piece including seed beads, a mini safety pin and jute twine. One of the vintage buttons is threaded onto the safety pin and they can swing freely. I adhered some of the elements to the outside of the box to further enhance the texture and movement.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KZwomiXL-8VQQpOhepEqeRKjpguafzHFZpguSBVsWlDt0ASe9aLnvesBNilF4DCXBPMrxDWMbZPtV1B7JsxQ_vdSgCZZcIdeO6YmyilBbh0Ni2hJMP7zRFQxoP5ANmciGDtQu5lTaQA/s1600/IMG_20190517_201441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KZwomiXL-8VQQpOhepEqeRKjpguafzHFZpguSBVsWlDt0ASe9aLnvesBNilF4DCXBPMrxDWMbZPtV1B7JsxQ_vdSgCZZcIdeO6YmyilBbh0Ni2hJMP7zRFQxoP5ANmciGDtQu5lTaQA/s320/IMG_20190517_201441.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This second "cabinet" is a little simpler, again I used repurposed packaging as the base, it was already painted black so I didn't have much to do it prep it. (If you look closely you'll see that the box is imperfectly made, this is how it came and I decided I didn't mind.) I lined each compartment using a square of vintage paper which had been dry brushed with gesso and had the edges inked, the papers consist of book pages, sheet music and map sections.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGEIknnAslQSzfJh5IW5ee3QZlt-1fgaZF2gH0XBvFn-72WVRayYJ14sH3VcUJlBG3NUaK6BSUS1e0x5LjlaklDgrzb2Unt92wjJJxclrTj5-B50v0vlGDCVVEuZkZ7nS1Egr6nVHq5s/s1600/IMG_20190517_201430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGEIknnAslQSzfJh5IW5ee3QZlt-1fgaZF2gH0XBvFn-72WVRayYJ14sH3VcUJlBG3NUaK6BSUS1e0x5LjlaklDgrzb2Unt92wjJJxclrTj5-B50v0vlGDCVVEuZkZ7nS1Egr6nVHq5s/s320/IMG_20190517_201430.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I stamped the images I thought would fit into the boxes using the Stazon ink, including some lager images which I could could cut down or use parts of. I coloured them in using watercolour pencils and then blended the lines with a wet paintbrush. I also added pearlescent watercolors to give a little iridescence to some of the images. Once the stamped images were dry I fussy cut and gently shaped them before adding them to the alcoves using different thicknesses of adhesive foam pads.</div>
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<b>Challenge Blogs</b></div>
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It is so much fun to join in with challenge blogs and see all the amazing projects being made by the blogs design teams and the other participants. Many thanks to all these wonderful blogs. Here are the challenges I'm joining this time:</div>
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<a href="https://paperbabestamps.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Paperbabe</a> for their "anything goes" challenge.</div>
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<a href="https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamps Monday Challenge</a> blog for their "Frame it" challenge because by project is framed by the wooden box.</div>
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<a href="https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/" target="_blank">Simon says Stamps Wednesday Challenge</a> blog for this weeks "anything goes" challenge.</div>
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I'm joining A<a href="https://ainkymess.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> Inky Mess</a> for the first time for their "Anything goes mixed media" challenge because this project uses a variety of media including stamping, painting and collage.</div>
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Also for the first time I'm joining C<a href="https://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">reatalicious Challenges</a> for their "anything goes + blue" challenge, there is plenty of blue in my project.</div>
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<b><u>Supplies</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxq454uu4Q_yj75zMpvaCF0h-4wbDXyQDOmoe8GL_g_1vaj-UPl9DdaFQ33Oo6mRx9Xy6vxgBsC1PPJzRNt8wlqyMUslrECh7XIQMUdpZc80bL65E6ex3hzwYLy-0zpYJKZSFnXhVqKU/s1600/IMG_20190506_125730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxq454uu4Q_yj75zMpvaCF0h-4wbDXyQDOmoe8GL_g_1vaj-UPl9DdaFQ33Oo6mRx9Xy6vxgBsC1PPJzRNt8wlqyMUslrECh7XIQMUdpZc80bL65E6ex3hzwYLy-0zpYJKZSFnXhVqKU/s320/IMG_20190506_125730.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here is the complete stamp sheet. I used about thirteen of the stamps between these two projects but as you can see there are plenty more to play with!</div>
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<u>Supplies used in both projects:</u></div>
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<b>Stamps</b>: Creative Stamping issue 69.</div>
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<b>Ink Pads</b>: Stazon Saddle Brown.</div>
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<b>Paper/Card</b>: white card.</div>
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<b>Colourants</b>: Brunel Franklin watercolour pencils, pearlescent watercolours and Windsor and Newton Gesso.</div>
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<b>Vintage Ephemera</b>: book pages, sheet music, map sections, </div>
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<b>Adhesives</b>: Ocaldo PVA glue, double sided tape and Dovecraft Ultimate Craft Adhesive.</div>
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<u>Additional supplies used in Cabinet of Curiosities #1:</u></div>
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<b>Vintage ephemera</b>: stamps, tea card, coins, buttons and milk bottle top.</div>
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<b>Embellishments</b>: jute twine, rick rack, seed beads, pearl cabochons, mother of pearl button and safety pin.</div>
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Thank you so much for visiting and reading, please feel free to leave any comments or questions, I'd love to hear from you. I have made some changes to the blog to make it more user friendly but if anyone is still having problems please let me know.</div>
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Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-47372518188601271352019-05-23T19:08:00.001+01:002019-05-24T11:37:42.208+01:00A hat and a walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have never really liked hats but over the last few years they have become an important part of my life. In the winter I need a good thermal lined hat to keep my head and ears warm, especially when the wind is strong (which is most of the time here) and in the summer I need a sun hat to help protect my sensitive skin (I have photo dermatitis). Last year I had a hat with a huge brim, it provided lots of shade but wasn't very practical as it caught on everything and blew off my head with even the slightest breeze. So this year I have gone for something a bit more practical.<br />
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I thought this hat was a bargain for just £4.00, it is simple and practical but a bit boring, so I decided to jazz it up and make it my own.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJE_tW5QDmUnP1EfOIcLYVJ9Kz6GeN8ljwSuiwuO6-W9OBRTxRrDHt_8jRHs1CO9iTw5P9WScx7EOrKhb7AgGl66DgAl5dfAErmFm6YsqS3omEPvUw-t3v5H0OUExGIleuCg8l_EoLt6w/s1600/IMG_20190521_122433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJE_tW5QDmUnP1EfOIcLYVJ9Kz6GeN8ljwSuiwuO6-W9OBRTxRrDHt_8jRHs1CO9iTw5P9WScx7EOrKhb7AgGl66DgAl5dfAErmFm6YsqS3omEPvUw-t3v5H0OUExGIleuCg8l_EoLt6w/s320/IMG_20190521_122433.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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It only took a few minutes to search my stash, find a pretty piece of cotton ribbon and sew it into place. However I hadn't bargained for how difficult it is to sew through a hat and the first needle I used broke on the second stitch! Once the ribbon was on I added a brooch which I made a few years ago. I had made a whole series of brooches using vintage buttons mixed with fabric flowers and beads, each one is unique. I had planned to try and sell these brooches but as is so often the case they just ended up in a box! At least now I'm making use of this one, and the one I've put on my jacket and my daughter wants one too! Maybe I should list them in my Etsy shop after all.</div>
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With my new hat ready to go I decided to test it out by going on a walk to one of my favourite spots, Slans Graveyard. Slans is an ancient grave site which is still in use today (we know people with relatives buried there), it has been in constant use since the first millennium AD and whenever I visit it I can feel the age of the site like a thread stretching back through the centuries. You can find out more about the site <a href="https://www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/things-to-do/slans-graveyard" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" target="_blank">here.</a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT25NCVVGDGOrh4oIa7a0ly80LNQ5fUAWL4Ycf6G4GGj2kWqPPOhSFwhGqbnTNgOYNnMX9Hm47zdYBlp-4ewm55gGm5rUdzpuuGiWF_Gm2Gaxz6gxcFcJGV_5l4QMOURo76-YiLFF5-9Q/s1600/IMG_20190521_100627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT25NCVVGDGOrh4oIa7a0ly80LNQ5fUAWL4Ycf6G4GGj2kWqPPOhSFwhGqbnTNgOYNnMX9Hm47zdYBlp-4ewm55gGm5rUdzpuuGiWF_Gm2Gaxz6gxcFcJGV_5l4QMOURo76-YiLFF5-9Q/s320/IMG_20190521_100627.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As with so many walks I began this one by walking along the beach! The weather had been much cooler this spring than last and I had long been awaiting the day when I could finally take my sandals off and walk in the sea, this was the day! It felt wonderful to have my feet in the calm, warm water and I know it's high mineral content did me more good than any spa treatment could!</div>
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After leaving the beach I walked along Ardminnan Road, a country lane bordered by hedges and fields of grazing livestock. The lane is especially lovely at this time of year when the hedges are bowed down with May blossom and the air is perfumed with its sun warmed scent. I couldn't resist picking a bunch of wild flowers from the verges as I walked along. I loved this view of calves and lambs in a field with their mothers, glimpsed through the apple blossom.</div>
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The path up to the graveyard is lined with the oldest Hawthorn trees I have ever seen, when I visit during the winter it is hard to believe that these gnarled trees are actually still alive but here they are bursting with life.</div>
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I was surprised to see so many mushrooms in the warm May weather, fairies must live here!<br />
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The Slans if famous for it's incredible 360 degree views, this view shows my village, I can even see our house! And my verdict on the hat? It's comfortable, practical and it didn't blow off once! It will most certainly be seeing a lot of use this summer.</div>
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<br />Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-26860377248357259842019-05-20T12:09:00.000+01:002019-05-20T12:09:44.420+01:00Lets celebrate<div style="text-align: center;">
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There are lots of milestone birthdays happening in my extended family this year. The first was the 70th of my my sister's husband's mother (there really should be a name for that!), she always buys such thoughtful gifts for my daughter so I wanted to show my appreciation by makeing her a special card for her special birthday. But, the pressure I put on myself to do so gave me "crafter's block" and I just couldn't come up with anything! Thankfully perusing the challenge blogs I follow gave me so much inspiration I was finally able to make this card for her, although sadly not in time for the big day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZZ81-O5UArb-D0w2DTS-jNcodFtvY51AUL6WgSYJzlWBejLScIrNuqmYI4WlMQMtljIkaxJqpZCsS2NwIRIHFEv4qSJ8wUJBCmUeGwNXxyZnKCZZDlsHIO4hv0oT71-zp3PGOzydNG0/s1600/IMG_20190518_202819_436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1221" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZZ81-O5UArb-D0w2DTS-jNcodFtvY51AUL6WgSYJzlWBejLScIrNuqmYI4WlMQMtljIkaxJqpZCsS2NwIRIHFEv4qSJ8wUJBCmUeGwNXxyZnKCZZDlsHIO4hv0oT71-zp3PGOzydNG0/s320/IMG_20190518_202819_436.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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This was my first time making a flap fold card, the idea to use this format came from the<a href="https://butterflyspotchallenge.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> Butterfly Challenge Blog</a> where it is this months featured card style. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEmyAobA9UO6xksso_nHoHOCU49VHPwHyURhYb1lZ4Nn-JRTSITE5FEBUYPl3Jq1ybGL_aEDsAra63dCH8Ad07T7uiBrSFy60HXCbmog_9wCys-zygV6ggYfwPVr9hw88IEDQlrSSTDc/s1600/PBS+Sketch+_95.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="454" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEmyAobA9UO6xksso_nHoHOCU49VHPwHyURhYb1lZ4Nn-JRTSITE5FEBUYPl3Jq1ybGL_aEDsAra63dCH8Ad07T7uiBrSFy60HXCbmog_9wCys-zygV6ggYfwPVr9hw88IEDQlrSSTDc/s320/PBS+Sketch+_95.png" width="227" /></a></div>
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The layout for the front of the card was inspired by the current challenge over at <a href="https://paperbabestamps.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Paperbabe Stamps</a> which is to use the sketch shown above. When I was doing a lot of digital scrapbooking and working on design teams for that I used sketches quite often but this was the first time I had worked with one for a long time (like most things!) and it was a great help in getting over that "crafters block".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzswggkkpiQoTrxtzPZBMCDViNDgJQFXtzqEAh31WtLDlbyMVV2c13O-J1kq1SzM24xb8MZGE63FVtQ6XTejmGIPT3z4WrJ1d-1xB7UCR0S4_PJORrePSMtNoq9FQat4ZCGuXMsYAkbo/s1600/IMG_20190518_202740_538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1393" data-original-width="1083" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzswggkkpiQoTrxtzPZBMCDViNDgJQFXtzqEAh31WtLDlbyMVV2c13O-J1kq1SzM24xb8MZGE63FVtQ6XTejmGIPT3z4WrJ1d-1xB7UCR0S4_PJORrePSMtNoq9FQat4ZCGuXMsYAkbo/s320/IMG_20190518_202740_538.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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Here is the inside of the card. I wanted to include a butterfly in my design so that I could join the with the Butterfly Challenge and because I like to add butterflies so my craft projects whenever I can! Last week I made a page for the <a href="http://www.determinedtoshine.net/" target="_blank">Determined to Shine Art Journal Challenge</a> which I really liked so I decided to make a variation of that design.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxokXIwFFuBpyB3U0fnJXN637x12mKFRm6-smtn6fH-eP3ohM25htXfNyDmDs91xLHO_BS62fb4vwWVxYRrZaPKEPm2g2AbkXUN0PGrhHHsqcg0UnnEIKVmu4bd89LsBvMfSzS_gng54/s1600/IMG_20190509_080230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxokXIwFFuBpyB3U0fnJXN637x12mKFRm6-smtn6fH-eP3ohM25htXfNyDmDs91xLHO_BS62fb4vwWVxYRrZaPKEPm2g2AbkXUN0PGrhHHsqcg0UnnEIKVmu4bd89LsBvMfSzS_gng54/s320/IMG_20190509_080230.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here is the original page, you can find out more about it in my post for that challenge <a href="https://haberdasherypie.blogspot.com/2019/05/determined-to-shine-30-day-art-journal.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I kept the sheet music background, the butterfly and the sentiment tag but changed the colour scheme and sentiment to fir with this card. So finally a card which I felt was worthy of the occasion and recipient and which I am happy to share with you all!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbwsS3jpxthPkd-ewQdn6M-z7BHru4Jnl0SEVTE2txOsYkMNzvI9k7Lm7Y62GhWHj1YIy_jGi3keU5P-JkF2H-6WRekJjN4Fn9oTCDWqGwjyMchB5NuTHqUkvNOiItxm5w9U3_knmIxdu/s1600/tiot+birthday+%25281%2529.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: #bf8956; font-family: "arial","tahoma","helvetica","freesans",sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="143" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbwsS3jpxthPkd-ewQdn6M-z7BHru4Jnl0SEVTE2txOsYkMNzvI9k7Lm7Y62GhWHj1YIy_jGi3keU5P-JkF2H-6WRekJjN4Fn9oTCDWqGwjyMchB5NuTHqUkvNOiItxm5w9U3_knmIxdu/s1600/tiot+birthday+%25281%2529.PNG" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: #dbdbdb; background-image: none; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto; border: 1px solid rgb(157, 152, 119); box-shadow: 1px 1px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.1); padding: 5px; position: relative;" /></a></div>
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As I have mentioned before, I have recently got back into crafting and blogging after an extended break and I have been delighted to discover the wealth of craft blog challenges out there now. It is so much fun to link up with other crafty bloggers and share your makes, plus when you need ideas the challenge themes and design team makes can give you a head start and I really appreciated that on this project! One of the blogs I am really enjoying linking up with is Try it on Tuesday, everyone there has been so welcoming and encouraging, I was surprised this week to discover they are cerebrating their tenth birthday! Happy Birthday <a href="https://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Try it on Tuesday</a> and here's to ten more years!</div>
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A big thank you to all the blogs I have already mentioned and those also listed below, you bring a lot of joy and you helped me get over "crafter's block" this week!</div>
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I am joining the following blog for their challenges:</div>
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<a href="https://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /></div>
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<a href="https://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Try it on Tuesda</a>y for their birthday party and "Let's Party" theme with my milestone birthday card.</div>
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<a href="https://paperbabestamps.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Paperbabe Stamps</a> because I have used the sketch from their challenge to inspire my card design.</div>
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<a href="https://butterflyspotchallenge.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Butterfly Challenge</a> for this months "Spin the butterfly wheel with F Flap Fold". I created a flap fold card which has a butterfly on the inside and uses the theme flowers and the colour flax (tag on front).</div>
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<a href="https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/" target="_blank"></a><br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamps Monday Challenge </a>for their theme of "Happy Hour" because this card was made to celebrate a seventieth birthday.</div>
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<u>Supplies used</u>:</div>
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<b>Stamp</b>s: magazine cover stamps from issue 69 of Creative Stamping and issue 330 of Crafts Beautiful.</div>
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<b>Ink Pads</b>: Dovecraft Premium Pigment in Jet Black and Versa Colour minis in Violet, Heliotrope and Lavender.</div>
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<b>Pens/pencils/paint</b>: Staedtler fine permanent laundry marker, Brunel Franklin watercolour pencils and pearlescent watercolour paints.</div>
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<b>Paper/card</b>: Crelando coloured card in shades of purple and flax, vintage sheet music, velum paper in green and white card.</div>
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<b>Embellishments</b>: Dovecraft washi tape, Doodlebug Design inc. "all mixed up" rub-ons in Lilac Small, jute twine.</div>
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<b>Adhesives</b>: Pritt original, double sided tape and adhesive pads.</div>
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Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-90919349640234376102019-05-18T08:59:00.000+01:002019-05-31T18:06:40.573+01:00Another birdhouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0oH90G_EDmBkP_gu1308epmV8IiWpMr8jFtGwTFJzhzYOILgyuv5bfRk2np9V_LOu0oKqmjUcJlOvN0B-0BQdrO25tsiYK4uVT9m9i1519j_o5sDCzk48UviSMLvvh3pUUY8imVIlbI/s1600/IMG_20190419_112547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0oH90G_EDmBkP_gu1308epmV8IiWpMr8jFtGwTFJzhzYOILgyuv5bfRk2np9V_LOu0oKqmjUcJlOvN0B-0BQdrO25tsiYK4uVT9m9i1519j_o5sDCzk48UviSMLvvh3pUUY8imVIlbI/s320/IMG_20190419_112547.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I enjoyed making the first birdhouse so much that I made another this time as a birthday gift for a good friend.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCHQDn6SArN6krvh-4AebR58TJLHgEWx9E3knpxsXwC8uFWMRG4NN5_BQOkUEBIoEUCaywvEy5XECSHVKzbg8M_ZI8m7A9umexdKG0zX3_XpB4dTOZ-NnXiyNO1wxXEmJ_azIJs8Z7U4/s1600/IMG_20190419_112603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCHQDn6SArN6krvh-4AebR58TJLHgEWx9E3knpxsXwC8uFWMRG4NN5_BQOkUEBIoEUCaywvEy5XECSHVKzbg8M_ZI8m7A9umexdKG0zX3_XpB4dTOZ-NnXiyNO1wxXEmJ_azIJs8Z7U4/s320/IMG_20190419_112603.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Once again my design was inspired by one of the sentiments in the stamp set; "Your friendship makes my heart sing". This friend as been so supportive to me over the years that I wanted to celebrate our friendship.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ORS7EoOglMytKlXNWPc60HH-MeZ6Z8T3KAFiIvsMLRgN4Q1XhN8abm8fhyH2AEwCNbcSCw5I0KTd7qugeQ7uSJQgrr5CaK5ddxH6YLNDEglj94tAoRjCNS-gN5ALtvgQ_sCoRsM-gfk/s1600/IMG_20190419_112654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ORS7EoOglMytKlXNWPc60HH-MeZ6Z8T3KAFiIvsMLRgN4Q1XhN8abm8fhyH2AEwCNbcSCw5I0KTd7qugeQ7uSJQgrr5CaK5ddxH6YLNDEglj94tAoRjCNS-gN5ALtvgQ_sCoRsM-gfk/s320/IMG_20190419_112654.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The process of making this birdhouse was the same as for "<a href="https://haberdasherypie.blogspot.com/2019/05/a-little-birdie-told-me.html" target="_blank">A little birdie told me..."</a> so please have a look at that post if you would like more information about the supplies used etc.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVYcuT-JTyKGy7_dCmpmIVHifGvOSb_jHx-C_AOSgoSE5nEUyO_2zCSNsxC17RqWYQlTcovOyFmLHF09WbngJHnBLKUvdtUP_h6FISGCniLXRRqIAqsjsiHrhn3RMw6N3W67gCY_Grcw/s1600/IMG_20190419_112709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVYcuT-JTyKGy7_dCmpmIVHifGvOSb_jHx-C_AOSgoSE5nEUyO_2zCSNsxC17RqWYQlTcovOyFmLHF09WbngJHnBLKUvdtUP_h6FISGCniLXRRqIAqsjsiHrhn3RMw6N3W67gCY_Grcw/s320/IMG_20190419_112709.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I added quite a few hearts this time to tie in with the sentiment but I still made sure I incorporated flowers, leaves and butterflies because this seemed fitting for my friend who I used to work with as a Forest School leader.<br />
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I am happy to be able to join in with a few blog challenges, many thanks to all these blogs for providing so much inspiration and creativity;<br />
<a href="https://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"></a><br />
<a href="https://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Try it on Tuesday</a> is celebrating their Tenth birthday so their current theme is "Lets Party", I think my birdhouse fits with this theme because it is a celebration of friendship and a birthday gift.<br />
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I'm joining <a href="https://art-journal-journey.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Art Journal Journey</a> for their "In the air/sky" challenge with the butterflies and bird featured on this birdhouse.<br />
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This birdhouse combines stamping, painting and decoupage so I can join <a href="https://creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Creative Artiste</a> for their "Anything Goes" mixed media challenge.<br />
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Thank you for reading this post, I hope you enjoyed seeing what I've been making. If you have and questions or comments please feel free to add them below.Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-2058583433332056502019-05-15T22:42:00.003+01:002019-05-16T06:10:11.600+01:00Determined to Shine - 30 day art journal challenge. Week one.Through the wonder that is social media I found out about this free online challenge course called "<a href="http://www.determinedtoshine.net/" target="_blank">Determined to Shine</a>". Every day for 30 days they will email you a prompt to encourage you to art journal about yourself. There is also a Facebook group where you can share your pages and see what others have created. For this journal I am using a mini sketch book from Windsor and Newton (again it is an old partly used one I happened to have) because I am aiming to complete a page every day I thought the small size would be more manageable. However I am not going to allow this challenge to become a source of stress, if I can't get a page completed on a particular I will simply roll it over until it's done.<br />
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I plan to do a weekly round up sharing the page I made for each day along with the prompt (in brief), my thought process and a list of supplies specific to that page. Supplied I use a lot like pens and adhesives I will list at the end of the post.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iBUTG8Lr32a1u1v3uHReWMxeJv4LWS0CWvIM57lXt0KANio69kf-qto04VI4Oq_0LhMfaMWiGaS36PzSnpdhyVxmR27vZe4L718ss0Gget0CGYcgVokoJVes2qNg9BdNxmpqnq6cBBc/s1600/IMG_20190507_070728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iBUTG8Lr32a1u1v3uHReWMxeJv4LWS0CWvIM57lXt0KANio69kf-qto04VI4Oq_0LhMfaMWiGaS36PzSnpdhyVxmR27vZe4L718ss0Gget0CGYcgVokoJVes2qNg9BdNxmpqnq6cBBc/s320/IMG_20190507_070728.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Day 1 = The smell of Home.</div>
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I live right by the sea, in fact at high tide the sea is just a few feet from my front door and at low tide the view from my house looks a little like this. So the smell that reminds me of home is the smell of the sea and the seaweed which washes up on the beach. Sometimes when I have been at home for a while I get so used to the smell that I stop noticing it but when I have been away, even for an hour or so, I really notice it and my heart leaps for joy because I know I'm home and I love our little house by the sea so much.<br />
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<b>Stamps</b>: My Paper World <i>At the Seaside</i>, Sweet Dixie <i>Sea Creatures</i>, Hero Arts <i>Cowry</i>.<br />
<b>Papers</b>: assorted scraps of blue scrapbook papers, Love to craft marbled paper pad, sandpaper.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwMv42vfXp6Wmfh8ITgMoUMIvzjADjauAh9Czfs4yZX0h2hxPGU5zzxu28rtILNJUO4oPCkkykwEtN0L2PcaPaHca1Z3xl3_vbY3Q7S16XRtLug3j6LxG7vh1s8GVBQeKWRnHzLkul8g/s1600/IMG_20190509_080230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwMv42vfXp6Wmfh8ITgMoUMIvzjADjauAh9Czfs4yZX0h2hxPGU5zzxu28rtILNJUO4oPCkkykwEtN0L2PcaPaHca1Z3xl3_vbY3Q7S16XRtLug3j6LxG7vh1s8GVBQeKWRnHzLkul8g/s320/IMG_20190509_080230.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Day 2 = A letter to my former self.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I wrote a letter telling myself that I do have the power to make the changes I want to in my life, that things will get better and that improving my diet really will make a big difference to my life. The letter is inside the envelope.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><b>Stamps</b>: Creative stamping issues 66 and 69.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><b>Papers</b>: vintage sheet music, envelope.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><b>Embellishments</b>: tag cut with Brother Scan and Cut.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj198s26jJJl-bHAi-7b-WVZ9VeLCTo5kc1kyy6n6c3yCW4Qr4mlEB4YqTCFWkGyDaOPb9hnln0RPNraMdapYiPopvdAqYIpg-SXyqPNr2F_iLWziu0xOPkeiMfS2PlaYfzT1wkVkXq7Lc/s1600/IMG_20190509_080245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj198s26jJJl-bHAi-7b-WVZ9VeLCTo5kc1kyy6n6c3yCW4Qr4mlEB4YqTCFWkGyDaOPb9hnln0RPNraMdapYiPopvdAqYIpg-SXyqPNr2F_iLWziu0xOPkeiMfS2PlaYfzT1wkVkXq7Lc/s320/IMG_20190509_080245.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Day 3 = A nickname you've had.</div>
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My page reads "Kathie colours" because this was my Signalong name when I worked at a boarding school for children with special needs. Many of the children relied on signing to communicate so everyone needed to have a Signalong name, this consists of the signs for your first initial and something people associate with you. At the time I always wore a rainbow scarf and when people couldn't remember my name they would say "that girl with the rainbow scarf", so my name was the signs for "K" and "colours"!<br />
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<b>Stamps</b>: generic alphabet stamps<br />
<b>Papers</b>: homemade background paper made using white scrapbook paper, Colour Splash liquid watercolours, Ranger Industries posh rainbow inks (metalic green, teal, blue), Colourbox mica magic in purple and salt.<br />
<b>Pens</b>: Sakura Glaze.<br />
<b>Embellishments</b>: wooden letters.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfJJ86jDsM6NV95onJJ8rV86S14Gf-siPl5uSneM059NgfQWONSaBvHq64ibbBZN83wBtRmLOevaHeLrh0yQRqP8KVGTyQu6mhVH-M0LO7Ryq8-3FT0U7A_3TSghAxAJ0-PXQUcd9PY0/s1600/IMG_20190511_101100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfJJ86jDsM6NV95onJJ8rV86S14Gf-siPl5uSneM059NgfQWONSaBvHq64ibbBZN83wBtRmLOevaHeLrh0yQRqP8KVGTyQu6mhVH-M0LO7Ryq8-3FT0U7A_3TSghAxAJ0-PXQUcd9PY0/s320/IMG_20190511_101100.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Day 4 = Things you have loved since childhood.</div>
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At first all I could think of were foods I'm now allergic to and activities I can't do anymore, like climbing trees! But when I thought a bit more I realised that actually not much has really changed. Things had been tough with my daughter that morning (she has special needs) and I realised the things I did to cheer myself up were the same as I would have done as a child; going for a walk in nature, picking a bunch of wild flowers and collecting natural treasures!<br />
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<b>Inks: </b>Papermania mini ink pads in white and silver, Dew Drop Brilliance in Moonlight White.<br />
<b>Paper</b>s: a selection from a card making kit by Craft Sensations.<br />
<b>Pens</b>: Docrafts Artiste in Mid Purple, Garnet, Dark Cyan and Dark Violet.<br />
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Day 5 = A pet or animal encounter.</div>
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This page is about my sweet bunny Mina who sadly left us about 4 years ago, she was my comfort through so many ups and downs for 8 years before that. The phrase "My first baby" had many levels of meaning for me: Mina was my baby for a long time before I had my daughter but I would probably never have got her if I hadn't miscarried my first pregnancy. The photo I used also shows my daughter at 1 years old and she really was my first baby. The photograph is a pocket which holds a tag on which I wrote about my babies.<br />
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<b>Inks</b>: Dew Drops Brilliance in Crimson Copper.<br />
<b>Paper</b>: a selection of paper scraps including some from Crafty Individuals. background paper from a pad called "Vintage notes".<br />
<b>Embellishments</b>: brad, jute twine, sentiment from a craft magazine cover gift, letters (maybe Tim Holtz).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszJPE3Mb8uOotT9oc1Fa0yCJyfuGCAVePVCgozh0IHvZXRrHzfhUmjM27oW5YIG8BkfmExBKwDPBJ4G1Nnl3oXanc7tsc-4EZYKahUsGaWwo3YAu6GNA_nwhJpuuy8DKAg9pYECWRij8/s1600/IMG_20190514_194236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszJPE3Mb8uOotT9oc1Fa0yCJyfuGCAVePVCgozh0IHvZXRrHzfhUmjM27oW5YIG8BkfmExBKwDPBJ4G1Nnl3oXanc7tsc-4EZYKahUsGaWwo3YAu6GNA_nwhJpuuy8DKAg9pYECWRij8/s320/IMG_20190514_194236.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Day 6 = A meaningful song lyric.<br />
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I chose Lauren Alaina's song " <a href="https://genius.com/Lauren-alaina-the-middle-lyrics" target="_blank">In the Middle</a> " as my song. I love this song, especially the chorus, it is a poniente reminder to get the best out if every day and have been meaning to make a canvass or something with it on so that I can read it oftern. The words to the chorus are:</div>
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Take each day and make it last</div>
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'Cause you turn around and the future is the past</div>
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Here and now is all we have</div>
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The beginning and the end mean so little</div>
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What matters most is what's in the middle</div>
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At the very end of the song is the line "What's in the middle?".<br />
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I tried to keep this page simple and just focused on the lyrics, but it ended up much more busy than I had intended! The background paper is another from the Craft Sensations kit with torn paper scraps glued to each side to make a middle. I dry brushed gesso onto the page to blend it all together and inked the edges. Once it was dry I wrote the lyrics to the chorus onto the middle section with a sharpie, emphasising the final line. I had intended just to stamp a few music notes around the page and call it done but then I decided that I wanted to add a bird to the branch on the right hand side so I dug out some stamped images which were leftover from another project and ended up adding several others too!</div>
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<b>Stamps</b>: generic vintage themed set, cover stamps from issue 69 of Creative Stamper and Papercraft Inspiration April '19.</div>
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<b>Paint</b>: Windsor and Newton Gesso.</div>
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<b>Paper</b>: Craft Sensations card making kit and paper scraps.</div>
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<b>Frequently used supplies</b><u>:</u></div>
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<u></u><b>Inks</b>: Stazon Saddle Brown, Dovecraft Premium Jet Black</div>
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<b>Pens</b>: Staedler Triplus Fineliners, Sharpie fine and ultra fine markers.</div>
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<b>Paper/card</b>: white card.</div>
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<b>Adhesives</b>: Ocaldo PVA, Dovecraft Ultra Craft Glue, UHU Stic, double sided tape.<br />
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Thank you for visiting me here and taking the time to read my ramblings. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them below, I'd love to hear from you.</div>
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Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-28647093760539195522019-05-11T19:36:00.005+01:002019-05-31T18:06:17.104+01:00April showers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2l0toTmgDM1YQ9GJ9cXxPbfwDkHeDDZ3vRgCuimiLC2bK9YyPl11s6Hx4WxVzmhyphenhyphenzKGdwHk4H3yBQdUo12J6Xb3Et_JwyFvxNIiOiq_R0xCm0oRWr3zPLAuyMlbIO744sC5AzKth8EIs/s1600/IMG_20190506_193355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2l0toTmgDM1YQ9GJ9cXxPbfwDkHeDDZ3vRgCuimiLC2bK9YyPl11s6Hx4WxVzmhyphenhyphenzKGdwHk4H3yBQdUo12J6Xb3Et_JwyFvxNIiOiq_R0xCm0oRWr3zPLAuyMlbIO744sC5AzKth8EIs/s320/IMG_20190506_193355.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today I want to share a double page spread in my art journal. April is well known for it's alternating rain showers and sunny spells, especially here in Northern Ireland where frequent, mineral rich rains are responsible for island of Ireland being known as "The Emerald Isle". This year, however, April was extremely dry, so much so that our lawn started to crack! As you can imagine this was pretty worrying for a country which is dependent on it's agriculture and particularly it's high quality dairy which a direct by product if all that emerald green grass! So, when it finally rained it was cause for celebration.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UeUaayBexyiguXIOwfN8Qse9Ul5_ynwQ3xNL59jQrrTU8l27_uXQQFDeMabzaC1FRgsxPqSaW3dqnv4qPNL4fSzgpgEonRQAUDuyiYwZCd7KM9N0mltj4L6zzzLFWuI-DB6fxhvPtZ8/s1600/IMG_20190506_193214_227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1092" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UeUaayBexyiguXIOwfN8Qse9Ul5_ynwQ3xNL59jQrrTU8l27_uXQQFDeMabzaC1FRgsxPqSaW3dqnv4qPNL4fSzgpgEonRQAUDuyiYwZCd7KM9N0mltj4L6zzzLFWuI-DB6fxhvPtZ8/s320/IMG_20190506_193214_227.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
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This left hand page celebrates the arrival of the long awaited rain. I covered the page with torn up book pages and then added strips of tissue paper in shades of blue over the top to echo rain drops running down a window. I directly applied a white ink pad to the page to soften the colours and blend it all together. I stamped sun and cloud motifs on to white card and coloured them using pearlescent watercolous before fussy cutting them. I also made some wordfetti by stamping out the words " little " and "April", I couldn't find a stamp for " shower " so these are handwritten. I arranged and glued these on the page before finishing it off with doodling and journaling.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3GtA5yGOPsRR-3Y3pJaTlrSvUeFu7IvMIj96QHytW8zI4rvLdQ8V8nKA2IfZcqhhIvfW_C3nVhYqzJ7LKab0b6VffLGBgu9F0yUr7E-99Ahr05E2Jq5rLbS_Tv9d0EkJEd_tqJqttKk/s1600/IMG_20190511_100756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3GtA5yGOPsRR-3Y3pJaTlrSvUeFu7IvMIj96QHytW8zI4rvLdQ8V8nKA2IfZcqhhIvfW_C3nVhYqzJ7LKab0b6VffLGBgu9F0yUr7E-99Ahr05E2Jq5rLbS_Tv9d0EkJEd_tqJqttKk/s320/IMG_20190511_100756.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The right hand page represents the garden the morning after the rain, wet and joyful, with the flowers blooming and birds singing. To make this page I scribbled watercolour pencils over the page before painting it with corresponding pearlescent watercolours before stamping on the flowers and bird. I also stamped lots of flowers out onto old book pages then fussy cut them and glued them over the top of the stamped images. I clipped words and letters from the local free newspaper to spell out the title and the date. To complete the page I added doodling and journaling again. When I went out to our garage that morning I found the ground littered with half eaten slugs, the rain must brought them all out and the birds had a feast, that is what the journaling is about!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHLpxxobadpOqtzMZqPabNJrQByINf-VYY8d33f0yKARs6lcv7stiZjnkV2tDqeBBxn1swrssOdL8dVIJ8F9hqatFS462KRYuY9RWTq1gMd9sJSXiuXEnhwDm_qymxhVeac60wSwQvho/s1600/IMG_20190426_191722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHLpxxobadpOqtzMZqPabNJrQByINf-VYY8d33f0yKARs6lcv7stiZjnkV2tDqeBBxn1swrssOdL8dVIJ8F9hqatFS462KRYuY9RWTq1gMd9sJSXiuXEnhwDm_qymxhVeac60wSwQvho/s320/IMG_20190426_191722.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I used all the left over bits and pieces to make two sets if ATCs, one to accompany each page. This first set is titled "April showers". Each card has a background of vintage book pages and then I used the same stamps as in the journaling page, many of the stamped images were leftover from making the page itself.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTMnghO49Q77yeGG6xhiMf-X4hOpe9zWsJ76bD4IxtZfhkY7vYPaetWvOO_VGTCqFmmCYB4cBDpXGZbWWsDvNZpldlxc7RfhmXxSAHZqUdRMbLe9xVQ1ZWCFCdyEJln2ir2uMCHabuhk/s1600/IMG_20190427_164248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTMnghO49Q77yeGG6xhiMf-X4hOpe9zWsJ76bD4IxtZfhkY7vYPaetWvOO_VGTCqFmmCYB4cBDpXGZbWWsDvNZpldlxc7RfhmXxSAHZqUdRMbLe9xVQ1ZWCFCdyEJln2ir2uMCHabuhk/s320/IMG_20190427_164248.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I really love the way this "After the Rain" set turned out, I think they are so pretty. They were made in pretty much the same way as the journal page: pearlescent watercolour back grounds with the left over images which had been stamped onto book pages and doodled details.</div>
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I would like to join in a few challenges with this double journal page;</div>
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I'm joining <a href="https://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Try it on Tuesday</a> for their "Things with Wings" challenge because there is a bird on my page.</div>
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I would also like to join <a href="https://art-journal-journey.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Art Journal Journey</a> for their "In the air/sky" challenge because the clouds are in the sky.</div>
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I am excited to join <a href="https://countryviewchallenges.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Country View Challenges</a> for the first time for their "Opposites" challenge because the two sides of my page are about the opposite of rain and sun and because one has book pages in the background and paint in the foreground and the other page is the opposite way around</div>
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I will also join <a href="https://creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Creative Artiste Challenge Blog</a> for their anything goes mixed media challenge because this page uses painting, stamping, collage and doodling.</div>
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<b>Thank you so much to all these great blogs and the lovely people who run them.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgQIvFVgck6sdtLQBv65TcjVUAUC4h8Kt_kJhWR38e9Z38fnHc2yW16CuDFwIY10WzDaFTxfBfWPEgS_kSETYaukRWdcFabCWnNVTrVG7_-RAeFprkIrEa6OxrTeT1TOvk8sOJJqnsZM/s1600/IMG_20190511_101404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgQIvFVgck6sdtLQBv65TcjVUAUC4h8Kt_kJhWR38e9Z38fnHc2yW16CuDFwIY10WzDaFTxfBfWPEgS_kSETYaukRWdcFabCWnNVTrVG7_-RAeFprkIrEa6OxrTeT1TOvk8sOJJqnsZM/s320/IMG_20190511_101404.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The stamps used for these journal page and ATCs were the cover gift with issue of Creative Stamping magazine.<br />
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<u>Supplies used:</u><b><br /></b><br />
<u>Both Pages:</u><br />
<b>Stamps: </b>As above.<br />
<b>Inks</b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">: Dovecraft premium pigment in Jet Black.</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<b>Paper/card</b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">: old book pages.</span><br />
<b>Paints</b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">: pearlescent watercolours.</span><br />
<b>Pens/pencils</b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">: Brunel Franklin watercolour pencils, ultra fine sharpie in Black.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>Adhesives</b>: Ocaldo PVA glue.</span><br />
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<u>Little April Showers:</u><br />
<b>Stamps</b>: Creative Stamper 65 and a baby stamp set.<br />
<b>Paper/card</b>: tissue paper in shades of blue, white card.<br />
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<u>After the Rain:</u><br />
<b>Paper/card</b>: newspaper.<br />
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<br />Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-4109848960517615812019-05-08T19:44:00.000+01:002019-05-31T18:06:40.559+01:00A little birdie told me...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6cdFGnhuqDdkWM3jkNjPWdh_8iA81IL3UoCqnkOO2Z2azKncgvNwsF18Nip_5iT3Y1eFJA6tayU9eYo0CwY4WqUlxQiEEplQRFoPn0jvAoluyQpCIg1ecUZwGQcDXjrd6uUYmPFDQOc/s1600/IMG_20190419_112435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6cdFGnhuqDdkWM3jkNjPWdh_8iA81IL3UoCqnkOO2Z2azKncgvNwsF18Nip_5iT3Y1eFJA6tayU9eYo0CwY4WqUlxQiEEplQRFoPn0jvAoluyQpCIg1ecUZwGQcDXjrd6uUYmPFDQOc/s320/IMG_20190419_112435.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I couldn't resist buying a few of these little wooden bird houses when I saw them in the works and I'm glad I did because they are so much fun to alter and decorate.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegi4lcU6NYBDRYkPWKhTcDy6pFF_x3VodMwUkW7595hnXDajXOxoTCxCagSWwkr8-Bz2NYTU9Kiv0Q62vTAH7QTFdUQ47Vbic1uu_3RlBznMTeT80Ag1tOv_HXmpSvYLetXMsYdtGVTY/s1600/IMG_20190419_112523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegi4lcU6NYBDRYkPWKhTcDy6pFF_x3VodMwUkW7595hnXDajXOxoTCxCagSWwkr8-Bz2NYTU9Kiv0Q62vTAH7QTFdUQ47Vbic1uu_3RlBznMTeT80Ag1tOv_HXmpSvYLetXMsYdtGVTY/s320/IMG_20190419_112523.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This birdhouse was made as a birthday gift for my Mother, she's had her birthday now so I can share it! It's design was inspired by a sentiment from the stamp set I used which reads "A little birdie told me...it's your birthday! ".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvY5osBlwjyteF2nF8zX7PKHtsWiwt9I9mVk75X89YynhPdxCn93zCZcmoKkv9BLpBdKdgpRF-b372TRWNb1kzOAyPjWJ4A_I7fx5Dr6IqKbt9CMcXOB1LJTvtAOK1po2uV5_Y0QQ1Vc/s1600/IMG_20190419_112505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvY5osBlwjyteF2nF8zX7PKHtsWiwt9I9mVk75X89YynhPdxCn93zCZcmoKkv9BLpBdKdgpRF-b372TRWNb1kzOAyPjWJ4A_I7fx5Dr6IqKbt9CMcXOB1LJTvtAOK1po2uV5_Y0QQ1Vc/s320/IMG_20190419_112505.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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First I painted the birdhouse with a coat of gesso, then when it was drying I decoupaged on some images I had stamped onto tissue paper using Stazon ink. I coloured the images using dry watercolour pencils and then went over the top of then with wet paintbrush to blend the colours together.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZ_xYXdOCoMSky-jYfBw-kJbXQ2m73WKNz15uiMzA6qYF-YZCOlluygdYXkdypN1mlIMo7kBDNZkDBHgH4keru3MrlF2L6PElyyrE-xLwz8PCgXn-8ftWLbub4wc9Ij1mEKkIZSOsjRk/s1600/IMG_20190419_112448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZ_xYXdOCoMSky-jYfBw-kJbXQ2m73WKNz15uiMzA6qYF-YZCOlluygdYXkdypN1mlIMo7kBDNZkDBHgH4keru3MrlF2L6PElyyrE-xLwz8PCgXn-8ftWLbub4wc9Ij1mEKkIZSOsjRk/s320/IMG_20190419_112448.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Next I stamped some if the images onto card and coloured them in the same way before fussy cutting and shaping them. I used a stronger acrylic glue to fix these in position. Finally I added some highlights using pearlescent watercolour paints.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhff3MJ4nHUOIMMsAtWyqu5_QL0K1-iTQD3e6lATSvPL1aMX4WXls9p0_DjpE4nci3Zi6y_vJd0y1TpQOIqmbSorujSTVrZBlEmb8Y3HsiLfQlFltFT4VlpwNDFVMxmwPcKRjtupDK2XYY/s1600/IMG_20190504_103850_450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1172" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhff3MJ4nHUOIMMsAtWyqu5_QL0K1-iTQD3e6lATSvPL1aMX4WXls9p0_DjpE4nci3Zi6y_vJd0y1TpQOIqmbSorujSTVrZBlEmb8Y3HsiLfQlFltFT4VlpwNDFVMxmwPcKRjtupDK2XYY/s320/IMG_20190504_103850_450.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
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The gorgeous stamp set I used was the cover gift with issue 330 of Crafts Beautiful magazine. I have already made several projects using these stamps ( I'll be sharing more soon) and still haven't used them all so I'm sure there will be many more to come.</div>
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I am happy to be able to join in with a few challenges with this little birdhouse make:</div>
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I will join the <a href="https://butterflyspotchallenge.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Butterfly Challenge</a> for "spin the butterfly wheel with F for flap fold". My birdhouse uses the colours french rose and firebrick red and the elements feathers (on the bird) and flowers along with butterflies.</div>
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I would also like to join the lovely ladies at <a href="https://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Try it on Tuesday</a> for their "Things with Wings" challenge because there are butterflies and a bird.</div>
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Also <a href="https://paperbabestamps.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Paperbabe</a> for their "flowers/garden" challenge because birdhouses are found in gardens and there are plenty of flowers.</div>
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Many thanks to all these wonderful blogs for the inspiration and fun challenges.</div>
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Supplies used:</div>
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<b>Base</b>: Small wooden birdhouse from The Works.</div>
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<b>Stamps</b>: Cover gift from issue 330 of Crafts Beautiful.</div>
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<b>Ink pads</b>: Stazon in Saddle Brown.</div>
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<b>Colourants</b>: Windsor and Newton gesso, watercolour pencils, pearlescent watercolour paints.</div>
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<b>Paper/card</b>: white tissue paper, white card.</div>
Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-40229963068650497232019-05-07T10:21:00.000+01:002019-05-07T11:19:32.876+01:00Birthday Chronology<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eBYS32rRe4yFgX7v0TSfHmykfHf78oEeURc6bds-l9jXnlRdk338cnhx9cS9ZM6x41QhpZVzdYd2zLTI41pPSxhhtvu07OC3p6kHavhk4hlrwh9_CekHYEkhs8ydHSPJhVioNqQXtyo/s1600/IMG_20190507_092843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eBYS32rRe4yFgX7v0TSfHmykfHf78oEeURc6bds-l9jXnlRdk338cnhx9cS9ZM6x41QhpZVzdYd2zLTI41pPSxhhtvu07OC3p6kHavhk4hlrwh9_CekHYEkhs8ydHSPJhVioNqQXtyo/s320/IMG_20190507_092843.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I recently joined a couple of Facebook groups so that I can swap ATCs and take part in challenges. The first challenge to come up was on a steam punk theme so I hunted through my stamps to find anything suitable. I really liked this collage style stamp from the Docrafts Chronology range but it was too big to really work for ATC's so I started playing around with it to make some cards. When I saw the Simon Says Stamps "Happy Birthday" challenge I decided to make them into birthday cards, which is perfect because now I actually have some ready made cards which are suitable for men!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_FxtU2kdARvyb8FroMa7zNjfOn9Ku2mV5tUwAgIh-BQv6ji9lpM6l8dwpljP4nKxfESQAxTpk9SVFw2Umz3OS0au-6NlgfzCZnsZI5nBBMzwm3RbRF6YBxWZk5GFyM55dHbKPQ8at9g/s1600/IMG_20190507_093207_290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_FxtU2kdARvyb8FroMa7zNjfOn9Ku2mV5tUwAgIh-BQv6ji9lpM6l8dwpljP4nKxfESQAxTpk9SVFw2Umz3OS0au-6NlgfzCZnsZI5nBBMzwm3RbRF6YBxWZk5GFyM55dHbKPQ8at9g/s320/IMG_20190507_093207_290.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I combined the collage style stamp with a co-ordinating set from Docrafts which was a magazine cover gift at the time the stamps were released, as well as a set from Paper Artsy. I also used Chronology craft papers along with some from Love to Craft and some vintage book pages and sheet music. Another search if my stash turned up some suitable sentiment stamps including one from Kanban. The tag and book plate were cut using my Brother Scan 'n' Cut.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IGTnumqACrpiT7FL18YhsTHtIhwOBjLezJrVjPDiwvb1karsICPhn7RpcIlAGuI0TND3gYWImq2OlD0owhJOmT6DY9fePZs_S7pDwdsLeGOd-1lK6KZcyezj9LbI4lGpdnppDLcpIGw/s1600/IMG_20190507_092723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IGTnumqACrpiT7FL18YhsTHtIhwOBjLezJrVjPDiwvb1karsICPhn7RpcIlAGuI0TND3gYWImq2OlD0owhJOmT6DY9fePZs_S7pDwdsLeGOd-1lK6KZcyezj9LbI4lGpdnppDLcpIGw/s320/IMG_20190507_092723.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I really love how these cards turned out and I'm looking forward to giving them to suitable recipients.</div>
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I am joining the "Happy Birthday" challenge at <a href="https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/" target="_blank">Simon Says Stamps Wednesday challeng</a>e with these birthday cards. Happy 10th Birthday Simon Says Stamps!</div>
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Supplies used:</div>
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<b>Stamps</b>: Docrafts Chronology, Paper Artsy "Clocks 5", Kanban " Autumn Silhouettes ", Crafty Things, a magazine civet gift?</div>
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<b>Ink pads</b>: Stazon Saddle Brown and Olive Green, Dovecraft Jet Black, Dew Drop Brilliance in Galaxy Gold and Crimson Copper.</div>
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<b>Paper/card</b>: Docrafts Chronology, Love to Craft marbled and ..., sheet music, book pages, white card.</div>
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<b>Embellishments</b>: pearlescent cabochons, jute twine.</div>
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<b>Adhesives</b>: Ocaldo PVA glue, UHU stick, Dovecraft Ultimate Craft Glue, double sided tape, assorted adhesive foam pads.</div>
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<b>Equipment</b>: Brother Scan 'n' Cut.</div>
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<br />Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4642744580104068161.post-89802225098140673982019-05-05T20:21:00.001+01:002019-05-31T18:06:17.127+01:00Starting an Art Journal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEHWszK2wRJN5u7v8C3A3KA4XJ3JtyAbZB5ojhOu40sZdxnHIQjnKJ-1SQUUFreGD_zxlGSe1K7LRlrLNbYpaGC9yOkDN_dL0Ne2HdghUaXJrruBwDYUrpL0fm5FkgQfQ3b6Gm01oBYk/s1600/IMG_20190505_172227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEHWszK2wRJN5u7v8C3A3KA4XJ3JtyAbZB5ojhOu40sZdxnHIQjnKJ-1SQUUFreGD_zxlGSe1K7LRlrLNbYpaGC9yOkDN_dL0Ne2HdghUaXJrruBwDYUrpL0fm5FkgQfQ3b6Gm01oBYk/s320/IMG_20190505_172227.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Over the Easter bank holiday weekend I suddenly had the idea that I would like to start an Art Journal. I have no clue where the idea came from, maybe just from the desire to create art for it's own sake and for enjoyment, rather than making things with a defined purpose or end product in mind as I so often do.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ueb3xYaOU9V1-A1BZnHpM5FByqDXZFdjZCASZZrO2DSD_ANIgv7xEG4g4a43fgeGWrTJoIeK3SJx1jjaFXDXwqHvxdTgPNndmaEAKB5Noqy7GWo1T0fuAKQ0DGOpB6kx2OQEcXoghrU/s1600/IMG_20190504_213808_514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ueb3xYaOU9V1-A1BZnHpM5FByqDXZFdjZCASZZrO2DSD_ANIgv7xEG4g4a43fgeGWrTJoIeK3SJx1jjaFXDXwqHvxdTgPNndmaEAKB5Noqy7GWo1T0fuAKQ0DGOpB6kx2OQEcXoghrU/s320/IMG_20190504_213808_514.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My very first page is shown at the top of this post, it was inspired by this lovely vintage book which I found in the secondhand bookshop at our local National Trust property, and a conversation I had with our neighbour. When I bought the book I actually intended to read it but found it too dry and old fashioned so I decided to put it to other use.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2K9WY2vD5yGI9LqPnQvGYbdoBDvOgQzHNxH3zaaYQZ8ijYSYHvrBPt8WL7cuCTCooY6xYmWgjTaS5z-GxaMtOsIGNOzLIlJQUYvtWmnouAq-f8rca_Xh_peXCwe3oqXjXmObgFmIbVU/s1600/IMG_20190504_213842_351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1009" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2K9WY2vD5yGI9LqPnQvGYbdoBDvOgQzHNxH3zaaYQZ8ijYSYHvrBPt8WL7cuCTCooY6xYmWgjTaS5z-GxaMtOsIGNOzLIlJQUYvtWmnouAq-f8rca_Xh_peXCwe3oqXjXmObgFmIbVU/s320/IMG_20190504_213842_351.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
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My first journal page was pretty simple because I wanted to jump right in and get start. I grabbed an old, partly used, sketchbook and used what was on hand. First I tore the list page out of the bird book, stuck it into my journal with PVA glue and painted over it with gesso. Next I coloured the edges of the page with pearlescent watercolour paints ( I can't remember if I used watercolour pencils too, maybe) before adding a couple of illustrations from the same book which show birds we commonly see in our garden. Finally I added a bit of journaling and doodled to highlight the names of other birds that visit us regularly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3WrAGk8StmZJcHgqFfGz60Qo21jo_gegS4Z8W0H_LHBdYTUETu3z9fdT2veD0HNDJnFAmCKUwPOW_Jc3o4sYVfgbZCZVhbK-DkFN4eGI_q6uNuHmHvrpXQ7evwCwgMwyk7WUhOwux_U/s1600/IMG_20190427_164348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3WrAGk8StmZJcHgqFfGz60Qo21jo_gegS4Z8W0H_LHBdYTUETu3z9fdT2veD0HNDJnFAmCKUwPOW_Jc3o4sYVfgbZCZVhbK-DkFN4eGI_q6uNuHmHvrpXQ7evwCwgMwyk7WUhOwux_U/s320/IMG_20190427_164348.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As you can see I haven't yet completed the right hand page, this is because I want it to be a celebration of when the House Martins which nest in our eaves return and I haven't seen them yet!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDE8OZ48A9AoBpGpSIAckuYZ3nqsqoO66gB92Rf700RkiSmj_JEn5iW4etiG865ez222olZeTxNGtn3S_XtogZ5E8F8VVxigJw_Qywo4nX1Xtr5NejZf5ksE-3PNCJbYtrrfX3lQLu9A/s1600/IMG_20190427_164531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDE8OZ48A9AoBpGpSIAckuYZ3nqsqoO66gB92Rf700RkiSmj_JEn5iW4etiG865ez222olZeTxNGtn3S_XtogZ5E8F8VVxigJw_Qywo4nX1Xtr5NejZf5ksE-3PNCJbYtrrfX3lQLu9A/s320/IMG_20190427_164531.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I was so excited about my new art journal that I started working on the cover too! I used Paper Perfect and an assortment of vintage ephemera to decorate the front cover. For now I am calling this cover done but I expect I will end up tinkering with it some more before the journal is completed.<br />
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I am delighted to join in with a few challenges using my first Art Journal Page;<br />
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Because my page is about birds I can join the <a href="https://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Try it on Tuesday</a> "things with wings" challenge.<br />
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I can also join <a href="https://art-journal-journey.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Art Journal Journey</a> for their "in the air/sky" challenge.<br />
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As this is a page in an Art Journal and therefore a book and because I used old book pages I'd like to join <a href="http://www.vintagejourney.com/" target="_blank">A Vintage Journey</a> for their "book it" challenge.<br />
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This is a mixed media journal page combining collage, painting and doodling so I am joining <a href="https://creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Creative Artiste</a> for their "anything goes" challenge.<br />
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Because this journal page is about the birds which visit my garden I am also joining<a href="http://paperbabestamps.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> Paperbabe </a>Stamps for their "flower/garden" challenge.<br />
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<b>Thank you to all these wonderful blogs for the inspiration and incentive to keep creating.</b><br />
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Supplies used on first journal page:<br />
<b>Paper/card</b>: vintage book pages.<br />
<b>Colourants</b>: watercolour pencils; pearlesent watercolours, Windsor and Newton gesso; ultra fine sharpie.Graydragonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01988745246395451824noreply@blogger.com14