Tuesday Treasury - Polka Dots

This week's mini-treasury is a collection of polka dot goodies, polka dots are timeless and I can't think of anyone who doesn't like them!

Navy Polka Dot Heidi Tea Dress, such a flattering shape, I love the red piping -
http://www.etsy.com/shop/digforvictory

Polka Dot Pencil Case, linen works so well with polka dots -

http://www.etsy.com/shop/modernandvintage

Book Cover Bag, keep people guessing about the book you are hiding between these purple polka dots -

http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhimsyWooDesigns

Coin Purse Wallet, pretty and practical -

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CuriousMissClay

Monthly Make 2012 - July

July has been a creative month for me, i've got another Scroll Lace Scarf that needs blocking, a crochet cushion (that needs an insert) and a shawl in progress ... i've also completed a few little projects and some sketchbook work.
I've been sketching out ideas for some more fabrics for my Spoonflower shop, and i've also managed to 'doodle' this fish today ...

... Earlier this year I designed some fabric called 'Arnold in Love' and had some swatches printed. Sometimes the swatches stay as swatches, sometime I use them for sewing projects. This month i've cut up two of these Arnold swatches to make these little zip-up purses.

I'm using the yellow one to keep my stitch-markers, scissors and darning needles safe whilst i'm on my travels this Summer. My daughter has claimed the aqua coloured one as an iPod purse.

Now I just need to start planning my makes for August ...

Thirty One Hexipuffs

This month I joined a challenge on Ravelry to knit 31 hexipuffs in July - one hexipuff per day. These hexipuffs are eventually going to be sewn together to make a bedspread for my daughter. I didn't start the challenge straight away, and with my track record I wasn't expecting to finish early ... but I have! Despite having about six different knitting projects on needles at the moment, here are my hexipuffs ...

I have lots of hexipuffs, they live in a bag, I haven't put any of them together yet, and I don't know how much space they cover yet, perhaps I need to photograph my total progress so far.

Macrame Bracelet

Yesterday I actually got the afternoon to myself - no housework, no cooking, so I decided to try a new craft - macrame.

Earlier in the year i'd bought some beads with the intention of making a bracelet for my daughter, there are crystal bracelets everywhere at the moment, but making them is a lot cheaper ... so with 5 beads and three metres of cord I set to work ...

I'm really pleased with the result, and so is my daughter.I found these great instructions on the Smitten By A Knot website, they're available as a pdf download as well. I think i'll have a go at making one for myself down i've got the hang of the technique, but perhaps using some 'less blingy' beads!

Tuesday Treasury - Beach

Ok, so I haven't made it to the beach yet this year - I live in the Midlands, so it does require some forward planning! Anyway, here is this week's mini-treasury of beachy goodies ...

Beach Hut Clothes Peg Magnets, three magnets, perfect for stashing all those to-do lists I write -
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CandytuftCreations

Handspun Yarn, The Storm Beach, these colours capture the British coast perfectly -

http://www.etsy.com/shop/karmicdelight

Seagull Hand Printed Rustic Hessian Cushion, this cushion really makes me want to do a seaside 'makeover' on my living room -

http://www.etsy.com/shop/RusticCountryCrafts

Sand Dunes Print, this reminds me of all my family holidays as a child, warm days spent running through the dunes -

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CassiaBeck

I want to make this ...

I want to make this ...

Photograph from Ravelry

This cardigan design is 'Mary Mary' by Andrea Black, it was only released today and there's a Knit-A-Long organised on Ravelry. I don't think i'm going to be knitting-a-long as i've already joined several KALs for the summer, but I do want to knit it!

I don't generally knit garments, the last time being when my daughter was a toddler - I knitted lots of cardigans, coats and jumpers, but they were still small projects.

I've NEVER finished an adult-sized garment! I can remember going to see the Kaffe Fassett exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum as an art student, and deciding that I was going to knit a jumper for myself using lots of random coloured yarn. The trouble was that the yarn I had in my 'ragbag' was mainly acrylic, including lots of mohair style yarn, nothing really went together, and as you can guess the jumper was abandoned before i'd completed the back panel!

This time i've done some planning (Thanks to the instructions on the KAL discussion board), and i've bought the yarn already -

This is some 4 ply 'Daisy' by Posh Yarn in colourway 'Chasing Daylight', a subtle grey/purple ...

... and i've also bought these little buttons from the Textile Garden ...

So, i'm off to wind my yarn and read through the pattern, I might even cast on, but don't bet on it, I think this is going to be my Autumn evening project.

Sunny Afternoon

After weeks of rain, and a few days with no internet, it's been great to enjoy the sunshine this weekend - a picnic in the countryside yesterday, and some outdoor hexipuff knitting this afternoon!

I've finally caught up with my hexipuff knitting and have produced 22 hexipuffs for the 22 days (so far) in July - just 9 days to go, so 9 hexipuffs to knit!

Tuesday Treasury - Summer Knitting

I have lots of knitting plans for this summer, i've got some lovely yarns that i've bought during the past few weeks (and will probably buy more), and i've joined my fair share of KAL projects.
I like to surround myself with lots of bags full of projects, i've got a short attention span but like to stay busy! I'm sure i'll cast on a few more bits and bobs over the coming days, so i've selected a few Summer projects that are on Ravelry for this weeks treasury ...

Summer Storm by Heidi Kirrmaier, this funnel-neck sweater is perfect for an evening walk on the beach -
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/summer-storm

BYOB by Moira Ravenscoft, knit one of these using cotton or linen yarn for a perfect beach bag -

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/byob

Everyday Wrap by Julie Weisenberger, i'm definitely going to look through my laceweight stash so I can cast on this one -

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/everyday-wrap

Garden View Shawlette by Tracey Withanee, this pattern works well with brights or pastels -

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/garden-view-shawlette

Another mini-treasury next Tuesday ...

Philadelphia Brownies

Ok, so I bought some of the new Chocolate Philadelphia cheese, and it sat in the fridge for a couple of weeks. I wanted to try it but I was worried it may taste a little strange. I don't know why I was worried like this, I use regular Philadelphia all the time.
For a few years i've been making some brownies that use ricotta cheese, so I decided to adapt the recipe to  use my tub of chocolate cheese!

The result was a winner, the brownies look like regular chocolate brownies, but because the Philadelphia is added just before you put it in the oven and is not 'mixed' with the other ingredients it's stays creamy, so you get that 'melted chocolate' texture even when the brownies have cooled!

Here's the recipe ...

• 175g unsalted butter, plus a little extra for greasing
• 3 tablespoon cocoa
• 200g golden caster sugar
• 2 medium eggs, beaten
• 125g plain flour
• 160g tub of Philadelphia Cadbury Spread

1. Preheat the oven to 180c/Gas Mark 4. Grease a square deep-sided baking tin.
2. Melt the butter in a medium sized saucepan, take off the heat and stir in the cocoa and sugar. Beat in the eggs, working quickly, and then add the flour.
3. Pour the mixture into the baking tin, use a silicone spatula to get out every last bit!!!
4. Dot 'blobs' of Philadelphia spread throughout the mixture and swirl slightly to mix using a bamboo skewer or cocktail stick.
5. Bake in the oven for about 40 minutes. Cut into 12 pieces.
6. Eat, before someone else does!

Rockefeller

I've had a weekend of knitting hexipuffs and starting another Scroll Lace Scarf, my other scarf still needs to be blocked and currently lives in a 'Jiffy' bag ... i've also got a rather large floral cushion cover which needs finishing before Sunday evening is over!
One more week of work and then I can start some creativity in earnest. I've signed up for yet another Knit-A-Long (Even though I still have two others still on the needles)! This time it's a shawl designed by Stephen West, the first set of intstrutions has been released, but it's not too late to join in if you want a summer challenge.

I might cast on this evening, or it might be tomorrow night before I get a chance. I'm using this lcolourful Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn with some brown Rowan Fine Tweed - I love contrasting turquoise tones with brown, one of my favourite colourways. I'm a big fan or Rowan Fine Tweed, I have been known to buy an 'odd' ball just because it looks nice, but it's the first time i've used Noro, so I can't wait to see how it knits up ...

Tuesday Treasury - Caravan

So, it's still raining, but i'm going to be positive and pretend that we're having a wonderful Summer ... here's this week's mini treasury ...

Camping Studs, perfect holiday jewellery, made from sterling silver -
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AlisonMooreDesigns

Needle Book Sewing Case with Felt Pages, am I the only person who hides crafty projects in their holiday packing -

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PoppyandPoochie

Vintage Caravan Paper Brooch, there's so much detail in this design -

http://www.etsy.com/shop/londonhandmade

Cute Retro Caravan, I love the combination of materials and colours used for this design -

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CornwallCalling

New Design - Fabric Birds

It's been ages since i've designed any fabrics, so i've spent some of this weekend doodling and working on the computer to create this fabric birds design ...

I've tried out a few colourways and i'm looking forward to ordering some swatches to see what the fabrics will look like. I'd love to order a yard of this 'Harper' colourway (Inspired by the illustrator Charley Harper) in linen. I'd better start saving my pennies and control my yarn buying.

Monthly Make 2012 - June

Ok, so it's a week late - blame the awful weather (couldn't take my pictures), and problems with my internet connection!
I've finished my Cath Kidston crochet cushion, i've loved doing this project and want to do more ...

This one is going on my daughter's bed, but i'm thinking some cushions in shades of grey and cream would look great on my sofa.

I think the project was designed so that you insert the cushion and sew up the gap. I decided to make the cushion so you could take the cover off and wash it. I added three buttonholes to the crocheted border on the back and picked out three wooden flower buttons from my button tin. I seem to buy lots of these wooden flower buttons, the Textile Garden is a good place to buy them (and lots of other wonderful buttons).

I'm still deciding what to do for my July make, i'm planning to knit 31 hexipuffs in July, but feel like I need another challenge besides this ... plus, the school holidays are nearly here, so there should be plenty of time for being creative!

Tuesday Treasury - Candy Pink

This week's mini treasury is a collection of candy pink goodies spotted on Etsy ...

Little Pink Sugar Skull Hair Clip, this colourful clip is inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead, there are other colours available too -
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheDollCityRocker

Sugar Mouse Pink Scented Candle, this is stawberry scented and is posted out in it's own little gift box -

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cherrybcandles

Linen Pincushion with Vintage Pink Crochet Flower, the crochet detail looks so good against the linen fabric -

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSilverOctopus

'POMEGRANTE NOIR' cold process soap, flavoured with pomegranate, raspberry and plum, this sounds like it will have a wonderful scent -

http://www.etsy.com/shop/misspoppys

Nearly Angelic Profiteroles

Profiteroles are so nice ... but rather naughty too! Today i've made some strawberry profiteroles that are nearly healthy - well, they've got fresh strawberries as a filling instead of fresh cream.
Choux pastry seems difficult to do, but once you've got the hang of it it's quite a cheap base for a lovely pudding, you can use lots of different fillings and toppings.
To balance up the healthy strawberries I added this rather lovely strawberry chocolate topping ...

Anyway, here's the recipe, give it a go!

Nearly Angelic Profiteroles
(Makes 8)

1/4 pint of water
50g margerine or butter
65g plain flour
2 medium eggs

fresh strawberries
1 packet of Silver Spoon strawberry chocolate buttons

1. Put the water into a small saucepan and add the margerine or butter. Bring to the boil until the margerine/butter has melted.
2. Take the pan off the heat and add the flour. Mix it well with a wooden spoon until it forms a ball.
3. Add the eggs one at a time and mix well - at first they may seem like they are not mixing in, but keep at it!
4. Push the choux pastry mixture into a piping bag (use your largest noxzzle) and squeeze 8 equal 'mountains' of the mixture onto a baking tray.
5. Bake for about 15 mins (until golden) at 200c/Gas Mark 7.
6. Once they cooked profiteroles have cooled, cut open along the middle with a knife, and fill with sliced strawberries.
7. Meanwhile, half fill a small sucepan with boiling water, place a metal or glass mixing bowl over the top and melt the strawberry buttons. Decorate each profiterole with a swirl of chocolate. Let the chocolate set and then eat them - before someone else does!!!