I spy with my altered eye

Not addicted at all

2012-01-27T09:57:00.002Z

DSC01408
Originally uploaded by lalheg

No woolly goodness to see here, move along now you innocent bystanders

I Aten't Ded

2012-01-27T09:39:00.002Z

See, I am here, just been through a few things out in the real world!

Just testing

2011-07-19T20:30:00.002+01:00

2011-07-16T14:09:00.001+01:00

009
Originally uploaded by lalheg

And yes, even more (looks like a dolly is after some too!)

2011-07-16T14:08:00.005+01:00

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Originally uploaded by lalheg

Yet more

2011-07-16T14:08:00.003+01:00

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Originally uploaded by lalheg

Even more

2011-07-16T14:08:00.001+01:00

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Originally uploaded by lalheg

See

2011-07-16T14:07:00.002+01:00

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Originally uploaded by lalheg

Cottontastic

2011-07-16T14:07:00.000+01:00

Oh my word - 60p a ball and more in the back - I'm just disappointed that they wouldn't let me go and rake through what they had!

Pics to follow

2011-04-27T19:21:00.000+01:00

Poor neglected blog. It’s been quite a few months now..….. Surely not that long?....... Wow! OK, a catch up

I’ve been having interesting times, somewhat like the alleged curse. I’m still in them, partly, but I’ve habituated I think

At least my spell of unemployment has come to an end – albeit temporarily. My current employ blocks access to all blogging and forums / chat rooms so agonizingly I can’t even look at Ravelry – the horror!

Creativity-wise, I’ve been contentedly knitting, star of which has to be the Trinity shawlette I’ve made with some soft and wonderful Babylonglegs Semi-Precious.

There was enough for me to do extra repeats and then when my courage ran out, to extend the border somewhat. Off the needles and preblocked it was 39” wide, 18” tall up the spine and 26” on the diagonal. After measuring, I soaked, rinsed (many times – what a lot of excess dye there was!) and towel blotted my work – always a tense time as I’m forever convinced that despite my best gentle efforts I’ll either tear or felt the work. I’d treated myself to some blocking wires (hulucrafts – fab service, particularly when there was a mix up with some needle tips I ordered at the same time) especially for this shawlette and they were a pleasure to use – definitely worth the investment. I measured during blocking and after – there was only a loss of ½” from one to the other. Finished blocked measurements were 53” wide, 25 ½” tall and 36 ½” on the diagonal – big enough to sit over my shoulders and upper arms, protecting me from the worst of the air conditioning in the office

I am very pleased with how the shawlette turned out – the interaction between the pattern and the beautiful semi solid wool (50% silk and 50% SW merino) is perfect and the weight and sheen of it – I am one proud knitter! It must have been good – DH asked ‘did you knit that?!’, then he asked ‘when?’ – just goes to show how miraculous blocking must be as he had no connection between the blue lumpy thing I’d been working on and the finished article

I’ve also made spiral tube socks for DD, am working on some much longer ones for DH and have started a Featherweight (I think – I am muddled without internet access – whichever is the paid for, Featherweight or Whisper) for myself. I also made a cute elephant that was going to be for a work colleague, but DD fell in love with it so had it instead. Top tip – if you make one, put toy beads in the rear or something else weighty as the trunk pulls it over

I wish I had some sewing or patchwork to report on. I did try to make a bag as a present for my neighbour, but messed it up and it has been punished through solitary confinement in a drawer ever since. I keep intending to make myself a nice lunch bag instead of the greenie meanie reuse of bread bags that I’m indulging in at the moment, but to no avail. I’ve taken a break from morsbagging too – somehow it all got tangled up in my interesting times, so I took a break from it.

Recently I went to the NEC to help out with teaching knitting on the Knit One Pass It On stand and although I looked out for the morsbags crowd, I don’t think they were there. Oddly enough, as I was thinking about it last week, a woman who was meant to drop off fabric in the autumn finally called me and brought around two bin bags full of curtain fabric, so I will take that as an omen and contact the inimitable Rosie.

Otherwise, life has been full of family, pie making and general baking, knitting club (including a new member flashing a photo that made us all wish for brain bleach), friends and general day to day living and all that entails (usually washing and ironing!)

Socksy

2011-02-06T20:43:00.000Z

Image by lalheg via Flickr

I've been working hard on finishing off a jumper that I knitted for DH. I thought I'd practice my handwashing skills, so I gathered together the socks that I've knitted over the past few years and gave them a gentle wash, rather than the vicious pounding that the washing machine gives them (which is why one pair of socks knitted for DH are now mine, all mine! Sometimes shrinkage ends up a positive). I took pictures but Zemanta seems to be having a wobbly in placing them, so apologies if your screen is randomly festooned!

I did knit something

2011-01-22T19:03:00.000Z

I knitted a hat for my brother in law who is not well. Here's a tiny bit of DH modelling it:

Lady Marmalade

2011-01-22T19:02:00.001Z

DSC00946
Originally uploaded by lalheg

Sorry I've been absent for so long - life just gets in the way sometimes

Spurred by my on line friend Kath and her hopefully successful first try at making marmalade, I thought I'd share my first attempt.

DH cycled to our town just to get seville oranges for me last Saturday, so I spent a happy afternoon juicing, chopping, simmering, boiling, sterilising and filling to come out at the other end with five jars plus a little bit of sheer happiness

Sausages!

2010-11-26T14:57:00.001Z

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Originally uploaded by lalheg

Thank goodness for great knitting friends.

The other Thursday I told knit night about a sausage realated disagreement (of the mildest nature ever). On Saturday three of us went to a bead and knitting show, then on to Yarn at Beeston. Amongst the fabulousness was this monstrous hairy sausage yarn which Ruth pointed to, shouting out 'Sausages' in a curious voice at the same time. Somehow this hit my funny button to the point where I was laughing noiselessly and crying - much to the amusement of a husband in there, but to the great disapproval of his wife

A little act of love

2010-11-11T12:53:00.001Z

DSC00914
Originally uploaded by lalheg

DH had to be away last weekend. So I wouldn't feel too lonely, he arranged his 'loungewear' so it looked like a dried out husk of himself!

budgie

2010-11-09T15:27:00.001Z

budgie
Originally uploaded by lalheg

J wants a budgie - I don't think he means one of these, but it will be far easier to keep!

Playing with machines

2010-10-23T15:36:00.002+01:00

penguinpals1
Originally uploaded by lalheg

I was inspired by fellow ravellers and their penguin friends this week.

I tried to use my lovely Singer, but she was having none of it, so over to my trusty Viking and I was soon happily looking at these two little penguin pals who are about 2 - 2.5" high

I used reverse applique and free machine embroidery and loved their quirky characters

Then I was asked to make another tiny one so used applique techniques as I thought that there would not be room for the reverse applique to work

I am really pleased at how these have come out and my mind is buzzing with ideas for more creatures and pictures that I could make

A new love

2010-10-14T14:41:00.000+01:00

I've been gently chided by a kind friend that I've been neglecting my blogs. I have, there's no point denying it. I'm in a bit of a funk - maddened and despaired by my current job situation - so I've not been posting.

However, there are so many things to be grateful for in my life. One of these is a new love. It's OK, my lovely hubby has not been deposed. I am talking about yet another vintage sewing machine. As some know, DD has a hand crank. A few weeks ago I found a sewing table for it and it's lovely. I was therefore ecstatic when someone advertised on freegle that they wanted to pass on another machine in its own table. I was lucky enough to have it gifted to me:

So I am now the proud owner of a mucky, chipped and well used Singer 319k with all of its attachments, cams, plates and a couple of spare bobbins.

I was a bit scared of all of its jiggery pokery - so much to fiddle with. I can't get the stop on the stitch length regulator to budge yet, but I'll work on that.

Poking around on the Internet, I was a bit dismayed to find out that these machines work on a different needle system. I was therefore horrified when I broke the needle when testing it. Friends on Ravelry found me UK and USA stockists. I was perturbed when the UK stockist told me to buy as many needles as I could if I ordered from him as they weren't made any more. I spent the afternoon sulking and wondering if I should just pass the machine on and save myself future heartache. Finally, at about 5pm I had a brainwave.

Tentatively I fitted in a normal needle - a Klassik sharp that had come in the biscuit tin of attachments. I gently turned the wheel by hand to see what happened. By rights this should have been a disaster as there's a length difference with the needles and so the timing of all the gubbins inside the machine should be wrong. It seemed OK, so I tried a test sew - bang - needle broken. I took a deep breath and tried a different brand of needle. It worked going forwards, but not backwards - that broke the needle. I fitted a third and resolved to just sew forwards. Lovely, lovely, lovely. Then, in a fit of not quite knowing my controls yet and thinking I'd adjusted the stitch length to zero, I accidentally sewed backwards with great success. So, I now just need to stock up on Pony needles or experiment again with other brands.

I don't know why these needles worked - they shouldn't have done. I looked at the bobbin case and it's not had the cutaway mod. Maybe the previous owner had got the timing adjusted? It was definitely a 206x13 needle in there originally as it had the groove down the centre. Whatever, I am just so excited to have this machine to play with

Now to think what I want to sew on it!

Promises, promises

2010-10-04T10:02:00.000+01:00

Image by reb via FlickrI am here, I will blog, but first I really have to go and get my run done. Yep, you read that correctly - I have started running! Inspired by various friends, I have been following the Couch to 5k programme for the past 6 weeks. Today is the start of week 7 - from here onwards there are no intervals of walking, just straight runs. This week it's 25 mins at a time - shocking to me that I can do that as 7 weeks ago I found it hard to run for a minute at a time.

I won't babble on about it too much here - I've been blogging away about it on http://artygalfindsherway.blogspot.com/ but have been quiet about it until I felt confident enough in what I'm doing

More on lots of things including another giveaway win when I get back.............

Luckily quilts never go off

2010-09-16T11:03:00.001+01:00

I'm just about to start some hand quilting on a lap quilt that I labelled as soon as I pieced it. I started quilting it then got distracted by paper crafts and knitting, so it has been sitting in my WIPs since June 2002.

Time I got on with it I think!

Picking up the reins

2010-09-14T17:13:00.000+01:00

I have a lot of things I want to blog about, not least of which is a wonderful giveaway that I won. I've failed in getting my photos of that one so far (too busy using a lot of what I won!) so I shall post that one another day.

Today though - a fun day. I started off with an interview - still waiting to hear on that one, so shh, no tempting fate. Now I could have gone straight back to the train station and gone home, but instead I walked from one side of Nottingham city centre to the other, up to a new wool shop that's opened - Knit Nottingham. On the way I walked past a wee lad in a fancy dress costume. I waited until I was almost level, then just at the right moment and volume, gasped 'Ooh, Buzz Lightyear', then floated down the road to the sound of his delighted, secretive giggles.

I found the wool shop without any problems - it's only a hop and skip up from the Victoria Centre - close enough to town to be buzzy, far enough away to make you feel as though you're in a lovely community and supporting a truly local business. All the time I was there, people were popping in- for sales, advice, details of upcoming workshops and even just for a friendly chat. I really enjoyed the inclusive, welcoming feel that Eleanor, one of the co-owners is building - to the point where I happily sat, knitted and had a cup of tea with her. Definitely not the treatment you get in larger establishments, or my nearest craft shop come to think of it.

The shop itself is quite small and as I described it on Ravelry is a good range of basics spiced with some fabulous artisan makes, mixed with vintage and served with a great slice of friendliness. I saw some beautiful handspun / hand dyed and great handmade crochet hooks - all mixed in with good value acrylics in shades that your usual Wilkinsons etc don't carry. There was a good variety of wools for the size of shop - I was a bit mind blown by my interview to remember makes etc so apologies!

I was frustrated that I had no money in my purse - they are still waiting for their chip and pin machine so that might be worth bearing in mind if you visit. There is a fee charging cash machine nearby and a free one about a 5-10 minute walk away, but by this time it was chucking it down so I resisted temptation. I did scrape up £1 to buy a pack of knitters finishing needles - finding them is like hens teeth sometimes so that pleased me!

So, in summary - a good addition to Nottingham's wool shops that I hope is going to grow over time

Comfort food

2010-09-08T12:09:00.000+01:00

Comfort food is different to comfort eating. It's not about putting a wrong right, rather it's about feeling cosy. Recently we had a dark, miserable rainy day so, being in the mood for gentle indulgence, we sat down to the most delicious corned beef and potato pie with beans and fruity sauce.

We've been watching The Great British Bake Off and my pie might not have won their accolades, but boy it tasted great and the pastry was short, crumbly and a total delight. My family had always told me that they didn't like pies, but this converted them to the point where they were flinging pie ideas at me left right and centre.

Since then I've also made a minced beef and onion pie and I've even bought new pie dishes to bake them in. Next on the list is chicken pie and then of course there are all the fruit pies...... If anyone has ideas for fillings for savoury or sweet, I'd love to hear them. Looks like this autumn/winter could be pietastic!

Waving frantically - again!

2010-09-07T13:53:00.000+01:00

I am here, I promise - just catching up now that the kiddos have gone back to school. I have things to mail, subjects to write about and so many things I want to make! Now where did I put that cloning kit?

Image via Wikipedia

Printing

2010-08-22T16:27:00.000+01:00

OK, the red stuff is - jelly!

Almost a week ago I finally got round to using up some out of date jelly and made it extra thick so I could do some gelatine printing. Life kind of took over and I didn't get to it, so it has sat waiting quite happily in the fridge until this afternoon.

I followed various instructions on the internet and must say that I really enjoyed this initial foray. Unfortunately my phone decided to have a dicky fit, so here are some mangled photos before it got its proverbial knickers untangled from the twist it had them in!

Then finally the phone got its act together so

and

DD joined in with the second half of the prints and after the very quick clean up, arrived with a very clear statement:

We're going to edit the prints and work more on them during the week - seeing how long the jelly will last, what else we can print on and with, so watch this space!

Arty adventure

2010-08-22T16:04:00.000+01:00

Here we have the equipment needed for my arty adventure - paint, glass, paper, rollers, plant material and - what could that red stuff be?.......

OK, she caved!

2010-08-22T14:19:00.002+01:00

So, the goodies go to Annie and, as she was already a follower, that includes the tins! I must admit I was wondering if anyone was going to be tempted, but it was good fun and I will definitely be running more of these. Maybe my next one will be fabric related?......

I'm having one of those days where I really should be doing something, but I can't get going. So, maybe if I set myself a challenge of doing something new and doing a photo story of it, that will motivate me. Ah ha - I have the very, very thing.....

See you in a little while with the first part

Giveaway update - with photo!

2010-08-20T12:32:00.000+01:00

So, it's time to get the giveaway going again. Here's a quick pic of what I've got stashed away for one lucky person so far.

Are you itching for the tins? Can't live without german hymnal music? In love with the Constance Talmadge cigarette card? Remember, whoever shouts first wins, but if you don't I'll add more temptations....

Thank you universe

2010-08-20T11:50:00.000+01:00

I had a lovely lunch time yesterday. I had to go into town to do some shopping and just happened to be able to arrange to meet If the knit fits... at a local cafe. It was one of those days when everything falls right. I had the choice of two parking spaces where normally they are all used up and despite the cafe being rammed with people, I got an outside table. We had a lovely hour together over drinks and cakes (slab of custard slice for me, jam and cream scone as big as a baby's head for ITKF) then I had to move the car so we parted ways. I did my shopping then had just enough time for a charity shop and RESULT!

ITKF is convinced that I have mad skills in attracting great charity shop finds. I dunno, I'm open to whatever is in there and maybe it's just the law of averages as I don't report on the many times I leave empty handed. Yesterday was not one of those times.

My first stop was the books and I could not resist the Country Diary Book of Crafts as it is packed full of things to make and it is so redolent of its time (plus it was a bargainous 50p). I wanted to wander over to the bric a brac next, but a woman was stood there, chatting. I thought I could see something exciting lurking near her leg, so I hoped she had finished looking and was on her way out.....

Looking around in a slightly frustrated way, I happened to spot something I've been wanting for ages - a pouffe! A bit grubby, but the right size and shape, so it was mine. Ther's a tiny, tiny split in one of the side seams, so I can see it's insides are straw, but that's great. I'm doing an evening class in soft furnishings and dress making this term (I want to learn about adjusting for fit), but this means I have a furnishing project - a cover for the pouffe!

By this time the woman was just making her way out of the door and yes! my eyes were not deceiving me - that IS a ball winder in lovely packaging. I swooped (as if anyone else would be interested) and it's not just a ball winder - it's a Daruma Home twister. Extra super as I've just received a ton of machine knitting yarn through freegle and it's all a bit too thin for my needs

Sum total of this happiness was below £10, so I rounded it up for love. I got three items of wonder and a blast of gratitude - how lucky am I?!

I'm back!

2010-08-18T14:36:00.000+01:00

Just a quickie - I'm back and have had a brilliant holiday time. I'll blog more later, but just wanted to wave my flag as it were so no-one thinks I've fallen off the edge of the world

Missed you all and have been dreading trying to catch up with the on line world so have decided I won't - that lifted a huge weight off my mind! If you've made an important blog post or announcement that you think I should know about, please leave me a comment / link.

So much to tell you all and of course there's the giveaway to get going again.....

Holiday Hiatus

2010-07-29T14:43:00.000+01:00

Just to let you know that we're away on holiday tomorrow until a week on Tuesday - as I haven't packed for myself yet, it's time to get my hands off the keyboard and into the suitcases!

See you all when I get back - I promise that there will be a big splurge on the altered art goodies!

Waving from happy times

2010-07-27T11:12:00.000+01:00

Lovely blog readers, I feel that I'm neglecting you. In my defence, I am having a fabulous time with my family - there has been ear piercing, morsbagging, computing, berry picking, jam and jelly making, sleepovers, barbecuing, playing, sewing and general relaxing galore.

We've cared for a friend's hamster for a week and in return received the most amazing trug full of fresh allotment produce

My husband took me out for lunch in Loughborough and we were transported to the middle east

Children and friends have enjoyed trampolining

and composting

I am loving the summer break this year!

Ironing = love

2010-07-23T13:01:00.000+01:00

Image via Wikipedia

I am being very naughty sitting on here and playing about when I should be doing the ironing - again! Mountains of rumpled clothes are waiting to be turned into expressions of love, hugs to wrap around my loved ones (not that they will think that, but I will know!)

2010-07-23T12:34:00.000+01:00

Image via Wikipedia

I'm trying out Zemanta - just to see what the heck it's about! Do any of you use it? Any tips?

spearmint baby: rainbow cupcakes

2010-07-22T09:56:00.000+01:00

spearmint baby: rainbow cupcakes

I so want to make these - how fabulous?!

Fiendish Giveaway Update 3

2010-07-21T20:16:00.001+01:00

OK, sorry to have been a bit absent from this - to make up for it, I'm going to add some more lovely items - a yard of punchinella/sequin waste, some sea glass, a purple tag, a brass heart, some jigsaw pieces and some used postage stamps - a mixture of foreign and UK from a variety of decades

sorry for the lack of pics again - I feel a headache looming!

Fabric lust

2010-07-20T15:13:00.000+01:00

Alpine Fabrics: Category: Domestic Diva

I so hope this comes over here. Anyone know of a UK stockist?

Summer Manifesto

2010-07-20T11:12:00.000+01:00

I've been almost away from the world of screens and their constituent countries of blogs, Twitter, Facebook and Ravelry for a few days. I realised that I was feeling anxious about catching up with everything / everyone - ridiculous - so it's either change that attitude or at some point I am going to have to scale down my online activities. I think that will happen naturally this summer as having pondering my enjoyment of my extended weekend I came up with a simple manifesto for this precious summer.

MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY DAY

So, that's what I'm off to do as there are things to make, homecomings to arrange, children to hug, gardens to care for, space to discover, people to love and moments to experience.

Don't worry - I'll be reporting back!

Fiendish giveaway Update 2

2010-07-15T14:50:00.000+01:00

No pics yet as have to go out in a moment- just added -

bits of altering 'kibble' - a ruler, a stick on Ganesh, some tags, teeny stick on gems and whatever else usable I find in a container I'm going through.........

I'm also going to add in a bonus item that you will only be able to claim if you are a follower the day before you say 'MINE': a beautiful cream painted metal tin 8" by 5 1/2" marked herbs, with 6 small herb tins inside (great for altering / storage)

Vintage Sewing - lucky me!

2010-07-15T14:39:00.002+01:00

Back in the mists of weeks ago, I was really happy to write about a fabulous charity shop find - the most darling snake charmer basket stuffed to the gunnels with wonderful sewing and knitting things. Here's a collage tour for your delectation - if anyone wants to see larger pics of any of the items, just let me know and I'll oblige.

Personally, I'm taken with:

- the old cotton reels - there's an eau de nil one which I love, plus a darker wood large reel that is swoonworthy by itself

- British Safety Pins - would this be a wartime packaging - very sparse

- hand painted green buttons - teeny tiny mushrooms

- advertising descriptions on the needles

- old bags - memory lane

safety pin box - bless!

and more - summarised as 'I love it all!'

My winnings!

2010-07-14T16:44:00.000+01:00

Remember I won a giveaway recently? Well it's here - two beautiful skeins of handpainted beauty and a bonus badge that I will wear with pride:

I would post more, but there's a thunderstorm so off I go!

I've got an Award

2010-07-14T14:31:00.000+01:00

My first blogger award! I was really surprised to see that I was the first blogger to be listed on Susie's award post on useless beauty designs - how flattering

So I am proudly displaying my award:

and will happily comply with the requirements:

Thank the blogger who bestowed you with the award.

Thank you Susie - we're new internet friends so I'm enjoying slowly getting to know you

Sum up your blogging experience, philosophy and motivation in five (5) words.

fun
creativity
contact
inspiration
addiction

Nominate 10 deserving bloggers

All Things Quilty
Lilys Quilts
ALTERED ART AND A LOAD OF TAT
Inside Out Style
Flossie Teacakes
If the Knit Fits
That Intuitive mum
Mimi Love
The Artful Zebra
down---to---earth

Fibre adventure

2010-07-14T08:45:00.001+01:00

Lovely Fiona gave me my first lesson in spinning at knit night last week. It's a lot harder than it looks! I was instructed to soak the results in hot water to set the twist, so I went the whole hog and had a go at dyeing too, using a pack of Koolaid. I've a small stash of packets that Lori sent me all the way from S Carolina - many years ago we were all ATC and altered art freaks together - just occasionally there's a benefit to being reluctant to throw things out!

So, here's my photo story of not quite fluff to finished article, but all the steps in between. And yes, that is one of Alice Starmore's books - a bit tattered but a bargain from a charity shop. TBH I don't really get why so many rave about her - can anyone enlighten me?

Oh, can anyone suggest what I can make with about 16 yards of bumpy orange oddness?

Fiendish altered art giveaway Update 1

2010-07-13T14:36:00.001+01:00

As promised, here's the pic of the initial items. and here's what I'm adding today- vintage slides!

down---to---earth: Tick tock tick

2010-07-13T10:34:00.000+01:00

Please, take time to read this post and at least a few of the comments down---to---earth: Tick tock tick. Now look at your day, your to do list, the things that are preying on your mind and be happy that you are here to experience them, plan for them and work through them

I'm off to be grateful that I'm tidying up!

Fiendish altered art supplies giveaway

2010-07-12T17:21:00.002+01:00

As promised, here is my fiendish giveaway. I did one of these a few years ago and got such a kick out of it, so thought it high time I did another to celebrate the last week of school, the change in the weather and DS going abroad with school for the first time. Also, it helps with my decluttering (see my other blog: From Clutter to Tranquility for details of that!)

This one is going to be altered art supplies focused, but if there is a good response there may well be other crafty ones - possibly scrapbooking, fabric and knitting related

I am going to have an envie / box that I will add at least one item to every day. Whoever leaves a comment saying 'MINE' will get the contents - the twist of course is that the longer you wait, the more you will get - unless someone else gets in there first...... so can you bear to wait? Other comments are welcome, only the MINE comment claims it!

I'm seeding this one with five great items to start with :

Perfect Pearls in Berry Twist
6 5" elastic cords and barbs for use in bookmaking and more
A set of Tim Holtz metal disks
A Maya Road Coffee Break Chipboard Book
A single microscope slide holder (no slide)

I'll post pics later

(I reserve the right to send this giveaway by surface mail if an international friend nabs it - you never know)

Dots N Stripes

2010-07-12T14:00:00.000+01:00

Dots N Stripes

Competition entry

2010-07-12T13:50:00.000+01:00

I want to put - don't look here, nothing to see, just because otherwise there might be more people enter the giveaway here- what a Grinch!

My return swap

2010-07-08T23:34:00.000+01:00

Now that my partner has received her swap, I can show what I sent. Given that the spending bar for this Ravelry 'Cheap as Chips' Swap is £5, I thought I did well. If you hadn't guessed it, the theme was purple so I had great fun amassing this and making the cover of the notebook.

I won't be able to participate in next month's swap, but I don't want to miss out on the fun, so I've decided to be my own swap partner. The theme is floral I think - wonder what I'll get myself?

Giving notice

2010-07-08T16:55:00.000+01:00

I'm going to be running a fiendish giveaway next week (and maybe more than one if I have fun), to celebrate the last week of the school year around here. I've run a similar one in the past and know I have to be around to do it properly - hence why it's not a good idea to try to fit it in over the weekend where someone in the house celebrates a big birthday, competes in a triathlon and needs to get ready for a holiday in France next week....

You Just Gotta Keep Knittin'

2010-07-08T09:02:00.000+01:00

You Just Gotta Keep Knittin': "Time flies when you're living life"

Think that just sums it all up!

Project bag fun

2010-07-07T11:04:00.000+01:00

I was inspired to make myself a project bag over the weekend (sewing bloomers just wasn't enough!).

I'm really pleased with how it turned out and its deceptive roominess - I got my almost finished 80s raglan into it without problems when I went for tea with a friend.

I've got an idea for sewing another knitting project related bag floating around in my head - I will have to play with it for a while until I get what I'm thinking of from brain to fabric

The Daintification of Masculinity

2010-07-06T09:30:00.000+01:00

The Daintification of Masculinity

saw this via another blog through Ravelry - so cool!

Summer Party

2010-07-05T18:28:00.001+01:00

We went to a fabulous party - a DIY barbecue, Pimms, inflatables and the most glorious weather. The dress code for women was hilarious - posh frocks and big pants, so I equipped myself and DD with the biggest pants of all - bloomers! She looked cute, I looked more like a pantomime dame, but it was so worth it for the giggle

Leicestershire Woolfest

2010-07-04T23:55:00.002+01:00

Leicestershire had its own tiny woolfest today - it was great! I met up with various members of Loughborough Knitters, the Big Knit and random woolly minded people (I'm not saying which categories those pictured below fit into!);

wandered up to meet sheep and the alpacas that guard them;

and had a thoroughly great time. Hopefully this is the start of something great for Leicestershire!

I do knit, I promise!

2010-07-04T23:08:00.001+01:00

Given the lovely weather, I thought I'd have a go at knitting with some 80s flavour mint green Cotton Top I have in my stash, courtesy of the local scrap store many years ago.

I decided on The Incredible, Custom-fit Raglan Sweater for my pattern, using the V neck instructions, adding in a few cream stripes of Fiori at the top for variety (plus I started to get myself worried about how much wool I'd got). I 'm half way down the body and it is fitting wonderfully. Shame that mint green isn't so much my colour, but I could have an adventure and overdye it once it's finished. Any suggestions for a colour would be welcome!

Swappity swap goodies

2010-07-02T15:01:00.001+01:00

I took part in a swap on Ravelry and look what I got:

Yum - chocolate for lunch!

I won yarn!

2010-07-02T00:34:00.000+01:00

A better post about this tomorrow, but I won yarn on http://graceysgoodies.blogspot.com/ - my first blog giveaway win!

Postcrossing funny

2010-06-29T11:00:00.000+01:00

Love it! Just got a postcard through postcrossing where the text reads 'when my husband's grandmother died we found all these old cards from vacation. I took them for post crossing, even though I have never been to Sea World myself'

I'm feeling a combination of amusement, pleasure that the postcards are being used and just a hint of eww, dead woman's possessions (silly really given my vintage/charity shop obsession)

S l o w l y w o r k i n g on a quilt top

2010-06-29T10:56:00.001+01:00

I am so easily distracted by anything at the moment, particularly with it having been so hot. I am meant to to have finished this quilt in May I think, but here we are at the tail end of June and I'm just getting round to playing with block placement! Lucky there are no quilt police around

Sometimes I surprise myself

2010-06-29T10:33:00.000+01:00

What a flash of insight! It has only just struck me that I can write blog posts and save them to post later. This is exceptionally helpful to me as sometimes I have loads of ideas for things I want to write about, but don't want to a) put them in one mega post or b) flood the blog with lots of posts in one day then nothing for weeks. Also, I like writing at one PC, but the photos are all on the other one, so this way I can babble along as inspiration strikes and then add photos when it's convenient.

Plus I've realised that I can schedule a posting time - ooh, the possibilities!!!!!!!!!

Cor, wonder if I'll be inspired to get the papering done in the bathroom soon?!

Shawl Pin Number 3

2010-06-28T11:21:00.001+01:00

Lovely Linda of Tall Yarns commissioned a silver shawl pin from me last year, which was very exciting and flattering. She loved it and was impossibly upset when it was lost, so she asked me to make another. This one is even chunkier than her first and will look lovely with her designs. As it is so heavy, I'm going to recommend that she employs a teeny safety pin in the reverse of her knitting through one of the purposefully large jump rings, so that she can never lose her pin again.

I got a shock when I priced up this piece - silver is so expensive! I hope Linda had a great time at Woolfest to fund this....

In praise of online friendships

2010-06-25T14:10:00.000+01:00

I've just entered a giveaway here, which is timely as I was thinking today about how important online friendships are to me

So, thank you, everyone who reads or follows or comments, chats on facebook, twitters or blogs - you all make a difference to someone's life

Damn!

2010-06-24T12:14:00.000+01:00

I'm trying to thwart the dreaded spammers so I've moved onto a different comments system, but have somehow lost everyone's words of wisdom on here and my other blog - woe is me!

Loughborough Degree Show

2010-06-23T19:23:00.000+01:00

Loughborough University - Art and Design Degree Show 2010 - Artist profiles

I visited this show last week, intending to stay for just an hour but after 2 1/2 hours still don't think I saw it all

I love Daisy Collingridge's work - I couldn't remember her name so was very pleased to see her featured here in the profiles

I was also enamoured with pieces by Emma Wicks and Hannah Tatnall., plus another artists whose name has gone, but did an installation piece resembling a potting shed that seemed to be all about growth and decay. This last work didn't seem much at first but has played in my mind ever since and I'd love to know who did it!

I was all fingers and thumbs answering a call while I was there - looks like I was trying to take a sneaky pic!

Anyone used this fabric supplier

2010-06-20T20:38:00.000+01:00

I do not need any more fabric, I don't. but just in case - anyone used croftmill? Any other online suppliers you could recommend. just for research purposes of course

hexagon love

2010-06-20T13:31:00.001+01:00

I have mostly been… « Sew Much Progress
It's a long time since I did English patchwork, but the photo of hexagons almost persuaded me to have another go - until I thought of everything I've got started and not yet finished

a busy morning

2010-06-19T16:21:00.000+01:00

While I was doing my shopping in town this morning I had a quick blast around the charity shops. I was very, very good and did not buy anything, but I have been kicking myself ever since for not spending a measly £2.99 on this beautiful toy sewing machine (and I checked, it's been sold), but at least I'm keeping to my drive to get things out of rather than into the house!

I saw some beautiful books too, but wasn't tempted by

or by

Who knew that there'd been a jazz book club in the 60s?

I was pleased I hadn't brought lots home with me as I had the most wonderful table full of post waiting for me

Clockwise from top left: two bookmooch books from Japan - still in the lovely brown envelope at this point; a postcrossing card from the Netherlands; a beautifully wrapped purchase - amy butler's softwares which just happened to fall into a cyberbasket yesterday (more when I've looked at that tomorrow) and most exciting - my wonderful handmade soap that Susie from Useless Beauty Designs blogged about here and was sent in unnecessary payment for the plants that I hope she has either received or that will get there on Monday (if they've not dried out and shrivelled by then, worrit worrit). The bars are lavender and geranium and they smell wonderful - not overpowering and just wholeheartedly feminine without being sickly. I love that they look handmade rather than machined and until they are used, they are sitting in my frillies drawer, sharing their perfume!

Victoria and Albert Museum - Patchwork: Pattern Maker

2010-06-18T14:03:00.000+01:00

Victoria and Albert Museum - Patchwork: Pattern Maker

How fab is this?!

Spreading the love

2010-06-18T12:03:00.000+01:00

I was reading Susie's blog, useless beauty designs and it gave me an opportunity to send her a few plants for her herb garden. She is being very generous by posting something in return - lovely but not expected when made my offer, but even more exciting for that.

I'll post more when her gift arrives

Unexpected beauty

2010-06-14T15:40:00.002+01:00

Being a Grimsby girl I have a lot of childhood memories of standing with my parents in fish and chip shops - our takeaway treat after doing the grocery shopping one evening a week (probably on my dad's weekly payday). I doubt there are as many chip shops around now, but I was always excited to visit one particular one and after visiting a family wedding in the town a few years ago, made a special journey just to photograph the fish range at Smiths chippy

I'd love to see other examples of decorative ranges- I can't find anything on Google!

Splendito

2010-06-13T21:09:00.000+01:00

I decided to make the marmalade and poppy seed teabread recipe from the Splenda website so that the knitting group could sample Splenda in a recipe (mainly because I love the weird flavour and texture of poppy seeds)

The recipe was really easy to follow - lucky as I had left it a bit late. Quite a few ingredients but really quick to put together. The timings were great and I took the cake to knitting wrapped in a checked tea towel and still warm.

We sneakily got it out and it looked so inviting that I didn't have time to take pictures until there was only a little left:

Everyone who tried the cake liked it - most had a second piece! No one could discern an aftertaste, which had been a concern that two had voiced, so I would say that the Splenda had been a success. I also gave away the free samples that came in the kit so there may be some more feedback next week.

Small pleasures = big happiness

2010-06-11T14:22:00.000+01:00

My small pleasure for today - red leicester cheese on toast. I got the timing just right - slice 1 just the way I liked it, slice 2 under the grill and ready to perfection as I finished the first one!

Glorious charm squares

2010-06-11T13:53:00.002+01:00

Oh, I so love the kindness of strangers and online friends

Helena on Ravelry offered to send some home cut charm squares to anyone who wanted some. I said I'd swap some with her (still to cut mine!) and waited with excitement for the envie. And waited. And waited. Eventually I sent Helena a message explaining that it hadn't yet arrived, but I was worried in case she thought it had and I'd just been ingratitude personified. About the same time she received her parcel back from the PO - totally mullered!

Anyhow, she sorted it out and we tried again and success! I spent a good 15 minutes luxuriating in these lovelies, fondling and dreaming of what I can make

All tied up in the sunshine:

Then I came inside as the wind started to blow and I didn't fancy chasing fabric around the garden.

Look at all that inspiration. I'm buzzing to play with it all - a bad case of startitis which I am resisting but it's hard!

Soda Farls

2010-06-10T15:39:00.001+01:00

I thought I'd try my hand at making soda farls last night. I was surprised by how much they puffed up and will have to consult the expert (AKA my wonderful mother in law) on how to stop the crusts being quite as chewy as they were, but for a first go these were delicious toasted and buttered with a fried egg

Super sweet

2010-06-09T18:19:00.000+01:00

As mentioned in my post here I'm a Bzzagent and I've received some free samples of Splenda.

I don't take sugar in tea or coffee, so I was pleased to realise I had some fresh mint from my mum, a fab little teapot and therefore an opportunity to try the sweetener in some Moroccan style mint tea.

I poured the tea (just steeped a handful of mint leaves) onto the sweetener and was surprised to see it dissolve easily. Friends in the past have complained about this aspect of sweeteners.

I tasted the tea and it was extremely sweet for my liking. Once I had sipped and topped up my cup it was a lot better. I was pleased that there was no aftertaste but would have preferred the tablets to come in half teaspoonful equivalents

My next adventure will be baking with Splenda - there are a few adjustments I'll have to make to take into account how the sweetener will behave compared to sugar. I hope whatever I decide to make turns out OK as I'm going to take it to my knitting group to sample

Ravelry: discussion topic - How to stop "Grazing"?

2010-06-09T10:48:00.000+01:00

Ravelry: discussion topic - How to stop "Grazing"?: "I read a book on compulsive eating once - can’t remember for the life of me what it was called! - and the key message was to 1. plan when you are next going to eat, anywhere between in 30 minutes to 4 hours time. If you get to that time and you’re not hungry, fine - just set another time. It advises against going for more than 4 hours without eating though. Then 2. when you do get to the ‘set’ time, decide beforehand what and how much you are going to eat. You may eat less, if you get halfway through and feel full up for example, but never more. Then go back to step one and decide what time will be your next eating opportunity…and so on and so forth."

Hmm - would that work?

The Boy Who Knits - Techniques: Fixing Lace Without a Life Line

2010-06-09T09:07:00.000+01:00

The Boy Who Knits - Techniques: Fixing Lace Without a Life Line

Now why would I need this tutorial?

Julie Whitmore Pottery

2010-06-08T11:01:00.000+01:00

Julie Whitmore Pottery

Ever find a site, blog or Etsy that makes you want to cry with vague and bittersweet nostalgia? I can barely take in all of the wonderful details here - ooh, making a cakestand for the cookies she baked; pears, my beloved shape; crinkly shaped spoons - for the rush of feelings her work invoked. It may have some connection to my childhood love of making tiny sculptures out of plasticine, but who knows? I'm happy just to ride the wave, then snap back to today and wish that I too could go and poke about in Birds of a Feather in Main Street, wherever that may be.

Lincolnshire

2010-06-07T13:48:00.000+01:00

We had a quick overnight visit to my mum last week and took our GPSr with us to do a spot of geocaching. Five of us wandered along the canal bank, desperately trying to find two microcaches in a glitteringly hot afternoon. Despite our best efforts we failed to find either, but we had a great time underachieving. Wandering about the Lincolnshire countryside was balm to my soul, particularly when we explored a deconsecrated church and graveyard that is soon to be converted into housing. The nettles were far too tall to let us try to read the old gravestones or poke about in any way. I couldn't see any interesting statuary apart from one very weathered stone cross with a carved wreath on it, but there did seem to be a preponderance of graves with rails around them. I wonder if that's a local preference or reflects the countryside position of the church?

DS surprised me by asking to be shown how to knit. He took to it immediately and has progressed onto purl, so who knows if I will soon be shooing him away from my stash and knit pros?

On the way back we stopped off at the Wragby Maze. It was a bit expensive for what was there, it's not worth a special journey and we'll never have to go again, but for the one time we were there the lovelies enjoyed running around the maze, laughing at the topiary, playing on the putting green (DS was particularly happy as he scored a hole in one!) and just relaxing in the sunshine together.

The whole place had a very old fashioned feel to it and reminded me of my childhood summers in some vague way. I think because there was so little in your face, laid on amusements in view - a case of making our own entertainment with the equipment and space available

I was particularly taken with these cheery little fellows and their opposition - some equally lovely looking worms that I managed to take a horribly blurred photo of - shame. I think they were to play noughts and crosses with

Spoilt for choice

2010-06-07T12:45:00.001+01:00

So much to write about, I don't know where to begin or end, so there will probably be a flurry of posts today

Had a great week over half term with the lovelies: visiting my mum; running round a maze; playing pitch and putt; failing at geocaching; visiting W Mids Safari Park;knitting a little; sewing even less; supporting DS in his first triathlon and getting my samples of Splenda - no wonder I'll need more than one blog post!

Basket Temptation

2010-06-01T10:10:00.000+01:00

Oh, I like the look of this basket make. Not that I'll be making it as a) I've got two wonderful wicker baskets and as many reusable bags as I can sew (no shortage of recycled material here) b) it's using plastic c) I'm supposed to be getting rid, not adding! But I can admire such beauty surely?

Falling in love with blogs again

2010-05-31T10:18:00.000+01:00

As I'm temporarily between contracts I've more time on my hands and am finding some lovely blogs to read. I know what will happen, I'll enjoy them and them when I'm back in work I won't have to time to keep up. Until then though, how can I resist loveliness, tutorials, free patterns and the like?

This morning's finds: My Measuring Tape and from there, UK lass in US

Morsbagging tomorrow

2010-05-29T21:04:00.001+01:00

Off to Oadby tomorrow to make morsbags in the library.

I've got a car full of fabric to take with me, most of which has been donated by a fabric mill in Yorkshire. This is a long term thing that morsbags has been involved in. It's fabulous as it supports a lot of happy sew-ers (without the dash that looks like waste pipes!) but the most fascinating thing for me is how the morsbag hive mind organises the distribution of all this fabric around the country. This set has travelled from Yorkshire to me via another bagger's husband who I met in a hotel car park to facilitate the transfer of bags and rolls of material. I'll be passing it on again tomorrow and who knows where it will go from there. Lucky we're not doing anything dodgy, but it must have looked very odd

Quilt Update

2010-05-28T21:55:00.000+01:00

As promised, I've now turned the strips into something a lot more like quilt blocks

I was concerned that I would have confused some of the lights and darks when assembing the strips. Thankfully I haven't but the construction method did throw up three or four blocks from one strip where the difference between the two is too slight. I'll have to think about what to do with these as I'm a bit ginger about ripping out and resewing so many bias seams. Maybe I'll just have to sneak them in somewhere and make them a design feature?!

Now the fun begins, playing with pattern and contrast before they are all sewn together

Jelly roll quilt

2010-05-28T13:09:00.000+01:00

Through Ravelry I got tempted back to quilting and am working on my first jelly roll quilt - a garden trellis design.

This morning it looked like this:

just long strips of fabric sewn together

I'm going to do a bit more decluttering then as a reward set to with my rotary cutter - hope it looks a lot more exciting after that!

I've used a roll from fabric freedom in a William Morris colourway. I'm not totally sold on the whole jellyroll concept - it seems a bit like cheating getting all of the fabrics matched and the process becomes a bit more mechanical than I like. Maybe that's just the design I chose though. As for this particular roll - I had an odd number of strips and some of the strips aren't cut on grain or have been cut with pleats / folds in so they aren't straight edged. I checked on Rav and someone else has had the same kind of problem with a moda roll, so at least I know it's not one manufacturer.

I'll update you on my progress later, off to get rid of some stuff first....

What's the story here?

2010-05-27T14:56:00.000+01:00

I was intrigued by these furniture cups. I love the illustrations and that there is such luxurious carpet on them, but what really got me was that they were made in Canada. I can't see it being an obvious export, so for me the story is how the heck did these end up in a charity shop in Loughborough?

Sweet!

2010-05-26T10:28:00.000+01:00

Full disclosure: I'm involved with BzzAgent who supply me with the opportunity to experience products or services that I then talk about with others. There's no pressure to sell - they are more interested in honest opinions, so if you like the idea of it, you can sign up too

I've helped with a few campaigns through BzzAgent : Sacla pesto, Shell V power petrol, but my favourite was to sample and talk about Seeds of Change chocolate! I've just been invited to join a campaign about Splenda. Maybe they are telling me that my enjoyment of the chocolate is noticeable?

I don't take sugar in tea or coffee so I will be asking others to sample the sweetener, but I am looking forward to trying the granulated sweetener in baking. I think that the knitting group will have to sample my wares and tell me their opinion

Emergency clutter card

2010-05-25T13:44:00.000+01:00

I like this idea - think I will have to print one out while I get used to getting rid. A card with a number of salient questions on it to help with decluttering:
---

How long has it been since I used this?

Do I like it?

Does it work properly? Is it broken?

Do I have more of this kind of thing? How many do I need?

If I keep this, what will I get rid of to make room for it?

Can I locate this information somewhere else (probably on the internet) if I need it?

---

Declutter

2010-05-25T13:38:00.002+01:00

OK, the clutter in my house is sending me mad and quite frankly, at the moment I am so full of nervous energy / righteous anger I need to work it off somehow. So, I am taking up http://amysfinerthings.com/declutter-challenge - is anyone else game?

I've started another blog, From clutter to tranquility to document the whole thing

Review: Dr. Hackenbush Gets a Job

2010-05-24T09:43:00.002+01:00

I've been lucky recently, winning quite a few early reviewer copies of books through Librarything

Here's my first review - of Dr Hackenbush Gets a Job by Ginger Mayerson

Initially I found this book difficult to get into, but I'm glad I persisted as once I picked up the author's rhythm, the whole book flew. I became very involved in Dr H's life and found myself wishing that I knew a few like her in my life. I wanted to know what happened next in each chapter and the pages just kept turning.
I've deliberately left a few weeks between finishing the novel and writing my review so I can tell you what stuck in my mind. Dr H and her friends were well written - lively, appealing and well rounded characterisation abounded. I liked the descriptions of temping versus the world of entertainment - great contrast.
I found myself very distracted for a few chapters after spotting a spelling mistake as I wasn't sure if it was a sly joke - the Untied States of America..... and the very long descriptions of musical practice did nothing for me as a non musical person - they were just confusing and added nothing to my understanding of the character or plot. I found the political and AIDs polemics jarring against the lighthearted action of the novel. The points made were valid but I don't think they sat well within this setting.
I was convinced that this book was midway through a series and surprised that it is a first. I'm not sure that there was a key plot point in the story that the protagonist had to resolve, but the book served as a great introduction to the people involved and I would be very eager to read further novels with this cast of characters

Stew report

2010-05-20T10:18:00.000+01:00

Brag time - the beef stew was super delicious. I realised too late in the day that I was out of suet, so I made a cobbler topping. I processed flour and butter together along with a little salt, then stirred in grated cheese. Two eggs and milk were beaten together then added to the flour. The resulting slightly sloppy mix was spooned on top in blobs and the pot taken out of the slow cooker and cooked in a medium oven for about 40 minutes.

By this time I was being driven mad by the lovely smell it was all making! I checked about 30 mins into the cooking time and thought I had a sloppy greasy looking disaster on my hands. 10 mins later and ta daa - it looked lovely!

And tasted even better.

Previously I've made a more scone like cobbler topping. This one, with the additional egg and milk, made it a bit of a cross between a scone and a dumpling, with souffle overtones. Everyone ate it, everyone enjoyed it, what more can I say?

Poor old slow cooker

2010-05-19T12:45:00.000+01:00

What I didn't tell you about in the last post was the sorry state of the lid handle - someone used the pot and lid in the oven without checking, and let's just say it wasn't me!

Yep, that isn't a melted marshmallow....

Joy of Slow Cooking

2010-05-19T12:41:00.000+01:00

I don't use my slow cooker as much as I should. This morning I picked up some aberdeen angus beef cubes for a good price and solved my dinner problem (I was meant to think what we were having when I did the list / shopping last Thursday and failed miserably).

I browned the meat, put it in the pot (already on and heating up), sliced two carrots and fried / steamed them to soften. Added them then cooked off some onion and garlic. They went into the pot along with stock and herbs - including two bay leaves as we always play a game of who gets the lucky leaf in their dinner. I grated a spud into there too as I hate chunks of spud in stews (a reason why I hate pasties too) but I love the way grated spud dissolves and makes the gravy thick and almost sticky. When it gets nearer to dinnertime I'll make dumplings - I have to double the recipe and make lots of small ones as they are so popular in my household.

I should be pulling plaster off the bathroom wall. I've stripped the wallpaper and found a section where the topcoat has blown off so it will have to come off and be redone. I'm a bit scaredy cat about it to be truthful, but I suppose I will have to pull up my big girl pants and get on with it.

Early knitting

2010-05-17T19:51:00.000+01:00

I've started to go through the clutter in the spare room hoping to get rid of some things and clear enough to make it easy to redecorate. I found the bags containing special baby clothes, including some of the first items I knitted and crocheted. I could be critical of myself and look for the flaws, but I'm really impressed with how well made these are especially as I didn't have a clue what I was doing. I just did it in my greenness and I think because I had watched my mum knit for many years, I had absorbed an awful lot. I would say that my daughter isn't interested in the same way, but then again I wasn't until I was a bit older. Like me at that age she's more into art and self expression and is tinkering around the edges of sewing. Hopefully she is silently absorbing what I'm doing and getting the message that none of this stuff is difficult, it's fun and absorbing, can be exacting but in the end, when you get everything right or right enough, it's rewarding.

Not the blog post I thought it was going to be!

Anyhow, here are the items I made for my babies when I was pregnant:

knitted

Crocheted

I think I never got round to finishing the last one!

Microwave jam and sulky knitting

2010-05-16T11:10:00.001+01:00

I was rummaging in the freezer yesterday and happily found a bag full of strawberries from last summer's picking frenzy. I'd noticed the homemade jam stocks were running a bit low so it was a great opportunity to indulge.

I let the strawberries defrost, drained off the liquid (added to gin - made an OK drink but not as nice as the mojito I had later on) and combined the same weight of sugar with the berries (300g each). I meant to leave that for an hour so the sugar would dissolve, but the combination of cocktail, Dodgeball and sulky knitting (DH's jumper is tight around the armholes so is in time out therefore I've cast on a February Baby Cardigan) led to it macerating overnight. This morning I warmed the mixture on full in the microwave for 10 mins then reduced the power and checked a couple of times for setting point. It got there after 10 minutes and made one amazingly fruit filled pot of jam.

I make jam both in a huge catering pot on the stove when I've loads of fruit - crab apples and plums, I'm looking at you here - and in the microwave when I want to play, want to preserve particularly fresh tastes or I've not so much fruit. I've tried strawberry both ways and the microwave is definitely tastier. I'm quite proud of my jams. The only one I haven't liked was physalis jam - if I remade it I'd do it again as a jelly as all the tiny pips were horrendous. Otherr than that I've tried strawberry, plum, crab apple jelly, elderberry jelly, marrow and lemon and mulled wine jelly - the last a try to recreate a red wine jelly I once bought from France and have never found since.

Memory Lane

2010-05-11T12:27:00.001+01:00

DSC00506
Originally uploaded by lalheg

Memory lane - my auntie had this tea set and I adored it - I'm trying to stop myself buying such stuff and just enjoying the picture and memories instead

Handcrank

2010-05-10T20:43:00.001+01:00

DSC00507
Originally uploaded by lalheg

This is one of two handcranks that now live in my house. My lovely MIL had a great time trying this one out - it's the same age as my FIL!

The tick tick of the mechanism is a lovely soothing sound - far more relaxing than the whirr of my Husqvarna.

The second handcrank is larger and 10 years older - made in 1923. It sews, but is in need of a bit of TLC, unlike this beauty that is working as it were made yesterday.

You should see her etchings

2010-04-23T21:46:00.000+01:00

My friend Sarah is multiskilled, but one of her recent blog posts has inspired me byeind all her others. You can find it here - be warned - you might be sidetracked for quite a while if you start looking round her blog.

I even talked to my jewellery teacher about it and lo and behold, there are facilities to etch at my class so I'll definitely be having a go before we break up for summer. Just a chain and possibly another shawl pin to do at the same time....

She knows me too well!

2010-04-18T14:06:00.000+01:00

Straight in there - Maz wins!

OK - a prize will be on its way to you over the next few days

morsbags fun

2010-04-17T15:36:00.000+01:00

I bagged my knitting group on Thursday but couldn't bear to part with one bag - can you guess which one?

Could it be the long tall one with the square (ish) bottom? The one with the weirdly rounded corners?

Or is it in this group?

Or could it be this landscape oriented one on its own with the longer straps?

I think it's obvious, but how well do you know me?

Prize to the first one that guesses

I spy with my altered eye

Not addicted at all

I Aten't Ded

Just testing

See

Cottontastic

Socksy

I did knit something

Lady Marmalade

Sausages!

A little act of love

budgie

Playing with machines

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