Vintage Tea Party

The ladies all came round to mine on Saturday night for some cocktails and some top baked goods by yours truly (even if I do say so myself).

Recipes are found in this fab book and the night itself was inspired from this lovely book.

A stroll by the Lancaster Canal

It was a nice crisp Autumnal day, so myself, Sal and the boys decided to go for a walk.

We parked up at Carnforth and strolled along the canal, up in to Bolton-le-Sands briefly to then turn back along some rather muddy lanes and back along the canal to Carnforth. So glad I decided to wear my Hunter wellies.

Here are some pics of the day. On the crafting front I am feviourishly trying to finish some X-stitch and knit a shawl for Christmas Day. Pics to come of finished objects soon I hope...

Kat the Hat

As winter draws ever nearer it is an excellent excuse to knit more hats - a girl can never have enough hats...

I picked up the pattern book 'Precious' by Kim Hargreaves recently and have started the pattern Kat from it; knitted in Rowan Kid Classic.

Really shouldn't have started another project, as I have oodles to do on the needles already. Ah well...

Ysolda at Purl City

The wonderful knitwear designer Ysolda Teague visited Purl City Yarns in Manchester recently, and Jen and I bobbed along to check it out. She was there to promote her latest collection - Little Red in the City, so I took along my copy which she kindly signed for me.

All her sweaters were there in the flesh so everyone could try them on, and we are now inspired to create our own for Autumn/Winter 2011.

I resisted the urge to add to my stash whilst at the store - it was quite hard. There are some lovely yarns. But I still have a skein of some gorgeous purple Scrumptious to ball up yet - think I will be calling in on Jen to make use of her swift and winder...see you soon Jen.

Mollie Makes

A new craft magazine hit the shops on Friday, and it is rather nice. Within it are articles with crafty types, projects, gorgeous pictures and it is very inspirational.

Issue 1 came with a free gift to make your very own i-pod / smart phone holder, so I fashioned my very own to keep my Blackberry cosy.

Subscribe here.

I have...

New Hobby

Oh dear, knitting has taken a back seat as I am currently obsessed with cross stitching. It is very addictive and calming.

I grabbed a couple of small kits from Hobbycraft to get the hang of things and the latest edition of Cross Stitcher magazine and did the free kit from that. And now I have a frame and large piece of aida and threads to tackle a bigger design. It is made up only full stitches, no halves or fiddly bits.

I am also loving the great Subversive Cross Stitch book and will attempt 'Bite Me' next.

Knitting Iceland

I recently signed up to the Knitting Iceland newsletter and low and behold I only went and won the monthly draw!

Got some lovely lopi yarn and cool DVD on how to knit those fabulous Iceland sweaters.

Huge thanks to Ragga, Berglind and the team at Knitting Iceland...

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London

A much needed few days away was called for, so Sal and I shot down to London on a Pendolino and stayed in Greenwich.

I dragged Sal to a lovely yarn store in Islington - Loop and a fab bike store called Bobbin. I purchased a lovely skein of Malabrigo in a fetching green colour to make Ysolda Teague's Ishbel and a reflective sash for when I am on my bike at night. Much nicer then the horrid fluorescent bibs don't ya think?!

We then saw the amazing Ghost Stories at the Duke of York Theatre which scared the proverbial trousers off me.

Oh and bumped in to Robert Downey Jnr at the Due Date premier...

Day Out in Manchester

My mate Claire and I had a potter around Manchester on Friday.
We checked out the filming of Captain America around Dale St but unfortunately didn't spot any stars and was kept moving along by the security staff - was quite exciting though.

We then mooched about the Northern Quarter, had a drink in the Crown&Kettle, checked out some groovy shops and then finally hit Walrus for 2 for 1 cocktails and some grub. It was a top day out.

In the Kitchen

Have decided to make two cakes a month (ideal opportunity when Sal runs the boys back home). So after Sal's marvellous birthday cake success, I attempted a dandelion and burdock cake today and it looks great.
Yet to taste it though...






Over the weekend I also picked up Nigella's latest offering. Some fab looking stuff in here and should make deciding what to have for dinner over the coming weeks a little easier.

Bunting is Up

Super pleased with my bunting, and it is so easy to do. Do need to make more however, as it doesn't stretch all the way over my 3 fence panels at the back of the garden.

Makes me smile everytime I see it though...

Middlebrook Valley Trail

Shot off down the Valley Trail this afternoon.

Joined it at the Lostock Arms. It was a lovely run, passed where I used to live in Deane and I remembered cycling this path with my dad when I was little.

Rivington

First decent bike ride clocked last weekend.
A lovely(!) 16 mile trek around Rivington.

With a couple of stops to take some pictures and have a breather...

My Beautiful Bike

Sal kindly bought me a bicycle the other week. Isn't he fab?!

She's a beaut. A Specialised Globe Vienna 1. 21 gears.

Complete with mudguards and rack, D lock and helmet I am ready to ride.

I have already been to work and the gym on her. And today ventured over to my mum and dad's where I took some pics.

I want to ride around Rivington next. It is lovely to be on a bike again after oooh must be 10 years or so.

New Sewing Club

An offshoot of The Knitting Noras has sprung up. A few of us are going to meet on the last Wednesday of the month up at the Horwich Art Studios and sew and generally lark about.

My first project will be a simple one - create some bunting for the garden.

I have some fabric set to one side that I think will look rather fetching with my new pinking shears.

Gardening Update

Phase 2 of my gardening project is now underway. I have put down some matting to kill the 'lawn' and so I can put down some circular paving on the right hand side so we can sit out a table and dine and leave the left hand side to put in my veg, herbs and flowers.

Check it out...




I have however put too many courgette plants in (didn't realise how ruddy big they got) but I am harvesting quite regularly now.




And the squash is doing nicely, as to my physalis that I got from a pound shop, the nasturtium off my friend Josie and the cornflowers grown from seed are looking lovely.