I won.... chocolate, yum!

Woo hoo, there's nothing like winning a giveaway and it arriving in the post to brighten up a day. I've had to wait to show you as my camera has died, I'm quite upset. It's annoying because it still functions as a camera, but the screen seems to have blown, so with no view finder eith, I can't see what I'm photographing!

Anyway...

The lovely Linda at www.homeforgood.net/ has sent me this all the way from across the pond

Emergency chocolate... we all need some of this

Isn't the pot pretty

 I've made another phone cosy, knitted instead of crochet this time. They're so quick to make, so make me feel very productive.

I've also been busy painting furniture... painting and waxing... phew

And looking after the sweetest puppies ever. They'll be 6 weeks old tomorrow and are running all over the place and playing with Pixie and the other dogs.  Imogen and her friend had a puppy photo shoot this afternoon.

This one in the dollshouse is my favourite.

 Bruce (the daddy) wasn't left out... even if perhaps would have preferred to have been!

Take care
xxx

Warm and cosy!

I know that's not the kind of title you'd expect to read on an English post today. It's so hot that it's driven us in from the garden to sit in the living room (coolest room) with the fan blowing and windows thrown wide open... phew...

The subject, or object of my warm and cosy title, is my ipod. My darling son bought it as a christmas present, and though I'm still a bit technically challenged by all the functions and fizzimygigs, I do rather like to listen to my music while washing up or doing a bit of crochet.

I keep it on a little tray next to me with all my other clutter and bits, so worry it may get scratched. Last night I made a cosy little case for it.

I used a nice pretty chunky wooden button and sewed some lace on the flap just because :)

What's everyone eating in this hot weather? None of us are very hungry and we seem to be mainly eating salads.

Last night I thought I'd brave the heat (I know I'm a wimp, a limp wimp in this heat) and use the oven to make some cracked potatoes.

New potatoes boiled then placed on a baking tray. I 'crack' them by gently putting pressure on the back of a spoon.

Lots of chopped red onion and cherry tomatoes.

Nice hunky chunks of mushroom.

Hubby squishing a few cloves of garlic for me.

I like to sprinkle some coarse salt, black pepper and olive oil over it before popping in the oven.

It's a really easy and super tasty supper.

Take care
xxx

Time for tea

Phew it's a hot one today, maybe the title should have said iced tea.

I've done most of my chores so now have plans to sit in the garden under some shade with a pile of cotton yarn and a crochet hook... and a nice cold drink!

I mentioned in a previous post that I'm picking up the decopatch habit. As well as the chairs I recently showed you, my other addiction is hostess trollies.

Perfect for for serving a nice cup of tea or perhaps a cocktail or two!

I have another one in progress at the moment too, I love them. Perfect for serving from, but I also have one with my ongoing projects stacked on, sewing box, books etc. So is it just me or are there other trolley fans out there?

Imogen has been busy too. Hot weather calls for light summer desserts. Jelly, strawberries and cream topping,

with lots of sprinkles on top.

My sweet daughter had her plaster removed yesterday, so is now hoping her white leg will soon tan to match the other :)

gratuitous puppy pic

Have a wonderful weekend where ever you are

Take care
xxx

Everything's Growing

Including our sunflowers, which are getting nice and straight and tall (must take a pic next week).

I'm really pleased with a throw I've started. It's the first time I've been asked to crochet something by someone else (besides my children), so I'm really happy... and nervous that it'll turn out OK. My friend is preparing to start fostering and wants a throw the children can keep on the bed and use when it gets chilly.

I'm using lots of bright colours, though I don't think it shows very well on the photo, the purple looks black and the mauve looks grey!

I've tried some new stitches I haven't tried before, it's so rewarding watching it grow.

A little puppy popped into this picture!

That nicely brings me to how quickly the puppies are growing. When they were born, the lilac pup was almost half the size of the other 2, I think she may be the biggest now!

Their eyes are open now, so not long before the havoc starts and we all become on permanent poop scoop duty!

Take care
xxx

Circles

Thank you for all your lovely comments wishing Imogen well, it's so lovely to think so many people who we've never met have sent such kind wishes. Also, thank you for the lovely comments about my chair, I was blown away by them, thank you for being so kind and encouraging and such lovely people.

So... as well as going round in circles, spending the afternoon with Imogen in hospital having her leg brace removed and a cast put on instead, I also appear to be making them!

I gave you a peek a while ago

 I'm really pleased with how it turned out

This flower was an extra one from a throw I made a while ago.

 It was so simple to make and such a good way to use up oddments of yarn. I'm planning to make another one with felt flowers soon.


My lovely husband recently bought me a copy of Natalie Clegg's Hip Crochet. It's a lovely book and has lots of very do able projects in it.

 I've been feeling very inspired by all the gorgeous crochet doilies I've seen in blogs and the internet, so this seemed like a good place to start.

It's a beautiful gypsy table cloth, but I've used the pattern motif and just made one, a doily. I love it and plan to make more in the future and join them to make a runner.

I definitely want to make more doilies, I was surprised how quickly it made up (I have yet to block it) as I had visions of a tiny hook and many painstaking hours with fine cotton... my eyes aren't as good as they were! But it's 4ply cotton which still makes delicate looking work.


Take care
xxx

May I decopatch you? and some green goodness.

I think it's taking over, and it's thanks to the inspiration from Ladybird Diaries. I have an old chair (or two) that have seen much better days, so decided to have a go with some decopatch papers and paint...

I'm so pleased with it, I think it's so pretty. It was so easy to do, but is so effective :)

It was my first attempt and it hasn't stopped there... but I'll save that for another post.

Andy's been working so hard on our garden, laying some new patio slabs and gravel. It's looking so nice, just needs some more colour, but my flowers have been a bit neglected this year. Here is some of the garden goodness...

I think Fuchsias are so pretty

Lots of flowers budding

A row of Sunflowers

I love these baskets, the pale pinks are so delicate

We do have a very delicate girl at home. My poor baby Imogen dislocated her knee at school the other day. Her leg has been put in a brace (rather than plaster cast) so she can't bend it, and it's taking a bit of getting used to

Hopefully she'll be back to running and swimming again soon, even taking a shower right now sounds like a dream to her, bless her.

Take care
xxx