Monday 30 September 2013

Book Review - The Life of Pi

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery


This was an amazing book. I wasn't sure if it would be a book that I would enjoy, but I became totally engrossed in this title and loved it right until the end.
I wasn't too happy with the two alternate endings or stories as I wanted a happy ending and loved the story incorporating the animals. It wasn't as gruesome as the possible reality of what really might have happened and I loved watching the relationship between Richard Parker and Pi grow. 

The imagery in this book was amazingly vivid and the story was told in such a way that I truly believed it was a "Real-life" event. The talented novel writing of the book evoked, laughter, tears and wanting everything to have a perfect ending.

A book to become totally engaged in!

I would warmly recommend this book to teenagers and adults alike. 

I give this book:

4 Owls

You can find my book rating scale in the side bar.

Sunday 29 September 2013

Social Media Linky Party

social media linky party
Instagram Prints from INK361


Welcome back to the social media tips and tricks linky party.

Thank you kindly to those of you who linked your social media posts last week.


Please abide by the following:

  • Link only tips and tricks for Social Media or Blogging 
  • Do not link if you are selling something!
  • Please link your creative posts on this week's Tutorial Thursdays Linky Party and not here!
  • Link the Relevant Blog post and not your homepage!
  • As it is a Linky Party, it would be nice if you would visit at least 2 other links.
  • Do not link the same topics twice.
  • Share the word, please grab my button and place it somewhere on your blog or link back in some way :)

Do you have your own Linky Parties happening?

I would love to visit them - Link Them up HERE

Print your Instagrams and more

Saturday 28 September 2013

Knitting Madness Hangout - October

knitting madness live hangout

Another super evening spent with Anne-Pia from Denmark.
This month we discussed what we keep inside our project bags.
Here is the edited version of last night's Live Hangout:


It is so great to be able to come together with like-minded, lovely people and spend a little time together discussing what we are all passionate about - wip, yarn, knitting, patterns, KALs, did I mention knitting, yarn, patterns ;)

knitting madness hangout

knitting madness hangout
I apparently was constantly jabbering....

Next month's date is set and the topic is chosen, the topic is:

Secret Santa Handmade Swap

Here is a video sneak peek of what it will be all about:

This is a special hangout as you will only be able to take part in this event if you are actually taking part in the Secret Santa handmade Swap!

To find out how you can go about joining in this awesome global event follow this LINK

Secret Santa Handmade Swap


We will be getting to know some of the lovely people who are taking part in this years event. 
They will be introducing themselves and their blogs to you so that we can all get to know one another and make the event all the more special.

When:

25th October 2013

Time:

9:00pm Central European time (3:00pm EDT)

As with each of these Hangouts there is only space for 10 participants in the actual Hangout, (there is already over 10 of us taking part) which means it will be a first come, first serve basis. 

Those of you who can't make it to the event, or who would prefer to take part via Q and A which is available on the day, you will be able to view the event, streamed live, here on my blog, on the event page and/or on my Youtube Channel.

If you would like to attend this event, and are a Secret Santa Swap Participantplease add yourself to the list of attendees on the Event page.

I can't wait to see you all then.



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Friday 27 September 2013

September Stash-Busting....

Finally, a FO and a Stash-Busting Project done :)

Meet my Cleo (Sorry the light is a bit odd this morning!)

Drops Cleo 141-18

Here is a comparison shot - the original design on the left of the screen:

Drops Cleo

I like it, it feels great and I am glad I managed to get it finished with an awful lot of patience and ripping back :)

As this is a Stash-Busting project let me update those totals - YEAH!!

My Cleo weighed in at a tiny weight - amazing for a whole pullover, but it weighs 366g

Add that to the total thus far:

3'567g
366g
3'933g

So cool, almost 4kg of wool knitted - amazing!

So a recap on my stash-busting drawer and projects:

1. Jassy' Jumper - Completed
2. Birthday Gift for my Sister-In-Law - Completed
3. Birthday Scarf for Kayla - Completed
4. Socks for me - Completed
5. Socks for Jas - Completed
6. Socks for Kay - Completed
7. Pullover for Hubby
8. Cleo for me - Completed
9. Scarf for me
10. Fingerless Gloves for hubby - Completed
11. Perfectly Pink Sweater - Completed
12. Cap for Jas
13. Cap for Kay

Next up - I am knitting number 12. Cap for Jas



Don't forget: Tonight / This afternoon for my American friends will be this month's Knitting Madness Hangout which will be a worldwide, LIVE event.

Today's topic - Project Bags. 
We will be sharing what we each have inside of our bags - don't miss it. 
It is a great way to network with other knitty bloggers and a super way to introduce yourself and your blog to the World :) If you can't be available for the chat, you can watch the live streaming of this event here on the blog.

It would be awesome to meet some of you, see you later.
x
I am sharing this with my usual lovely FO ladies :)






Knitting Madness Hangout - Project Bags

Knitting Madness Hangout

Wow, another month gone!

Today is this month's Knitting Madness Live Hangout Event which you will be able to visit and/or watch below.

Today's Topic: Project Bags! What is inside yours, what do you feel is important and needs to be in there?

If you want to join in the fun feel free to come on in an join in the event with us this evening. (spaces are limited to 10 people)

The hangout will go live at 

9:00pm Central European Time (3:00pm EDT).

If you can't make the hangout, you will still be able to view the LIVE broadcast at the bottom of this post.

Once the Event is Live and there are still available spots you will be able to join the event by directing your browser to the URL that will be available below the video screen (the video screen and the URL will only be available in this post 15 minutes before the event goes on air)

To be sure that you receive an invitation to be included in the event, please add yourself to the list of "Yes" attendees on the Event Page.
For help on how to join a Google+ Event go HERE

I will be opening the doors of the event at 8:30pm CEST (2:30pm EDT) and will invite all the attendees first. At 8:40pm CEST (2:40pm EDT) I will invite the "Maybe" attendees and then at 8:45pm CEST (2:45pm EDT) I will open the doors to the public.

To make sure you secure your spot for the event you will need to arrive early!
I cannot reserve spots and the event will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.

Be sure to bring with you:
  • Headphones
  • Your Project Bag to share with us all
  • Refreshments.

I look forward to spending this time with you all.

The Video Screen, and URL to enter the Chat room will be available here15 minutes before doors open

You can join the feed on Twitter:
#KMHangout




Youtube: http://youtu.be/U65EDo3_OSg

Come and Join us!

To Enter the Chatroom: 

 https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/2ee048cd861bf298cc75a506a51d2c08205c2aaa?authuser=0&hl=en

To watch from Google Event Page: 

https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/c5n5jhk9l08tsfmed14ugj4d8q4

Thursday 26 September 2013

And the Sojournals go to You and You and You :)

sojournal
What an awesome month and what an awesome sponsor I have had the pleasure of having over here on Marigolds' Loft.

Julisa from Sojourney has been so wonderfully generous by offering 3 of her amazing diaries for you to win.

Thank you to all who took part in the fantastic competition.
The Giveaway has closed and the winners announced. 
Are you one of the lucky ones to get a copy of this diary hot off the press?

Sojournal 2014

Congratulations to...........


You each have one yourself a copy of this amazing diary coming to you all the way from South Africa.

Do brag a little when you get it, I would love to hear what you think of it! 

You will all be contacted shortly via email.

If you are looking for a great Christmas gift then you should visit Julisa's Website, for some really awesome products.

Hurry on over, she has some incredible stuff to purchase. 

Personalize a diary for a loved one or give yourself an extra, merry Christmas by personalizing one just for you!

Thank you again Julisa for an awesome month!
x





Tutorial Thursdays Linky Party - Round Up Part 4 :)

Welcome back to Tutorial Thursdays Linky Party.

Tutorial Thursday Linky Party


It has been such a great month of awesome tutorial linkies, thank you all who took part.

I have loved being able to feature all of your amazing work, it has been so great to visit all of your beautiful blogs and see the super tutorials.

Because it has been so much fun, I will be making this a permanent feature. 

That means that the linky featured below will be open for the entire month and the last Thursday of each month will be a round-up to show all the incredible tutorials that I find linked below. 

So keep linking your tutorials :). 

For your tutorial to be featured it needs to be:
  • Photo-rich 
  • In a Step-by-Step format

And get this:

If I feature 3 or more of your tutorials at the end of October - you will get a Thursday post dedicated to featuring you, that's right just you and your amazing posts! 

There is only one rule to follow to take part:

The Rule is:

  • Do not link your blogging tutorials here, you can link them on Sunday's Linky party especially made for Social Media Tips and Tricks (they will also be featured there if they are in a tutorial fashion)
Here are this week's amazing featured Tutorials that I visited:


Craft tutorials linky

1. DIY Leaf Clothespin Magnets by Maria @ Krafty Cards etc.
2. Fall Place Card Chalkboard Frames by Crystal @ Make it Easy
3. How to make a Cardboard Box Car by Joanna @ Be Creative Mommy
4. Confetti Pumpkins by Kim @ Made in a Day
5. DIY Bra Making Tutorial by Kittens with Mittens

Craft tutorials linky

6. Monarch Butterfly Wings Tutorial by Chelsey @ Buggy and Buddy
7. Fringed Burlap Ribbon Pumpkin by Gail @ Purple Hues and Me
8. Gift Card Boxes by Katie @ The Crafty Blogstalker
9. Hello Fall Harvest wreath with printable by Kim @ Made in a Day


Recipe Tutorial Linkys

1. Best Homemade Ranch Recipe by Katie @ The Crafty Blog Stalker
2. Asian Style Fried Quinoa by Bella @ Healthy Living Awaits
3. How to make a Clubhouse Sandwich by Judy @ Pursuit of Functional Home
4. Taste of Britain:Toad-In-The-Hole by Hannah @ Sew Lah Tea Dough
5. Double Chocolate Banana Cream Pie by Krystal @ My Life of Travels and Adventures

If you haven't already, please grab your "Featured" button below.


”Marigolds

Now it is your turn, read the rule above and link up below!

P.S. I still have some space available for Button Swap Buddies for next month. Are you game? It is FREE and Fun! If you are interested read more HERE



Wednesday 25 September 2013

New Wednesdays ;)

What a wonderful Wednesday: A gorgeous, sunny, Indian Summer kind of day :)

wip wednesday

What is new in my Wednesday WIP image? Can you tell?
Yes, you are right! There is a definite lack of blue in today's image - Yeah!!

Finally, my Cleo is done - I will reveal it on Friday.

In my bid to finish the Cleo come what may by Saturday, I have slightly aggravated my Carpal Tunnel so since Saturday I haven't being doing too much WIP wise.

Knitting Loom Cap

My loom cap is moving forwards pretty slowly, but I am hoping that I will once again be active this weekend so that I can share this pattern with you next week.

Drops Alpaca 108-3

I will also be casting on my next Stash-Busting Project, a Basque Hat for Jas. I made one of these caps last year as a Christmas gift for a friend and Jas asked me if I could make her one for the autumn. I will gladly do so as it was a lovely cap to knit.

What do you have in your project bag?

Knitting Madness Hangout

Would you like to share and see what I have in mine?

Then come along and join in this month's "Knitting Madness" Live Event on Friday. 
To find out more go HERE



The Secret Santa Handmade Swap Signup is going strong, I am so excited! We have already crossed the participant number from last year, I can't wait to see all the wonderful goodies that get made and sent all over the world :)

Are you going to be joining us for this year's Secret Santa Handmade Swap?

Find out how to join in HERE

An now Introducing:.....

Look at the new cuties belonging to our family since Saturday:

sibling kitty love :)

Aren't the adorable?
This is our new sibling kitty couple, Bubble and Fawn. They are 11 weeks old and so sweet. It is so nice to have cats back in the house after our 13 year old beloved Stitch died in March of this year. But, boy they are a handful :)

Today I am so excited as I have been featured on The SITS Girls gorgeous Page!
If you haven't visited there yet, I would warmly recommend that you do. They feature awesome, interesting content and it is always such a pleasure to visit.


Reading wise: I am just about done with "Gone Girl" and am also reading "You Are What you Eat". Whilst living in S.A. I used to love watching this series and the book is a nice refresher on the tips and tricks she offered.

Don't Forget - Today is our last chance to win one of these awesome Diaries for 2014.

sojournal

 Giveaway ends midnight (CEST). Open Worldwide! Good Luck! 
The Winner will be announced during the course of tomorrow!

Also tomorrow: I will be featuring some of the wonderful tutorials that I found linked on my Tutorial Thursdays Linky Party this week - will yours be included?

See you then.
x

Online Quilting Class

Sunday 22 September 2013

Social Media Linky Party

social media linky party
Instagram Prints from INK361


Welcome back to the social media tips and tricks linky party.

Thank you kindly to those of you who linked your social media posts last week.


Until the end of September:

Each Link below will be featured on next weeks party if it is laid out in a tutorial fashion.
By this I mean Step-By-Step and Photo Rich!


Please abide by the following:

  • Link only tips and tricks for Social Media or Blogging 
  • Do not link if you are selling something!
  • Please link your creative posts on this week's Tutorial Thursdays Linky Party and not here!
  • Link the Relevant Blog post and not your homepage!
  • As it is a Linky Party, it would be nice if you would visit at least 2 other links.
  • Do not link the same topics twice.
  • Share the word, please grab my button and place it somewhere on your blog or link back in some way :)

Do you have your own Linky Parties happening?

I would love to visit them - Link Them up HERE

P.S. Don't forget to enter the 2014 Diary Giveaway!


Print your Instagrams and more

Saturday 21 September 2013

October Reads and Book-club Stuff

Turning The Pages Book-Club

Last night was our monthly book-club Online Hangout to discuss "Life of Pi".
Unfortunately as I discovered during and after the event, two of the ladies were unable to make it.
A minute after I signed off from the hangout, Debi signed in and so I joined her and we had a good chat. Regrettably, this conversation didn't take place in the On Air Hangout, but it was super to meet her.

turning the pages hangout

Below you will find the edited version of last night's hangout - the one before Debi joined, so it is just me chatting away like a mad woman ;)

I am hoping that at some point it will all fall into place and we will all be available on these dates. If you would like to join in, I would love to have you join me.



 Please note the time of the event has changed slightly and will start half an hour later.

The Hangout for October 2013 takes place on:

18th October 2013

Time: 

9:30pm Central European Time (3:30pm EDT)

The book that will be discussed:

The Light Between Oceans



Don't miss out:

Sign up for the Book-club Newsletter that will get delivered to you once a month with all the latest Club information 

Is there a book that you would love to read in a group setting?

Add your title to the vote for the book choice for January 2014 HERE
(Book Choices will be voted on by participants in the next Hangout)

To book your spot at the Hangout in October go HERE


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