Time for Hall and Oates

It is high time we had a Hall and Oates revival.

To start with how about this little song, sung in a van, how cool?

Mega cool I think.

Happy Birthday

When I was little (and everyone I know will now say "and you still are") in my very first infant school, when it was your birthday your name was called out in assembly. This meant that you had to come out to the front, receive your special school birthday card and then everyone would sing to you.

But, best of all, there at the front of the hall was THE BIRTHDAY CAKE. I thought it was beautiful, and although I was told that it was plastic, I just couldn't believe it. It was real to me (and I did and still do have a thing for white smooth proper wedding cake icing - I use to live in a pub where I saw lots of wedding cake icing)

So, remembering all that, when I was asked to make a cake I was delighted.

All illustrations by Mia!

So, here is my cake for Shirley's Play Group.
Light those candles and enjoy.

Crazy Fabric from Maggie

I went to see a couple of old friends on the bank holiday, friends I haven't seen for over 2 years (and before that 20 years!! - a lifetime ago) So to make amends I camped out at their home (don't know if they expected me to stay that long - whoops) ate their food, drank their wine (and mine) and generally annoyed them.

To get rid of me they gave me a big bag of old fabric - knowing that I would be desperate to return home, wash it and get it on the line. So, here it is - I don't know what creations I'm going to make with it yet, but it is beautifully folded and ready for action!

The stash did include a couple of 1960's pinnies, so I've promised myself a 'Mad Men' day when I will dress up all 1960's and wear my pinny.

A wedding picture for Laura

Hi Laura - Fingers crossed this is what you imagined! Sorry it's taken me so long - I finished it and then it has been sitting on the side for me to look at - I just forgot you had to look at it too! It will fit in a standard Ikea frame (It is slightly over A4 in size) I can still put in the words of the first dance around the edges.

Thanks so much for waiting!

Saltburn by the Sea

In the last school holidays we went to see my parents, who live very near to Saltburn by the Sea. This is a really brilliant place, beautifully Victorian, quiet and a little bit wacky. . .

During the dead of night, in Saltburn someone had sneaked onto the pier and decorated part of it with a woolen creation. To celebrate the Olympic Torch coming to Salty in June (actually on my birthday) the woolen creation was all things sporty. Such a little thing to do - but now quite a crowd puller. Who needs a room full of execs thinking of ways to attract visitors, obviously all you need is a few good knitters (maybe even a few nannas?)

Rock on Saltburn!

A special cushion

Here's a little project I have been working on.

It is for my special friend Shirley who wanted a gift for her sister - I know shirley, but I don't know Angela, so I had to make something reserved, quiet and tasteful! It was a lovely commission to work on, mainly because Shirley just said 'do your thing'

So I hope Angela likes! Their wedding anniversary is not until August (how organized is Shirley!)

It's funny

It's funny that when I make something all I see is all 'the faults' but put them away for a while and I look at them with fresh eyes and wonder - how could I be bothered to spend all that time making that? and even I am surprised at my own patience and you know what - I actually like it now.

Tonight I have been sorting all my pictures on my computer, which have been filled under anything, hidden away, so if I need a picture I can never find it. So I have filled and sorted and binned lots and lots of images, so I now know where everything is (ahhem!)

Whilst doing this huge job I found some pictures of these pin cushions I made (to go on your wrist) and I sold them at my first few fairs (at stupidly cheap prices) as I thought they were silly. Looking back now I think they were cute, and I wish I had kept one for myself.

I just never appreciate anything until it's gone . . .

folksy friday - 'Milk'

Okay, so I have been thinking of rice pudding, on and off for nearly a week - but as per usual, when tea time comes around I forget about rice pudding altogether and I haven't made any yet. So no rice pudding this week - 

But next week when we are hit by blizzards, snow storms (and people unable to get to work!) I will remember my pudding and I WILL MAKE ONE. Meanwhile I did look for artistic impressions of rice pudding, but strangely enough I could not find any - so milk it is - and they are fantastic:

Firstly how about this lovely picture 

by: mrseliotbooks

It is so pretty and so modern - I love it! 

How brilliant is this! It is perfect - the colours, the fabrics and the beautiful embroidery!

by: DearEmma

It is about time I bought myself a little necklace - this one is lovely!

by: CreamTeaJewellery 

And - surely any kid would get a bath with these milk soaps around (well, maybe my two soap dodgers would just keep them and not use them.) Fantastic!

by: WeaveGotKnits

Love the shop name too.

Folksy Friday - 'Blue'

I haven't made a Folksy Friday before, but looking at others and having a look at Folksy and its 'Modern' New Look I thought I would pick a few of my favourite blue finds. Blue because it's January, I'm feeling a little sad and blue because it is hard at the moment (never watch the news) 

But remember we are British and we are resilient!

So, after that, this is my first choice (above) 

a beautiful lino print of a beautiful part of old blighty (Cornwall)

shop: FionaCarver

And how British is this! And how amazing too! and it's just one of the many tea cosy by Cherry Bee

(and this is a more simple design too!)

shop: CherryBee

A bit of a bargain find - so pretty and practical too Perfect for your country cottage 

(or my semi detached 80's house!)

shop: Ooohbetty

I absolutely love this headband - so individual. Brilliant, beautiful pieces.

shop: CharlotteAlexandra

Really pretty, neat and understated - lots of lovely retro screen prints and cushions too.

shop: 35flower

It's just so hard!

I was trying to be clever, I thought I could do it - What was I thinking! Something was bound to go wrong. It most certainly did - With a new blog design (sort of) a clean up for 2012, I became so confused with blogger, trying out new templates (and trying to put in other peoples templates from their blogs) I really, really stuffed it up.

So here I am about 5 hours down the line and I have managed to add a new background, tweak bits and bobs and add a new header - but there were tears, one great panic and screams of NO, NO, NO. Things just have to get better!

Happy 2012!!