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Showing posts from 2012

home-made mince pies

first batch after a quality control check! I've had a busy week at work and with sewing orders, it suddenly went mad and everyone wanting lavender stacks. Thankfully its quieter now and gave me time to make mince pies to take to my family in London tomorrow. I did have one sort of famous order from a lady called Violet Hesketh, surely there can't be two people with the same name? I was about to post the order when I thought 'I know that name from somewhere' so googled her (like you do). How funny. I don't like shop bought mince pies; the pastry is always too dry and when you bite into them where is the filling? It's more satisfy making your own pastry and spending an hour or two with the radio on baking. Tonight I had the house to myself and made 45 little mince pies; some with normal mincemeat and some with a new one I found with added cranberries and a rich red puree. I always enjoy baking and popping on star biscuits for the top, and the smell of home-

new magazine ... Simply Crochet

There is a new crochet magazine coming our in January 2013. If you fancy the first three issues for £5 then you can sign up here like I have!

crocheted Christmas Baubles

I wanted to crochet something festive this weekend and came across this pattern. I've almost made one this evening and will take a picture tomorrow to show you how easy it is. I didn't have any glass baubles in my loft with my Christmas decorations, but I did find some gold plastic ones that might just work. And here they are (not a brilliant photo) and they would look better on glass. But for ten minutes or so of crochet and they are re-vamped! Shown on a small tree not fully decorated but I might just buy some glass ones for the big tree!

granny squares and post number 300!

Two months on and still the same amount of granny squares, but I have made a slight change. I kept looking at the pale cream borders on my granny squares last night and decided they needed more colour. So I un-picked half of them and added red, cornflower blue and apple green borders which I think is lovely and bright. So I've ditched the cardi (that can wait will January!) and I'm back into my crochet. It's true the more you crochet the easier it becomes and more addictive! Just one thing, my granny squares have 4 rounds which I think look cute. How many rounds do you crochet yours? Lots of blogs suggest 7 rounds. I have opted for 5 with the 5th round being crochet as I join them together.

Knit a festive Robin (free pattern link)

I've just got back from my sisters, spent the afternoon in front of the fire eating home made fruit loaf (my bread maker did all the work) drinking tea, chatting and catching up with my nieces. Back home to the lovely smell of beef casserole; I just need to make the dumplings and mash (yummy) ready for when Ian gets home from work. A quiet weekend, just the odd bit of embroidery for a friends Christmas present, sorry I can't add a photo as she reads my blog. Generally looking at festive projects but only achieving one inbetween normal weekend chores. Had even thought about writing out the Christmas cards; maybe that can wait till next week. Most of the presents are bought (not wrapped) so I think I'm quite well organised this year. Anyway here is another cute free Christmas knitting pattern for you ... I found this tonight, let me know if any of you blogger friends knit one robin-pattern

UFOs ... of the knitting kind

I'm terrible at starting projects halfway through the first one I've just started. I have a little pile of UFOs in my craft room. I know I am not alone; most knitters have the same bad habit. What is it about walking into a wool shop and drooling over the balls of wool all lined up to temp us? Or is it just me? A prime example is this one that I started in the summer. I really need to finish this because its cold enough to wear it! This weekend I plan to crack on and start + finish the right side. I am setting myself a goal of finishing this in November (the quicker the better) so that I can get on with another new project (Christmas presents .... and the calender is going too fast now that its only round the corner) And finish the right hand glove .... here is my first attempt at the Anter Glove pattern  knitted in Patons Merino wool (eBay bargain) Ian has been waiting patiently for three weeks and hey presto he now owns a very fashionable (if I may say so) mens merin

Crochet : free snowflake pattern

The lovely people at Deramores have added a free snowflake crochet pattern to their web site today. I think I might try this over the weekend. Amanda x

knit a Christmas tree

Here is a reminder of the pattern I've posted before, makes a nice gift or just for yourself. If you use wool then these can be felted in the machine and then add buttons etc when dry. It's almost the weekend; have a great one crafting or gardening. Amanda x

free pattern for knitted coasters

Do you fancy a quick knit sitting in front of the TV? The pattern is taken from 30 Minute Knits. I saw this free pattern avertised today and had to share it with you knitted coasters by Carol Meldrum  how cute are they!

and the winner is ......

I just want to say a huge thank you for all of my lovely followers and my new ones for entering my crafty Christmas giveway. I carefully checked all your entries against your blogs, printed out your comments, popped them in a tea port at work, and my work colleague Mark choose the winner! And the winner is .............. Lucy in the Sky Please contact me via email to give me your postal address and I'll rush your parcel off to you this week. Please do send me a picture when you've made something. Amanda x

Free Cath Kidston fabric : Provence Rose in Red

I've added something to my little give away - some Cath Kidston Provence Rose red cotton duck fabric (perfect for Christmas!) I was very lucky, John Lewis had reduced the last roll so I'll add a long strip that is 10cm (minimum) sorry I can't remember the width but its about 100cm. Same rules as before, just become a follower and you will be added to the draw and add to your Blog for another entry! Click here to enter Good luck

Free Pattern : cable fingerless gloves

Antler Gloves By Anna Nikipirowicz The lovely Anna over at Moochka has let me share her free Antler fingerless glove knitting pattern with you. I started my first pair on Sunday evening and my first attempt at using DPNs! It's a lovely pattern and once you get the hang of having so many needles its actually not that hard. Anna has been on the end of her PC over the past few evenings and offered me great email support (I'm useless at following patterns!). I should have my first glove finished in the next few evenings and I'm already planning my next pair! happy knitting. Amanda x

Giveaway : Crafty Christmas

It seems like a long way off but if you’re a crafter then it’s come round quickly again, too quickly! I thought it was long overdue for a giveaway and this one is all about crafting and Christmas. On offer are the following items: Emma Bridgewater Sampler heart tin (to draw your heart shapes); red felt sheets; selection of buttons and ribbon; embroidery thread; embroidery needles; household kit containing thimble, threader and   12 assorted needles; hand-made felt heart and fabric pin cushion with my Eight-by-Six logo (filled with safe stuffing and lavender) You will receive all you need to make hearts for your Christmas tree, friends or yourself. All you need to do to join in is become a follower of my blog and/or share on your own blog. I will close the giveaway in just over a week’s time.  

home made Christmas gifts : chilli jam

Christmas preperations have started in my house today, its not too early is it? Well its been a miserable day weather wise and I was tidying up my craft room this morning, one thing led to another and it got me thinking about Christmas.  I found some paper I printed from some free downloads last year in my craft box and the fact I was planning to make chilli jam anyway; I've now made a batch to give to friends as presents. Nothing like getting ahead is there?! I've also invited my parents and Ian's; so seven in total for dinner (8 including Moss!) Christmas cards have been bought (but not written, I'm not that organised!) With Christmas in mind I'm planning a little Crafty Christmas giveaway next week, just need to gather everything together and take a picture. This will include some red felt for making tree decorations, buttons and ribbon plus something hand made from me. A useful little package for you crafty people out there and to say thanks for following

Recipe : Orange & Poppy Seed Cake

  I baked this recipe today from most of the ingredients I have in my cupboards! This zesty orange cake recipe has been created by the 2011 Great British Bake Off finalist Ruth Clemens to celebrate National Baking Week 2012 taken from the  ocado  website Prepare Ahead Preheat the oven to 160°C. Instructions 1 Grease and line a deep 8” cake tin. 2 Cream together the softened butter and caster sugar on a medium speed until light and fluffy. 3 Add the orange zest and beat until evenly dispersed. 4 Add the eggs one by one following each with a spoonful of the flour. Mix until evenly combined. 5 Sift in the remaining flour and mix using the fold setting. 6 Finally add the milk, orange juice and poppy seeds and fold through until the cake mixture is an even consistency. 7 Fill the prepared tin with cake mixture and roughly level the top using the back of a spoon. 8 Bake in the oven for 1 hour 20 minutes until

Kennet and Avon canal

I'm back, refreshed and I had a fantastic week on the Kennet and Avon canal . I will tell you all about my holiday soon but for now here is my favourite picture taken on Sunday morning after turning the boat around to head back to Bath Narrowboats at Sydney Wharf . It was misty when we left our overnight mooring and then the sun appeared after we turned around and this is the result, fantastic!

messing about on the water

In just a couple of days our long awaiting adventure will start with us collecting our hire boat in Bath and heading off for 4-5 days of R&R. To say I'm exited would be an understatement! So I bought a new pair of these (a girl has to be comfortable doesn't she?!)   these are needed to walk Moss, yes we are taking him this time! English Springer Spaniel + lots of water = madness!     It should be great fun and hard work at the same time. I'll post lots of pictures when I get back.  

do you crochet?

  You do that's great because I bought myself two new books that I'd like to share! Granny Squares (Barbara Wilder, Melanie Sturm and Stephanie Gohr) and 150 Blocks to knit and crochet (Heather Lodinsky). Granny Squares is my favourite book and has some lovely little projects that would make great presents. Here are a couple of my favourites.   You could make this from some bits in your wool stash. It would be good for an allotment friend, I might make this for a friend at work! I love the idea of making it look like a patchwork rather than a traditional blanket. The bedspread has given me an idea for my current project. As I've only managed 11 blocks in total so far its not too late to change my mind on the design. The book is very reasonably priced on Play.com for £6.61 and free delivery. It would also make a good Christmas present for a crafty person you know. It also gives you different patterns to use for your granny squares at the begin

just cables

I'm also quite keen on cables at the moment; and have two projects on the go. A short sleeve cable cardi, slighty flared at the bottom and Jack's cable scarf. I started my cardigan back in the summer and I've almost finished the left front. It gets a bit tricky counting stitches when you decrease but if I do it a little at a time I have the correct pattern! My cardi is knitted in Sirdar Click Chunky in Cobble; I bought more than enough on Kemps Woolshop months ago so its reasonably priced. I saw a great pattern in the Simply Knitting  magazine but using 15 balls of Debbie Bliss Blue Faced Leicester it worked out to £89 (ouch!) But they do have a nice cardi pattern using Sirdar Hayfield Bonus Aran and that can be knitted for under £20 (bit more like it) Because only the front panels are cabled it makes it an easy knit too. I quite like the colours Rhubarb or Heather. I'm off for a walk in the Autumn sunshine; its going to rain tomorrow. Enjoy your weekend. Amanda x

easy cable scarf pattern (Easy Knits for Little Kids by Catherine Tough)

My son Jack requested a new knitted scarf for our holiday and chose some nice soft Patons Shadow Tweed. The patten is taken from a book called Easy Knits for Little Kids by Catherine Tough that I recently picked up on eBay (Jack is now 20!) I like the book, it has cute designs should I be asked to knit for a toddler and the scarf pattern is sooo easy, just 16 rows and one row of cable. The scarf is almost finished and should be ready for blocking on Sunday, I fancy knitting one for myself next!

little hand made buttons by Buttonmad

  I recently entered a competition at the  buttonmad blog and was one of the lucky 60 people to win a set of hand made buttons. I never normally win anything so really pleased. They arrived this morning; all the way from South Aftrica to my work address. They are so lovely and I now need to knit a cardigan to show them off. I had planned to use them for my cable cardi but that needs ten buttons! I guess I could order some more

crochet granny squares, my little box of sunshine

Isn't the weather just awful at the moment? I do hope it improves for our canal boating holiday in a few weeks otherwise it won't be much fun with more water dropping out of the sky than in the canal! I'm still hooked on my crochet squares and take my little tin to work with me each day. Honestly I'm not mad (just a little crazy) its nice to peek inside, makes me smile. I try to crochet one or finish one at work in my lunch break; I've completed 9 now and just about to finish the 10th (not bad considering I couldn't do this a few weeks ago). At home I have a button jar in my craft room, that's a happy jar! My local sewing shop has rows of buttons, some in jars and some in tubes. If I'm feeling really down I pop along there to buy a couple, very therapeutic although I think the owner thinks I'm mad! Does anyone else have a similar craft thing that makes them smile? Please tell me its not just me ;-)

discount yarn

  for all my knitting friends out there

more granny squares

I ditched the first attempt, I couldn't get on with the acrylic wool from Wilkinsons it was awful. I raided my wool stash, I knew I had some oddments of Debbie Bliss Rialto DK in various forms (including two half finished scarves!) I think I'm getting the hang of this, the first couple are not perfect but then I'm not looking for a shop bought perfect blanket. It's raining here today so no excuse needed to get on with my crochet, very comforting now the autumn weather is here. Thank you Jo for your help this week x And you may want to look at this blog and drool (like I do) at the blankets! Wow I just hope I get to be that good  serendipitypatch.blogspot I'm also busy finishing off three orders of lavender bags (one for 12 sets!) my craft room looks colourful and busy today. A lovely way to spend the afternoon, sewing, lavender filling the air and the odd granny square or two! Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Amanda

I can crochet a granny square!

I finally did it, I worked out how to crochet a granny square! I woke up Sunday morning not knowing how to do it, looked at a few blogs including Little Tin Bird  and  here and hey presto I can do it. I have to say I felt kind of smug doing the first one and want to make them all day long (job gets in the way of that idea). So now I have a truly portable blanket project and made part of one at work at lunchtime today and started another one. I've decided to edge them all in blue so that it looks uniform when sewing them all together. I just love looking at other peoples creations and the colours they use. It was Jo at through the keyhole  who inspired me to give it a go. I love the colours Jo has chosen for her second blanket. I've chosen a sort of Cath Kidston colour range, including red because by the time I finish it it will be Christmas! Not sure I like acrylic but I got the wool so cheap its worth having a go for the first attempt. Amanda x

hand knitted shrug

  Some time ago the makers of Wendy Supreme Cotton Thomas B Ramsden  sent me a free shrug knitting pattern via their Wool n Threads Club. I was struggling at the time with a jumper pattern of theirs so decided to unravel and use the Supreme Chunky cotton for a shrug instead. And here is the finished piece worn to work today, perfect for the chilly Sept mornings driving to the office. Quick update - I've been mentioned here on their blog! wool-n-threads-club blog

Mary Jane Booties FREE Knitting Pattern

  I'm having a rest from knitting Innocent hats so I thought I would share this cute pattern with you that I'm knitting again (I've just finished a pair in Bluebell today). They make a great gift and only takes an evening (or afternoon with a cuppa) to complete! I have used Stylecraft Luxury Merino in DK and size 4mm needles. Size 0-6 months Foot length: Approximately 3 inches (7.5cm) Ankle: Approximately 4 inches (10cm) circumference with strap buttoned What You'll Need Yarn:  I used Stylecraft Luxury Merino as its lovely to knit with and has great stitch definition. Just choose what you prefer to knit with. You will only need one 50g ball and that should be enough to make two pairs Needles:  UK 3.25mm extras: Stitch holder; tapestry needle; 2 small buttons (rounded look cute), about 1/4-1/2" (6-1.3cm); sewing needle and thread to match yarn Making the Left Bootie Cast on 31 stitches. Row 1: Knit all stitches. Row 2: Knit 1, make 1, knit 14, ma

a small harvest

2012 hasn't been a good year on my little veg patch! Here is this afternoons harvest of cues, toms, beans and chillies. Last year I had so many tomatoes I was making chutney for weeks on end, this year the courgettes have been a disaster too so lets hope next year will be a bit better. The picture is colourful so that cheered me up. This afternoon has been very warm in Kent so I've enjoyed my last holiday day relaxing in the garden.

Baileys anyone?

  This afternoon I tried out this baileys-chocolate-cupcake-recipe ; I'm off to see my cousins Simone + Natalie on Tuesday for lunch. Simone sent me a link a few weeks ago about boozy cupcakes so I had to have a go! Any excuse to bake and use up some Baileys at the same time. I was given two bottles last Christmas and they remained un-opened until today. I didn't have a fancy cupcake nozzle when I posted the first picture (now updated with my new nozel creation!) as it didn't come with my Tala set; which is a shame because it has about 10 nozzles. Anyway they may not be perfect but they taste delish. So I plan to make another batch tomorrow afternoon and distribute these to some neighbours as we won't eat 12 of them tonight.

sunshine, knitting and drinking tea!

Yesterday afternoon was so relaxing sitting in the garden knitting little hats and drinking tea, I've made 12 so far. I made a mad dash to B&Q about 16 miles away in the morning to collect the very last umbrella in cream that I could find in Kent, why I didn't get one in the week is a mystery! Traffic was a nightmare in both directions but I rewarded myself with an afternoon of relaxation, so well worth the effort. Breakfast in the garden this morning, finishing off some cleaning then another afternoon of sitting around knitting although the sun has disappeared and the sky is now covered in clouds. Here is a picture taken yesterday afternoon when the sun was out. Enjoy your Sunday whatever you are doing. Amanda x

The Big Knit, have you joined in yet?

Have you joined in yet? Pop along to bigknit and download your pattern. It's a great way to use up oddments of wool and I have a big bag in the loft just for this!

little quilted pin cushion in Cath Kidston fabric

Here is my little quilted pin cushion in pretty Cath Kidston fabric (the reverse is pink polka dots). It has a subtle quilting effect that lifts the large flower outline and also makes it hard wearing. I always add a couple of teaspoons of dried lavender to my pin cushions, when the pins are used it releases a lovely smell!

sunflowers and sunshine

These dwarf sunflowers are in a pot near my back door and they seem happy now the the sun is on them all day. The pot next to them has three chilli plants and are doing really well now we have some sunshine! I'm suffering with hayfever today which is the only downside to the nice warm weather we are having. Enjoy your weekend. Amanda x

yarn bombing in October 2012

Campaign for Wool flocks to Harvey Nichols   Wool growers and enthusiasts are being invited to take part in the latest initiative from the Campaign for Wool, as it heads to Harvey Nichols. This year's Wool Week might not be until October 15th but it seems someone let the yarn out of the bag on this one! Knitters are being encouraged to donate their wool to help wrap London's Harvey Nicks store, as part of one of the biggest organised yarn-bombing's ever attempted. Fibre2Fashion reports that wool growers can show off the quality of their wares as the participants, in partnership with The Woolmark Company, cover the historic Knightsbridge building in brightly coloured yarn. Locals and visitors to London will be able to see wool weaving in and out of the windows around the landmark building, with a pair of giant knitting needles used to create a truly eye-catching display. The association with Harvey Nichols is brilliant for the knitting community, especially

goodbye my little friend Moss

March 1995 - 18 July 2012 RIP little Moss, will miss you my little friend of over 17 years camping trip 2009 boat trip (Braunston Marina) 2010

Debbie Bliss free lacy scarf knitting pattern

The scarf on the left is the one I'm currently knitting in a raspberry colour (Patons Pompero) which is very soft. Lace knitting patterns are very in right now and you can download this free pattern Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace free scarf pattern  via the Deramores web site. It only uses one ball of wool, perfect for a small project. They also have lots of free patterns via this link Happy Knitting. Amanda x

wool stash

this is what I need a cupboard! Is it just me or do all knitters hoard wool? My husband asked where I was going last night in my PJs, its ok I said just to get a ball of wool out of the boot of my car! He said ‘do you keep sheep in there too!’ It was at that moment I thought I have more wool than there are hours to knit it all! I have a few bags in the loft, a bag by my desk at work, a project with me on the go, in an old blanket box in the spare room, in my craft room, a plastic storage box under the bed oh and yes in the boot of my car! Is that too much wool for one person to keep? You see I have all these plans to knit lots of projects then along comes another bargain and I just have to grab it.   I have a cardigan on the go, a jumper, a scarf and now a blanket. A bit like this one patchwork-blanket  or maybe this one Seaside Blanket  The blanket will use up lots of oddments of DK wool in the loft, well that’s what I told him ;-) A bargain yarn I thought you'd be interes

call of nature

A few years ago we stopped on-route somewhere in Sussex (I think) to use the facilities in a garden centre. On the way out I said I had to buy something because I felt guilty using the toilet! Anyway I picked up a white Scabosia (pincushion flower) as it was only quite small and easy to carry - little did I know it would become one of my favourite plants! Funny how these things happen. The original white variety is in bud in the background but since then a few years later I bought two or three more called Butterfly Blue at a local plant show with my sister. I just love the buds and its an easy plant to grow with little maintenance, perfect. Mine get full sun for most of the day then a little shade towards late afternoon and are grown in my gravel garden edging the paved circle. I've also added a similar plant picked up at one of my RHS visits last year called Knautica macedonica (crimson Scabious) and I was lucky to be given 5 small plants that I've planted in a small grave