Thank you secret pal

I received a wonderful parcel today from my lovely secret pal from Finland. Thank you so much Eeva. I was very worried when I first saw the package as there was a sticker attached to it from the Royal Mail apologising for damaging the package and they hoped nothing was broken or missing! But when I opened it everything was intact and present.



At the front is Drops Alpaca from Garn studio, I've never had any of their yarn before and I'm so excited. There are also two skeins of Lanka Pirkanmaan which is a pure wool produced in Finland



There is also a beautifully scented natural soap called Forest Magic with this beautiful write up on the back:

"All seasons of the year are magic in the forest. Each season has its own special smells, colours, and music. My favorites are the fall and spring. Fir trees have a special scent, almost as if they are getting ready to slow down for the winter. Sap runs more slowly as the cold weather approaches...."

In addition to these wonderful presents there is also this wonderful wooden fox



Such a great idea, you put it on the edge of a saucepan to hold the lid up to let the steam escape. I love it.

Finally there is a beautiful wooden charm necklace that I'm wearing now and forgot to photograph but is gorgeous and will photograph next time. You can just see it in the first photo.

Thank you again secret pal.

I went into the garden at the weekend and took some photos of the garden before it goes to sleep.

This is my little oak tree now one year old



Hopefully he will be here long after I have gone. The garden has been a building site for a whole year now and yet nature still finds a way. This plant/weed - don't know which - had found a place to grow amongst the debris



and this lovely dandelion clock looking absolutely perfect



I treated myself to two skeins of this gorgeous yarn by mirasolperu called Hacho. Its 100% hand dyed merino wool spun in Peru. A portion of each sale goes towards the funding of a school in a remote part of Peru. There's something about the colours that despite them being olive and sage greens, mustard and gold they seem bright and summery as the sun is shining through them, especially when photographed on this cool piece of 1970's fabric from my stash.



Plans now afoot for all manner of lovely things.

for now
Ruby xx

Knit a poppy

This last week has just gone by so quick - I can't believe its over a week since I last blogged. And to be honest I haven't got a lot that I can show as yet. I have been working on my sketches and swatches to send to Knitscene. I'm really concerned how long it might take for my package to reach them, I just hope it gets there on time.

One thing I am able to show however is my poppy brooch that I have designed for knitonthenet's Knit a Poppy campaign. It is in support of the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal and I'm thrilled to have had the chance to do something to help. The download pattern only costs £2.00 with all proceeds going to the Poppy Appeal.



Remembrance Sunday on November 11th has meant a lot to me all my life. Both my granddads where in the Second World War. My 'Albert' granddad - married to Ruby - was only 18 when he was conscripted. He couldn't even read or write and had never been out of Liverpool before and was taken away from his family for five whole years. My 'Billy' granddad became a prisoner of war and after many escapades eventually returned home with his hair white. My great grandfather was killed during the First World War after the ship he served on was sunk. I have always thought it important to remember and to learn.

The pattern uses double knit yarn and is great for using up scraps. You could be really flamboyant and add extra petals or knit the same pattern using bigger needles and chunkier yarn and have a huge fab poppy. I've added black sequins in the centre to look like sparkly poppy seeds, but you can keep it plain if you prefer, and it can easily be completed in a couple of hours - so why not make one for everyone you know!

for now,
Ruby xx

Tomorrow.........is always a day away

No matter how hard I try, whenever I say I'll blog tomorrow - I don't. Well, can't. Something always happens which stops me blogging for days. So I'm never going to promise to blog tomorrow again.

My lovely finished Phyllo has been worn and admired. Here she is:



I'm just so pleased with it, the fit is perfect, the length is perfect, and I love, love, love the yoke







I don't even mind the stocking stitch edge. It somehow seems to fit in with the design. I wanted to completely give myself over to a pattern without making any adjustments, even minor ones, and see how successful it was. I knew I could trust Norah.

I have also finished the back and part way up the front of Sloppy Joe



Not quite as quick a knit as you might imagine, as you have to use a cable needle to twist the dropped stitches round each other, which is kinda fiddly and slow, but the finished result is lovely. The Rowan Cocoon yarn is just gorgeous and I'm already thinking what I can use it for next. However, its not the most exciting garment to photograph at the moment, so I will probably leave it till a big reveal when its finished.

I have yet to cast on tree jacket for the sexy knitters KAL, as can't decide on yarn, likewise the silver belle KAL which I've also joined as I haven't enough of the yarn I was going to use, particularly as I'm going to make it longer.



I have also signed up to Wardrobe Refashion for two months. If you don't know about it let me explain. You pledge not to buy anything new (there are certain exceptions - footwear and handcrafted items - you can also buy yarn and fabric) and make or refashion what you need for whatever period you sign up for. I joined last week for two months and have found that it is making me not buy. Which is really, really good as finances are a bit tight at the moment. It will also finish early December so I can treat myself to a christmas dress. Saying that I may make this one if I can find anywhere that stocks the pattern.



Its from blue sky alpacas but I can't find it at any of the UK stockists that I know about. If anyone knows where I can get it do let me know.

Otherwise, I'm working on an idea based on this gorgeous dress by Nicole Farhi.



I have a plain black jersey dress which could be refashioned into this dress very easily and may very well mean I don't even need to buy anything for christmas.

I'm also working on some submission ideas for Knitscene and Interweave but obviously, can't share these. Really like them though, hope they do too.
I've also got at least one design to get finished for knitonthenet but am not quite there yet. In the immortal words of Clive Dunne, "Don't panic Captain Mainwaring. Don't panic!"

for now
Ruby xx

As time goes by

Can't believe a week has passed and I haven't had chance to post. I have finished projects and new projects to show but will have to wait until tomorrow as TLC (Teens Love Craft Club) has moved to Tuesday night for one week only. I will hopefully have some photos of their fab projects aswell.

I have completed Phyllo and am half way up the back on Sloppy Joe. I have also been having a stash sort and have over three bin bags full of yarn to sell/swap. I am putting a list together tomorrow.

I am going to cast on tree jacket tonight for the Sexy Knitters latest Kal. After reading Robin's blog I'm going to make the neck a good inch shorter as she suggests.

until tomorrow
Ruby xx

I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want...

is to craft if I want to.

I'm sure most of you already know about this particular yarnstorm but if you haven't read about it I encourage you to leave my blog (temporarily, of course) and go take a look, and then don't let the Telegraph tell us what we want to do. I love Jane's blog and am affronted at everything the journalist has written but would rather express my opinion as Jane herself has.



Gastro porn apparently. An egg custard to you and I.

Its so simple. I use frozen shortcrust pastry and make two custards at a time.
Earlier on in the day I roll out the pastry, line two pastry dishes and bake both blind for about 15 minutes at 180 degrees. Take out of the oven and leave to cool. Remove baking beans.

To make the custard, break 4 large free range eggs and whisk.
Bring a pint of full cream milk and 4 tablespoons of unrefined golden caster sugar to the boil.
Pour over the eggs and whisk again. Add 1 or 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
Pour equally into the two cases.
Grate some fresh nutmeg over each custard.
Return to the oven at same temperature for approximately another 15 minutes.
Remove from oven and cool.

And that's it.

I also made a brioche loaf (using my bread machine!) and boy was it good.



I've also been knitting away at Phyllo and am nearing the end of the second sleeve. As everything to this point has been stocking stitch I haven't bothered taking any more photos yet. Either later tonight or tomorrow I should be picking up the stitches for the yoke and things get more interesting.

I have also treated myself to Rowan's new yarn Cocoon which is just lovely, with a similar feel and tension to Polar. Its very very soft but with a little mohair in it to strengthen it up and stop it from pilling in the way that Polar did. I'm feeling good about it at this point.



I bought it after buying the latest Rowan studio book (book 6) and falling in love with this 'Sloppy Joe'



Just the sweater I need right now and should knit up really quickly. Not that I should be casting on anything else right now, but when has that ever stopped any of us?

The sexy knitters latest project has also just been decided on and its Tree Jacket from Zephyr style which I've been fancying for a while.



I have a large stash of Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk aran from the John Lewis sale which would be just perfect. I can't seem to get a good photo of the colour though so I'll try again once I have cast on.

I also love the model's hair do and must have a go



Isn't it lovely?

for now
Ruby xx

Teens Love Craft night and much more

Don't the girlies look like they are really having fun. They have taken to it like a duck to water. On Thursday night to make things interesting we got the wool winder and a load of odd balls of yarn and got the girls to design their own multicoloured and multistranded yarn. Here is one of them



They each picked between 4 and 6 strands of yarn to make a chunky (bulky) weight yarn.
We have used the unshaped shrug

as our starting point with each of the girls knitting a rectangle to reach from midway down the upper arm, across their back, and to the same point on the other arm.
There are a mixture of garter stitch and stocking stitch garments being made. Before we commence the next step of ribbing, the girls will learn to purl and then rib.

They really concentrated for over three hours -



with one of the girls on her third ball of yarn since Thursday night.



Moving on, Phyllo is progressing slowly but steadily.



I do love how Rowan Calmer knits up, particularly in stocking stitch.

I bought this lovely 1940's stylie dress in a sale a few weeks ago



The fabric is really lovely



I love floral prints and this is a particularly lovely one. However I have a problem and can't decide what to do. I think the hem really spoils the dress.



What do you think? I think it should be a nice straight hem. I have to be honest I didn't even notice the hem when I bought the dress (guess who didn't bother to try it on) but would have bought it anyway.

I've pinned the 'hangy' bits up on this picture



and I think it looks better, and more appropriate for the style of the dress. However the skirt is created by a number of gores which just have a raw edge which has been overlocked and the 'hangy' pieces are cut on the bias, which is going to make it very difficult to create a perfectly straight hem. I'm worried about hemming by overlocking the raw edge as it might look horrid. Any suggestions?

And one other very annoying little thing which I come across again and again. Have a look at this photo and see where the belt sits around the waist, and see where the side belt loops are positioned



They're going to have to go. I don't know how many times I have had to remove belt loops in silly places. I'ld far rather they didn't bother with them in the first place.

And finally, back to knitting, I have been asked to create a design using this beautiful yarn from the Bowmont Project, called Bowmont Braf, and the colour is called Periwinkle, and guess what dress it goes with perfectly?



I've actually got 8 balls I think but a neat little fitted cardigan is suggesting itself to me at the moment.

But, for now

Ruby xx

quick, quick blog

Its not often my blogging is so thin on the ground. I can't believe its nearly a week since I blogged. Home is in chaos with drilling and hammering and grinding and dust and dirt everywhere. Yes, the builders are here, doing a very good job but making life quite difficult. I haven't managed to take any photos of on going projects yet but will try today - two windows are coming out today and plaster board and stuff being removed from round the windows - black dust to follow apparently - so I'm not making any promises.

I also wasted SIX whole hours yesterday searching for my husband's passport. SIX hours and where did I find it eventually - in my handbag. I'm relieved I found it but so annoyed at myself for wasting so much time.

The first meeting of TLC (teens love craft) went very well, with the two non knitters going away able to garter stitch. They also apparently took their knitting into school the next day and knitted at every opportunity. Fantastic. I'm so proud of them. Next meeting tomorrow evening.

I have started Phyllo yoked pullover from Knitting Nature with the Rowan Calmer that I had bought for Fifi.



There's not a lot to show yet as it is stocking stitch up to the yoke, but that was the plan as I really need something I didn't need to think about too hard. My beautiful Habu project for Stitch in Time is progressing nicely. The body should be finished in the next day or two and then some exciting finishing touches involving Habu stainless steel - can't say any more.

Also I am getting my SP11 parcel ready today. Lots of lovely goodies for her.

Hopefully, photos etc to follow later, if I can find somewhere to go.

for now
Ruby x

A little bit of TLC

Tomorrow evening I will be hosting the first meeting of TLC - Teens Love Craft!

My daughter and a few of her friends have all asked to be shown how to knit, sew, embroider, applique etc., so who am I to say no. My daughter can already knit and sew but her skills need to be improved. Her friends can sew (a bit) but not knit, so tomorrow night is our first learn to knit class. Wish me luck.

I think its great that they are all so keen to learn but find it sad that they have had to get someone else's mum to show them.

Have a big post to do tomorrow with lots of photos but I have to stay off the computer for now as 'we' (not me) are trying to register for Led Zeppelin tickets. I have offered to spend the day at Libertys if he gets a ticket and spend the £125 there instead. Very generous of me I think.

Until tomorrow,
for now

Ruby xx

Normal transmission resumed!

Whilst on my holidays I was working on the Textured Tunic with side buttons by Stephanie Japel ( in her fitted knits book)as shown below.



and I have almost completed it twice and have frogged twice and have come to the conclusion that it just doesn't suit me.



I love the colour and the yarn but there are certain factors that just aren't right for my body shape.



The textured panel sits right across my ample bosom and to be honest just makes me look chunky not shapely, despite the fit being perfect. Also the length is at just the wrong place for me. The tunic style of the garment takes the front under my tummy and then sort of goes in underneath exaggerating my tummy and then sits on the top of my thighs and won't lie flat. I've tried different lengths but its just not working. I must admit I don't like the large moss stitch insert on the sides of the garment for the buttons they just widen the hip and bottom area. So I've played and messed, and reknitted but to no avail. The textured panel needs to go, the length and fit needs to change and I don't like the curly stocking stitch on the neck. So what to do. I was sitting outside a cafe and saw the back of a very simply shaped sweater with a nice stitch detail and thought that would look very nice in my yarn. I took a photo on my daughter's mobile phone but unfortunately it is still locked since she lost it so I will draw some sketches for my next posting.

I also managed to complete my second sock



The pattern needs a little tweaking to fit me perfectly, the heel is too long and the foot a little wide, but they are so comfortable and I have been wearing them constantly around the house.

In addition I finished off a very special garment for the republication of 'A Stitch in Time'. I can only show a little bit of it but it is just beautiful. It used Blue Sky Silk and Alpaca yarn which is the most wonderful of yarns. I've just got to write up differences to the original pattern



The completed garment will be revealed at Stitch 'n Bitch UK in November.

Also for 'A Stitch in Time' I'm working on this one, using Habu "kusaki zome" naturally dyed silk.



Again, it will be revealed at the Stitch 'n Bitch show. Really enjoying doing this one. Its quite a challenge getting the garments to fit todays woman without changing the styling or fit of the original garments but fascinating.

And finally, I did also take Fifi with me to start but just didn't get there. I think that it will have to go on the back burner for now.

for now

Ruby xx

Complicated times

I got back from my holi-me-days feeling refreshed and revitalised if a little disappointed in one knitting project - more next time. But since getting back its as though the full moon the other night has unleashed all manner of madness at me.
A lot at this point I'm not able to talk about but due to some of this my mum hadn't told me she had fallen, narrowly avoiding breaking her hip! She is bruised all down her right side and is pretty shaken. The saddest thing is she didn't tell me, because she thought I had enough on my plate. My poor mum! I have been to see her this evening and we spent a very pleasant few hours together culminating in a big knitting discussion which was most enjoyable.

I had to break my evening up somewhat though to rush off to a local store where my daughter had lost her very expensive mobile phone. (Which had been her bridesmaids present at our wedding). I left my phone number with a shop assistant who looked about nine and not very interested and gave up hope. And then about 8.30 this evening my phone rang and a young man told me his granddad had found the phone but took it home with him as he didn't like the look of the shop assistant! He rang the store and they gave him my contact number. This is the second time she has lost this lovely phone and both times some wonderful kind soul has found it and returned it to us. It restores your faith in human nature.

With the rather traumatic week I've had to date I haven't got photos from my knitting adventures or my holi-me-days to show yet but will post again very soon. In the meantime here is a picture of my Italian Lace curtain for www.knitonthenet.com



You can't see the pattern that well on this big picture but if you have a look at the pattern
there's a better shot.

It's not a sit and natter knit. The pattern does require some concentration but the effect is beautiful. It is however quite easy to adapt to different window/door sizes and then just carry on until its long enough or you've lost the will to live. I'm looking at using the pattern in a garment but haven't quite decided how yet.

We did get to spend a lovely day here



at Sizergh castle just up the road from our caravan. There is renovation work being done on the tower roof and you can watch the work live through cameras attached to computers inside the castle. Really fascinating stuff.

I'm going to go to bed now as this week has left me quite quite shattered and rather saddened.

night night sleep tight

for now
Ruby xx

Lots to tell but not enough time...

I will not be around to blog for just over a week, but am delighted to say in the meantime that issue 3 of www.knitonthenet.com
was published today with three of my designs in it. Thought it would only be two but I have managed to complete my turban.

The original construction just didn't work so rather than try to follow it in any way I just used the photo shown on the last post as inspiration and re-designed it from scratch.



My apologies for the really bad quality of this sketch but I have people waiting for me to leave the house! The top sketch is the original construction which ended up over 60 inches long. The second sketch is the way I have designed it, with a finished length of only 44 inches.

Here is how it looks



and from the back



I'm very pleased. Completely different method, same result.

Its made in Debbie Bliss Rialto which is a standard DK weight yarn and took 2 50gm balls, so great for using up the stash.

The pattern is here

knitonthenet have taken some great photos of my 'lost in music' design which I showed you snippets of a little while ago



I'm so pleased with the finished look - it's exactly what I had in my head. You can find the pattern for this one here

Am taking a heap of WIP's with me so will hopefully have a lot to blog about when I'm back.

but for now
Ruby x

What a disaster!

or as we would say in my neck of the woods... 'I've made a pigs ear of that'

Let me explain, my 'is it a bird or a plane' project is sort of complete. I have picked a winner for the competition who I will announce in a moment. No one actually guessed correctly so I have picked a name out of the hat. I digress, it is sort of complete, but it is absolutely b....y awful. I was actually trying to rework this pattern



Its called the two coloured turban from 'knitting for all' published in the early 1940's.
All along was very worried that first of all it seemed to need to be way way too long for its purpose and secondly the method suggested for forming a 'cap' to hold it on your head was very vague and also wouldn't work very well. I was right to be worried. I have failed. I can't make it work and on top of all that it looks awful on anyway. It was one of the accessories I was working on for the 'stitch in time' fashion show but not any more. I can't imagine any of the models thanking me.

I did receive some very amusing answers to what the project was and the winner is

Nancy

I'll email you seperately for postal details to send you your prize Nancy and thank you all for entering.

The rest of the week has been taken up with finalising my patterns for knitonthenet and also tech editing some crochet patterns as well. I have decided to knit something for the fun of it next but haven't made my mind up yet. Will show my choices at the weekend.

for now
a very frazzled
Ruby xx

SP11 questionnaire

Thought I was going to miss out on SP11 as my registration went missing but Jenni has very kindly sorted it all out for me and I'm finally ready to go. Here is my questionnaire.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Wool, silk, wool/silk blends, alpaca, alpaca blends, cottons, cotton mixes, alternative natural fibres except unfortunately for hemp which makes me sneeze terribly whilst knitting. Also am in love with Habu. Do not like synthetics or novelty yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

Jugs and tins. I collect old jugs and use them for storage

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

Have knitted as long as I can remember, probably from about six. Was taught by nan, Ruby. I would say advanced really.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes, an amazon wishlist

5. What's your favorite scent?

Vivienne Westwood - Boudoir and Agent Provocateur - Maitress

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Not a big sweet tooth. Favorite is dark chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

Don't spin, but crochet, sew, embroider, renovate furniture, decorate, cook.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Have MP3 facilities. Big fan of indie music, all sorts of things. Biggest fave at the moment is Jarvis Cocker's latest album. Have a big list of music likes on my myspace - justcallmeruby - myspace.com (not co.uk)

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

Favorite colours change but green always wins in the end, and teal blues, burnt orange, warm greys, also naturals creams and beiges if pink based rather than yellow. Don't like lilac at all.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

One teenage daughter and husband, No pets unfortunately.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes, yes, yes, no.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

sweaters and cardigans, but will knit anything

13. What are you knitting right now?

Too many things, several garments, hats, gloves. Reworking a number of vintage patterns at the moment, resizing etc for today's market.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Most definately

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Prefer circular, preferably wood.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Have a yarn winder and am hoping to get a swift very soon.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Its getting older as found a UFO recently that had forgotten. Probably 2 to 3 years I'm afraid

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Lake district, snowdonia, Santiago in northern Spain, London, New York. big cities and big open countryside

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Is there anything I don't collect? Love collecting buttons, patterns, vintage fabrics, jugs, ribbon, lace, greetings cards, books, magazines, yarn, old crockery, could go on for ever.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

subscribe to interweave, vogue, knit 1, rowan. Vintage pattern books I'm always on the lookout for. Would particularly like the new Veronik Avery when it comes out and the knit knit book. I'm also waiting for Rowan studio 6

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Any that I don't know yet.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Try to be a sock knitter, just don't get enough time. My foot is just on 10 inches long! (big feet)

23. When is your birthday?

12th June

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

Yes. ID is just call me ruby


Gosh that took a long time. Have been having a bit of trouble posting photos over the last couple of days but have a pile of FO's and WIP's coming up, especially some lovely photos from www.knitonthenet.com issue 3 and two new free patterns.

Yellow Jumper

I think a lovely way to preserve the last remnants of a cherished
handknitted garment and to show it in its original form.

I have a fairisle tank of my daughter' from when she was three -
she has just turned 15 (my baby, how has it happened?)
- and several photos of her in it. I think I shall create
some sort of collage with them all for her to keep. More on this
shortly. I shall go back to the attic for a photo hunt.

for now

Ruby xx

Tagged

I've been tagged by Iris and Edna for 8 random facts about myself. I'm hoping that being tagged twice doesn't mean 16 random facts as I had enough trouble with the 8.

Iris has also made me a



which feels really cool. Thanks Iris. Will pass this on to five more bloggers tomorrow.

so here are my 8 random facts:

Colours have smells. Since I was pregnant with my daughter I have been able to smell colours, in fact when expecting the colour of flourescent orange actually made me physically ill.

As a child I took a dead bat home in my coat pocket as a present for my mum.

I don't have a favorite food. I love food and couldn't pick only one. I do however make the best pavlova, even better egg custard and even betterer rice pudding.

I moved house 14 times in 13 years.

My little toes are double jointed.

I am ambi-dextrous.

I hate the taste of aniseed and therefore liqorice and fennel.

I still have a scar on my knee from my first day at school at the age of four, when I tripped over a chair and a nail sticking out of the playbox went through my knee. A first day never to forget.

I don't know who to tag yet so I'll do that tomorrow so watch out.

COMPETITION CLUE: IT GOES ON YOUR HEAD

for now

Ruby xxx

A tale of two (other) Rubys

May I introduce my grandmother, Ruby.



I found this photo of her while up in the attic yesterday. Ruby taught me to sew, to knit, to crochet - all the things I love. Doesn't she look beautiful, polished, groomed? I love that the photo is signed. She had presumably given it to my granddad when they were courting or he went off to war. It seemed extremely significant to find this photo yesterday as another Ruby had introduced herself to me in a very strange way on Friday.

A lovely gentleman was talking to me about the forthcoming funeral for his mother, Beryl, and told me about a poster of her he had with him that he was hoping to display at the service. He had a picture frame with him wrapped in a blanket; he opened up the blanket to reveal this:



His mother's stage name was Ruby. The gentleman' parents were the Tony and Ruby shown in the poster. Ruby stopped performing when she became pregnant and her son never saw her perform. Here is a close up of Ruby. There is more than a passing resemblance to my Ruby.


Both Ruby's look like they are from a very similar era. One, my nan, stayed very close to home and married a local boy and in her whole life never left the area, certainly never went abroad, in fact had only travelled from Lancashire to Yorkshire; The other Ruby, had fallen in love with and married an italian trapeze artist and run away to join the circus. So different, yet look so similar, and both had a profound effect on their families. My gentleman very kindly gave me permission to use and show these photos and I am very grateful to him and will always be grateful to my nan.

for now
yet another Ruby xx