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here has been much chatter across the blogs in the past week about having some sort of celebration of cartography. Mr Devine started it HERE. WE ALL WANT TO MAKE MAPS NOW. Especially Dinah. And me. My proposition is that during the month of July, those of us who are interested, make some sort of map. And it can be about anything – gardens; groynes; coastal erosion; a personal, yet musical journey from 1978 to 1983; how a local bakery displays its cakes; a map of your progress through 24hrs [especially if you stay indoors]; or a chart of the best way through your local supermarket. Think big, think small. Post every day about maps, or post just once, it doesn’t matter, think of it as ‘show and tell’. Oh, and it can be physical, or digital – anything goes!
In other news: I have opened a shop!!! On this blog!! Yes, please feel free to give me money, and in return I will give you a piece of nice water colour paper with more bits of paper stuck on it. But, please don’t all rush at once as the shop isn’t well stocked, but I do hope to fill it with more of this sort of thing:-

This is my first interactive collage – made from recycled blog posts and a removable vintage crossword puzzle.

I really think that I have now mastered this marketing malarkey. Charmaine begs to differ.
FINALLY, what you have ALL been waiting for. The Sunday Music…..
Yay!You’ve kicked off the July Map Challenge. Thank you, Scarlet. I’ll try to get a post up at mine in a couple of hours(mostly for the benefit of local people.Because “this is a local challenge, for local people.”
Um, no, it’s not restricted to this hemisphere. Anyone can play!
If you do make a map, and I hope all my/our readers will, please leave a link in comments(Scarlet’s or mine) so we can all go and have a laug—look.
Oh, come on! It’ll be fun! It can, as Scarlet says, be almost anything. So, have a rummage around in your old school bag for that mapping pen and don’t panic if its nib has been splayed – old-style map-make had to draw, carefully,tongue sticking out of mouth MURIEL! But with a splayed nib you only have to draw the outline once. So get cracking and send us links.
We’ll run til the end of July (Hooley if you’re Spanish.)
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You have caught me with my drawers down, Dinah, as I am having yet another mysterious problem with WordPress – probably Safari/Apple related – anyhow, I will gather myself together, and talk maps. I have mine planned, and I’m very excited for July! Rain or shine, there will be maps! I might not be using a pen much though.
Sx
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Pingback: JULY MAP MONTH | Moreidlethoughts Weblog
I want, nay, NEED the D is for Duck collage!! I shall do the shop email thingy in a mo – just need to finish commenting, first…
I am really excited about the map challenge. REALLY excited! I loved making that Star Trek star map thingy, and have a vague idea for a blog map, but first need to finish (start, even) the LGBTQ themed Trek art challenge by the end of this month.
A splendid Sunday Music choice. One of my favourite TV show themes!
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Oh my goodness, Mr Devine!!! Are you sure?!!! I hope the PayPal button thingy works, it has not been tested. Thank you *blushes and goes a bit silly*
Yes, I have plans for the map project. Everything will probably end up in more of a muddle than it already is!
Sx
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I’m already thinking about a map and how to present it.
To Mogwash, ach …
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Mr Mags – I’m very pleased to hear that you will be taking part!
Sx
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Maps? Bless my cartographical soul, the idea’s a good ‘un … and it also fits nicely with a spot of long-planned mischief. Wot larks.
As the proud owner of the crossword themed collage I can say with some confidence that Miss Scarlet’s creations will not disappoint. Buy soon before the galleries catch on.
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I thought you would like the map idea, Mr Batarde!! If you send me pictures of your creations I would be happy to display them for you, as I think that a map might be off-piste for a crossword blogger.
Thank you for your kind words!
Sx
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That sounds like a good plan, and I do like that “creations” plural. By the way, it’s *prize winning* crossword blogger now …. 🙂
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You have won a prize???! You see, I have always been too dim to keep up with the crossword blog, but congratulations!
Yes, I am an optimistic soul with my plurals aren’t I?!
Sx
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Ha, well, it would appear that my Times jumbo entry was drawn out of Rupert’s hat, so that means prizes (the optimistic plural again). I’m flabbergasted, having never won a raffle before.
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What is your prize?? Is it something swanky?? I won a throwaway camera in a raffle once 😁
Sx
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Assorted reference books, including the Collins dictionary. I haven’t got that one! Belated congrats on the disposable camera. 🙂
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I have the Collins, and the Oxford, the Oxford is better! I’ve yet to use the camera – where would I get the film developed? It’d probably cost a fortune!
Sx
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Probably Exeter!
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Oooh.
I am looking forward to everyone’s creations.
And yearning for a reliable mind map. Mine has faded and is unreadable.
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Hello and Welcome, Elephant’s Child! I am looking forward to it too!
I would need a very large torch to even find my mind!
Sx
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Does the Wonky Words Shoppe sell maps? I’m asking for “a friend.”
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Not yet, Mr Lax, but watch this space! Or more specifically, the space where the shop is.
Sx
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I suppose one could honour your choice of music with a vertical map: “Ground floor, perfumery, leather goods and stationery, wigs and haberdashery…..” Now that would be some collage; but while I may be crafty in some ways, I’m lethal with glue and such, so I’ll just leave the idea there.
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Have you tried double-sided tape, Mr Auty? It’s much easier than glue.
Exactement regarding my musical choice this week! It is a vertical collage!!
Sx
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I want some Wonky Words stuff. Like Device, I was so excited I wrote this comment before I even tried finding the shop.
I think I will take a crack at map making, but only as a text based effort. Sort of like Interpretive Danse for cartography.
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I would love to see your text based map, Mr Peenee! I think I will be making more than one, and none of them will make much sense.
I am flattered beyond comprehension that both you and Mr Devine want a little bit of Wonky Words!!
Sx
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Now THIS will be something to see.Will it be accompanied by a link to the demo.video on Youtube?I envision a sort of DIY Flashmob.
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Get cracking on that inventory stuff dearie, customers are waiting.
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Yep… back to the work station….
Sx
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I prefer to think of it as a sweat shop.
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Peenee – there’s something new in the shop!!
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Steady, Mr Devine!! I am working my way through the alphabet, I am up to ‘e’ now, but want to finish the collection before photographing them for the shop. AND then I will start some more individual pieces. The shop will be bursting with stock by mid July! Or I might get distracted by stuff and they’ll be a couple of leaflets ready in time for Christmas.
Sx
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I love the idea of a map challenge, – beautiful collages – as ever xxx
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Please join in Lulu, if you can, I love your drawings.
Sx
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Now THIS will be something to see.Will it be accompanied by a link to the demo.video on Youtube?I envision a sort of DIY Flashmob.
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Dinah – you seem to be flashing all over the show! I think this comment box might need a map?
Sx
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Oh! I give up. ..
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Never give up, Dinah!!! But yeah, in this case, maybe so. Stoopid WordPress.
Sx
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Goodness, map-making, that’s a bit challenging. Maybe a map of all those English towns and villages with odd names – like Upper Snodsbury, North Piddle, Nether Wallop, Mudford Sock, Blubberhouses, Great Snoring, Bitchfield, Tedstone Wafer….(I could go on)
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Nick, apologies, I thought I’d replied to all my comments. I think I will let you run with this idea and I expect to see a map from you by mid-July!
Sx
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Heads up everyone! There’s “a” special something in the shop!!!
I snapped up the “d”, and it is beautiful!
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You are very kind, Mr Devine! I am determined to render the whole alphabet in collage, and hopefully have it all in my shop. I am up to ‘e’, but am feeling bored with it already – why are there so many letters in the alphabet? But I will finish, though this collection is not not something I will repeat!
Sx
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