lupin cottage designs

I'm back

2009-05-05T16:30:00.004+01:00

Yet again I've had a huge break. I have been knitting. I've hurt my back again so I've had lots of time lying around reading and knitting under the haze of extremly strong pain killers.

Everybody I know is either pregnant or just had little ones. Due to this I've been knitting lots of baby things here are some of my booties which either have been given or are about to be given.

I have also decided to start selling my bits and peices again, as knitting and making a bit of extra money makes me happy. I have just opened a shop on folksy and have listed the tea cosy and egg cups below;

Come and visit me at http://www.folksy.com/shops/lupincottagedesigns

Bits and bobs

2009-01-18T16:36:00.004Z

I have as promised picture from my walk last weekend this is my favorite place in Derby to go for a walk. Tiff has her new coat on which is apt as it has been in the new that the R.S.P.C.A. have said that putting clothes on your pets is cruel. She does look very cute but she does get very cold and shakes and shivers in cold weather and it does come off once she has had a good run and warmed up.

No walk this weekend as Mr LCD designs has decided the settee and television is much more attractive than a muddy and windy walk round the park and Tiff went football training this morning so was too busy sleeping to visit.

I've had another quiet week knitting wise I wasn't really feeling the inspiration at the beginning of the week. I was going to get one sleeve finished by today but I've not, it's almost there but not quite.

Despite this I have started two new projects this cushion cover in variegated chenille and two pale pink cotton cushion covers. I knitted them up on my machine last night and washed them this morning but I'm not sharing until they are completely finished as they are to be presents.

Well I'm off now to get a chenille cushion cover finished while I think about what to cook for tea and watch 'come dine with me' if you've not seen it it is my favorite program at the moment. The narrator is fab and the people fascinating. However gossip girl series 2 and the new Beverly hills 90210 start this week so I may have new favorites by Friday.

Sunday

2009-01-11T18:25:00.004Z

Today has been a good day.

Mr LCD, my brother, his fiance, Tiff the dog and I went for a long walk round a local park today. It's not really a park as such as it is the grounds of Elvaston Castle with lake, ruins and lovely gardens which is all maintained by our local council. Having fresh air, playing, walking and running has done me good, I feel fully revitalised. We met the most gorgeous st Bernard puppy who was huge and Tiff found lots of mud and puddles. It was so busy at the park which we were quite surprised about, especially as it has been so cold all week and it started drizzling as we left the house today.

When we came home we warmed up with very chocolaty home made Mocha's and with a sub of the day from Subway. Feeling very full now.

I did have pictures but because there was so many good pictures of Tiff my brother has stolen my camera. I hope to get it back soon as I do have knitting pictures to share.

I still haven't finished the sleeve I started last week I'm beginning to think I should of used bigger needles or maybe not used such a fancy pattern. My aim is to get it finished by next Friday. Mr LCD is on afternoons all week next week so I've lots of time to get it done unless I decide to finish organising the kitchen or put all the washing away properly.

I'm going to leave you with a picture of Tiff asking for treats and looking much cleaner than she did at 2 o'clock this afternoon..

Happy New Year

2009-01-04T14:15:00.003Z

I am such a bad blogger.

I have excuses like I have had an extremely bad cold for about 3 months which resulted in the flu, then a chest infection, x-rays and too much time off work. I'm over it now except for my cough which I can live with. This however is rubbish I could of still blogged but I just didn't have anything to say.

This year will be different and since I did so well (um) at my resolutions last year it is time to commit to new resolutions this year. I have read that the reason we fail so often at resolutions is because we set our selves big steps rather than little steps. So what I am going to do is make 5 promises of things I am not going to do in the next year.

1 I am not going to put myself down.

2 I am not going to carry on being stuck in a rut.

3 I am not going to give up on the idea of starting my own business.

4 I am not going to over eat this year.

5 I am not going to let the year run away from me.

I am going to keep these resolutions with me at all times but if I cannot follow them all the time it's not the end of world.

I have also been thinking about growing my own vegetables this year so I am going to read up on vegetable growing and have just ordered this book from amazon, The Allotment Handbook Caroline Foley it tells you when and what you should be doing. I'm not quite ready for an allotment yet but I've marked out two beds in my garden ready for what ever it is I'm going to grow.

I have also been knitting I'm going through a bobble stage at the moment. Which I find the easiest way to do this is by knitting and purling into the same stitch 6 times then pass all but the last stitch back off the needle.

I've knitted hats for me, friends and family but now I'm moving on to clothing. Below is going to be a big puffy sleeve for my new cardigan. I've knitted the body on my knitting machine but I'm hand knitting the sleeves and trims in a lacy, bobbly, cabled pattern I've designed myself. Fingers crossed I'll get it finished in time for next winter...

Giving

2008-10-02T19:59:00.002+01:00

I've been knitting but birthday presents and I'm not sure exactly who reads this blog so I can't share pictures until next week.

I've also knitted a hat for my friends daughter with ear flaps and pom poms in beige and pale pink, as I'm incompetent I forgot to take pictures before it was gifted.

I've also been thinking yet again about Christmas with things being tight I've been trying to find reasonably priced things I know friends and family will love.

I will be making lots of bits and pieces gloves, hats, scarfs, tea cosies, throws and jumpers for the children. I'm also going to bake shortbread biscuits and sweet chili sauce will I'm going to start posting recipes weekly as well as knitting patterns.

I thought that today I would share some of my favorite websites for gift sourcing.

firstly there is etsy at www.etsy.com a great source of hand made goods.
a new favorite is www.folksy.com a British version of etsy with lots of creative sellers.
I love www.notonthehighstreet.com which is a collection of individual shops all selling unusual items that you can't find on the high street
www.amazon.co.uk is a must for diary's, cook books and fab craft books.
www.play.com is one of the best sources I've found for reasonably priced DVDs.
www.coxandcox.co.uk is a lovely store selling deluxe craft supplies and home wear. They've just launched their new autumn collection
www.reddirect.co.uk sells lovely home wear,bags, jewellery and have just launched their new Christmas collection. I'm loving the mistletoe fairy lights. Mr LCD will not appreciate any new fairy lights as the house is already very shiny at Christmas.
for me if anyone reading this is worrying about what I'd like for Christmas anything form this shop would be appreciated www.loop.gb.com

once a week is an improvement

2008-09-25T12:34:00.003+01:00

This week I've been busy thinking of Christmas presents Amazon UK have 50% off cook books at the moment including pre-order for the new Nigella and Jamie books which 'll make great presents for a couple of people I know.I might keep the Nigella for me through.

I've also knitted a cushion cover.

Tip if you've not enough yarn left to do the turn over, tie your cushion shut with a couple of ribbons and then they are easy to remove when washing. Pretty and practical.

I've started knitting a set of wash cloths for my mum's new kitchen. Easy to knit in squares using any double sided pattern in any cotton yarn you have left over a great way to use up odd balls of yarn you have left over. I knit mine on a size 10 needle and cast on about 40 stitches then knit till it's square cast off all but the last 4 stitches then knit those until you have enough to make a loop.

Finally I've been making pincushions as a stocking filler which may turn it's self into a sewing kit for my brothers girlfriend.

I've blog guilt

2008-09-18T13:49:00.003+01:00

My blog guilt is not blogging enough. Ideally in my head I would blog twice a week, which should be reasonable but the weeks disappear and it's been 3 weeks since my last post.

I have been busy getting my kitchen fitted and decorating my studio, so it is a studio not a dumping ground getting shelves put up so i can easily find my bits and pieces, sorting my odds and ends of wool the usual.

By the way has anyone any idea what to do with 50 cakes of chenille in miss matched colours, I'm waiting for inspiration I'm looking at it but nothing is arriving.

I've also been knitting tea cosies and cakes but alas my cameras not downloading onto my PC so you've had to wait. I've had to borrow my brothers on a semi permanent loan until Christmas where fingers crosses three months of wining will mean Santa brings me a camera.

The first two are from the same design as found on ravelry but you can get it by following this link http://www.houseofwoolrepute.com/?p=72 .The third was knitted by my mum with yarn from my stash and decorated with pom poms and the fourth is a new design I'm working on and I hope to have the pattern to share soon.

I'm easing myself back in...

2008-08-27T17:51:00.002+01:00

I'm easing myself back in slowly to this blogging thing. You may of noticed I'm not currently listing anything in either of my two shops. I've decided to stick for the time being to making bits and pieces for friends or family which I'll be sharing with you. However, if you do ever see any thing you like, drop me a line and I'll see what I can do for you.

I've been thinking about my blog a lot and I've decided to be more structured as well as knitting including fun things I've found online.

I've been knitting but yet again no photos to show I'll be downloading tomorrow so will blog about them by the weekend.

I'm back from as well as a unexpected blogging holiday a very hot two weeks in Turkey. It was a fab holiday and just what I needed, ie lying by the pool everyday and shopping in the evenings only interrupted by power naps in the afternoon when it was too hot to sunbathe.

I thought I'd start my first day back with a little bit about me which i picked up from http://www.ninnynoodlenoo.com/blog

1) LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATRE?
The last film I saw in the cinema was Kung Foo Panda to which I had planned a visit with little people instead I went with two grown-ups who loved it.

2) WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Currently I'm reading Domain by James Herbert but I read really quickly and manage at least 2 books a week.

3) FAVOURITE BOARD GAME?
Monopoly with my family at Christmas we are not really a board game family as my dad gets bored. I also love playing Scrabble with my Mum in the evening watching soaps as both of us are terrible at it.

4) FAVOURITE MAGAZINE?
Red magazine its the best magazine I have ever bought and I've had a subscription for the last 3 years, its for grown ups with lovely features and things to buy. I also adore the You Magazine in the Mail on Sunday.

5) FAVOURITE SMELLS?
Lemon, the road after it rains in summer and my husband.

6) FAVOURITE SOUNDS?
The beginning cords of any of my favorite songs

7) WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD?
Guilt

8 ) WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE?
Disappointment on a work day and pleasure if its my day off as I can take as long as I want to get up.

9) FAVOURITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
I don't do fast food.

10) FUTURE CHILD'S NAME?

I used to like Giles for a boy but I think now Charles after my Dad and for a girl Eva after my Great Aunt or Sophia or Elizabeth or Saffron or Charlotte.

11) FINISH THIS STATEMENT—’IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I’D……Give up work and do what I enjoy every day ooh and move to a house with a big garden and indoor pool.

12) DO YOU DRIVE FAST?
It depends on the road.

13) DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?
No

14) STORMS–COOL OR SCARY?
I love storms so cool

15) WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?

Fiat Punto it was blue and I loved it until I wrote it off.

16) FAVOURITE DRINK?
Vodka with anything, especially with Tia Maria and coke and cream to make a White Russian lovely.

17) FINISH THIS STATEMENT-IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD…
Learn new things.

18) DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI?
Yes.

19) IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY OTHER COLOUR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE?
I do and I have had it every colour from blue in my student days to blond after I went mad with the sun in while at school to the rich mahogany I have now.

20) NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS YOU HAVE LIVED IN?
Derby, Hinkley and Leicester.

21) FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
I like to watch live football but don't like watching it on television.

22) WHATS UNDER YOUR BED?
Suitcases and things I cannot throw away. We have a guest staying with us and so I've had to tidy out the wardrobe in my second bed room so he could hang his clothes.

24) WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN?
I don't know.

25) MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Defiantly a morning person after a coffee...

26) OVER EASY OR SUNNY SIDE UP?
Over easy. I don't like runny yokes they make me feel a bit funny.

27) FAVOURITE PLACE TO RELAX?
In bed or curled in a corner of the settee.

28) FAVOURITE PIE?
Rhubarb meringue a Nigella Recipe from Domestic Goddess I love it and could eat it every day.

29) FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR?
Lemon meringue Ice cream fro m a little shop in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, after eating Fish and Chips next to the river.

Well that's all from me and if you want to do this consider yourself tagged.

I've been missing in action

2008-07-28T20:10:00.003+01:00

Sorry I've been gone so long.

I've just been feeling a bit quiet.

I've been knitting but unfortunately no photo's to show.

I've been watching Sex and The City and crying every time I watch it.

I've been to see Kung Fu Panda and loving every minute.

I've been reading Jane Brockets new book and feeling nostalgic.

I've been watching Gossip Girl and coveting the outfits.

I've been planning my holiday and deciding if I should take some knitting?

Two weeks no knitting will I be OK?

I've been catching up with friends and realising they are really good fun, I should make more time for them.

I've also been lurking.

I'm having a further break for the next 3 weeks but then I'll be back and sharing again

A new wedding website

2008-04-29T13:24:00.002+01:00

This post isn't knitting related but I thought I'd share with you the fantastic new site my brother has just launched.

It's a place to keep all your wedding information together from the venue to table placing, your gift list and more.

Here's the link go and have a look and if you've any feedback let me know and I'll pass it on.

http://www.thisisourwedding.co.uk/index.html

Finished knitted bits

2008-04-27T20:55:00.003+01:00

I've managed to get some pictures of some finished knitting at last. This is meant to be a knitting blog after all.

Firstly my new cashmere cushions for my lounge in pink and pale blue with a shot of beige. I did knit these up a while ago but didn't get round to finishing them. Now they are decorated with a grey satin finished ribbon and assorted buttons all sourced from Mason Mills in Matlock Derbyshire. Now all I've got to do is stop Mr LCD using them as trays when he has his dinner...

Next a tea cosy in black and white decorated with white buttons sourced from eBay. It has a pearly king and queen feel to it and made my Dad laugh out loud when he saw it on Saturday.

Finally another Tea Cosy in teal, blue and grey decorated with blue buttons and a blue pom-pom.

I'm feeling quite please with myself this week lots of finished bits and pieces have now been cleared out the way. I'm now ready to start new projects.

I'm going to have to hold off on the cashmere cushions with big turquoise flowers as I've managed to hurt my back again which means I can't use my knitting machine for a while.

I've started knitting myself a scarf using yarn I picked up in Venice a few years ago I was saving it to use on a really special project but I've decided since I love it so much it'd be nice to use it for something I'll wear every day rather than it sitting in my yarn basket for 3 more years.

I've started knitting a black evening bag ready for a wedding I've got in May. I also want to do some more quilting I've got the fabric I just need to find the time...

I'm back

2008-04-20T17:58:00.002+01:00

I'm sorry I've been gone so long life took over and I neglected my blog.

Since I last posted I've had a birthday, my brother gave a cocktail party for me, a wedding anniversary (six years if you can believe it), my ghd's broke and have now been replaced, I managed to put my mobile phone through the wash, I've had a trip to Bath, I've visited the Continental market in Derby and finally I got soil for my garden.

I had a lovely birthday with family and friends. My brother arranged for people to come who've I've not seen for years which was a lovely surprise. I've no pictures of the party or cake which was very sophisticated until the boys who were the bar men of the evening started drinking shots and Tiff my brothers puppy managed to eat my birthday cake, the dips and Becky's chocolate brownies.

I also got soil delivered for my garden at last I've been waiting to order it since last summer but it was so wet and miserable all summer we didn't get round to doing the garden. I'd ordered two tons of soil which Mr LCD and my Dad thought might be too much to fill my one raised flower bed. It arrived, I paid my money and when my husband saw what had been delivered he had a fit. I will freely admit I've no spatial awareness. I cannot park in small car parking spaces even through I've a relatively small car I think I need enough space to park a limousine. I'd actually received about seven tonnes of soil which maybe no problem if you've an acre to fill but I had one raised bed. My Dad came to help Mr LCD move the soil and I phoned everyone I'd ever met to offer free top soil, We eventually managed to get rid of all of it but I did come very close to crying that morning especially as it was the morning after my cocktail party and because it kept raining and hailing on us.

I've had a trip to Bath with my Mum where we had a lovely day being proper tourists, we traveled on the open top sightseeing tour visiting all the sights and shopping. We visited the Cath Kidson store where I treated myself to a new book. It is worth noting that Nicolas Cage has just bought a house in Bath and Johnny Depps kids go to school there so it maybe worth going just in case you spot both of the most attractive men I can think of.

I wish I'd taken more pictures as it is a beautifully town and I'd like to go again but stay for a couple of days rather than trying to fit it all into six hours. I think Mr LCD and myself will have a weekend away in the summer as he'll love it.

We had a continental market in Derby this week. As well as international sellers there were independent farms from England. My Mum and I really treated ourselves and had the most lovely lunch. We started with home made Greek bread filled with feta and herbs.

Olives filled with blanched almonds. Hand made smoked cheese, and peperoni sausage.

I also treated myself to some purple sprouting broccoli from this stall;

And for dessert a lovely walnut layer cake from this stall;

Have you ever seen muffins so big I was very very tempted.

I have also been knitting I got my mums vest finished and the lavender cupcakes I'm half way through a new tea cosie and I'm thinking about cashmere cushions in beige with great big turquoise flowers for my lounge.

I'll have pictures at the end of the week which I'll share I promise I won't be gone so long.

A new blog

2008-04-01T10:08:00.003+01:00

Sara at http://all-about-eden-saraeden.blogspot.com/ has asked me, very kindly to contribute to the new blog shes set up.

It's called http://northernbellescrafts.blogspot.com/ and this will be a place to find out about craft fairs , fabric shops and all those things you find out about in the North that you think others may like to know !!

The aim is to include all the little shops and design resources crafters use and share information about them. I'm very excited and looking forward to writing the pieces about the places I like to visit.

Also after Sara had visited the Manchester Art gallery for their button display I couldn't help being inspired to decorate my Tea cosie with vintage buttons sourced from EBay, charity shops, my mother and grandmothers. Drop Sara a post if you to would like to be inspired.

Current projects

2008-03-27T18:59:00.005Z

I've managed to get some photo's taken of new bits and pieces I'm working on. The first is a tea cosie design based around my cupcake designs.I'm not 100% happy with it yet it still needs lining. I'm thinking a pale pink cotton jersey. I'm going to decorate it with with beads or tiny buttons. I'm thinking a knitted flower for the center. Ill make a decision later tonight when I can sit and think in my studio.

Next are my new Lavender Cakes. I've six in the pipe line ready to sew together decorate and stuff with lavender. I'm thinking of doing my cakes with different fillings depending on the colour of the icing, yellow icing lemon smelling cakes, pink icing raspberry's... you get the idea.

Next my mums mothers day present still not finished but I've promised mum it'll be all finished by Sunday. I've not much to do... just finish knitting the front, knit a half belt, find 3 buttons and sew hook and eyes all up the front to fasten. Luckily Torchwood is on the BBC tomorrow night so I'm looking at a serious push to get the knitting part of the project finished. Oh I forgot to mention my new needles from Loop which I'm using to get it finished, it makes such a difference knitting on pretty needles.

Finally here is the new hat I finished at the weekend the pattern was from 101 designer one skein wonders. It was an quick knit taking me about 3 hours with just 3 pattern repeats. I did have to concentrate on each row but it used less than one skein of yarn. I'm now left with one and a quarter skeins to make something else maybe a littel scarf in the same lavender lace pattern. The yarn I used was, ggh wollywasch which is 100% pure wool and is £3.00 for 50g from loop it was lovely to work with and comes in very rich vibrant colours. It can also go through the washer at a 30 degree wash.

I'm leaving you know with a picture of my mum modeling my new hat.

Happy Easter

2008-03-25T12:10:00.004Z

I know I'm a bit late but I was whisked off for a long weekend in London by Mr LCD.

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend and received lots of Easter Eggs. I received 3, a malteser one from work. From my husband I received a butterscotch green and blacks egg (yum, just what I'd been nagging for) and a little princess egg, which was in the sale when he popped to sainsburys on Monday morning.

You may gather that this weekend wasn't a diet weekend.

I did complete lots of knitting this weekend. I finished one front of my Mum's mothers day preset but had left the rest of my yarn at home, so I've still not finished it. I started knitting a pair of socks and made myself a beanie out of the lovely yarn I purchased from Loop. I also read a book called Divas don't Knit which was a fun easy read.

The reason I got so much reading and knitting done was because we were visiting Mr LCD friends and family. They are kind and make me feel very welcome but they do talk in Albanian for the most part and watch lots of Albanian t.v which consists of lots of Albanian singing and not that funny comedy sketches. Every time we visit I take little projects to do after I spent one very long weekend feeling very bored and neglected.

We stayed with Mr LCD's cousin and his family who live behind this very fancy door;

I have fallen in love with his 5 year old daughter. She wore the bunny ears we got her all weekend and cried on Friday night when she had to get changed out of the outfit we'd got her into her pajama's. She is the sweetest child I've ever met and if I could guarantee my child would be like her I'd have 3 now. Her English is also fantastic since her Mum and Dad only spoke Albanian at home I did worry that when she started school she'd be behind the other children in her class but she's clever and funny and has fitted straight in at school with no problems.

We did have a day by ourselves on Monday where I got to go shopping and visit Liberty's and Covent Garden. Then I managed to leave my Debit Card in House of Frazer so that stopped my shopping in its tracks much to Mr LCD's relief..

It also snowed pretty much all weekend but it didn't settle unfortunately.

I also managed to drag my husband into loop on Friday, he was very surprised at how busy and lovely it was. I bought 2 new sets of needles and some lovely wool, which I'll share in the next blog as what I made is in the washing machine.I think I may be changing his mind about me opening a little shop selling wool and bits and bobs. There is nothing in Derby/Derbyshire that would compare to loop. The shop in town sells lots of acrylics but isn't the kind of place you'd go to look for beautiful yarn.

New Camera New Shop

2008-03-13T11:52:00.003Z

Nothing says spring to me like primroses, I like a pretty display on my dining room window sill. For some reason last year I didn't get round to creating a spring display. This year I've managed it. I just need some more small pots and it'll all be finished off. I have got more small pots but for some reason I couldn't find them at the weekend when I was potting up.

I've a new camera which has enabled me to take much better pictures. That would also be down to the fantastic weather we're having today, the sun has come out after what seems like a week of rain. According to the BBC website the rain will be back tomorrow. I'm celebrating the sunshine on my day off by photo shopping my pictures and listing items on the new online shop I found by way of flickr.

You can see my shop at http://www.pinkdoodle.com/ I'm listed as lupincottagedesigns(surprisingly). I've listed some cakes, bags, jewellery and scarves. It's all in UK pounds so hopefully that won't put as many shoppers off buying, like I think etsy does. I accept pay pal but if you've any questions send me a mail. The photos are of some of the things I've listed today;

Well I'm off now to finish my cupcake tea cosy which I am going to get finished by this afternoon and I promise I won't be missing as long next time.

March is here

2008-03-05T12:25:00.002Z

I've no pictures to share but I've found two great give aways on line.

The first is on Sara's all about Eden blog where if you leave a comment you can win lots of pretty things. To leave a comment go to http://all-about-eden-saraeden.blogspot.com/ and then if you're lucky your name will be picked out a hat.

The second is a give away to celebrate the opening of there new shop oliverandolivia have arranged a little give away to enter follow this link http://www.oliverandolivia.com/index.html

I managed to almost get my quilt finished for mothers day but then completely messed it up so it's not square. Luckily mum was very understanding especially after I made lunch and is happy to wait till Easter for her quilt and half finished jumper.

tea cosy or is that cosie?

2008-02-21T16:04:00.003Z

I've finished finishing my tea cosy. It's taken a while but its all done now ready for it's long trip to France. It was hard work modifying a pattern I found so I could get just the look my client wanted. It was worth it as I'm quite happy with the way it turned out.

Now I've just got to get my mums quilt and jumper finished by mothers day and I can start knitting for my self. Here's the quilt so far. It may be that I give it to her for her birthday in June... we'll see.

Where does the time go?

2008-02-20T08:28:00.005Z

I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted. I don't know where my time has gone.
Mainly I suppose I've been at work, doing overtime so I can go on holiday to Egypt in May. I can't wait for some sun. I didn't get the job I went for but I'm getting feedback today, so I don't feel too bad and there's lots of coaching opportunities coming up so it's not the end of the world.
I have been knitting and quilting but I won't share that with you until the weekend. I've almost finished finishing my tea cosy here's a sneak peak below.

It just needs a few more flowers and a good steam and I can package it off to France.

I was going to do a big valentines post but as you may realize I didn't but here's a picture of the desserts I made for our valentines tea.

Fairy cakes decorated with pink sweeties, I'd almost run out of icing sugar I found out too late to go out shopping and Meringues our favorite with sweetened chestnut puree and double cream, they should of been pink. Needless to say Valentines day wasn't a great diet day as I also received chocolates and some lovely pale purple tulips which I love more than roses.

Lovely things

2008-02-09T08:09:00.000Z

This is just going to be a quick post before I pop off to work, with my tea cosie which I'll get finished today if it's quiet.

I want to thank Mel at http://www.melissagoodsell.typepad.com/ who did a mini swap with me.

I sent her some cupcakes and bits and peices and she sent me all these little goodies;

You may notice she's sent me the card she's entered into the Daring Card Makers blog this week and some lovely mushroom fabric, pom poms, embroidery threads, beads and a pretty hanky holder in pink and white spots which has already found it's way into my work bag.

She has been incredibly generous and filled me with new ideas for projects.

Pop over and read her lovely crafting blog and the food blog which always makes me feel like baking.

Thankyou again Mel.

I'm back

2008-02-07T18:57:00.002Z

Well I may of been off line but I've kept myself busy.

I've just completed five years service at work so I've got an extra days holiday this year and I also received a experience day. I can hear the spa calling my name.

I don't know how I feel about staying in the job as long as I have, I've moved departments but have never felt motivated enough to apply for more responsible job.All is set to change next week when I've an interview for a training role which'll involve training new recruits in our banking practices. This is a job I think I'll enjoy if I get through my 15 minute interactive demonstration on delivering great customer service. I think I stand a good chance as I've found out who else has got interviews and I've got my presentation mapped out with with guidance from my team leader and a friend who's already doing the job.

That enough of the work chat because I've been keeping busy knitting too.

I had my first craft fair last weekend, luckily I'd told friends and family what I was up to other wise I may not of covered the cost of the table. It had snowed that morning so there wasn't a big turn out and most of the people who came said 'aren't you clever' or 'I love your cakes' and then moved on. The feed back was great and I'd got lots of bits for under £5.oo but still no new customers. Maybe I should smile more but I did say hello to everyone who'd visited me, maybe it was the weather or the time of year.

So that wasn't the most motivating day of my life I think I need to go to a craft fair that's more touristy. I think I'm going to have a stall at a craft fair in Tissington ( http://www.tissington-hall.com/ ) in April, fingers crossed for no snow.

As I did get myself so organized for my craft fair I was at a loss for knitting projects this week, that all changed when my Mum came for a visit today.

I've been planing a design fora tea cosy, which'll be the next step on from the cup cakes. This is my first side which I completed at the weekend. Not a great picture I know.

I'm constructing it in three parts the two sides which'll be the cup cake base then the cake and icing as a separate piece I'm then going to line it with a pink jersey and decorate with beads and a big red pom-pom. that's my plan now it may change...
My mum has brought with her a commission today for a stripy blue and fusica tea cozy. My designer side has been put away for a few days while I construct it here are the yarns I'm using ;
The fusica looks very red here but be assured it is fuscia and I've started knitting and I'll get finished pictures for you by the weekend. I found the pattern on line but I'm going to get it copied up for you with any amendments I make.

I also have had a few new books arrive form the lovely people at amazon.
'What skirts' for when my clothes no longer fit, 'Loop pretty knits' which technically I received for Christmas but I'm now ready to start knitting from and '101 one skein wonders' from which my mum has ordered this top;
This looks like a quick knit, she's chosen her yarn a beige dk wool and she may get it for mothers day. I've also started putting together a gold and brown quilt for her but that's a surprise, luckily my mums computer illiterate so she won't be reading this.
There are also some really cute knits in here for socks which I'm going to attempt when I get some needles. I may have to wait for payday. There are also some lovely slippers and hats which I might start making for Christmas and birthday presents.

no posts for a while

2008-01-29T18:00:00.000Z

My husband has broken the computer so I won't be posting for a while.

I don't know when or if we'll be able to get it fixed but I can't post from work as I'm meant to do proper work there. So I might be quiet for a while, but I will still be knitting...

Cake

2008-01-24T11:44:00.000Z

I am getting a bit disheartened with my diet I've lost 10 lb's which is great. Now all I want is some chocolate or cake or just something really sweet. Banana's have been helping to curb my cravings and I know it's only been 3 weeks but sweet cake and chocolate is all I can think about today. I can't buy any sweet things as they don't sell reduced calorie cakes in portion size, you have to buy six and if I bought six I'd eat six so it's best if I don't buy any.

Instead I've been knitting cakes and lots of them. I've been working on a designs for a chocolate sand which. I'm not completely happy with it but here's the prototype. I've started my second sample today and have tried using moss stitch for the cream I think this ones going to work out better.

I thought I'd also share a picture of my awful kitchen with you. It's being ripped out this weekend and I'm having it replaced with lovely real wood units and new counter tops I even get to have new flooring which'll make my day and I get a wall mounted oven I can't wait. Its practically the last room in the house to be finished well except my studio and the garden which is still half done.

A day to myself

2008-01-19T07:48:00.000Z

Today I was woken by the papers when they landed on my sleeping tummy and a cup of tea. How lovely you think? Mr lcd sounds like a keeper... Well so did I until I looked at the clock and saw it was half past 5 in the morning. I'd forgotten he was working today.

I still can't decide if it was a lovely gesture or he just wanted me to get up because he had too.

So I sat with my cup of tea in bed, I was wide awake now you understand, reading my favorite morning papers the News of the World for the celebrity d list scandal and the Mail on Sunday for the weekly out rage of how England's deteriorating and the oh so lovely You magazine full of fashion, other peoples lovely houses and very calorific Sunday baking. I'm low brow and shallow but that what Sundays are for especially as I'm not eating chocolate anymore.

In the end I got up about 9.30, after a little doze, had my diet breakfast, Greek yogurt, dried fruit and toast this week and the retired to my studio to take advantage of my me time.

I have no pictures of what I've been up to but I show the finished articles later this week. I managed to knit 3 cashmere cushion covers in pale beige, pink and blue. Which are now in the washing machine felting, ready to be made up on Tuesday or Thursday. I think I'll finish them with the tiny buttons or the wide grey ribbon I got in Matlock.

I don't know why I'm choosing as I've still got enough yarn left to knot about 5 blankets, so I can do both options but what to do first? I'm impatient and want to see the finished article now, as I'm already thinking about ten more projects I want to work on.

I've also put in an order with my brothers girlfriend to pick me up some more cashmere when she's at mason mills this week. I maybe going a bit mad but it's so nice to knit with and washes so well.

I've also knitted six new cupcakes this weekend and completed a sample for cables black chenille cushion covers. I'm thinking either bright pink or slate grey buttons.

Now I'm going to switch off for a bit. I've got on my vitamin replacement face mask and I've run a hot bubbly bath so now I will love you and leave you and contemplate my lovely day.

I've been busy

2008-01-13T20:24:00.000Z

These are my new shoes I love them but made the mistake of wearing them to work on Friday when we had buckets of rain. My mum gave me a good telling off... why is it no matter how old you are your parents can still make you feel like a teenager?

This picture is taken of my new shoes on my hand made rag rug. I will warn you it wasn't the most time efficient thing I've ever made. I started it when I first got married and then three years later when we bought our house I finished it.

Today was a finishing off day and a tidying day. I've tidyed my studio and knitted some cashmere samples from the yarn I got last Thursday and now they are in washer to see how they felt up so I can start making cushion covers.

I also decided to use my free afternoon to sort through my almost finished bags. You notice I say bags. I have many half made bits in my studio because I love the knitting but not so much the finishing. I also motivated myself into doing my mending it wasn't much but I had been putting it off for about six months.

Now my studio is almost clear and I've got a small new pile of finished bits and I feel all clear to start new projects like little knitted chenille hearts for valentines day.

New hot water bottle covers

New cakes

Knitted flannels