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Just Frances

Just Frances

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Category: Crafting & Creating

These posts are about my crafting and art projects, many of which involve “upcycling” or the reuse and repurposing of old things to make something new. Some posts will include how-to instructions, but most of my creations are inspired by others (links and acknowledgements will be shared when relevant).

Posted on20 December 202220 December 2022Crafting & Creating

A coded “nap blanket”

by Just Frances2 Comments on A coded “nap blanket”

My latest crochet project is complete: A “nap blanket” for my father using wool from my mother’s vast collection that I inherited over the summer.…

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Posted on1 August 20228 August 2022Crafting & Creating, Musings & Ramblings

A yarn about yarn

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on A yarn about yarn

Definition: Yarn \ˈyärn\ (noun)1 (a): a continuous often plied strand composed of either natural or man-made fibres or filaments and used in weaving and knitting…

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Posted on22 December 20213 January 2022Crafting & Creating, Culinary Arts, Everyday Life

The (gingerbread) house that love built

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on The (gingerbread) house that love built

I built my first gingerbread house today, and I loved it! Not least because I built it with my darling Godson, whom I’ve not seen…

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Posted on9 August 202120 August 2021Crafting & Creating

Electing to upcycle: My Biden birdhouse

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Electing to upcycle: My Biden birdhouse

I was given a Biden/Harris 2020 election sign to display in front of my cottage last year, but after the election (and inauguration) was over,…

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Posted on18 December 20204 July 2021Crafting & Creating

My Prosecco Christmas wreath

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on My Prosecco Christmas wreath

I have (finally) made myself a lovely Christmas wreath out of corks and muselets from various bottles of fizz* – mostly Prosecco, Cava, Champagne, and…

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Posted on18 June 20204 July 2021Crafting & Creating

COVID19 crafting: Proxy hugs

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on COVID19 crafting: Proxy hugs

I have always enjoyed a bit of crafting, and now I am trying to do COVID19-inspired crafting to keep myself from total boredom and as…

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Posted on19 April 20204 July 2021Crafting & Creating

COVID19 crafting: The making of a virus

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on COVID19 crafting: The making of a virus

I don’t know about you, but I find that humour and silliness help me to cope with the stress of life. And I find that…

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Posted on11 April 202018 October 2021Crafting & Creating

COVID19 crafting: Making a plague mask

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on COVID19 crafting: Making a plague mask

Like many people trying to survive during the COVID19 pandemic, I have been doing everything I can to keep myself safe and healthy. And, like…

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Posted on1 July 201916 July 2021Academic Life, Crafting & Creating

My thesis shoes

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on My thesis shoes

Regular readers will know that my PhD Dreams have been an important part of my life for a few years now. And excitedly, my PhD Dreams will…

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Posted on8 July 201526 July 2021Crafting & Creating, Everyday Life

Polka dots and beads

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Polka dots and beads

Once again, my workday saw me walking to-and-from my office for all-important errands. And, once again, I seem to have stumbled into a charity shop…

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Posted on11 February 201526 September 2020Crafting & Creating

Stripy popcorn afghan

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Stripy popcorn afghan

Way back in October 2012, I started to work on an afghan that was intended to resemble a faded flag. Only my Mum came to visit a couple of…

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Posted on11 January 201524 July 2021Crafting & Creating

A dress-down skirt

by Just Frances6 Comments on A dress-down skirt

When I was back home in America on my holidays, I was offered a couple of dresses that didn’t fit just right. But as the previous owners were…

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Posted on5 October 201424 July 2021Crafting & Creating, Travels, Adventures & Explorations

A day at the Kelvingrove

by Just Frances2 Comments on A day at the Kelvingrove

I spent yesterday in Glasgow visiting the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. It’s one of those places I can return to over and over again. In fact, I’ve…

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Posted on19 July 201416 November 2022Academic Life, Crafting & Creating

Poster parcel pizzazz

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Poster parcel pizzazz

[Note: This was originally posted on my PhD blog, FrancesRyanPhD. Not all posts from there are shared here, so go on over and check it out…

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Posted on15 February 201423 July 2021Crafting & Creating

Aprons, fabric, and love

by Just Frances4 Comments on Aprons, fabric, and love

I started Valentine’s Day yesterday by opening up a lovely box that was filled to the brim with love. It wasn’t a box of chocolate…

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Posted on2 February 201423 July 2021Crafting & Creating

Monkey-ing around

by Just Frances2 Comments on Monkey-ing around

Sock monkeys, sock monkeys, and more sock monkeys! When I made my first sock monkey last year, I didn’t really envision myself making another. But last…

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Posted on25 January 201422 July 2021Crafting & Creating

Sew what?

by Just FrancesLeave a comment on Sew what?

After several weeks of mulling the idea of purchasing a sewing machine, but hesitating because my meagre budget wouldn’t allow for anything decent, I lucked…

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Posted on14 January 201422 July 2021Crafting & Creating

Stretching budgets by un-stretching skirts

by Just Frances2 Comments on Stretching budgets by un-stretching skirts

About two years ago, I bought a lovely skirt for about £5 at a charity shop. It was ever-so-slightly too large, but it was pretty…

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Posted on10 January 201422 July 2021Crafting & Creating, Everyday Life

Fashion confessional

by Just Frances4 Comments on Fashion confessional

For most of my life, I’ve felt as if I’ve lived on the wrong side of fashionable. And, I’m sure, most of the people I…

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Posted on15 December 201322 July 2021Crafting & Creating

The Christmas star

by Just Frances2 Comments on The Christmas star

I decided to get a bit crafty this Christmas but wanted to attempt projects using only supplies I had on hand. So, I dug through…

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About Just Frances

Just Frances is a personal website maintained by me, Frances Ryan. I am a quirky runner, writer, thinker, drinker, crafter, adventurer, and researcher. I am also a daughter, sister, aunty, friend, and widow. But mostly, I am just Frances. (She/Her)

I blog about my life, including my travels and adventures, my experiences with PKD and ITP, my life as a young(ish) widow, and my life in general, really. Learn more about the topics I write about here.

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