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Showing posts from August, 2013

Free knitting patterns (owl sweater, wrap over booties, Rowan cowl scarf)

I've recently added some buttons to my blog with links to sites I use and of course my Folksy and Pinterest accounts. If you are looking for Free Knitting patterns (I am frequently) here is a link to Deramores free knitting patterns some of them I've featured in past blog updates like here and here . The complete list includes some lovely patterns - an Owl Sweater by Peter Pan; open work cowl by Sarah Hazell and Wrapover baby shoes by Val Pearce. There is something for everyone and if you are a new customer you get a 10% discount voucher! A Win win situation. Happy knitting. Amanda x

crochet, gardening and bread pudding

Bank holiday Monday was quiet for us; just the way I like it. A quick trip for some DIY bits for decorating the dining room - 2 rooms in a week we must have the decorating bug! A little harvest out of the garden (as shown) For a newly planted veg patch it has done really well rewarding us with runners, French beans and lots of tomatoes. The plums are a little slow to ripen but I'll use them for chutney so no rush. But its lovely to be able to prepare dinners all weekend and something has come from that small patch. Tastes better, less or rather no air miles and no waste, oh and saves a few pounds per meal. If you look at the price of French beans it must be at least £1.60 per meal. small harvest on Sunday   glad I only grew one courgette!   totem toms on the patio   runner bean wig wams need to be taller next year Before we popped out I made a huge bread pudding using my favourite recipe from good old Nigel Slater. I know you don't really need a re

crochet Peter Pan collar - my weekend project

Isn't the weather awful? Rain, rain and more rain - well it was here in Kent all day Saturday. We were decorating the front room all day or rather hubby was! All freshly painted now and after a day of housework I finally got round to reading this months Simply Crochet . I've only recently subscribed after my special 3 issue subscription ran out a few months back. I don't normally try anything just look and the lovely colourful pages and then pop it on m craft shelf. But this evening I did try my first pattern - the Peter Pan lacy collar and I did it! I'm pleased with it and plan to crochet another one over the weekend for a friends birthday. It's almost finished as the ends need sewing in and the button sewn in but I did manage to follow the pattern and learnt a new stitch (htr) which I've been meaning to try;the magazine shows you and its so simple to follow. I used an odd ball of of Stylecraft Pure Luxury Merino in a soft lilac that looks more denim (a bar

Stylecraft Special DK (Attic 24 granny stripe blanket colour pack)

This picture made me smile this morning, my Stylecraft Special DK  lined up ready for more granny blanket stripes. I bought my Attic 24 blanket pack from eBay and you won't use all of it, which leaves some for the next project ;-)

granny stripe blanket, growing slowly

A little update on what's been going on in my life for the past few weeks. I haven't spoken about this before but my dads been on a radiotherapy course of 3 weeks for cancer. Its not something you want to talk about but actually by talking about it you realise just how many people this affects and it helps you sort of understand.When I first found out I was a bit shocked, numb - you name it all sorts of things go through your mind. Why my dad? But we are a positive bunch and just got on with it - like you do. He's almost finished at the hospital with two more sessions next week and he's doing really well. He's a very positive person and our way to cope has been to give as much support as possible, no fuss just helping with their house move, transforming their garden with my sister Danielle which was a very positive thing to do, very rewarding seeing his face when we'd finished and included lunch with lots of laugher (laughter is a good tonic); visiting as often

mid week recipe (macaroni cheese)

  After I've been at work all day the last thing I want to do is be a slave to the kitchen! This recipe is really simple and makes a satisfying meal in about 30 mins. You can halve the recipe for two people but if your hungry go for the full recipe, you wont waste any! I've added one tin of drained tuna and chopped cherry tomatoes before but last night chose ham and slices of tomato on top, yummy. Ingredients 350g macaroni pasta 40g sunflower spread 40g plain flour 500ml milk 1 tsp English mustard 150g Cheddar cheese, grated salt and freshly ground black pepper Method Bring a large pan of lightly salted water to the boil, add the pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes - until just tender (or follow pack instructions). Drain well. Meanwhile, melt the spread in a pan and stir in the flour, cook for 1 minute stirring, then add the milk, whisking as you do so. Cook stirring until you have a smooth thickened sauce. Beat in the mustard and half of the cheese. Po

Hydranga infinity scarf (my weekend project)

I was feeling a bit under the weather on Saturday so decided to have a PJ day. To cheer myself up I raided my yarn stash, well part of it. Working with yarn always lifts my spirits; I love being able to produce something quickly out of a couple of balls of yarn. Working with wool and colour is something that cheers me up almost instantly, along with a little early evening sleep. With our October holiday in mind when there will be a chill in the air I decided to knit a scarf – an infinity scarf. I refer back to a pattern written by Julia Marsh quite often; it’s an easy pattern and always has good results. I made a number of these as Christmas presents in 2010 and I may do again this year. The pattern suggests Sirdar Indie but I’m all out of that particular yarn and found some Wendy Skye in Hydranga I bought on Cucumberpatch last year (a lovely mix of blues with a tiny bit of gold) I’ve never knitted with this before and used two strands held together to get a similar tension – no