Didn’t do as well as I’d hoped on my plans for last week -

11 – Dresser Chair. Started. Looked online but there are loads of places, so I’d be there forever.  Guess I’ll just ask next time I’m passing the bar/restaurant where I saw the one I like.

26 – Freezer Contents/Meal Plan. Started. Had some freezer meals, but more takeaways than we should – fairly rubbish week workwise. There’s still plenty in the freezer, and M made a huge pot of bean chilli this week, so it’ll keep us going for a while longer.

31 – Old Fridge Freezer. Didn’t get around to calling the Resettlement Agency.  Must call this week – really want it out of the way so I can put other stuff in it’s place before Christmas.

43 – Bake Cake/Biscuits. Struggling to find nice Christmas cookie cutters .  Maybe I should try Sainsburys, where I got the Hallowe’en ones from.

76 – Bookswapping. Thought about it, that’s all.  Must try and clear some book space before Christmas.

80 – Personal. Started. Made the phonecall I needed to. Appointment on Tuesday, and that should be it

88 – Take Supplements. Started. It helps if your supplements carry box is full, Clair.

OK, so what elese have I made a start on?

7 – Rug. Started. Had a look in TJ Hughes today, but they didn’t have one I liked in my price range.  Will try a local carpet store next weekend.  Another thing I want to do before Christmas – kneeling on the laminate floor to wrap presents is rubbish

20 – Sign up for all the Barclays Premier Account Rewards.  Started. Registered for Lifestyle Management and made first use of the service.  Still need to sign up for gadget insurance and will writing.

30 – Set up Christmas and birthdays savings account.  Started. Calculated how much the monthly Standing Order will need to be – quite a lot!  Oh well, it’ll be worth it to know that Christmas costs are taken care of each year.  Now I just need to convince M to come to the banks with me and set it up – it’ll be a joint account, and the SO will come from a joint account too.

70 – Organise a Christmas meal for all our friends.  Started. I have a lost of participants and have narrowed it down to a couple of dates.  Just need to email people to choose a date and pick a restaurant – probably the one with the chair I want for my dresser.  (Of the other places I’d choose to go, one we went to with friends last weekend and the other two I’m going to for work-related Christmas meals.)

So, this week I need to keep using up the freezer contents, call the Resettlement Agency, keep looking for Christmas cookie cutters, do my list for bookswapping, go to my appointment, fill up my supplements box and take them with my morning cuppa, keep looking for a rug, arrange with M when we’re going to the banks, and finalise the Christmas meal.

I’ve got quite a lot on at work so I might struggle to find time or even just remember to do things, but none of this is difficult so I must try my best.  I’m a great one for starting things but not finishing them – hopefully this project will help me to see things through.

Baby Blanket, Play Rug or Lapghan

Newest release from Cranberry Ocean Knits:

This versatile little blanket can be used as a Baby Blanket, a Play Rug or a Lap-ghan — or adapt the pattern to make a full size afghan.

Adult Hat

Bonus: a hat pattern included sized from infant to adult!

Child's Hat

Pdf downloadable pattern available through Ravelry for $3.95USD

See the Pattern Page for full details.

Traditional rugs would go a long way if handled and stored properly with care, vacuum cleaner, . Here are a few tips that would help you in stretching the life of that favorite traditional rug. Do not fold traditional rugs, instead roll them when you want to stow them away for some time. Rolling prevents stretching or cracking thus providing a long life to fragile fabric of traditional rugs. Wrapping on plastic may cause, vacuum cleaner, mildew to traditional rugs, this will eventually damage the rug. You can wrap your traditional rugs in a heavy paper that should be free from acid, cloth or you could wrap it on a sheet.

Tightening with rubber bands should be avoided after rolling your rug. Don’t place your traditional rugs near high temperature zones. Keep, vacuum cleaner, traditional rugs away from direct, vacuum cleaner, sun because ultra violet rays may fade or damage them, if kept exposed to it for a long time. Keep your traditional rugs away from the areas of heavy traffic to prevent strain and soil. A thin pad should be kept under your traditional rugs to increase its life.

The pad used for keeping under the traditional rugs must be cut half inch shorter than the edges of traditional rugs. These pads help absorb the moisture. You can purchase these pads from your supplier; opt for synthetic, vacuum cleaner, pads, vacuum cleaner, . Avoid using latex paintings on the backside, vacuum cleaner, of an heirloom rug or a traditional rug. Due to the latex, traditional rugs may get hard and cracks may develop. These cracks will damage your traditional rugs. If museum quality traditional rugs come in contact with latex then the life a traditional is cut short.

Due to variation in temperature and humidity, fiber of traditional rugs may swell or shrink. While hanging your traditional rugs avoid stretching. Nailing, stapling or gluing on a frame or board, vacuum cleaner, is not to be allowed. Don’t keep your traditional rugs near plastic or glass as condensation on these surfaces will cause mildew, vacuum cleaner, and this will ultimately damage your rug. For matting, use mats that are free from acid.

For padding use acid free batting covers on mounting boards, if you have a wooden frame it must be Mylar covered. Mylar is one type of natural plastic. While you hang your traditional rugs on a wall, the weight of your traditional, vacuum cleaner, rugs must be equally distributed to prevent straining and avoid sag on the back. To avoid unwanted stretching on, vacuum cleaner, your traditional rugs of small size, stitch rug tape or fabric cuff on the edges of your traditional rugs and you could make use of a drapery or dowel rod for slipping through its sleeve. For attaching your traditional rugs on wall drapery fasteners like bend nails or cup hooks must be attached on the rod of the sleeve. Rug hangers or hard wood quilt can also be used for same purpose. A full lining to support the weight of large traditional, vacuum cleaner, rugs is required.

Beating or shaking a rug causes strains on the backing of a traditional, vacuum cleaner, rug. If your traditional rug is old then it can disintegrated into parts. During foggy days or on damp days allow your traditional rugs to come into contact with natural air from outside, this will make your traditional rugs soft and cracks will not formed in the backing of your traditional rugs. Clothesline hanging should, vacuum cleaner, be avoided. Lay your rug flat and turn it occasionally. Grit and sand must be cleaned with vacuum cleaner regularly. Prevent your traditional rugs for getting dry.

Do not let stains, vacuum cleaner, form on your traditional rug. Try to remove them immediately. However do not make use of a washing, vacuum cleaner, machine for this purpose. Traditional rugs, vacuum cleaner, can be washed gently with mild detergent and cold water. Harsh detergents may damage to your traditional rugs, avoid using harsh detergent. Do not dry clean your traditional rug. Your traditional rugs must not be immersed. For cleaning and storing your traditional rug, you could take the advice of an expert.

Eric has a comfort-blanket.  It’s a sheepskin that my other half accidentally ruined in the washing machine, and he adores it.

Decisions decisions.

Should I get it?
Do I have room in my closet for another more-than-the-usual coat?
I did get the faux fur coat already, so…

(My dad said this resembles the furry rug in my room. Many thanks.)

]]> http://ornamentalelements.com/2009/11/25/banglesbanglesbangles-2/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:00:34 +0000 laurie http://ornamentalelements.com/2009/11/25/banglesbanglesbangles-2/

Your muse will go into overdrive when you scroll through the bangles on the Henri Bendel site. The featured bangles are the Henri Bendel Landmark bangle and a Swarovski and Leather bangle. Love the interior of this bangle.

Safe travels to everyone on the road and in the sky this week.

Rugs aren’t as cheap as you assume they should be.

especialy since it seems that you can pick up a small one for about 5 bucks, but a larger one goes into the $100’s.

Luckly some craft genius put two and two together and made one of her own. Although this is a stealable idea, her makeshift rug looks like a few well sewn place mats.

Remember back in July, when my husband and I were on the hunt for a new rug for the living room? (No? Check out the post here.) Well, I thought you’d be interested to see what we ended up with. Drum roll please….

Wait for it…

Ta-da!

What do you think? (-Moe)

I lurve this rug! I know we’re all kinda over zebra print, but I like how it’s interwoven with the groovy hearts. And it’s designed for teens, so the price is right! (-Moe)

Love Safari rug from Kathy Ireland Home Young Attitudes collection, $289 for 5′5″x7′9″, Shaw.

COPYRIGHT BABETTE DE JONG

He tried to steal my picknic basket.. Once.

kitteh awlwayz layz down teh law wif teh bearz.

Picture by: Meghan Caption by: Tarantino via Advanced Lol Builder

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My current rug in the kitchen was made of old bed sheet. I used to cut the cloth in thin strips and then by three of the strips I made plait of the cloth. At last I used to sew the plaits to get the desired rug.

The problem with this technique is that as the rug becomes old the stitches break and I have to restitch it. And yes, it is messy and tiring. So this time I chose to crochet the strips instead of sewing. It was really a good decision. The rug came out is good looking and symmetric.

I used some of old baby clothes and an old t-shirt for this. It is really simple. just use strips of clothes as the yarn to crochet.

T-yarn means yarn made of t-shirt.

Some new workshops for 2010 are being uploaded to the site today, with photos from the artists teaching soon to be uploaded! They are:

Saturday 16^th January 10am – 1pm

DOUBLE STRAND WIREWORK JEWELLERY with Wendy Ellis

Total cost: £30 including materials

You will make: A bracelet and matching choker style necklace with wire and swarovski crystals

Booking: up to 7 persons

You will learn: basic wirework, using jewellery tools

Sunday 17^th January 10am – 4pm (lunch included)

RAG RUGS with Julia Dicks

Total cost: £50 including materials

You will make: A thick rug from fabric scraps, may need to be completed at home depending on progress.

Booking: up to 7 persons

You will learn: Latchwork technique

Saturday 23^th January 1pm – 4pm

LEARN TO CROCHET with Rebecca Miles

Total cost: £30 including materials

You will make: A flower and a “granny square”.

Booking: up to 7 persons

You will learn: Crocheting, starting and finishing.

Saturday 8^th February 10am – 4pm (lunch included)

FELT MAKING with Helen Lamont

Total cost: £50 including materials

You will make: A piece of textile art

Booking: up to 7 persons

You will learn: Wet felting process.

Saturday 13^th February 1pm-3pm and Saturday 20^th February 2009 1pm-3.40pm (2 days)

RESIN JEWELLERY FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS with Kerry Wilkinson

Total cost: £60 including materials and vapour mask

You will make: a swirled dye bangle and two embedded fabric pendants

Booking: 6 persons

You can bring your own fabric for making the pendant if you wish, though material will be available.

You will learn: Safety information, handling and mixing resin, embedding techniques, sanding and polishing and basic jewellery making skills.

I suppose that is why it’s called a work in progress!

I’ve started to sew the pieces together – and so it’s probably about a third of the way to completion.  I’ll work on finishing it off this week, as Marj’s birthday is only a week away now. I’ve found it a little difficult to line everything up, and I’m a bit concerned that the next lot of circles won’t fit evenly around. I’ve laid it all out on the floor, and it looks ok, but only time will tell! Then I’ve got the last lot of circles to attach {the smallest ones – motif D} then all I need to attach are the tassles. I must remember to photograph them next time.

BSA, het “Bindend Studie Advies”, is de voorbije weken een hot topic geweest in de universiteitskrant en op de campus en zal ook niet direct in de archieven van het nieuws verdwijnen. Het gaat om een criterium dat de universiteit van Groningen vanaf 2010 wil invoeren voor eerstejaarsstudenten. Om te mogen overgaan naar het tweede jaar aan de universiteit zou je vanaf dan verplicht zijn om in je eerste jaar tenminste 40 studiepunten te halen.Verder moet je ook alle vakken van je eerste jaar afleggen binnen twee jaar. Elke student die niet voldoet aan deze voorwaarden, wordt verzocht de richting te verlaten. Alle studiepunten tot dan toe verdiend, komen bovendien te vervallen.

Het zal u niet verwonderen dat hier vanuit de studenten(vereningen) enorm veel protest op komt. Zij zijn van mening dat een dergelijke druk op de studenten ervoor zal zorgen dat het Groningse studentenleven en de bijhorende organisaties en vereningen op de achtergrond zullen komen te staan. Ook verwachten ze dat studenten, in plaats te streven naar de afwerking van een volledig jaar, enkel zullen streven naar het halen van de norm. In plaats van een beter studieklimaat te creëren, stelt de universiteit grenzen in. Dit op zijn beurt doet dan weer afbreuk aan het concept van “eigen verantwoordelijkheid” verbonden aan een universitaire opleiding.

Een ander “tegen”- argument is het feit dat veel eerstejaarsstudenten nog niet helemaal zeker zijn van waar ze met hun leven naar toe willen. Ze vertrekken uit het secundair onderwijs, waar zelfstandigheid nog veel te weinig op het leerplan staat, en komen terecht in een totaal nieuwe situatie. Nieuwe vriendenkring, op kot wonen, niet-verplichte lessen,… Het is een moment waarop de student kennis maakt met heel veel verantwoordelijkheid en in staat moet zijn zijn eigen keuzes te maken. Voor velen is dit echter nog een stap te ver. Om dan van deze studenten te eisen om minstens 40 studiepunten te halen, vergroot de druk nog meer. Velen zullen zich laten afschrikken door een universitaire opleiding en op veilig spelen, waardoor de RUG potentieel goede studenten misloopt.

Uiteraard zijn er ook voorstanders. Volgens hen zal het BSA studenten stimuleren en motiveren om harder te studeren, wat leidt tot een verhoging van de studierendementen. Bovendien zal het studietempo uit het eerste jaar gehandhaafd blijven in hogere jaren (dit blijkt het geval te zijn in andere universiteiten). Studenten zullen sneller uit een opleiding vallen in plaats van pas na enkele jaren op te geven. Het BSA creëert een beter klimaat voor studenten en docenten. De ongemotiveerde en ongeïnteresseerde studenten vallen weg, groepswerken hebben geen last meer van “meelifters” en het college is geen “bijpraatuurtje” meer. Het totaal aantal studenten zal dus dalen, wat een oplossing aanreikt voor de capaciteitsproblemen.

Mijn mening doet er niet echt toe. Drie maanden van hier bevind ik me weer in Gent. Waar ik me wel aan stoor en samen met mij de voor-én tegenstanders, is het gebrek aan overleg met de studenten. Dergelijke maatregel verdient een overleg met diegenen die de gevolgen ervan zullen dragen, positief of negatief. Allerhande petities en stembussen passeren voor mijn neus. Het blad met de vraag naar overleg zal ik met veel plezier tekenen.

I’m on the hunt for a cowhide…and a coffee table, but who’s counting. I’ve got a dude on eBay already scoped out. Peep more amazing rooms con vacas after the jump:

Here’s what I’m thinking

P.S. we got some pretty sweet couches two weeks ago. I haven’t been around in the daylight to take photos of them =(

We are happy to show you our latest design made by Clayides. You may have seen the Dahlia pattern before. It is simular pattern which you will find in a lot of flowers and traditional carpets.

With a background in traditional floor ornaments, Claydies has used geometry and reflections to interpret rugs in a new way. Using the motive of the Dahlia flower, hence the name of the rug.

Tine explains “We got hold of Karen’s old compass and a bunch of coloured pencils and played around with simple geometric forms and reflections. In this way the motif of the Dahlia was created and we believe that the rug has now achieved both a classic royal and a modern funky appearance”.

The Dahlia rug is both decorative and will bring some colour into your home.

The Dahlia rug is part of the New Danish Modern collection – all Danish designers and all produced in Denmark.

Other products designed by Claydies:

Blueclay bowl

Grass vase

True feelings