Prettige Nieuwe Jaar January 1, 2009
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Hello and Happy New Year to you all. I hope your 2009 is bright. x
Many changes are afoot but all for the best and I am hopeful of a happier, calmer, more settled year. More news as it happens but for now I will leave you to reflect, reminisce and ring changes of your own.
I have been saving this pairing which was not lost in the great memory card incident 
Joyeux Noel. December 21, 2008
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Once again i find myself in this space apologising for a long absence. Having only just managed to throw off this awful awful flu which left us both bed bound for almost two weeks and sewing like a lunatic all the while so I can meet all my holiday orders both home and away I have felt in a constant state of near tearfulness. Not the way we wish to find ourselves at this time of year. I am going to spend the next few days pottering. I intend to seasonally potter as I gear up to see friends, plan get togethers and bake gingerbread. Ok so no one is perfect, I havent made half of the presents I promised myself I would. Nor have I managed to write a single card. But these are small worries and I will let those I love know as much in person wherever possible. My tree is up though… which i am very pleased about.
there are more packages and ornaments on it since this photo was taken but the effect is still reslutely scandi- chic. My dining room is filled with glass baubles, fairy lights and candles.
I hope you are all having fun this week and continue to do so. I will be back in time for the big day.
Peace xxx
Ugh! December 9, 2008
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Hello Readers!
I will update on the weekend as soon as but I am currently in bed recovering from the flu like fever which has gripped me upon my return from the big smoke. I havent even done my 365 that is how bad i feel so feel lucky im here at all!.
ooh. December 2, 2008
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forgot to mention. I was also featured in the storque Uk shop local feature here… see if you can spot me!
I’m still here. December 2, 2008
Posted by trainersinnightclubs in Uncategorized.Tags: abibansaldesign, its fab, magazine, read it, ukhandmade
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Hello Friends,
The above images were taken almost one year apart. Its that time of year again….
Once again I find myself apologising for the length of time it has taken me to return to this space. I must admit my approach to blogging on the whole is very “all or nothing”. But I’m ok with that. Since I last wrote here I have been three weeks into my new part time job and am continuing with my 365 challenge with as much gusto as a person juggling two occupations and sewing garments constantly can manage.
I am well though and just as surprised as everyone that we are two days into Advent already! yeech!. That leaves very little time for ANYTHING i had initially hoped to do but hey ho… things work out.
One brilliant thing that has happened recently, something I am bursting with pride over really- is the all new collective UK handmade Magazine. Edited by fellow UKer, friend and artist Karen Jinks and put together by the design wonder that is Jo Askey. I was pleased to be able to contribute an article and a recipie formerly seen in this blog!. I am also pleased that several pieces of my photography were able to be used in the editorial content. Im thrilled for all of the people that have worked so hard to make it a reality… my contribution has been minimal so i cannot take hardly any credit for it really but all THEIR hard work certainly shows. It looks fantastic!. Check the latest issue out now here.
A xxxxxx
Cake Porn November 8, 2008
Posted by trainersinnightclubs in Uncategorized.Tags: baking, cake, food, gormet, tartine
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OK time for some baking. We have guests this weekend and so I thought Id make an effort. Turns out the effort in question was this alchemical marvel above. Inspired by a recipie in the wonderful must own baking tome from the Tartine Bakery, preview this fabulous book here . It really is worth owning If only for the gorgeously inspiring cover!!!!. The recipie in question was a hugely complex Lemon meringue cake complete with Italian Meringue frosting. I must admit my involvement with this book waned at this point. I made my own lemon sponge cake and layered it up with some buttercream and tart lemon curd. I am sure you have a similar cake. To make the meringue requires a little effort but it is certainly worth it
I used 4 large egg whites combined with a heaped sup of caster sugar and a pinch of salt. In a bowl over a pan of simmering watter I used a hand whisk to keep the mixture moving until the whites were very hot. After this point I removed them from the heat entirely and whisked using a hand mixer until soft fluffy and forming stiff peaks.
I then iced the completed layer cake using a pallete knife (in my opinion this is essential in shaping the meringe into the artistic peaks and whorls that are so atractive in this recipie.
As I was lacking ablowtorch to lightly toast and set the meringue I placed the cake in a hot oven at gasmark 9 keeping an eye on it for about 5 mins or so until the meringue is set and lightly toasted on top.
This cake keeps well chilled. or left to stand prior to serving for the meringue to firm up.
Good times. November 6, 2008
Posted by trainersinnightclubs in Uncategorized.Tags: abibansaldesign, clothing, day out, design for mankind, fashion, feature, life, photography, vintage, wow, yay
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Hello Friends. I took a day off today and went out with my good friend Becky. here we are scouring my fave vintage emporium The Real McCoy.. This photo was taken in a mottled old mirror thus explaining the aged effect. And dont worry…. neither of us bought that dress!.
I was very flattered and surprised to find myself featured in issue five of the very Awesome Design for Mankind (At the bottom of page 28). I am always so grateful for any press or feature I recieve and so this totally made my day. Check it out its a good read!. My friends especially will be chuffed to be called professional models and I must admit Im pretty astounded that my little photos could be mistaken for such!.
Long day people. Im off for the evening.
Cheers
A xxxxx
All I have to say. November 5, 2008
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I am thrilled for those of you who were so anxious about your vote for the right man counting.
Try Try Try….. November 2, 2008
Posted by trainersinnightclubs in Uncategorized.Tags: depth of field, photography, photos, pincushion, shooting, try
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Photography. It frustrates me. I get on a roll then loose my mojo entirely and find myself turning out flat looking grainey snapshots when i KNOW i am capable of so much more.
So today I started again. I went through my manual, I googled help and tutorials and really got to know my camera again. I researched Depth of field, bokeh and Manual focussing. I was about to throw it out of the window. Then I got it. It started to work.
Had it been daytime and I had a plentiful supply of natural light I am convinced i would have something better to show for my efforts. As it is I have this which was shot in a dingy dining room with a dim lightbulb and no flash. But I got the effect. In the end.
Knit me one…. November 1, 2008
Posted by trainersinnightclubs in Uncategorized.Tags: easy, hat, knitting
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So after resolving in this space some time ago that I would attempt to make more things for myself I finally managed to FINISH A HAT with my own two hands. I am proud to announce i am now a KNITTER. Ok its not perfect but the thing is I know i can do it now and as a total NON knitter I dont think I did that badly.
I had never followed a pattern before But with the help of the knitting instructions in “making stuff- an alternative craft book” and googling the bits i wasnt sure about I found a few easy hat patterns that could be worked on straight needles.. and found they were all pretty much the same. I knew roughly what i wanted and so adapted the number of stitches to suit. Here is what i did. It took me two evenings and an afternoon but im sure it will be faster next time .
I used size 4.5 needles and DK Designer Wool (medium aran type yarn) but really who cares if this is appropriate when you are learning.
Loosely cast on 114 st.
Row 1: (k2, p2) Repeat to end
Row 2: (p2, k2) Repeat to end *
* Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until the cuff measures 2 inches
I then knit 36 rows (or there abouts as i wanted it to be a longer squishy style) in stocking stitch to form the body, then beginning on a knit row began to taper the hat top using just any basic instructions and finding a common pattern-
Beginning on a knit row, (k11, k2tog) Repeat 7 times, k to end
Next Row: Purl
Next Row: (k10, k2tog) Repeat 7 times, k to end
Next Row: Purl
Next Row: (k9, k2tog) Repeat 7 times, k to end
Next Row: Purl
Next Row: (k8, k2tog) Repeat to end
Next Row: Purl
Next 2 rows – Decorative horizontal stitching – k 2 rows in a seed stitch
Next Row: (k7, k2tog) Repeat ro end
Next Row: Purl
Next Row: (k6, k2tog) Repeat to end
Next Row: Purl
Next Row: (k5, k2tog) Repeat to endNext Row: Purl
Next Row: (k4, k2tog) Repeat to end
Next Row: Purl
Next Row: (k3, k2tog)
Next Row: Purl
Next Row: (k2tog) Repeat to end
Next Row: Purl
Next Row: (k2tog) Repeat to end
Next Row: Purl
to finish i loped the remaining yarn through the last few stitches and sewed the hat up.. voila!
Thank you for all the messages of support re my little shop. I think i will keep it open for the time being until my new job begins and see how things are then x
