Tuesday 5 November 2013

Remember, Remember, the 5th November!

In England we mark this day with bonfires and fireworks, although as the years have gone by it is less and less observed.   The reason we are called to remember the 5th November is that on this day in 1605 Guy Fawkes was caught in the cellars of the Houses of Parliament, London with several dozen barrels of gunpowder. Guy Fawkes was subsequently tried as a traitor with his co-conspirators for plotting against the government. Which is the reason why a 'Guy' is made by stuffing newspaper into some old clothes to look like a man and then it is put on the top of the bonfire. 

Remember, remember, the 5th of November

The Gunpowder Treason and plot;
I see of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.

So if you have stopped reading this blog by now you will not have realised that I am holding a 'giveaway' to mark this my 300th blog post, a day to remember for me and possibly you!


This is what you will win when you comment giving one thing that you will remember for the rest of your life, the memory can be happy or sad.




This cute little bag was made locally and it is a handbag organiser, although it doubles very well as a tatting organiser!

I also plan to put a few other things in it, which I have yet to source, but of course a 
pop-a-bobbin shuttle will be neatly tucked inside.  This particular shuttle is made from apple wood.  A great many pieces of wood that are stored in our garage have a story behind them. The apple wood this shuttle is made from comes from my late father's garden which was situated on the banks of the river Avon in Stratford-upon-Avon, so my memory at this very moment is of him and where he lived.



You have until Sunday 10th November 4 pm GMT to comment.  I will announce the winner by using a random number generator on Monday 11th November, which in England is Remembrance Day. A day when we remember all who have died or who have been injured in the World Wars and subsequent conflicts. 

So share your memories with others and may be you will be the winner of this bag and shuttle!

46 comments:

  1. We should never forget the 5th of November, I am sure over the years since Guy Fawkes their are lots of people who would have loved to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
    The weather has been bad over the last few days and tonight down here the wind is blowing a gale and raining, not the night for fireworks.
    Please enter me in your draw, that looks a beautiful shuttle and bag, I think you have picked a great day for the draw, for me the day holds memories of both parents who were in the war, my mother is a Japanese pow and at the moment I am trying to trace her war record, and it's just so hard with her having dementia and can't remember anything to help us.
    Enjoy the fireworks.
    Margaret

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  2. How generous of you! As for my forever memory: I remember mom and I making a pact to always decide where we were having lunch BEFORE we went shopping. She used to try and starve me -- just one more store, then we'll eat...oh, let's finish here first. :)

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  3. Ooh, Love this V for Vendetta reminder. as for Memory, and apples. Northern Spy, my fathers favorite. He has been gone nearly twenty years, yet each fall I buy Northern Spy apples and make pies. When these late apples appear it reminds me of fall, my father, the winding down to the snow quiet months ahead.

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  4. It is always nice and humbling, to take a few moments to honor those who have given all they have, so we could continue on to live and enjoy a stable way of life. So many times we carry on not recognizing what others have given.

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  5. What a great giveaway!!! One of the things I will never forget is snuggling with my two babies (now 19 and 17) and reading their favorite book Buttermilk Bunny over and over and over.....again :) Love and cherish that memory!!!!

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  6. Thank you for offering up such a generous giveaway prize to commemorate your blog-iversary! As for my forever memory: One thing that I will remember for the rest of my life is the April Fool's joke we (my twin sister and I) played on my mom when we were kids. We thought it would be grand to hide in her closet on the morning of April Fool's Day (we were about 6 or 7 at the time) -- jump out and yell, "April Fool!" when she opened the closet door. Well, we did and -- it was US who got the surprise! Mom was STARKERS! Naked (straight from the shower) and trying to get dressed before her daughters woke up. THREE shrieks were heard a block away that morning! LOL!!!

    Hope the story made you smile.

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  7. Lovely way to celebrate the 5th as well as your 300th post. Congratulations on that!! And thank you for such a generous giveaway. I absolutely LOVE the pop-a-bobbin shuttle. Perfect blend of form and function...gorgeous woods and ease of use...perfection!!! How much more special when the wood used is so special to you as well. Its funny how simple things like a bit of wood can spark such nostalgia. I have so many fond memories, choosing one is difficult. One of my faves is my granddad carrying me on his back to the kitchen saturday mornings to make fried biscuits and watch cartoons with me. I couldn't have been more that 4 or 5 years old. 30+ years later that smell still makes me smile at the memory.

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  8. There are so many memories that choosing one is hard. I guess the best one I have is going out and helping my dad whenever he was working on the cars. No matter if I did a good job or not, I was there helping and learning. I did not know at the time, but this learning came in handy when I have problems with the car and am confident enough to tell the mechanics what might be wrong with it.

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  9. since its November, my main memory forefront of my mind, is my daughters birth. Such a happy and sad memory. Her birth was a planned c-section, my mom had told me that she would see me before my surgery. I was staying with some friends before my surgery, and they were to take care of my two boys. Me and my husband were to go by bus. we left at the very last moment. waiting for my mom. we get to the hospital, with me all in tears. i felt so let down and hurt. I still had three hours until the actual surgery. Every minute was so hard. being so happy about my new child soon to be born, and so incredibly crushed by my mom. His mom, step-dad and sister came to wish me luck and to see me out safe. I go in for my surgery. crying all the way. i see my daughter and i start forgetting about all the hurt i felt. they finish and wheel me out. There is his mom,step-dad, and sister...my family is nowhere to be seen. half sedated i cry more. while trying not to vomit then the best thing i have ever heard in my life...my husbands step-dad gets asked if he wants to hold my daughter...his reply "no, thats ok, she still has her mom on her..." then i laugh. so hard. the best FREAKING sentence i have EVER heard in my life. totally made my day. So i eventually saw my mom...like 5 hours later...but such a bittersweet memory.

    I would also like to be entered in :)

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  10. Congratulations! The day I will always remember is the passing of my Father. I was only 12 and though some 45 yrs. have past It could have been yesterday. Love you Dad and send some luck my way. Please count me in,Thanks.

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  11. This memory is both happy and sad. My Mum had cancer and at the beginning of December was given only a couple of weeks to live. She moved into a local cancer care hospice and we did many of our christmas preparations in her room there as well as making paper snowflakes to decorate her room. She actually made it past Christmas into early January - and just past her 60th birthday - and the thing I will always remember is Mum saying that it was the best Christmas she had ever had.

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  12. Yesterday, the 5th of November,was Melbourne Cup Day here, and the favourite won! - so that would have been a good memory if I had actually backed it, I suppose - I don't gamble - but I have reason enough to remember this day every year because it's the date on which a favourite old uncle died, many years ago.
    Believe it or not, and quite by chance I read an article in one of our own papers here yesterday which said that we in Australia should celebrate Guy Fawkes Day! - because he was the ultimate civil libertarian. There's a bit of kerfuffle going one at the moment because of perceived draconian civil laws.

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  13. Congratulations Sally. It was 44 years ago this fall that I learned to tat. I had grown up watching my grandmother, sitting in her rocking chair, tatting and was always fascinated by the clicking sound. The only picture I have of her tatting was published in the local newspaper in Nov. 1969 and I found it two years ago while sorting through my parents house.

    One can never have too many bags of shuttles. please enter me in your give-away.

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  14. I will always remember the days my children were born, days that were filled with such happiness and great expectations for their futures.

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  15. 300 posts! That's something to celebrate! Little bags are so much fun to collect and use, as are Pop-A-Bobbin shuttles! :-)

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  16. Oh, I'd love to have lovely apple wood shuttle!

    This November will be 6 years since my Dad died. He was quite a character, larger than life. I remember many meals where we sat at the table long after we finished eating, telling funny stories and laughing. He was always the life of the party. I miss him dreadfully...

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  17. Some of my best memories are at my grandpa's farm. We would race motor bikes up and down the gravel road, go fishing or swimming in the creek. Grandpa liked to play checkers...he always cheated by letting up win. Even when we would set him up so he would have to jump our checker...he never would. And all of the wonderful times, just quietly sitting next to him. Sure do miss him, but he is in a better place now.

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  18. Hmmm...apple wood immediately brought to mind laying under the apple tree in our backyard growing up while it was in bloom and the petals drifting down like snow...and oh, the beautiful scent! My most special and vivid memory is my husband kissing our new born daughter's cheek moments after she was born...she will be 14 next month, it feels like yesterday.

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  19. I will always remember the births of my children, none of them are in November, but one of my grandchildren was born Nov 30th.
    I would love to win, Congratulations on your 300th post.

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  20. I have lots of memories but have decided to share one about apple tree's. Up to the age of 12 we lived in a house on a farm that was surrounded by 500 acres of property that was once an apple orchard. All the trees had been removed except for the ones growing on the fence row. I can remember what a treat it was to go pick the apples and bring them home to make apple sauce because we did not have money to spend on dessert.

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  21. Hi, Sally, congratulations on your 300th post!! There's a passel of memories, right there!
    We in the US also celebrate our departed veterans on Monday. We'll hold hands across the pond in their honor.
    I have an apple pop a bobbin--it, and I, would love its mate. Thanks for the chance!

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  22. Congratulations on your 300th post! staying with my grandparents on the farm. Since he never learned to drive he would take my grandmother and aunt and me to the bus line in the buckboard. I do miss my husband, parents and grandparents.

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  23. I'll always remember the very first flower my now-husband gave me. He had a chair in his office that had been putting holes in his pants, and I had offered to mend some of them...he brought me a rose instead!

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  24. I will always remember my Grandfathers, both are gone now and both fought in the war! Remembrance Day is Nov. 11, here in Canada as well.

    Congratulations on your 300th post, that's quite an accomplishment!

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  25. So many memories - one I will always remember: When I was small, I was dreadfully afraid of insects....anything that crawled, flew, or ....well, I'm still afraid of them, all of them. All the kids in the neighborhood were catching jars full of fireflies (peanut butter jar, punch tiny holes in the lid so they can get air....) I wanted a jar full, too, but was too afraid to try to catch them. Dad put holes in a jar lid, put some grass in my far, and - since I just couldn't get myself to go near them, HE caught me a jar full. I remember watching him, and as he caught them, he remarked that he was waiting for them to light up before he caught each one and put it in my jar - he didn't want to accidentally catch a wasp instead! I enjoyed my little jar full of fireflies for half an hour or so, then he convinced me that they would be much happier if I took the lid off the jar and let them go home to their 'families.' I think I went indoors before he opened the jar and let them go.
    Stephanie W. in NC

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  26. your applewood shuttle makes me think of when I was small and my grandfather made apple cider. he had a wooden press that he use to get the juice out. I remember of wonder it tasted when we were allow to have a taste of it. granddad is long gone, but still have the sweet memories. thanks for reminding me of this memory. Linda

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  27. Lovely gifts. Happy 300 posts! The bag reminds me of all the fun times I had learning to sew from my great grandmother. My fingers are crossed.

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  28. Congrats on your blog anniversary and on your generous gift bad with "goodies"!

    My special memory is about our granddaughter. She was about 3 years old and was visiting with her parents. It was bedtime and she was very tired. Our son was carrying her up to bed when they stopped by to say good night. She had her head on her dads shoulder. I gave her a kiss on the cheek and said to her "good night, sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite". Her head popped up and her eyes were wide open and she said to me, "Grandma, do you have bugs in your house?" My son looked at me and he said, "thanks mom, now she won't sleep all night". And as they were going up the stairs I heard him tell her that grandma does not have bugs in her house.

    In the morning Shannon came running down the stairs and come over to me and whispered in my ear, "grandma, the bugs didn't bite me"!!!

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  29. Congrats on 300 posts ! Cute little bag. Never tried the Pop-a-Bobbin shuttle : )

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  30. Congrats Sally on your 300th blog post :). And what an awesome giveaway :).

    My most cherished memory was the day I became a mother for the first time (nearly 12 years ago). I chatted to my son during my pregnancy and would say "Hey boy" whenever he kicked me. When my son was born and crying, I picked him up and cuddled him close. I said "Hey boy" and he stopped crying immediately and looked right at me. It was love at first sight :). Naturally I had to have 2 more children after him :).

    Thank you kindly for the chance :).

    Cheers,
    Jenn

    Contact: jenn at mellycoddle dot com

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  31. First: Congratulations on your 300th blog. And also THANK YOU for your blog.
    I am visiting your blog today for the first time. (Sorry if I make mistakes writing, I am Dutch however I moved to the United States about 2 months ago.) I love your work and your patterns.
    I learned tatting from my aunt about 35 years ago. I did not tat a lot for years until a year ago. I started to teach tatting in the Netherlands, and I am teaching tatting in the US now. But I am also learning new things. Tatting with beads? Never done that, but I will soon. (I love your earrings with beads!). About 3 weeks ago I learned/taught myself needle tatting, but I prefer shuttle tatting. My first shuttle was given to me by my aunt when she taught me tatting. I can not use it easily because the openings are to wide. But I will always keep it. It is a special shuttle with a lot of memories to my aunt.
    I will continue visiting your blog, curious of new and lovely ideas and patterns. Thank you so much and I hope to congratulate you in time with your 500th post.

    Good luck,
    Anneke

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  32. Congrats to 300 posts and with Remembrance day approaching here in Canada
    as well...what a great way to celebrate by a draw for ultimate Pop-a-Bobbin shuttle. It will be such a delightful additional to anyone's collection (hopefully mine) :-)

    tataway53@rogers.com
    Deana

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  33. Congratulations Sally.
    So many memories but the most poignant at this moment in time is still the love and loyalty we were so blessed with by our special girlie, Belle.

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  34. congrats on reaching 300! my memories that I will never forget are the times that my mom spent teaching me to knit and crochet. I have continued with both crafts and have added many more in the past year.

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  35. No historical event should ever be forgotten so we can avoid the mistakes of the past and be thankful of the successes.
    300 posts! That's dedication ♡ Well done!
    My favourite memory is considerably recent..
    Ben and I were going to an airshow. We went out to the venue the evening before to see what time it opened. As we got out of the car we were treated to the magic sound of a Merlin engine roaring to life followed a few minutes later by the spectacular sight of a Mk XVI Spitfire going through it's paces in prep for the next day. We stood there, alone in the car park holding each other as we watched...totally awestruck by this magnificent machine flying in the twilight. Thankful for that Warbird and the efforts of the brave men who flew them. THAT contribution should never be forgotten.That private airshow gave me an insight into some important history and made me want to learn more....always good....and it was the icing on the cake for a newly budding relationship! An irreplaceable memory that I will cherish forever.

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  36. Did not know about this. It should always be remembered, especially these days.
    FB ID Gillian Whitman Coleman

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  37. My forever memory is winter 1988 the 3 girls were taken from us from child protective. The wife and I were in a blizzard at a store parking lot .we seen an angel. She said God sent her. She told us everything will be ok. That next spring all charges were dropped and girls returned home.

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  38. An event my DH took me to nine months ago changed my life (and all the negative thoughts I grew up with)! It was at this event I got to know like-minded people, all ready to launch their lives into success, and I know now that I have more to gift than I thought. You witnessed part of the transformation, when I busied myself, working on changing my life and in the process, help others change theirs too. :)
    How generous a giver you are, Sally. You are awesome.

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  39. When I read "one thing that you will remember for the rest of your life" I immediately had to think of one fleeting moment and was lost in that memory...

    After my father was gone there was that day when I felt the loss so much I thought my heart would break. I sat down in his chair and suddenly there was his smell and I was sure I could feel his presence. It was so comforting and yet so strange - I was never much of a spiritual person. After that I knew that he would always be with me and that is why I will never forget this moment.

    Only then I read on and saw that the shuttle was made from apple wood that comes from your late father's garden. What a treasure and what a generous gift to anyone who will receive it.

    It was also a gift to read all of the shared memories. Many thanks to everyone.

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  40. Congratulations on your 300th. Cherish the memories.

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  41. Congrats on 300, that is so awesome. I have many memories, the one that comes to mind now would be the birth of my first son. He was born on November 11th, the 28 hours of labor was well worth the results. That was 32 years ago, can't believe it has been that long, now I feel real old. Again congratulations, and here is to the next 300!!!

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  42. My forever memory? Oh, so many to choose from! I guess my favorite forever memory would be my dad, who passed away January 5, 2012, calling me and his first words of every conversation were "Hello Senice? This is your dear old dad"

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  43. Hi Sally,

    I am NOT entering the give-away but rather sending greetings to your very talented ‘Im in the Garage. He does such amazing work with these wonderful shuttles and has refined them remarkably over the few years that they have been in production.

    They have become famous and he is now known far and wide, across all of Tat-Land!

    Hats off to ‘Im for his workmanship, creativity, artistic abilities and patience! Lots of tatters are constantly clamouring for one of his fine creations.
    Bravo!
    Fox : )

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    Replies
    1. Actually Fox you are too late for the give-away, especially as the winner has been announced!! However, thanks for you lovely comments. I think I will pick up on 'Im in the Garage's' patience - especially when he gets Jane and myself pushing him to make more!!! - All the best to you Sally

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