Friday, August 31, 2007
Nicole's Cake
Yesterday my neighbour gave me some blackberries that she'd just picked. Ooh, goody, I love blackberries and thought about my favourite autumnal cake - blackberry spiced crumble cake. Believe me, it's delicious. So I set out this morning to make one, eagerly awaiting trying it for my dinner. Or tea. Or snacking on it. Or any other way I could get this rammed down my throat. It went in the oven looking very promising. The smells coming from the kitchen have been driving us all mad. Get me to that pudding! At last it was ready. Out it came. On to the cooling rack.
The new cooling rack
The new non-stick cooling rack.
And guess what? It didn't stick. It slid beautifully off the damn rack and straight onto the floor.
Bugger.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Important Announcement
May I introduce you to Bartholomew Archibald, The Stash Basket's latest addition.
The proud parents went into the garden to show off their young son to the world. Julie he is so beautiful, words fail me. Thank-you for making our life complete!
Oh, and so you don't get bored of Tipsy, I'm planning on a once a week update. Tipsy Tuesday. Sounds like a good idea to me!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Posh
... and am loving everything about it so far. The little bit of lace pattern, which is so easy even I can manage it; the frill round the bottom of the sleeve (am I having a bit of an 80's revival with all these frills lately I wonder?); the colours and of course the ever perfect Posh Yarn - Sophia 4-ply which is 100% pure unadulterated cashmere.
I did wonder if I had enough yarn, but having assembled it all together, I think that possibly I might manage. Good job too as anything posh, be it bags or yarn, does not come cheap. But hey, a little extravagance now and again never did anyone any harm did it?
So follow me please for the journey that will be long and slow. I am a very slow knitter, so do not expect miracles. But perfection has its price does it not?
Monday, August 27, 2007
Pink sock
So here as promised is the knitting done at my brother's house. Well, on the train mainly. And what a quick knit it was, despite casting on 180 stitches for the top. I love this sock and will definitely make more. Youngest son modelled it, that's why it looks so huge. He was not impressed to be wearing a pink sock and wants you all to know that he doesn't normally wear that colour.
Isn't the yarn lovely? It's from Kerrie and I think is merino, but I've had it so long, I can't remember. I really like the way it's going in stripes. What a cool sock. Unless you're an 8 year old boy of course.
By popular demand I'll be showing you the cashmere I've got for Tipsy tomorrow. Daren't take a picture of it when husband is around - he would completely freak out if he saw that much cashmere. I have cheated a bit and already cast on, so I might give you a treat and show you that too. Oh I'm just too good to you! Starting again on the cake orders too after a break in the summer, so knitting progress will be slow again.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
In which we talk about London and trains
Anyway, all that aside, we went to London on the train for a nice family day out. On the Train. Pah. Had to stand all the way there. 55 minutes in a hot a sweaty cattle truck. Arrived in our capital feeling slightly harassed. But that soon all melted away. I love London (so did everyone else in the world, as they were all there yesterday. It was packed). The street entertainers particularly in Covent Garden are so funny, the boys just loved them. This Gladiator Statue was hilarious, his facial expressions were wonderful. Wandered around a bit before heading off to the highlight of the day - I managed to get tickets to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Well what can I say? Lee Mead - the one who won the competition from the tv - was so fantastic. And so damn gorgeous. I mean really gorgeous. The show is amazing, it's one of my favourites anyway, the costumes, the humour, the songs... oh I could go on for hours! If you get the chance, go, go, go...
After that we went to TGI Fridays for something to eat (the whole restaurant sang Happy Birthday to our little boy) and then back on the train to come home.
The tube was packed, must have been about 100 degrees in there too. The train was packed so stood up all the way again. And if I thought it was hot and sweaty in the morning, it was nothing to the evening train. And then they couldn't find a driver. So we waited (still standing) on this stationary train cum oven for nearly an hour. By the time we got home - oh having missed our connection - all good moods of the day were severely tested. Husband was particularly grumpy! (Nothing new there then!)
But was Lee worth it? Oh yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!!!
Friday, August 24, 2007
On holiday with bunnies
After the Abbey, we found our way to this little sweet shop - a gem of a place if ever there was one. And guess what everybody, they do an on-line service too. Jars and jars of sweets, all the sorts that used to be around when I was a little girl. Oh such nostalgia! Oh, so many calories. Oh who cares? Blossom and Alfie loved it here too, as you can tell by the look on Blossom's face. They were expensive chocolates, but mighty damn fine! Of all the places we went to on holiday, this place sticks in all of our minds more than anything else. We are obviously very greedy!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Really back this time!
Had a lovely few days in the Lake District with my brother and sister-in-law. For once the weather was perfect (apparently it hasn't stopped raining here at home). We had some lovely walks - nothing too strenuous for a couch potato such as myself! Even got some knitting done, haven't photographed it yet, but I think you'll be very impressed with me.
No more holidays booked - we're back to school in just over a week - but plenty of knitting on the cards and more cakes too. Oh it's going to be a busy old month September. And before too long it's going to be my 100th post. That seems to be a traditional time to organise a give-away. Don't you normally get presents when it's your birthday not give them away? The world of blogging is very mysterious!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Holiday knitting
There, that's better. What do you think then? Expect great things when I return - the train journey is nearly five hours long. Mind you, am more than likely to use spare yarn to tie up children... 7 and 12 yr olds 'sitting still' for that length of time? I think not!
And before you all complain about me taking another holiday, the last one was a week with my in-laws where it rained nearly every day. This time am going to my brother - it will probably rain every day there too, but will be much more relaxing! He's very computer-minded, so he might let me post from there. See you soon maybe?
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Another finished project
So glad you all liked the forest canopy shawl. And in reply to some of your comments, no, Dee, I am not addicted to lace now. I much prefer stocking stitch - especially fair isle (more of that another day...) And Annette (hello by the way, nice to have you here) no, I will most definitely not be making another. It went on for far too long, and I want to get back to stocking stitch. Preferably fair isle. And preferably in some very posh cashmere...
But for the next few days, Tipsy will just have to be on hold, ready to be cast on another day. I'm off to see my brother in the Lake District and need some little portable knitting. Probably another sock, unless you can come up with something else - be quick though, I need to pack my suit-case.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Forest Canopy
It's a lovely size and I can't wait to wear it. The colours are just great, so very 'me' and I really think this will go with everything in my wardrobe. I love it so much, thanks Dee and Tony (who no longer wants to be called Mr P). More cake for you one day!
Close up - have I blocked it right? Should the leaves be squares? There are loads of mistakes on it, but by the time I was down to repeat number 21 and at least 5 million stitches on the needles, there was no way I was going to take anything back down!
Oh and some very exciting news, I've been nominated for a Rocking Blogger Award by Julie (Blossom and Alfie's first mum). Don't know what it means, but hey, an award! Me! Yeah man, I rock. Shall I be going on tour soon?
Friday, August 17, 2007
I'm back!
We had a great week in Yorkshire - more details of trips later in the week - rounded off on the last day by a trip to Sheepish Wool Shop in Knaresbrough (another wonderful place with an extremely bonkers assistant!). So of course I just had to buy more yarn. After all, I've had a very productive time knitting on holiday. Come back tomorrow to see Forest Canopy all blocked and dried...
The second week was spent in North Wales with my in-laws. It rained. But at least I got more knitting done. (Second sock finished, Debbie Bliss Cable cardigan back and fronts finished, beaded bracelet finished) See, I so knew you'd be proud of me!
Oh, and I forgot to say - husband's reaction to the hand-made card? 'Cheapskate' was all he said. Marvellous!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Priorities
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Oops!
Last year, for mum's Christmas present, I had the idea of making her a throw and knitting lots of flowers to go on it. So I chose the yarn - Colinette's Point 5 - and knitted away. The throw was huge - it used 5 skeins - but was a bit floppy and thin, not like I wanted. So I decide to felt it a bit (a bit, note) to make a firmer fabric. So in the washer it went. Oh dear me. The original throw was about 5 feet by 4 feet - it came out of the washer a mere 1.5 by 2 feet. So I had to do some rapid re-thinking and came up with the idea of a bath mat. At least I didn't need to make quite so many flowers!
I still like the idea of a throw and will no doubt put it on the list of things to do at some stage. Oh and as for Forest Canopy - who was I trying to kid saying that it would be done before we go away? These rows are taking forever. At this rate I'll be lucky if it's finished for when we get back from our holiday. I am never knitting another shawl ever, ever again in my whole life.
Just remind me I said that will you?