Brooches for the shop

I'm not a particularly experienced knitter, so I love these even the more for being knitted. Two lovely brooches, complimented with buttons (the blue has a hand made button) and ribbon and attached to proper brooch pins - doesn't your heart just sink when you see a lovely brooch that someone has stuck a safety pin to, and available in my shop.
Pretty in Pink

Funky Blue

Bunting

Well after absent mindedly changing the tension instead of stitch length whilst on the phone and then having to unpick... I finally have the bunting finished. I have to say I love the colours and fabrics. They seem rather vintage inspired and muted, and yet the red tape seems to bring out their vibrancy. If this tickles your fancy as much as it does mine its on sale in my shop for about £12 (The site prices in US dollars but here is a good currency convertor).

Destined to be....

more bunting of course...

Happy Birthday Lou.

She was all smiles as she opened the front door and saw her balloon, cake, cards and gifts. We had homemade burgers and fries for tea followed by some lovely ice cream before singing Happy Birthday and eating some cake.

I think she had a lovely day, she certainly looked happy all day.

Birthday Girl

Today is Lou's 10th birthday and I have almost finished the preparations. Gingerbread hearts and stars were iced and delivered to school for lunchtime, along with the two invitations for her Birthday tea (which is to be on Friday - when another cake will be required!). Balloon bought and pink drizzle cake made, iced and candles stuck in. Her presents have been wrapped and placed on the piano along with other gifts and cards from friends and family. All that remains now is to ensure the camera batteries are well charged and to make the beefburgers for tea tonight.

Its a rather pink themed birthday - but then Lou is a girl who likes pink!

I can't believe she is 10 today. I remember my own 10th birthday so clearly. I felt so grown up, having finally reached double figures. My day was made all the more special by having my best friend (who shares exactly the same birthdate) over after school for fishfingers, chips and peas (I have a photo - not photographic memory!). We made birthday badges for each other and then we got to go to the cinema to see 'Splash' - and we got to sit on our own. My mum who'd taken us sat 5 rows behind. We felt so grown up. I hope to create a memory like this for Lou, so on Friday she is off to the local swimming pool with two of her friends. The pool puts on 'disco' in the water for 8 - 15 year olds (adults only allowed in the cafe!), with underwater lights and music. She is so excited by this!

Soap Felting

Well it worked! I have to say I was not totally convinced that the process would work. A few years ago on a visit to Ryton Organic Gardens the children got a chance to do some wet felting. I remember it seemed pretty simple at the time, but we never got round to actually doing it at home. Anyhows - today was it, Lou was made to play outside with her friends (poor thing!).

Having got over the fact that the wool was all a bit pink, he picked some great shades to wrap over the soap. We were both a little dubious about actually felting, and I think we put a little too much water on to start - however, we got there and the whole process from start to finish took just under half an hour, which I thought was really good. I think Joe enjoyed it, he's a little unsure as to why we have made a 'jumper' for a bar of soap, and that his hands now 'stink' of Lavender and Jasmine and that they are indeed very clean! (Perhaps I should get him to do this daily). Now we just have to wait for it to dry, he's made a label to go over the soap, and to wrap it up.

Candyfloss

Thats the word that sprung to my mind on opening my parcel this morning. My roving has arrived, just in time for Joe and I to attempt some wet felting round soap for his sisters birthday next week. There were two colourways I was interested in - I really liked the thistle/heather colours, but my daughter will love the soft pinks of this set instead. The wool is so so soft. Heres hoping the wet felting turns out okay. I'm itching to have a go, but I really ought to wait until Joe gets home... I think! Whatever happens look out for the picture of our finished article later.

Valentines

I love crafts - but my hubby doesn't really share the passion. He does however love cake... hence I've come up with an idea for Valentines: Heart shaped Caramel Shortbread.

If you'd like one to send to your beloved - hop on over to my Etsy store where you'll find them!

Help :: Toad in the hole

I'm hoping someone can help me! I decided to make 'Toad in the hole' tonight. To cut a long story short I invited one of my daughters friends round for tea. Nothing wrong here... only the girl has just come downstairs where I was just making the batter and said "Oh are you making your own Toad in the Hole?" ! ! ! Am I missing something here - what other sort is there???

Headache

I've had this fabric for a little while now. I fell in love with the combination of duck egg blue and chocolate on both pieces, and sadly my photo doesn't do the colours any justice. My idea was to make a bag out of it using the dotty fabric as the lining.

Now I know how I want the bag to look, I want to make a clutch bag, only I can't quite work out whether I want it zipped or with a 'flap'. I keep pinging between the two, so more thinking to do.

Dishcloths

I'm a little odd - as my husband will atest to. I like dishcloths and I always smile when I buy new ones. Usually on a shopping trip with said husband just so that I can grin inanely at him when I pick them up. Well I've discovered some new dishcloths (thanks PinkPetalDesigns) - hand knitted ones too. Such a luxury... My poor darling husband knows nothing of this covert purchase either. Now he'll either spot them at the sink and ask what they are... or he'll read about this using bloglines (Hallo love!) Can't wait to wash up later and try them out...Don't you just pity my long suffering husband

Happy Birthday Christopher

Today is Chris' birthday. I tried to get him to take a day off so I could take him out for the day, but he's currently on his Theatre placements and trying to put 'tubes' in - so his birthday treat will have to wait till February.

To make up for it I've donned my bakers hat and made him Caramel Shortbread and a Lemon Drizzle Loaf to take into the hospital and keep all the nurses, consultants, registrars and anaesthetists happy. I've made Butterfly Cakes as requested and I've got a Lardy Cake proving. Whilst it won't do our waistlines any good, it should bring a greedy smile or two!

Yummy

I've really been wanting to wash my car this week, but as of yet the rain has not stopped, so what else is there to do on a day full of rain except bake?

Sitting down with a cup of tea and enjoying a slice of Caramel Shortbread was yummy indeed, and feeling very generous I've even added some to my shop - rest assured those will be baked to order!

Jumping from the sky

I got a text from my brother this morning to say he was jumping today. So Joe and I got dressed for the cold and headed on out to the airfield to watch. We got there just in time to see the plane go up for his first jump. I couldn't work out who was who, but sussed it for Martyn's second jump and impressive landing! Joe was very impressed and now wants to jump himself. Personally I don't fancy it - give me a boat anyday. However it is cool to watch and I'm definately going again!

Apron Swap

I've never made an apron before, but something about this swap made me feel really encouraged. I've signed up to it, and now all I have to do is wait and get my 'partner' - oh and of course make an apron!!!