arm knitting

Oh yes, craft classes have started again and the girls are back!!!

A very big welcome to our new members, so happy to have you with us.

We wasted no time at all and started our first session of arm knitting.

This is one I had made in the summer holidays

Two balls of chunky wool and off you go 

before you know it you have this

There you go, a blog post with very little words ( never enough time to type) and a snood made in under one hour.

So happy to have all back ladies.

See you next week

love Ex

nothing like planing ahead…….

Yes, I should take note of planing ahead a little more often!

My children are having fun with friends and I was told to leave them to it. What an invitation to do something I should do far more often…writing a note on my blog!

Our summer term has come to an end, with our children finally staying home for the summer holidays. I have managed to complete some projects , a snood for a friend on the other side of the world and a summer jersey for me 🙂 It is made out the beautiful bamboo wool my mum brought over from South Africa. Such lovely vibrant colours.I need to block it and will be ready to go.

I have also tried my hand at baking sourdough bread and would like to thank my craft ladies for their help and patience. My endless questions must have been very tiering. This is my first one, rather good, well I think so anyway.

 

The lovely Kate has definitely planned ahead and knitted this most beautiful blanket for a Christmas gift. Such a lovely pattern, I love the pompoms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will be playing with several craft ideas this summer and hopefully will be able to share some of these with you rather sooner than later.

We resume our classes in September, cannot wait to see what my lovely ladies will have in store for me.

 

Wishing you all a very happy and sunny (even if it is only internal sunshine) summer.

 

with love 

E x

I have to share this with you

 

Hello

 

once again, too much to do and so little time to do it.

However I have just read a blog from Crafting Fingers and need to share this with you.

10 lessons on creativity from Blogtacular

 

 

enjoy

 

love Ex

 

no news is good news…

Hello my dear friends, fellow bloggers and followers.

Yes, it has been a while, but don’t worry I have not been resting too much I have been knitting. What else?

I have been very spoilt these last few weeks. My parents visited from South Africa and arrived bearing gifts. For me the most wonderful stash of Bamboo knitting wool. Its called Vinnis Colours, Serina and is made in South Africa and Eco-friendly 🙂 The colours are so vibrant I cannot wait to get knitting with it.

My mother also brought along some additional balls so I could knit a snood for her, while she was here. I loved knitting with it. It has the most wonderful drape, however this also means that the garment seams to grow once worn. Something to bear in mind when working out the size.

I presume this serves me right, I cannot get any photographs to upload? I will have to add these next time, so sorry 😦

Big news for today is that Mrs Moon is having a really fabulous sale, do have a look, I’m sure they will sell out in no time. Once again, thanks to my Mom, I have managed to buy some Blue Sky Alpaca, Metalico. This must be the softest, most luxurious wool I have knitted with. Remember my shawl? It is the perfect time on year to wear it.

I will be in touch very soon….

love Ex

Unravel and Orange Cake

It might be half term, but this does not mean we are standing still.

Visitis to Ikea (there is always something one needs in Ikea, right?), lovely lazy morning walks which have been good for all of us.

I have just baked a delicious orange cake for my workshop attendants tomorrow. Yes, the pompom workshop is happening tomorrow, so excited :-).

As I was looking up the recipe I noticed that I had hand written it in my cookbook which I have since I was 17 years old. The pages are discoloured and splattered, but the recipe still works and I still love the taste.

Ok, I’ll share it with you:

 

You will need

75 g flour

75 g cornflour

1/2 tsp baking powder

4 eggs

200 g caster sugar

2 tsp grated orange zest

80 g melted butter

juice of 5 oranges plus 1 tblsp sugar

 

Beat eggs with sugar over hot water till very, very creamy

Sieve flour, cornflower and baking powder and fold into egg mixture

Fold in melted butter and add orange zest

 

Line a round baking tin and add mixture

Bake at 170*C for about 30 minutes.

 

While cake is baking juice the oranges, add the sugar and heat. Do not boil!

Once cake is baked, prick with a fork and add hot orange juice.

Let it stand to cool and only then remove from tin.

Dust with icing sugar just before serving.

I hope you will enjoy this as much as I have and still do.

 

The Sewing Bee is on tonight and I can watch it live. So excited to sit with my girls and watch all the talented ladies and gents perform their magic. I have not got a favourite contestant yet, do you?

 

The most exciting event of the week is the Unravel show at the Farnham Maltings. I went last year and loved it. So looking forward to spending my Saturday there. If you are able to, do try and get there. It starts on Friday 20th and ends Sunday 22nd February.

Hope you are having a great week too

 

love Ex

My blouse on the Great British Sewing Bee

Great excitement as the Great British Sewing Bee is back!

Now would you believe that Amanda is wearing a blouse just like the one I made for our local sewing bee competition which was held last year and organised by C&H?

I did not add the little bow ties, but just have a look at this.

Well, what can I say? I obviously lead the path.

Not sure about Patrick’s moustache, but loving the program.

 

Hope you are enjoying it too

 

love E x

 

 

Before and after……

It is the first of the month – pinch, punch, no returns 🙂

It has all been go, go, go at love to craft head quarters.

I popped into our local Charity shop to drop off some bits and pieces and it would be rude not to have a browse and make a purchase, right?

I bought the most delightful Whistles skirt for only sshhhhh £6.

My daughter was not impressed and actually asked if I intended to wear this in Public? Ha, the youth of today, what can I say?

Anyway I removed the bottom “frill”, as the skirt was too long. I then added a little lace trim to both edges and voila, a new skirt! I love it.

 

All it took was a little bit of time and the lace was in my magical suitcase which homes all the bits and pieces I have collected over the years. My husband often asks why I hold onto this suitcase? Well as a crafter you will understand – you just never know when you might need a bit of fabric or lace or trim or…….

 

My craft ladies have been so busy too. Can you believe the work that has gone into this beautiful quilt? Well done Lisa, you should be so proud.

I’m still trying to stitch together my cardigan, no excuses needed, just busy doing other things.

 

Half term holiday are upon us soon and I will be hosting a pompom workshop the the 20th February. 10.30am – 12pm. 

Learn how to make the fluffiest pompoms, get creative and make them into little bees?

Spaces are limited, so please book soon.

I hope you have had a great start to our magical 2015 and look forward to chatting soon.

 

love Ex

I can do that……..

Hello

the nicest thing about having new members in my craft classes is to see how fast they can achieve!

Mel arrived last week with a ball of wool and some knitting needles and asked: “What can I do with this?”

One week later she arrives with her very first, very beautiful snood!

Now that was easy, wasn’t it? Now she is knitting the second one for her son. Watch out, Mel will be having her own market stall soon.

Lisa is quietly knitting the most beautiful pieces, including this adorable little hat for her grand daughter. I’m sorry the photograph does not do it justice.

I have almost completed my mohair and silk cardigan, watch this space……

A big welcome to some new members, Kay and Helen. Classes are now on a Wednesday and Thursday morning and a Thursday evening.

I cannot wait to see what the new year will  bring and look forward to hearing all your crafting news.

Have a great weekend

love Ex

Merry Christmas

My last post before we start our celebrations.

I would like to wish you and yours a blessed Christmas and a prosperous new year.

2014 had a lot to offer and I so look forward to see what 2015 will bring.

Sending  you lots of love, and should you need to make some last minute nibbles, this is a safe and much loved recipe.

 

 

3 cups of nuts
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes (I like it quite hot so do put in a bit more).
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp vegetable oil.

Spread nuts on baking sheet and put in oven (180 degrees). If already roasted then put in for 10 mins, otherwise for 15-20 mins until they change colour. Take out and cool on the side slightly.

1) Heat oil, chilli flakes and cayenne over a medium heat.
2) When hot add nuts. Stir-fry until all nuts are coated with oil (20 secs).
3) Add salt and sugar. Stir-fry until all sugar has dissolved.
4) Remove from heat and tip nuts onto a sheet or parchment or wax paper. Allow to cool. Spread them out as much as you can and have a taste at this point. You can sprinkle more chilli flakes on if you need to. Also, you may need more salt.

Break them up and enjoy!

 

lots of love

E x

..oh this is Christmas…

It is starting to get a little colder, the frost is crisp in the morning and my home is smelling of delicious roasted nuts. (Recipe can be found on last years post)

We have decorated the Christmas tree ( I have a very special little glass which I only use when decorating the tree) and we are listening to Christmas Carols. I  do love this time of year.

 

 

We have been all been so busy in the craft classes, Rachel has complete her gorgeous cowl,

Jackie has made the most beautiful Christmas stockings, (please note the little one, which is for the cat) and Liz has made the most clever and effective Christmas napkins.

Take 2 half circles of the same size, but of different fabric, stitch together and voila a Christmas Tree Napkin.

 

 

When watching Kirstie Allsop’s home made Christmas I was inspired to make my own wreath for our front door, I rather like the simplicity and the fact that  jungles when the door is opened.

I also rather like the advent candles this year

 

The great advantage of living in the northern hemisphere, it gets dark so early at least you get to light loads of candles.

 

Last Tuesday was the last market at Kempton Park where I always manage to get the most stunning mistletoe. I stand under it often and am lucky that my daughter comes to the rescue and I get lots of kisses.

 

Last but not least, some of us managed to go for lunch this week. It was a lovely afternoon and delicious too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I believe it is only 11 sleeps till Christmas and I hope that they will be as calm as possible for you all.

Sending  you lots of love

E x