tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56676469954526385472024-03-17T15:48:07.437+01:00Laura in LombardyMusings, crochet, and poetry collated while living, learning and teaching in LombardyLaura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.comBlogger308125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-72424838098762789452024-03-17T15:33:00.054+01:002024-03-17T15:47:19.330+01:00Cover it up!<p><i>My latest project is almost done!</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeag2QTxUw61NoSd4LS0noVUWYjja7xNjF3KogaWCi7uTa-JLoG4mPBd60Rj0rg5XWT3e1sYPO0iE4g4FqXuC7nudz0U2QxnaNmdGyyIoS92c2EZd7WfLUIxmchxkJmCVPJJGb4b6r2AKvmxXMVK1P9sMGQsXULN4O7S87ryOgrndx_M7j58ZpJxbcGtdw/s4080/IMG_20240227_115841119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeag2QTxUw61NoSd4LS0noVUWYjja7xNjF3KogaWCi7uTa-JLoG4mPBd60Rj0rg5XWT3e1sYPO0iE4g4FqXuC7nudz0U2QxnaNmdGyyIoS92c2EZd7WfLUIxmchxkJmCVPJJGb4b6r2AKvmxXMVK1P9sMGQsXULN4O7S87ryOgrndx_M7j58ZpJxbcGtdw/w242-h320/IMG_20240227_115841119.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>A set of chairs were included in our kitchen furniture when we bought the house. I managed to find some circular cushions when we initially moved in to make them a bit padded. There had been limited options as it turns out the expectation is you have square chairs that need square cushions!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ge8AEe4GosEYZ69AAOT0rMgWXulDtX4KnqXEfzBVqozBU_Lshs1NQNYjUmo8S6vnSYIzyJRhypEDpNe964KRKN_T_BS7gSj0syQq8SC-iCK0_hfBDcy816YgGz6OPsjFCZpkHimyYcyFK2Fx4s7M-9UBndcsQpvrx5Oy0g6uNGDLugUD7dk4jK8amEN2/s4080/IMG_20240227_115851443.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ge8AEe4GosEYZ69AAOT0rMgWXulDtX4KnqXEfzBVqozBU_Lshs1NQNYjUmo8S6vnSYIzyJRhypEDpNe964KRKN_T_BS7gSj0syQq8SC-iCK0_hfBDcy816YgGz6OPsjFCZpkHimyYcyFK2Fx4s7M-9UBndcsQpvrx5Oy0g6uNGDLugUD7dk4jK8amEN2/s320/IMG_20240227_115851443.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>After a while their tags got loose and they kept sliding around. Cue upgrade with elastic to loop around the chair backs. Lately that too had lost it's oomph so the next step was to crochet!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1m6yfou-FXLFVKdfXOAxaZM1MVnHqg0ojrKhIQ93PmKK_Z_P1UaO3tnsdiulrTVafV45Q_crDjovZ-Nzq8ghj6vdx3JupZotQUV09K_wwD4ExQdmZI0FyisHBZ3U6n3ViXfrU_mwRhBNYanpAd27VDoC9i0LIqqwzyyfiSaCUWtiou5KIN6c2ZbkPcpl/s320/IMG_20240227_115914320.jpg" width="241" /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://hearthookhome.com/stool-cover-crochet-pattern/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">The pattern I used is here</a><span style="text-align: left;">, </span><span style="text-align: left;">I just added more increasing rounds until I was counting ten half-double crochets between the increase. I am pleased with the effect, but didn't factor crumbs falling into the gaps as I used a lighter weight yarn than the pattern. Thankfully they are only tied on so once in a while they can be removed, shaken, and put back into place.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEIBum0zFuqN4IZkDA3aRresuaV4Uj87iyB3jIPGgTq-HPYBw7EWsOnfLsDdG1aRJOpQ1OrXJ_rvqouPdbYfZkBQ9_w_lhP7ITb6ST2nAZxWTywAuvcpDfE4hEakFRRVEc1BmIHA1Pl3QdBoq-NWy4ntbhKcr64omaIcJjA4ZjeIINx3sh6zRygRrWZzu/s4006/IMG_20240227_100201823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4006" data-original-width="3016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEIBum0zFuqN4IZkDA3aRresuaV4Uj87iyB3jIPGgTq-HPYBw7EWsOnfLsDdG1aRJOpQ1OrXJ_rvqouPdbYfZkBQ9_w_lhP7ITb6ST2nAZxWTywAuvcpDfE4hEakFRRVEc1BmIHA1Pl3QdBoq-NWy4ntbhKcr64omaIcJjA4ZjeIINx3sh6zRygRrWZzu/s320/IMG_20240227_100201823.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div></div><p></p>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-457629880722327632024-02-08T14:25:00.002+01:002024-02-08T14:44:37.194+01:00Learning<div><i>One module I studied for my <a href="http://laurainlombardy.blogspot.com/2015/03/look-what-i-received.html?m=1">Masters in Education</a> was world-view-changing, and shifted my perspective on all levels. This poem is inspired by my reflections on a sociocultural theory of learning.</i></div><div><br></div><div><u>Learning</u></div><div>Growing, budding, blooming.</div><div>Evolving, changing, moving.</div><div>Sideways, forwards, backwards.</div><div>Up, down, mixed.</div><div><br></div><div>Mind, brain, matter.</div><div>Neuron, spark, engaged.</div><div>Follow same path?</div><div>Choose another way?</div><div><br></div><div>Closed, open, curious.</div><div>Listen, hear, pause.</div><div>Think, mention, ask.</div><div>Talk, argue, flaws.</div><div><br></div><div>Virtual, person, book.</div><div>Over time change?</div><div>Image, word, voice.</div><div>Stay the same?</div><div><br></div><div>List, circle, note.</div><div>Copy, repeat, rote.</div><div>Coach, mentor, guide.</div><div>Me, you, side.</div><div><br></div><div>Judge, examine, critique.</div><div>Smart, clever, seek.</div><div>Fast, average, slow?</div><div>High, middle, low?</div><div><br></div><div>Participation.</div><div><br></div><div>Reification.</div><div><br></div><div>Living.</div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-5524684240724672882024-01-21T10:05:00.001+01:002024-01-26T22:29:08.702+01:00Granny Squares<div><i>How much wool could a wool dog block if a wool dog could block wool?</i></div><div><br /></div><div>For Christmas I asked for a blocking board: a piece of wood with holes that you push long pins into to fix things in place. It reminds me of elastic band <a href="https://apps.mathlearningcenter.org/geoboard/">Geoboards</a> that I used to play with at school, and have used with various classes in my career. The board I have just has 1cm spaces, but you can get boards of various sizes with smaller or larger spaces.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I have started my 2024 granny square project I have three granny squares on the block already. It means that when I come to joining them together they have all been blocked to the same size. I have no idea how I will join them, or indeed what I will make, but at least the board means they will all stay in the same place until I know!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br /></div><div>I fear I may be getting addicted to granny squares, such versatility. Check out <a href="https://youtu.be/QPpWVc2MuEM?si=9VBQgRW0DBLQTsjP">this cute heart </a>using two colours and the classic granny square pattern, perfect for Valentine's!</div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-60700562885878238512024-01-15T21:50:00.002+01:002024-01-26T22:34:05.220+01:00Presenting my pen and notebook<i>I have started the Carol Ann Duffy BBC Maestro course.</i><div><br></div><div>My GCSE Literacy anthology had orange on its cover. I also remember there being a poem by Carol Ann Duffy in it, I can't remember which one, but I do remember my favourite English teacher talking about Duffy while walking around. We didn't have another teacher as good as her again. Nor did we have one as crazy as her predecessor: she had only taught us about journalistic writing for the term she was with us, with her blood shot eyes, puffed up hair, and thick Irish accent.</div><div><br></div><div>Although I have only watched the first 3-minute video of Duffy's course, I feel like it is going to take me on a journey. Just her last words gave me an eager spark to pad around my house in search of the perfect items: '...the only thing you really need is a good pen and a new notebook.'.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>I had forgotten about this red notebook, it was brand new, I had to unwrap its cellophane. The pen was in H's 2022 Christmas stocking but I found it in the pen pot in the kitchen so assume he won't mind me using it! It's just the right thickness to sit in my hand without needing to grip it tightly.</div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-52306641963565058492024-01-08T21:05:00.001+01:002024-01-08T21:05:33.957+01:00Resolutions 2024<i>It's been a while since I set resolutions!</i><div><br></div><div>I have preferred to use a <a href="https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/podcast/detail/Part-9-%7C-Develop-a-Rule-of-Life-%7C-Emotionally-Healthy-Spirituality-Series/">Rule of Life</a>, rather than resolutions over the last few years. I have 12 rules: four categories with three rules each which I have developed over many years since reading <a href="https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/product/emotionally-healthy-spirituality-update-revised-edition/">Emotionally Healthy Spirituality</a>. While reviewing my rules, which I tend to do every six months or so, I decided to make three of the rules resolutions for 2024.</div><div><br></div><div><div>Rule 1. Prayer: Scripture</div><div><u>Prioritise daily Bible time</u></div><div>I feel I need to prioritise reading scripture daily again so I am committing to a Bible in a year plan: <a href="https://www.thebiblerecap.com/">The Bible Recap</a>. I am 100% certain it will take me longer than a year as I will miss days here and there, but that doesn't matter. It's the habit of prioritising Bible time that I need to address.</div></div><div><br></div><div>Rule 7. Rest: Play and Recreation</div><div><u>Crochet!</u></div><div>I felt the need to have a specific crochet project linked to 2024 so after an internet search using the words '2024 crochet project', I found this <a href="https://youtu.be/_VQOxh-6M0Y?si=fnA4LH9rpo1Y89io">granny square blanket</a>. Two granny square patterns a month with instructions to put them together on 31st December 2024. Perfect!</div><div><br></div><div>Rule 4. Work/Activity: Study</div><div><u>Complete Carol Ann Duffy's BBC Maestro course</u></div><div>A few months ago I discovered <a href="https://www.bbcmaestro.com/courses">BBC Maestro</a>: online courses by experts to explore various creative fields. Back then I bookmarked one by Carol Ann Duffy, and after chatting with a friend about their writing project, and what helped them, I was reminded about the course. There are 24 short videos with accompanying activities that build towards writing your own collection of poems.</div><div><br></div><div>My hope is that, by focusing on these three resolutions, I can instill a daily peace (Bible reading), have a mindful outlet (crochet) and explore something I enjoy (poetry). Here's to 2024!</div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-27958999007574713322023-12-29T13:36:00.000+01:002023-12-30T00:45:26.734+01:00Christmas<i>I think Christmas brings such hope and joy during the darkest time of year. Although it isn't my favourite part of the church calendar it is always nice to see people rocking up to church to mark the occasion, filling church buildings more than an average Sunday. Here are a few words I have collated inspired by the <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christingle">Christingle</a> service I attended this year.</i><div><br></div><div><u>Christingle</u></div><div>A worldly orange with a red ribbon rolled around it.</div><div>Four seasoned Gospel sticks, once skewered with fruit and candy,</div><div>are poked and pushed through the peel.</div><div>Juice rolls down onto the holder's hands, sticky and warm, as the candle flame flickers.</div><div>I catch a haunted glimpse of Jesus' blood running down his speared side,</div><div>but it is not the time to mention this to the innocent babe in the manager and the eager, anticipating eyes, that wait for His birth.</div><div>Now is the time to welcome;</div><div>to open my arms in warmth to greet Him;</div><div>to set my heart before Him, my gift, before He gifts his life for me, in mourning just months away.</div><div>An infinite sacrifice: me to Him, Him to me, repeat.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-43474436670637369512023-12-03T14:54:00.000+01:002023-12-06T14:58:02.167+01:00Starting Small<i>Huma Qureshi is an author I have recently discovered. In her latest '<a href="https://www.humaqureshi.co.uk/dearhuma">Dear Huma' letter</a> she reminded me of the importance of starting small, and nudged me to write this post.</i><div><br></div><div>Anything I start, whether it is crochet or a blog post, starts small, often with a nudge. The latest crochet project I have completed started with a nudge from my husband and used my knowledge of crochet. I am very proud of the outcome.</div><div><br></div><div>Ever since we were given matching, yet different, bedside table lamps, my husband has used his covered as it was too bright. As they were also aging, the glue on the trim was coming off and looked tatty. We decided they needed a makeover.</div><div><br></div><div>H had some stones in his craft collection and revamped the base of his lamp. I took that as the nudge I needed to do the shade. I had bought some new trim years back when we acquired the lamps but now I thought the whole shade needed a revamp. We decided crocheting over the existing material with a thin cotton was the way to go.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>I started by attaching the thread to the rims by slip stitch, then created a foundation single chain around the top rim. As the lamp was already in sections that got slightly larger, I envisioned using a shell pattern however the first panel took over a month to complete as I experimented with shells, the height and number of them, whether I needed to chain between each shell or not. Thankfully the other two sides didn't take as long but it was still a lengthy process.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>At this point H was getting impatient, after all he had had a cloth draped over a bare lightbulb on his fancy new base for nearly 2 months at this point. I decided that the remaining three sections needed to be quicker so opted for alternating single, half double and double crochet rows, which were much faster to make up.<br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>The trickiest part of the makeover was connecting the panels vertically as on the edges it wasn't always clear on how or where to connect. I knew that a baby blue colour was the way to go as it is the colour of our bedroom curtains, but as it was thin, it made it even trickier.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Finally it was time to stick on the trim but we didn't have the right glue! After two failed attempts with glue we had in the house (quick drying superglue and craft glue) we decided to invest in a glue gun. I chose one from <a href="https://www.action.com/">Action</a>, a shop in our local shopping centre, my go to shop for all things craft.<br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Ta da! All done. The last thing we did was get a warmer, lower wattage, light bulb and now we have the perfect bedside lamp. All I have to do now is update mine, but with Christmas gifts in full swing it will take another nudge to get me to do that.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-71462598128729269692023-11-19T09:24:00.001+01:002023-11-19T09:24:00.137+01:00Holly, Berries and Fingers<div><i>The Holy and the Ivy is one of my favourite Christmas Carols!</i></div><div><br></div>I am contributing to the Jolly Club Stall at the All Saints' Christmas Fair this year. Having made a few mini wreaths, I have moved on to holly leaves and berries. The yarn is exactly the same as the mini wreaths so I already had everything I needed.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>The crochet shapes are relatively easy if you already know how to chain, slip-stitch, and single, half-double and double crochet stitches. My biggest issue is the finishing off: as some of the leaves are small, weaving in the ends and attaching pins or hooks is really fiddly. Thankfully <a href="https://youtu.be/Jfr23md3V2s?si=2i3S0tZbVlriXoWa">Twisted Yarns</a> has a great pattern that shows you how to work the initial tail into the initial chain, one less thing to weave in!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div></div><div>Now the weather is a bit colder, my finger joints clunk a bit more than usual. As with any thing we do repetitively (e.g. playing an instrument or sport, even hand writing) there is a fine line between doing a lot and over doing it so to keep my fingers supple I am trying to play the piano for at least five minutes on an - almost - daily basis. The other day I found a playlist of 40 simple exercises made by <a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcgvZAwZ_Xm0Eq9HwBJ-FJy5EX22HkDL3&si=N2LaQaSv2rfxBsjz">Play Piano in a Flash</a> which has made my endeavour feel easier and less lonely. Who knows, maybe I'll even get back into actually playing piano pieces someday too!</div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-5869347228432793022023-11-12T12:51:00.005+01:002024-02-29T11:04:24.820+01:00Words<i>Words fascinate me.</i><div><br></div><div>I love words, finding out where they are from, their origins, roots etc. As I attempt once more to learn my husband's mother-tongue I find myself amid word terminology and classification - adverb, adjective, noun, pronoun, conjunction, tense, verb, singular, plural, male, female etc., etc. - once more. However I don't remember words in that way.</div><div><br></div><div>How a word looks and sounds sticks with me more. <a href="https://www.wordreference.com/iten/sbavare">Sbavare</a> and <a href="https://www.wordreference.com/iten/sgocciolare">sgocciolare</a> are my favourite Italian words at present, mainly due to the double consonant beginnings that don't occur in English: I find them quite tricky to pronounce. Whereas in English I enjoy using <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/discombobulate">discombobulate</a> as it is useful to describe the disorder I often find myself in: it rolls off the tongue in an almost <a href="https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/onomatopoeia">onomatopoeic</a> way. </div><div><br></div><div>Below is a poem about a noun I came across while reminiscing about the Isle of Wight. I have a feeling some people could say I have been one at times. Bla, bla, bla.</div><div><div><h1>Blatherskite
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I knew a man from Isle of Wight</div><div class="poempre">who often got into a fight. </div><div class="poempre">His words made little sense</div><div class="poempre">and people took offence.</div><div class="poempre">He was, indeed, a blatherskite*.</div><div class="poempre"><br></div><div class="poempre"> *a person who talks at great lengths
without making much sense. </div><div class="poempre">Copyright © <a href="https://www.poetrysoup.com/poems_poets/poems_by_poet.aspx?ID=45886"><span itemprop="author">Paul Callus</span></a> | Year Posted 2016 </div><div class="poempre"><br></div><div class="poempre"><br></div><div class="poempre">What words do you like?</div></div></div></div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-84915201822223436902023-11-01T12:43:00.000+01:002024-02-29T11:01:48.166+01:00that time of year<div><i>The end of October is a reflective time for me due to the birthday and anniversary of death of <a href="https://laurainlombardy.blogspot.com/2013/11/photos.html?m=1">my friend Harriet</a>. </i></div><div><br></div><div>My friend Harriet remains with me as much since her death as when she was alive. There is something about our friendship that means I always struggle through the days leading up to and after the 29th and 31st October. This year the Maroon 5 song 'Memories' has been playing in my mind the most.....</div><div><br></div><div>"Here's to the ones that we got</div>Cheers to the wish you were here, but you're not
<br>'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
<br>Of everything we've been through
<br>Toast to the ones here today
<br>Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
<br>'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
<br>And the memories bring back, memories bring back you"<div><br><div>Watch the <a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=SlPhMPnQ58k&si=Z_ny3OZoKfifBwBf">official video of the song here</a>. </div></div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-56422289543685202932023-10-22T17:20:00.005+02:002023-11-04T08:12:38.231+01:00Gauge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>During my childhood I used the word gauge frequently when seeking items for the train track my brother had round his bedroom, I guess that's not that different to its use in crochet or knitting!</i><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In <a href="http://laurainlombardy.blogspot.com/2023/09/crossbody-bag.html">my last crochet related post</a> I referred to having issues with gauge. Since then I have 'opened a can of worms' as I endeavour to make the <a href="https://youtu.be/5p8SCRmieaE?si=QFd066AojBdsgh08">Enchanted Poncho pattern by Briana K Designs</a>. As my third attempt to crochet a garment - the previous two I never completed - I really want to get this right.</div><div><br /></div><div>The first yarn I tried was too thin, albeit a yarn that I had 'in stock' from the first attempt to crochet myself a garment. That yarn is now happily bagged up for another day. The pattern it is for is well worth another go, just when I have more uninterrupted time on my hands: my lifestyle nowadays means I need a project that can be easily picked up and put down at any point.</div><div><br /></div><div>The second attempt was with a skein of yarn I got at a local shop. Having shown the shop owner the pattern, she assured me that it was thinner than I thought so I bought one skein of a yarn I liked, but it didn't work, even doubled up. I did get to 11 stitches within the required 10cm swatch, but I was waaaay off with the rows.</div><div><br /></div><div>The third yarn has been more successful as I have managed to get to 10 stitches within the required 10cm. First I used my 7cm hook as per the pattern, too many stitches across though...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><a href="https://brianakdesigns.com/what-is-crochet-gauge-and-how-to-fix-it/">According to Briana K</a>, when this happens you need a bigger hook so I undid the swatch and started again. This time I got to 11-12 stitches across in 10cm...nearly there!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>As the spacing between the stitches is still quite close I decided to try again with the 9cm hook...voila! 10(ish) stitches across 10cm.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Now I just need to keep going round until I have completed 14 rounds, then count to see if I have 12 rows within 10cm...only time will tell!</div><div><br /></div><div>N.B. Turns out a colloquial way of saying you have had to undo stitches, or 'rip' stitches, is to say 'I had to frog my crochet'. Apparently ripping stitches sounds like a frog 'ribbit', therefore 'frogging crochet/knitting/cross stitch' is a term! https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/what-is-frogging-in-crochet-978564 </div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-45022356356794583142023-10-01T13:41:00.003+02:002024-01-26T22:42:54.146+01:00The Island<div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><i>Lying on my childhood bed gazing out the window during time there in 2016 inspired me to write this poem. I feel there are more verses to add to it, but as yet, they haven't come to me yet.</i></div><div><br /></div><div><u>The Island</u></div><div>There are some things</div><div>that will never change:</div><div>the shape of waves rising and falling,</div><div>the way clouds push out of the sky, </div><div>layers of grey, white, and gold.</div><div>Familiarity.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RvrjC5cpGqnWylXlv6DvDssZT5aivhMCjmPm6hAuXapRMI1fDyOM_awP0mW-gO-6CPA3Od8dvE8Lq717AVLK7OBhvFL1FEP-a812b5KhwsLL__QpFviD8xqIbKqAaQ4IwTjFuTO_QQjCVgNVAgo2Fz5OQOcPWUzuplrS9TBiqnYikUz2gdqkgTdqo5gu/s2560/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2560" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RvrjC5cpGqnWylXlv6DvDssZT5aivhMCjmPm6hAuXapRMI1fDyOM_awP0mW-gO-6CPA3Od8dvE8Lq717AVLK7OBhvFL1FEP-a812b5KhwsLL__QpFviD8xqIbKqAaQ4IwTjFuTO_QQjCVgNVAgo2Fz5OQOcPWUzuplrS9TBiqnYikUz2gdqkgTdqo5gu/w640-h360/DSC_0017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-58041580457665843922023-09-24T15:39:00.003+02:002023-09-24T17:30:51.265+02:00Crossbody Bag<i>With just four granny squares you can make a bag - who knew!</i><div><br></div><div>In a <a href="http://laurainlombardy.blogspot.com/2023/09/puff-stitch.html">previous blog post I explained my discovery of the puff stitch</a> and yesterday I finally completed that project, <a href="https://www.mjsoffthehookdesigns.com/crochet-crossbody-bag/">MJ's Off the Hook Granny Crossbody Bag</a>, and must say I will be adding crossbody bags using four granny squares to my regular makes.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>I really liked how simple it was to put together and how the bag has a crescent moon shape. Unfortunately it is smaller than I expected so have decided to gift this one: I can't fit my phone, purse and keys in it!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>However I have learnt some new skills and tips to put in place for the next time:</div><div>- gauge - I never buy the wool to match a pattern at present, I use whatever I have in my yarn box. This means for this project, although I tried to bulk up the yarn by using two yarns together, the squares came out smaller than they should have, and therefore the bag is small. If however I had followed the recommendations of making a gauge piece before starting, I would have been able to amend the pattern to match the yarn and hook, and make squares to the correct size.</div><div>- invisible joins - thanks to <a href="https://youtu.be/A5_qYMpCiOQ?si=8k8M0MJ4MKmah3U-">this video</a> I have learnt how to hide joins which on this project I used when completing the edging. I will definitely be using the invisible join technique in all my future projects. The same video also has some other great tips for granny square perfection.</div><div>- versatility - granny squares seem to have made a come back in high street fashion, and I can see why: they really can be used to make anything! Blankets, bags, clothing, I will definitely be exploring ways to granny square my world.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-84913250737025667802023-09-17T10:59:00.001+02:002023-09-17T10:59:00.141+02:00After the Holiday<i>The day after I returned home from my Tuscan holiday I wrote a haiku following<a href="https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-haiku/"> these guidelines on grammarly.com</a>.</i><div><i><br></i></div><div><u style="font-style: italic;">Home after the Holiday<br></u><div>Golden memories</div><div>fill my mind, but home, what smells?</div><div>A mouldy onion.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-13376136503676564212023-09-10T20:11:00.002+02:002023-09-11T12:15:41.904+02:00Puff Stitch <i>My latest focus is the puff stitch, I used <a href="https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/how-to-crochet-the-puff-stitch-4589004">these instructions</a>, and <a href="https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxeu3BpC6ThswsvbMwG9N7SiJr2ptaml-P?si=fzg-sxgxyLvZuSZn">followed this video</a>, to help me get it done.</i><div><i><br></i></div><div>As I mentioned previously, my latest crochet discovery has been the website <a href="https://www.mjsoffthehookdesigns.com/">MJ's Off the Hook designs</a>. One range of crochet patterns uses the puff stitch and I fell in love with the <a href="https://www.mjsoffthehookdesigns.com/crochet-crossbody-bag/">crossbody bag</a> so have started to create the necessary granny squares to get it done - my first granny square project!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I just love how the puff stitch creates texture. I am yarning over 5 times (11 loop puff) for my project to get a good gauge and decent texture with my combined lightweight cotton yarns. Hopefully it won't be long until I can update on the completed project!<br><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div></div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-35831153258464396962023-09-03T21:19:00.001+02:002023-09-03T21:19:13.666+02:00Tastes like home<div data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-en-clipboard="true"><i>Having lived outside the UK for over a decade there are still things I miss and seek whenever I go back which inspired this poem.</i></div><div><br></div><div><u>Tastes like home</u></div><div>Penguin bars complete with <span data-highlight="yellow">jokes</span>.</div><div>Clotted cream slabbed onto <span data-highlight="yellow">sc/oa/nes</span></div><div>Chocolate raisins, any kind.</div><div>Galaxy, all forms, don't mind.</div><div>Fish and chips with mushy peas.</div><div>Tetley tea, one sugar please.</div><div>Steak and kidney pie with Bisto.</div><div>There's one thing I really miss though...</div><div>My Mum's Sunday Roast!</div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-85822459816634409942023-08-28T21:35:00.000+02:002023-08-28T21:36:04.610+02:00The Journey and a Christmas Wreath<i>Today is my birthday. </i><div><br></div><div>It seems that I have been finding my birthdays difficult as they continue to roll by, I guess because they mark the passing of time in such a personal way. Therefore, <a href="http://www.phys.unm.edu/~tw/fas/yits/archive/oliver_thejourney.html">The Journey by Mary Oliver</a> is what I am sharing today. It was originally shared with me by a woman who helps me with spiritual direction from time to time, and then I heard it last week<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/1hl3wpSQfrxebVzaicrLDz?si=ae8Ko48vSy6kYB0POgfHng"> in a podcast</a> that I had playing while crocheting last Sunday.</div><div> <br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Technically as this week should be a crochet post, here's the Mini Christmas Wreath I whipped up today. A very simple project that looks so cute! The pattern is by <a href="https://www.mjsoffthehookdesigns.com/">MJ's Off The Hook Designs</a>, a recent website I have discovered that is full of free patterns and tips - <a href="https://www.mjsoffthehookdesigns.com/mini-christmas-wreath/">the pattern is here</a>.<br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-77015973025400193312023-08-27T15:15:00.001+02:002023-08-27T15:15:00.148+02:00Pretend advice<div data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-en-clipboard="true"><i>Recently I have had to update various aspects of my 'Rule of Life'. While doing so I received an emphasis on the importance of enjoying God from various unconnected sources. The poem below is inspired by those sources.</i></div><div data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-en-clipboard="true"><br></div><div data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-en-clipboard="true"><u>Pretend advice</u> </div><div data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-en-clipboard="true">Love, enjoy, pray, have fun:</div><div>all much easier said than done.</div><div>One said this, the other said that.</div><div>One like a dog, the other a cat.</div><div>To become wise with the wise you must be.</div><div>But who do I know wiser than me?</div><div>One said that, the other said this.</div><div>If you do both, life is bliss.</div><div>You can't always be who you wish to be seen.</div><div>So stay in the present and pretend it's a dream.</div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-56118179961688999462023-08-20T13:04:00.000+02:002023-08-20T13:04:36.611+02:00t-shirt yarn<i>https://www.instructables.com/T-Shirt-into-Continuous-Yarn/</i><div><br></div><div>Something I have always wanted to do is to upcycle t-shirts into yarn and I finally did it this week. I followed <a href="https://www.instructables.com/T-Shirt-into-Continuous-Yarn/">an instructable</a> and found it really easy. So far I have cut up three shirts, just wish I had sharper scissors!</div><div>https://youtu.be/yBh7kZSK3-M<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>The next plan is to use the same technique on a jersey remnant which I'll sew into a loop first. Then I can start crocheting this year's Christmas presents.<br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><br></div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-64358769926625836392023-08-13T10:00:00.001+02:002024-02-29T11:03:37.433+01:00To departures <div data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-en-clipboard="true"><i>Living in a different country from where I was born and lived til I was 25 means that I still travel frequently to the UK to visit friends and family. Although it is possible to travel between Italy and the UK via car and/or train, I tend to fly, which means the first leg for leaving Italy is to get to the airport. My anxious 'stream of consciousness' on one such journey to the airport inspired this poem.</i></div><div><br></div><div><u>To the Airport</u></div><div>I forgot to brush my teeth (again),</div><div>Or floss, or wash, or rinse.</div><div>So now they feel all fuzzy,</div><div>and I'm sure that my breath stinks.</div><div><br></div><div>I forgot to empty out the fridge</div><div>and throw out anything fresh.</div><div>The oranges and tomatoes</div><div>will go mouldy through their mesh.</div><div><br></div><div>I forgot to send the birthday card</div><div>that I put by the door in the hall.</div><div>In all my haste and anxiety</div><div>I'm not a good friend at all.</div><div><br></div><div>I forgot to tell the milkman</div><div>I don't need milk this week.</div><div>I hope no one steals it,</div><div>but then again it doesn't keep.</div><div><br></div><div>I forgot to take my medicine,</div><div>the one at half-past nine.</div><div>I left it under the mirror.</div><div>I can't go back this time.</div><div><br></div><div>I forgot to tell my neighbour </div><div>that I won't be round for tea.</div><div>It's the second time I can't make it.</div><div>I hope she'll forgive me.</div><div><br></div><div>I forgot to pack my wallet</div><div>I think I know where it is.</div><div>It's on the kitchen table,</div><div>or maybe in the fridge.</div><div><br></div><div>I forgot to note the area</div><div>of where I parked my car.</div><div>When I return I'll find it,</div><div>I'm sure it won't be hard.</div><div><br></div><div>It seems that while travelling</div><div>from home to departure gate</div><div>I've forgotten many things</div><div>but at least I am not late!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-11303918269078359612023-08-06T21:23:00.003+02:002024-01-26T22:43:19.645+01:00Mandalas<i>Mandala in Italian means 'send it', so 'mandala qui' would be 'send it here', whereas the term in English, or used in association with craft, refers to 'a geometric figure representing the universe in Hindu and Buddhist symbolism', according to Google Translate that is ;-)</i><div><br></div><div>During a holiday in Holland last year I entered a wool shop that had the rainbow crocheted circle hoop below on display which used the pineapple stitch. Having never seen such a thing in crochet before I enquired about it and the shop owner explained that it was a popular thing to do during lockdown in the area and that as a result there was none of the specific cotton used left. I bought a, slightly smaller, metal circle anyway, with some different shades of blue and my love of crochet mandalas began!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>After exploring <a href="https://woolpatterns.com/crochet-mandala-hoops-free-patterns/">this website with free mandala hoop patterns</a> I realised that mandala hoops can be as simple or as difficult as you want them to be! You begin with a magic circle and make rounds of various stiches until you have a circle that is around 0.5cm-1cm smaller than the metal hoop you want to use, then using slip stitch or single crochet you attach the last round to the hoop, and just like that you have a mandala on a hoop. I have used them for various gifts, including Christmas decorations and dreamcatchers.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>For my own home I have created mandalas to match existing pictures that we have, two of which have been created by my husband. I love how the textures and colours of the pictures are emphasised by the textures and colours of the mandalas. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>For the left hand mandala I used the resources I bought in Holland and the pattern <a href="http://thelittlebee.co.nz/blog/2017/08/petal-power-mandala/">Little Bee's Petal Power Mandala Pattern</a>. It is paired with a print by https://www.benandhannahdunnett.com/shop/ who now also sells cross stitch packs of their prints!</div><div><br></div><div>On the right is my own 'crochet as I go' mandala paired with a painting by my husband entitled 'Ecocardiogramma - because life goes up and down'.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Another 'crochet as I go' hoop mandala with an oval hoop my husband found here in Italy. I researched oval doily patterns before and while creating this as I couldn't find any specific patterns for oval hoops. The picture on the left is by my husband entitled 'Mercy'.</div><div><br></div><div>I hope one day to be confident enough with mandala hoops to tackle some of <a href="https://patterncenter.com/fantastic-hoop-mandalas/">these advanced patterns</a>: they really are stunning!</div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-18674201301565825602023-07-24T09:24:00.001+02:002023-07-24T09:24:35.191+02:00The Purple Cow<i>https://poets.org/poem/purple-cow</i><div><i><br></i></div><div>This poem has been one of my favourites for a very long time. I think my Grandad had something to do with me discovering it, but I'm not exactly certain. I do remember having it on my wall as a pre-teen/teenager, and it has stuck with me ever since.</div><div><br></div><div>I often wonder if it was the inspiration for the chocolate company Milka's colour scheme, but I imagine not as their colour is lilac, rather than purple. Written in 1895 by American Gelett Burgess, a name that interests me in the sheer uniqueness of it and the fact that he is ascribed to have coined the term 'blurb', the poem is nonsensical but makes me chuckle at the idea of having to choose between seeing a purple cow, or being one. I am yet to dress up as a purple for a school dress up day, but it is on my to-do list.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-12303190389869561492023-07-17T16:14:00.001+02:002024-02-29T11:03:21.200+01:00Octopus for a Preemie<i>Amigurumi crochet is a big thing right now in the crochet world. </i><div><br></div><div>Originating in Japan, Amigurumi is the art of making stuffed toys by knitting or crochet. Using just the basic stitches of US single crochet, US double crochet and invisible decrease, toys are made in various parts and sewn together. The finished articles are sometimes destined for toys, but more commonly are made for just being cute! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amigurumi<div><br></div><div>One project that I particularly like which uses an amigurumi pattern is 'Octopus for a Preemie'. It's a way of supporting babies born prematurely in hospitals by providing an octopus that has spiral tentacles which replicate the umbilical cord. It means that when the babies are in an incubator, instead of wrapping their fingers around the tubes for comfort, which they can then pull out, they wrap around the tentacles instead.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>There are groups all over the world who collect, vet, and distribute octopus and jellyfish to various hospitals. Here's a UK group: https://octopusforapreemie.co.uk/, and here's one based in Italy: https://m.facebook.com/groups/371805746532740/</div><div><br></div><div>My first attempt at an octopus was with this pattern <a href="https://www.crochet365knittoo.com/crochet-octopus-preemies/" rev="en_rl_none">https://www.crochet365knittoo.com/crochet-octopus-preemies/</a> which went relatively well. I'm not up to hospital standard yet as haven't got the right type of stuffing material (I used some cotton fabric I had to hand) but there are patterns which don't require stuffing which I will investigate. In the mean time my practice runs will make great presents for various friends who are expecting this year and the next!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>I just need to sew on some eyes!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-30489563686921357262023-07-01T15:19:00.003+02:002024-02-29T11:06:51.479+01:00Romance<div data-pm-slice="1 1 []" data-en-clipboard="true"><i>A work colleague lamented that they 'needed romance', on the bus home shortly afterwards, I wrote this, writing it with a 12 minute timer, then taking a lot more time to edit it!</i></div><div><br></div><div><u>Romance</u></div><div>What is romance? A look or a smile?</div><div>The caress of a hand that lingers for a while?</div><div>Is it the anticipation of something new?</div><div>Or the well worn path to a shared bedroom?</div><div><br></div><div>Is it the words that you say?</div><div>Or the way that you feel?</div><div>Does it last? </div><div>Is it mine?</div><div>Is it real? </div><div><br></div><div>Is it something we earn or something we find?</div><div>Is it something that passes or endless in time?</div><div>Are there things that can lead us to see, grab and hold it?</div><div>Or an app, with a flick, that can make us believe it?</div><div><br></div><div>Is it a construct from the French 12th century?</div><div>Or is it a practice to invest in seriously?</div><div>Are there days when it's more, and days when it's less?</div><div>Can we conjure it up with the way that we dress?</div><div><br></div><div>Is it a verb or a noun to be claimed?</div><div>Or maybe a thing that remains without a name?</div><div>Are we able to share it with more than one person?</div><div>Or is it restricted to behind drawn curtains?</div><div><br></div><div>Can it be all we want, and give what we need?</div><div>Can it be all we want and also succeed?</div><div>In the roughest of times can it keep us alive?</div><div>In the highs of our life will it continue to thrive?</div><div><br></div><div>To be sure, it is not many things in this world.</div><div>But for me it is something to slowly unfurl.</div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5667646995452638547.post-28307393134110275302023-06-27T09:18:00.002+02:002024-02-29T11:01:05.325+01:00it couldn't be done...<div><i>...maybe it couldn't.</i></div><div><br></div><div>So, after a while posting sporadically, without much focus, I have decided to try and be a bit more consistent about Laura in Lombardy. It has, after all, been a good space to share my adventures first in Pescara, then in Lombardy.</div><div><br></div><div>I hope to focus on sharing the creative side to me, my musings, the crochet, the poems, the things I make while I continue to live in Lombardy. This is more for me, than any of you. I create stuff all the time for all sorts of reasons and want to keep track of these things and see where these things take me in the social media world.<br></div><div><br></div><div>So without further a do, here is one of my inspirations for this decision, a poem by Edgar Albert Guest: <a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44314/it-couldnt-be-done">It couldn't be done</a></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div>Laura in Lombardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06501292467271033547noreply@blogger.com0