Friday 23 July 2010

An anniversary

I thought I would celebrate my first day of study free time by a trip into Cambridge for a little retail therapy. The idea was to give my tired looking wardrobe a bit of a boost. After only 45 minutes I remembered why I don't do clothes shopping and don't often wear jeans... do changing rooms deliberately have lighting and mirrors designed to make one's backside look huge and lumpy... or is my backside actually huge and lumpy? Don't answer that one. So instead I fulfilled my need to spend money with some fabrics from a lovely new shop called Cally Co. I don't need the fabrics and I don't know what I will do with them but resistance was futile!

I then treated myself to the latest Rowan magazine because it is full of the most beautifully photographed knitwear that I shall only ever dream about making, but love looking at!

Having decided that was probably going to be the extent of my shopping I then ventured along to the Fitzwilliam museum where there is an exhibition of Maggi Hambling wave paintings. I am a great fan of her work, and especially love her portraits and her sculpture... one of my favourites is the scallop shell on Aldeburgh beach.

I thought these new paintings of waves were stunning and very atmospheric... all that was missing was the sound of them crashing on the shingle.

And so that's it for today... except the anniversary... it is three years today since I first dipped my toes into the world of blogging. I never imagined it would last that long... but I'm not about to stop just yet. A month or so ago I thought I would be very clever and make this three year anniversary coincide with 500 posts but I'm not quite there (this is no. 463). Then I thought it might coincide with getting 100 followers but I'm up to 94 so not quite there with that either... but hey, I'll have a little giveaway anyway.

So if you fancy winning either a little pin cushion jar or a fabric corsage all you have to do is leave a comment on this post... nothing more... except perhaps tell me which one you would prefer and what colour you would like. I will draw three winners... one in a weeks time (Friday 30th July) to celebrate three years of blogging, one when I reach 100 followers so who knows when that will be... and the last one when I reach 500 posts... which could be quite a while yet!

Look forward to hearing from you!

68 comments:

  1. What super treats Gina! and Congrats on the blogging milestones.

    The Maggie Hambling show is on my 'to do' list - now I know I have to see it. The knitting book looks tempting too!

    Celia
    x

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  2. Three years? Goodness, congratulations! Thanks to you for being one of the two blogs that inspired me to start. (Of course Celia above me there was the other)

    I'd love a corsage if I were drawn out of the hat, and maybe one like the mid blue on the left there.

    BTW our sums didn't add up the other day and I'd like some more hair bobbles for MissP1 if that's OK so I'll send you some paypal pennies x

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  3. And to think after 3 years you are still blogging. How wonderful - Congratulations. If you pick me as a winner I would dearly love a blue or turquoise fabric corsage. That way, when I wear it, I could tell people who admired it, who made it.

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  4. well gina - i would love to win one of your pin cushions - fell in love with them when you first posted them.
    and congratulations on your anniversary!

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  5. I would have loved to see the Maggi Hamblings........ you see, she was the subject of one of MY essays a few years ago.........

    And that Rowan Catalogue.... Oh my, just the cover is so wantable.

    I would love one of your pin cushions...... any colour. Congrats on three years! :O)

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  6. Now, that's my kind of shopping. It always happens to me too -- I go out for clothing and come home with fabric. Yipee!!!

    Happy Blogiversary!!! It was fun to read your comments about it not lasting -- I always think the same thing too. Do you ever wonder how you'll ever be able to stop?

    Lovely giveaways! I think I would use the pincushion more than the beautiful little brooch!

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  7. I,ve not been with you for all three blogging years but since finding you have loved watching what you have done.
    Can't decide which prize I would like most so if I'm lucky I'll have a surprise

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  8. I am with you on the clothes shopping front - a sure way to make yourself feel bad!!!!

    Congrats on 3 years - and i would love a pincushion jar!

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  9. One milestone met and hopefully another two soon. Should my name be chosen to win something, I would love a pink/white pin cushion. love the name of the new shop too!

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  10. Congratulations on the milestones. If I'm lucky enough to be picked I really wouldn't mind either, I'd appreciate which ever one you chose.

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  11. Fabric shopping ALWAYS beats clothes shopping! Congratulations on your blogiversary!

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  12. Hi Gina I wish you many more blogging anniversaries. You are an inspiration to us mere mortals.

    If I were to win, I would love a turquoise or fuchsia pink corsage.

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  13. I hope I follow your lead and blog as at least as long as you! I love the purple/blue corsage :)

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  14. Congrats on 3 years, and commiserations on the lumpy bot. Mine's more squishy than lumpy but you can't have everything ;-)

    I'm glad you got to CallyCo but my goodness, isn't it dangerous? I managed to get in and out without a purchase yesterday but it took HUGE willpower. I was hugely inspired by the mad yoyo cushion in the window ...

    I have a little jar or two for you. I would love to win a pincushion, or a brooch - argh, can't decide!

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  15. oh!! I would love a jar!! pretty please and great fabric! congrats on 3 years too.

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  16. oh!! I would love a jar!! pretty please and great fabric! congrats on 3 years too.

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  17. I have only just started to follow your wonderful blog,and now a chance to win a giveaway! Its years since I've been to Cambridge... I would love to go to Kettles yard again. I do need a pincushion! I would love to win one of yours, it would be so special.Congratulations on your anniversary.

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  18. What a great way to spend your money - those fabrics are so pretty and you are bound to do something lovely with them. The Rowan knits will be great too. Much better than buying clothes, which when you get them home never seem to be as nice as you thought they were. I love that shell sculpture too. Congrats on your bloggyversary - when it gets here. I love the little pin cushions and the fabric corsages so would be happy to win any one of either.

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  19. I think they must have the same sort of mirrors Down Under - hate shopping for clothes, but would love to be in the running for a blue pincushion....Congratulations on your third anniversary, and good luck for the next ones too.

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  20. Either would be lovely so stick my name in the hat and you decide if I get pulled out.

    And the mirrors in changing rooms are dangerously inaccurate, pay no attention!!

    I must ramble more than you as have bypassed 500 in only two and a half years! Stop talking woman!!

    xxx

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  21. Happy Anniversary Gina! LOVE that fabric! xx

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  22. Congratulations on your blog anniversary. The exhibition sounds wonderful, love that incredible wave.
    I dont usually win anything but in the mad off chance I do I just love those pin cushions.

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  23. I would love a corsage, something greenish.
    Congratulations on 3 years blogging. May I last that long!

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  24. Happy Anniversary to you, Gina! Is it not odd to realize how quickly the months and postings roll past? It has been delightful to visit here and see your creativity.

    Lucky you to be able to get over to Cambridge. (I write this knowing that there will be others who'd love to be able to be in NYC daily, as I am.)


    That new Rowan knitting magazine does look like a winner. I have many from way back when, and still love to consult them. Like the look of the fair isle on the cover of the latest mag.

    Best wishes!

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  25. It was when I did a course with you, and you encouraged me to start blogging. I have made so many friends, thank you.
    If I should be lucky enough to have my name picked, I would love a blue corsage.

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  26. Happy 3 years blogging both the pin cushion and the corsage are lovely. Would be proud to own either

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  27. I'd be happy with anything I won Gina. I have giveaways too.

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  28. Time flies when you are having fun.!
    Seriously cannot believe it is 3 years. I really don't know how you do it - sew study bake garden teach
    blog. Go Gina , well done.

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  29. Congratulations on three years and it was good to see you last week, your work was so good, impressed the younger generation too. You are not the first to say how good the Maggie Hambling exhibition, I really must get over there.

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  30. Always at the top of my "fave blogs" list, and what a lovely surprise - I've just realised I haven't yet read through all your archive, so there's a treat in store tonight! If I won, I would love a pincushion, looks just the thing for taking to workshops etc.

    PS If you would like to re-consider moving to Scotland any time ....!

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  31. Yes please Gina. A blue corsage would be my choice. They are beautiful.

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  32. More congratulations--this time on your blogging anniversary!

    I just love the mint Amy Butler fabric--definitely my favorite from the Love line.

    And you already know how much I love the jar pincushions :)

    K x

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  33. I hate clothes shopping but I love my next book.
    Please enter me into your giveaway I would like a pincushioon if I am lucky enough to win.

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  34. Congratulations on your anniversary.
    I love the pincushions. Should I win, any colour would great, but purple is my favourite. It would have pride of place in my shop!

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  35. Congratulations! Your persistence is to be admired - as are those scallop shells. Beautiful.

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  36. Congratulations on 3 years Gina! I think I've probably done that too but I've lost count! Lucy xxxx

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  37. Hi only me again :-) Yes please enter me into your giveaway.

    oooh Cambridge is lovely for all those arty shops isn't it but I know what you mean about clothes shopping. I blogged about Callyco a while back, isn't it gorgeous, had to buy something there myself.

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  38. Ihave been journaling/blogging for nearl five years now and have done 531 posts ,so you could easily overtake me ,If I won ,I would like a green corsage ..love Jan xx

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  39. I just found your blog, added myself as a follower so you're a little closer to 100! Congratulations on blogging for so long, I had a little look back through your blog, you've made some lovely things!

    Love your corsages and pin cushions!

    J x

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  40. Aren't those waves amazing- I can smell them! Well done on your third birthday- brilliant! xx

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  41. well done for 3 years blogging. Would love to win either of your giveaways

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  42. please enter me in the Giveaway - i too love Maggi hamblings sea paintings - I fell in love with one when we were in St Ives but needless to say it was well out of our range - i love the fact too that she says she is early middle age and she was born 3 years before me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  43. Three years already!! Where did the time go? That'll be you and me both then :) Well done on staying the course. I would love to be included in your giveaway. xx

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  44. I am just glad that you are here - three years of inspiration and friendship - thank you.

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  45. well done on 3 years of blogging, I love your blog and think i have been reading it for the full 3 years. I would love to be included in your draw. Thanks :)

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  46. well done on 3 years of blogging! I would love the chance to win one of your brooches or a pin cushion, I'm not fussy both are totally fabulous and I would be happy to win either. I wish all the best of luck to everyone in the draw.

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  47. Congratulations on 3 years of blogging! I would love to be included in your next draw please!

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  48. Can't believe that I haven't been an official follower of yours even though I regularly read your blog.

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  49. Better late than never!

    Many congratulations - they are some great milestones.

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  50. Huge congratulations! A little birdie told me where you get your jam jars...I have collected them from the same place myself over the years, but never ever thought to make beautiful embroidered hats for them!

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  51. Well, I really love the fabric corsage but I wouldn't turn down the pincushion. Both are lovely but I do sort of like the flower more. Sort of....

    :-)))
    ginab6 at yahoo dot com

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  52. A belated congrats, Gina! I have a lot of posts to catch up on here...

    I think a pincushion jar would be just lovely!

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  53. Three years? I can't believe I've been reading and enjoying your blog for that long.

    I adore Maggi Hambling's work too and wish I could get to see her exhibition.

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  54. Congratulations on your three year blog anniversary.
    I would love to visit the Fitzwilliam Museum, which I have not managed to do yet, and also to see Maggie Hambling's work which I really like.
    If I win a giveaway I would love to receive a pincushion as I don't think you can ever have too many!

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  55. I knew there was a reason I didn't win to start with - I'd forgotten to follow so here I now am in with another chance I hope. Loving the pin jar - how clever are you?

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  56. I've been reading your blog for a while and recently became a follower!
    I'm really enjoying your sketchbook posts
    Gill

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  57. I love Maggie Hambling's work too. If I were to win I'd love a pin cushion as I'm ashamed to say I don't own one!

    Su

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  58. I just stumbled upon your Blog, a link from SHARNE GREGORY's blog. Congratulations on sticking with it and for insights into the worlds of textile art and sewing.

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  59. I do enjoy reading your blog! Congratulations on so many enthusiastic and inspiring posts

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  60. I love reading your blog! Congratulations on your diligence with it!

    Oh man, I would love one of your pincushions or brooches. They are so awesome :) Thanks for the chance to win!!

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  61. They're so pretty. I've never owned a pincushion!

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  62. The Rowan book is sumptious and tempting but too many UFO's to finish. Almost hitting the 500 wow.
    Kim

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  63. I love the Rowan books but have resisted the temptation to buy.Too much corse work to do, BTW thanks for the sketchbook posts a real inspiration

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  64. My first comment! I wanted to get in before you reach the big 500. If I'm lucky, I'd love to own one of the pincushions. Really glad I joined your blog as a follower, when you started the sketchbook project in the summer, it was so great.

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  65. Congratulations Gina! Would love to join your generous giveaway. Just love your little jars. :)
    Vivienne x

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  66. Lots of milestones Gina! I've really enjoyed getting to know you through your blog. And reading yours makes me realise that I must get back to blogging - I'm missing it...

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  67. Congratulations on your bloganniversary. cally co looks great, I never can resist fabric shops! I would love to win a corsage perhaps a purple/blue one but any colour would be lovely. fingers crossed. :-) Jane x

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