tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70199867564131869242024-03-14T06:55:31.844+00:00.Betsy-Blue Makes... and Makes Dohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04613366408872169488noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019986756413186924.post-33646233044049869512012-10-21T22:48:00.002+01:002012-10-21T22:48:42.439+01:00Need a New Hat !!Well, have had a rotten weekend, been rather poorly for the last few days and have had to ease up on the sewing/knitting. Husband put himself in charge of running the household/shopping/cooking etc - and I must thank him for that delicious cup-a-soup he thrust in my direction at lunchtime(complete with spoon as he did not have time to stir it 'cos the football was on tv !!). Blue & Digby fared much better as he did not have a clue how much food the dogs need each day and so they were delighted with their double helpings. Thankfully my wonderful Mother arrived with this months copy of KnitNow magazine and real food :)<br />
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Earlier in the week I completed a cushion, designated for the re-decoration of my bedroom. It was a great way to use up scraps of fabric and a few odd buttons. It's a real hotch-potch of applique,embroidery,suffolk puffs etc.<br />
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It was lovely until both dogs decided to squash it by laying on it, and now it's proving difficult to iron out the wrinkles but I still love it.<br />
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Have finished the dog coat I was knitting for the Dog Trust project, just need to parcel it up and send it off, so one less cold & shivering dog on the streets this winter. My mother had a beautiful hat pattern with her when she visited, she then convinced me it would suit me, so this afternoon was spent casting-on and knitting with my revered Fyberspates yarn. Have had this for a few years but could not decide how to use it, so was pleased as punch to discover I have enough yarn to make the hat. Cannot remember spending quite so much on one skein before but have to say it is pure pleasure to knit with. The colour really does not show up well in this photo, the yarn has a remarkable sheen. Am in desperate need of a new hat, something practical for dog walking & gardening, as any time spent outside in cold weather without a warm hat leads to a bout of very painful facial neuralgia :(<br />
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Am hoping to be back at the sewing machine in the next few days, designing and making the stock required for the christmas craft stalls that are coming up. Love using the bright jewel coloured fabrics within my bags & purses range - perfect for all the parties on the horizon :) It's difficult keeping track of all the stock when having to start considering colours for next spring/summer too.<br />
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Would like to say I am now off for an early night with a hot water bottle and a honey-flavoured drink but..... Jennie Rayment is on Create & Craft ,with her Quilting Classroom show, at 1am - and I just cannot miss that (I fell for her sales patter and bought the TrueCut system, so I need to learn how to use it !!).<br />
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"It's Amazing .... All That You Can Do"Betsy-Blue Makes... and Makes Dohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04613366408872169488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019986756413186924.post-32402040635523624832012-10-12T22:45:00.000+01:002012-10-12T22:45:08.861+01:00Craft Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is the sign I have in my sewing/craft room - it's necessary because despite having the smallest room in the house to use as my own (for creativity/inspiring moments and devouring chocolate) I am forever having to scoop up papers & 'stuff' left behind by my Husband. Am unsure as to why he feels the need to encroach on my space - he has a drawer of his very own in the kitchen ! Anyway the sign is there to serve as a reminder to him that it truly is best to leave me and my organised chaos to ourselves, and no, thank you but I really don't need a hand to tidy up :)<br />
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On a more positive note I have finished daughters socks - they are winging their way to her at uni as I type. I am romping away with the dog sweater for the Dog Trust project, have cast on some Boot Candy (boot cuffs are all the rage here in the country, wearing them with your wellies :s) to accessorise my new winter boots and have finished the order for hanging hearts for the Tea Boutique in Ipswich. Oh and I even had time to make a scrummy apple cake, recipe was from Tea & Cake <a href="http://tea-and-c.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/the-wednesday-knit-along.html">http://tea-and-c.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/the-wednesday-knit-along.html</a> Have to admit this was the 2nd time I have made this cake in as many days - it is so very delicious :)<br />
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Aside from taking the dog to the vet for annual boosters, tomorrow has been allocated to making something for... Me !! Have really got to redecorate the main bedroom soon, so was thinking of pillows & cushions & quilts & throws.... and am now thinking I only have one day, maybe just a small wall hanging then !<br />
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"It's Amazing .... All That You Can Do"<br />
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<br />Betsy-Blue Makes... and Makes Dohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04613366408872169488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019986756413186924.post-4760394989404103702012-10-10T12:38:00.000+01:002012-10-10T12:38:12.736+01:00Yarn AlongBeing able to incorporate my love of yarn and reading by joining <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/category/yarn-along">Ginny's Yarn Along</a> is awesome, this is my first time at taking part in this project. Am currently knitting a dog sweater for the Dogs Trust <a href="http://dogstrustblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/calling-all-knitters-to-keep-canines.html">http://dogstrustblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/calling-all-knitters-to-keep-canines.html</a>. As it is such an easy pattern I am able to read whilst knitting, the book I am currently reading is Believing The Lie by Elizabeth George. Have read quite a few of her books in this series and to date none of them have disappointed me.<br />
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The dog jumper I am knitting is for a larger dog as the Trust often has limited supplies of these, it is knitted in Aran and will be finished with a fold-over collar and a crocheted edging. Hopefully there will be one less chilly dog this winter :)Betsy-Blue Makes... and Makes Dohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04613366408872169488noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019986756413186924.post-84084668114526341802012-10-07T07:03:00.000+01:002012-10-07T07:03:42.839+01:00Granny-chicHmmm.. it was Saturday, which must only mean more Yarn & Fabric shopping with Sister !! Yesterday's port of call was Franklin's in Colchester, Essex. A stunning array of fabrics, along with a most impressive choice of yarn meant the loss of another 2 hours this morning. Picked up some fabric for use in future bags designs, a couple of more books and... dare I say it... some more sock yarn - but as it came with a free pattern I didn't see how I could turn it down!! This one is by King Cole and incorporates cable so it will present more of a challenge. Sister grabbed the Katia pattern book after falling in love with this shawl (me too... don't know how keen she is going to be knitting 2 of them).<br />
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Happened upon an article in one of the daily newspapers which proclaims 'Granny-chic' is this years big news in interior design - slightly shocking as it would appear I have been fashionable years ahead of time :)<br />
Crocheted granny squares are being incorporated into everything from bed-linen to rugs - I just love the old-fashioned blankets myself. Apparently 'sewing baskets' are popular autumnal interior design items too - surely they are a necessity not a seasonal ornament ?! Either way I shall continue to store my yarn in baskets, make my own curtains and knit my own cushions - even when the current fashion-craze has passed !!<br />
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Sunday is usually my lazy day but with those pesky caterpillars still to catch, chickens to clean out & green tomato chutney to make,dogs to walk, roast to cook and getting the new images uploaded to website I fear it will be another late evening of knitting :) And just to prove what I already knew........<br />
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<br />Betsy-Blue Makes... and Makes Dohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04613366408872169488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019986756413186924.post-82710436906037400962012-10-06T15:02:00.000+01:002012-10-06T15:22:44.492+01:00Knitting Dog Coats for the Dogs Trust Recently stumbled upon this project whilst flicking through Simply Knitting magazine - Dogs Trust are asking for people to knit dog coats/jumpers for their Hope Project so this winter dogs are able to keep warm. Click this link for more info <a href="http://dogstrustblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/calling-all-knitters-to-keep-canines.html">http://dogstrustblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/calling-all-knitters-to-keep-canines.html</a> They even have a suggested pattern for people to use. Think this is such a fantastic way to help and you get to use up all the odds and ends of yarn you may have laying around :) Myself, Sister and Niece are going to contribute, we just need to get them done before the deadline of 23rd November so Daughters sock, which are so very nearly finished, will take a back seat for a week or so !!<br />
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UhFLRokScmI/UEiWstEr9GI/AAAAAAAABSg/fwQeynxkRTc/s320/Knit+Span+011.jpg" />Betsy-Blue Makes... and Makes Dohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04613366408872169488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019986756413186924.post-30890864418233007512012-10-03T12:28:00.001+01:002012-10-03T12:51:52.619+01:00Sock Blockers Arrived !!<br />
How excited am I to receive the sock blockers I ordered ?? - these WILL be the answer to my somewhat peculiar looking socks I knit. Got them from <a href="http://www.whorldropspindle.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78&products_id=290">Whorldropspindle </a>and they are gorgeous, particularly love the sheep image on each one.<br />
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Have been frantically sewing for days now, the Rowan Kidsilk Haze yarn has been dutifully knitted by sister and,using an embellisher, been attached to the front flap of the bag, even managed to use an off cut to cover a button to complete the look. These bags are proving to be the most popular design at the moment :)</div>
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Discovered Yarn Along yesterday, am far too late for this Wednesday's link up but shall be joining in and posting next week. It's such a lovely idea - click this link for more info <a href="http://www.gsheller.com/yarn-along.">http://www.gsheller.com/yarn-along. </a></div>
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Shall take a more leisurely approach to life today, was invited out to dinner last night by sister & family, we have frequently eaten at this restaurant but for some reason this time I had an allergic reaction to something I ate, within minutes I looked like I had had collagen injections, not a good look !! Have to say the food was terrific though. So me and my swollen lips will hide indoors, knitting our way back to normality (any excuse to have a day 'making.... and making do').</div>
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"It's Amazing.,,.. All that You Do"</div>
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Betsy-Blue Makes... and Makes Dohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04613366408872169488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019986756413186924.post-41538175722696814612012-09-29T20:57:00.000+01:002012-09-29T20:58:57.421+01:00The Yummiest Mushroom Pie Ever...Had the most pleasantly exhausting day today. Following the news that Betsy-Blue will be counting Tea Boutique as one of their stockists of bags & purses, we felt the need to stock up on further fabrics. So a visit to <a href="http://www.thecheapshop.ltd.uk/">The Cheap Shop</a> in Tiptree was the order of the day. They have a fantastic selection of fabric,yarn,books,crafts etc and they are very competitively priced. I had great fun choosing new fabrics whilst my sister added to her cookery book collection with The Readers Digest Baking Bible. Laden with goodies we then headed to our favourite yarn shop Twist, where we had a minor panic when they did not stock the yarn we use for needle felting our bags. This time my sister came up trumps by purchasing superfine yarn and offered to knit the lacy panels I need :) Haven't actually told her yet that I need enough to construct at least 10 bags !!<br />
Late afternoon was spent photographing our latest products for the website and deciding on future designs. Am ashamed to admit no knitting has taken place today but I did manage to complete a few Christmas cards using "T'was the night before Christmas" Clarity stamp and an hours fun with my pro-markers.<br />
Early evening brought a superb surprise - I live a mere 200 paces from my sister (she of the cookery book collection) and I was the lucky recipient of the newest addition to her culinary repertoire - a fantastic Mushroom Pie, it was the most delicious thing I have eaten in a long time (probably since the last pie she cooked for me !!)<br />
One rather extravagant purchase today was the Stitch with Love book, by Mandy Shaw, this Christmas wreath has given me so many ideas, cannot wait to hunt out my scrap bag.<br />
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It also has the most adorable Hare appliqued cushion but that shall have to wait for another day.<br />
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<br />Betsy-Blue Makes... and Makes Dohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04613366408872169488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019986756413186924.post-85058613867685139082012-09-26T21:42:00.001+01:002012-10-03T12:52:41.804+01:00Truly chuffed !!<span style="font-family: inherit;">Am chuffed to bits I managed to complete two clutch bags for my online shop today, haven't listed them yet but couldn't wait to post pics</span><br />
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The one in above pic has been needle-felted and embroidered, I also embroidered a tiny rosebud on scrap fabric and use a self-covering button to add interest to bag flap. Needless to say very little sock knitting was achieved today !!<br />
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<br />Betsy-Blue Makes... and Makes Dohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04613366408872169488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019986756413186924.post-77602881329232072092012-09-25T18:05:00.001+01:002012-09-26T21:43:21.674+01:00Harvest Time (or 'Oh yes!! I've finally grown some edible veg')<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today was a great day for this amateur veggie grower, whilst I have been growing vegetables, rather haphazardly, for a number of years now, this year has provided the best harvest. Despite only moving here 9 months ago (got the keys 2 days before christmas, gulp!) my husband and I threw ourselves into the garden with much gusto. For various health reasons I decided on raised beds, we built 3 large ones and a smaller one relatively quickly, husband then filled them with topsoil transported from the unwanted rockery we had inherited in our back garden - he was a total saint, although I must say I did have the thoughtfulness of buying him a wheelbarrow !!! Next on our 'to do' list was a herb garden and again husband came up trumps and so I was able to start the growing season with everything insitu. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Despite the wettest summer for years we were able to grow and eat many varieties of veg/salad this summer. Now autumn is upon us and the onions,potatoes,tomatoes etc are all harvested, I have just realised that EVERYTHING veggie to be used in tonight's dinner has been grown in our garden - potatoes, cabbage, carrots, onions, mushrooms,peppers,herbs, ... ooh and the eggs are from our chickens, it's a good feeling to reap the reward of all the hard work. The only job left out there for me now is caterpillar hunting - the little darlings are determined to strip the brussels sprout plants, every day, twice a day I'm out there ferreting out the devious little blighters, I have to keep them in a box with a nice juicy leaf, so when husband takes the dogs for a walk later he also takes the caterpillars and 'rehomes' them far, far away (he cannot bring himself to squash them).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Still working hard on the new 'Cobweb' range of bags for betsy-blue, this is the new colour range I am currently doing: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And yes I'm still knitting daughters socks, on 2.5mm dpns it's taking a little longer than I thought but I do so enjoy watching the stripey pattern appear :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Its Amazing.... All That You Can Do"</span></div>
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Betsy-Blue Makes... and Makes Dohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04613366408872169488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019986756413186924.post-31952914873916559262012-09-22T18:47:00.002+01:002012-10-03T12:54:24.358+01:00Tea & Yarn<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">Well, the trip to <a href="http://www.cafeknit.com/">cafeknit </a>in Lavenham was worth the effort, such a gorgeous display and choice of yarns !! Tagged along with my mother,sister & niece, my sister was driving so made the effort to be well prepared - flask of coffee, book, chocolate, warm blanket - I may have only been travelling 35 miles to our destination but this is the same sister who drove home via wales from birmingham NEC a few years ago (we live in Suffolk !!) Her sense of direction is legendary, hence sensible precautions are necessary ie. cancel all plans for the following day as you can be sure we won't be home 'til midnight.<br />Anyway, the shop was fantastic, the coffee & smoked salmon bagel were delicious and I may just have bought a few more skeins for my 'collection'. Decided on the Opal fairies & elves for daughters socks (pinkish), bought some Orfordness yarn for myself as I use to live in Orford and have most likely petted those sheep at some point. Couldn't resist the knitting kit for a beaded scarf, very yummy colour options, eventually chose very pale rose pink with tiny seed pearls to knit into scarf.<br />The best bit about the shop - you can sit and knit !! that's right - knit away, coffee and cake to the side and enjoy the company of fellow knitters, if only there was a shop like this on my doorstep.<br />The rest of my family were as tempted as I am and we all came away happy and enthusiastic about our next projects. My mother is an excellent prolific knitter, even if I sat forever knitting I still could not hope to be as exact as she is (she is also the poor soul who has to unravel/pick up my knitting disasters and take calls at 11pm demanding the explanation of kfb & double moss stitch)<br />Called in at a local fabric shop on journey home to pick up some chain for clutch bag handles and found the most perfect fabric for the range of cushions <a href="http://www.betsy-blue.co.uk/">Betsy-Blue</a> will be launching very soon. As well as bags & purses I also embroider throws (ideal for chilly autumnal days/evenings) and this rich brown chrysanthemum head throw is perfect for complementing current decor trends. </span><br />
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Husband is on supper duty today, so am now off to cast on.... just need to choose which one !!</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />"It's Amazing..... All That You Can Do"</span>Betsy-Blue Makes... and Makes Dohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04613366408872169488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019986756413186924.post-41396008387638319452012-09-21T17:27:00.001+01:002012-09-26T21:43:43.403+01:00Finished in time !<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wahoo.. have finished my Noro Silk Garden Socks, just in time as this means I can visit a new (to me) yarn shop in Lavenham tomorrow, with no current work-in-progress on my needles :) Btw I had exactly 22 inches of yarn left from skein, causing me many a worry for the last hour of knitting, gulp. The freedom of choice for next project is overwhelming, oh wait, i just remembered I have promised to knit a pair of socks for my daughter (she is 20, currently at uni and suffers from cold tootsies). Hmm.. well as long as the yarn is pink I don't think I can go far wrong. She was never a 'girly girl' as a youngster but the pink theme has slowly been creeping up through to adulthood. Anyway, it still means I can seek out something new for myself, roll on tomorrow !!</span><br />
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"Its Amazing.... All That You Can Do"
</span>Betsy-Blue Makes... and Makes Dohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04613366408872169488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7019986756413186924.post-39618065400959088292012-09-20T23:06:00.000+01:002012-10-03T12:53:21.676+01:00Welcome to my blog !! <span style="font-family: inherit;">After spending so many hours in front of the sewing & embroidery machines I decided I needed to look for alternative crafts for relaxation.... and very recently rediscovered my love of knitting. In particular handknitted socks, although to be honest I have only made a few pairs until now. My first effort a few years ago was chewed by the new puppy Blue, whilst still on the needles ! My second attempt was pretty impressive if I may say so.... and I wore them with pride, handwashed them, worshipped them and then one day I rather thoughtlessly threw them into the washing machine and being mostly wool they felted rather impressively (sad to say I couldn't part with my first effort and they sit in a drawer, mocking me for my foolishness everytime I open said drawer)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This time round I put thought, time and effort into selecting the yarn and pattern, waltzed along to <a href="http://www.twistyarns.co/">Twist</a> in Woodbridge (a rather glorious local wool shop) to make my purchases and promptly fell in love with a totally different yarn, the Noro Silk Garden Sock wool. Have successfully completed the first one and am halfway through it's mate, shown below. Hopefully time and experience will improve m</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> I am 'jack of all trades' crafter whose main love is designing and handcrafting Bags :) I have an online boutique, www.<a href="http://www.betsy-blue.co.uk/">betsy-blue</a>.co.uk where I sell embroidered, needle felted and embellished purses, throws and bags made by myself along with finishing touches for 'prettying up' your home. y ability but in the meantime... what the heck - I am loving them !!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gUgKjgpn5qA/UFuNd8AIKoI/AAAAAAAAABs/wY3mqU_CWrI/s1600/075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gUgKjgpn5qA/UFuNd8AIKoI/AAAAAAAAABs/wY3mqU_CWrI/s320/075.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Noro Silk Garden sock yarn</span></td></tr>
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On the bag designing front I have just finished a rather gorgeous Alpaca yarn embellished clutch purse. This fabric was double layered, needle felted, embellished with Alpaca yarn and then embroidered over the surface before construction commenced. This a sneak-peek of the clutch, it still needs some finishing touches and a far superior photographer !! Am now in middle of making a tote bag to complete the set.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.betsy-blue.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=66&product_id=99"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fcxhpY476L8/UFuOxJP5qZI/AAAAAAAAAB0/loJrH1l0BDI/s320/080.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.betsy-blue.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=66&product_id=99">Cobweb Clutch</a></span></td></tr>
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"Its Amazing.... All That You Can Do"
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>Betsy-Blue Makes... and Makes Dohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04613366408872169488noreply@blogger.com1