Mandy’s Socks, Published.

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One of the many reasons I have been a little quiet over the summer with regard to my knitting adventures is because of this little baby. 
To cut a long story short, I bump into Kerry of Toft Alpaca quite often at shows and we always stop for a chat and talk about all things alpaca.  That time I was able to show her my cardigan that I had just finished with her gorgeous Chestnut DK, but soon we were talking socks as Kerry had just developed a new line in Baby Alpaca Sock Yarn which was dreamily soft and had 20% nylon for durability and strength. I became quite giddy, then took a huge intake of breath, Baby Alpaca Sock Yarn, Wow, I think I was stunned for just a moment.  As all my readers and fellow knitters know about me, socks are my first love, and fine yarns are my second. 
When Kerry asked me to design a sock for Toft, I jumped at the chance.  I then spent the next few months developing an idea and learning how to use new softwear.  I wanted something beautiful that would illustrate the softness and beauty of the yarn, that looked very complex, but that would allow the knitter if they took it gently, line by line to complete the project without hiccups, allowing them to feel hugely satisfied with their sock knitting adventure.  I wanted a sock ideally suited for log fires and roasting marshmallows, but that would still allow the wearer to slip them into a boot or shoe for expeditions on even the frostiest of days.   
I also wanted something that would gratify all women regardless of shoe size and with the use of cable, rib and lace these socks will pull in or stretch out to fit the most delicate of tootsies or calloused of hooves. 
Let me tell you about the Baby Alpaca Sock Yarn, it is dreamy, I knit sock after sock after sock in my pursuit of perfection, the yarn held up extremely well.  It was so soft in the hands to work with that every evening I looked forward to the treat of knitting with it.  Its everything that you could ever want in a sock yarn, soft and cozy with an inner strength not apparent until needed.  And of course being alpaca it is warm, very warm. 
I’ve been told the girls at Toft have loved the design and have eagerly devoured this pattern to knit up a pair each for themselves. 
Here is the link.   Mandy’s socks for Toft Alpaca
And here are a few piccies, taken quickly before the rain became heavier, giving you a chance to see the cable, lace, ribs and heel. 

Judge and Jury.

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Well before Christmas I was asked to be a Judge at Warwick Horticultural Society’s Annual Show. Well I was tickled pink to be asked and I am still not quite sure how my name came up.  Come the day I trotted off to St Nicholas Park to judge the crafting and knitting section.
 I was given this, less anyone should forget the importance of my decision making. 
And set to work judging the crafting and knitting.  Unfortunately I couldn’t take a photograph as the cakes were still being judged.  I actually started to feel sorry for that particular Judge as the cakes and biscuits stretched the full length of the tent.  Getting back to my judging it was more difficult than you might imagine, but eventually I settled on what I deemed to be a fair decision. 
 I managed to take a few snaps of the vegetables with my iphone. 
 So pretty. 
Wow!
Loved the sunflowers. 
I had a lovely time chatting about vegetable growing and allotments. 

“Shaken, not stirred…”

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You might not recognise our agent 007, its son no.2 to me and you. 
Warwick Castle was putting on a casino evening for the staff. 
 He certainly launched himself into the role by dashing out to buy a suitable suit, shirt and shoes!
(He did have a beautiful red silk bow tie to go with his new outfit, but we couldn’t master the complexities of it before he went out for the evening, so he borrowed a tie from his Dad.) 

August Bank Holiday

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We found a field in which was a local beer festival, 
 note the use of a cardigan, 
 and the wearing of coats by others, 
 but in true British style, there was Pimms.
 One afternoon was spent in adoration of a certain Squire.  Our names were mentioned in comedic fashion during the show, which made us giggle. 

The boy loves his summer job, we must get him horse riding lessons. 

Festival of Quilts 2012

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I had a wonderful day yesterday wandering around the Festival of Quilts at the NEC.  This show just gets better and better, the quilts are amazing, the shopping is never ending and the women are wonderful. I like to go on my own, it is a treat to myself to be able to wander at will without any regard for anyone else.  Which might sound a little selfish, but I relish every moment of it.  I met so many people that I know in the crafting world, there were hugs, gossip and laughter, what more could a girl want. 
Just a couple of photographs this year. The time ran away with me. 
 I loved this, 
 the detail was inspiring. 
 I thought I had stepped back in time some 23 years when I saw this quilt. This quilt is the absolute image of Suki and Pippa, our lovely Whippets long since gone to rainbow bridge. I think the artist captured the whippety features and characters a treat. 
 Just so pretty. 
As I say not much in the photographic department this year. 
But there was shopping. (you knew there would be) 
A brand new pair of dressmaking scissors, some fabric for a skirt for Christmas/New Year. And then there was two lengths of linen, and a length of cotton for skirts and two lengths of silks for tops.  

Missing in Action.

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Apologies for not updating the blog recently, but this summer the galloping trots bug caught a hold of my immune system and simply wouldn’t let go. 
I completely missed one week of the Olympics due to not being able to manage to sit up for more than 15 minutes before exhaustion struck and the second week saw one day where I was much better and then strike two of the bug from what must have been the Shire horse version. 
Therefore I have done barely anything and I haven’t been anywhere. 
So just to amuse you as much as I, I have finally downloaded a short video we took of son no.2 performing part of his duties as a Squire at Warwick Castle that we took during the Whitsun holiday.  
It makes me smile. 
Enjoy. 
p.s. feeling much better, fingers crossed. 

Happy 23rd Birthday Son.

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Son no.1 started the day with this. 
 and very nice it was too.  He then went out with is mates…  he’s 23 what can you do. 
 And the next day we took him to one of our favourite chinese restaurants which has just been refurbished.  We had a lovely time. 
 Hubby looking like he was being presented with the bill.  (why do men pull funny faces?) 
 And me, pretty in pink, (I am trying this colour, I have never tried this colour before, it would have clashed with my hair, but it seems to go quite well now!) 
 Son no.2 dislikes the camera coming out. 
 And gets rewarded with a hearty laugh from hubby, whilst son no.1 is saying, ‘don’t be a knob, just get this over with’. 
 And so it goes on.  We are seriously (tongue in cheek)worried that he is going to be a psychopath or a genius child. Its going to be one way or the other. 
And this was the best family shot I can get.  Never work with children or animals, oh and did you notice the sideburns?  
Getting back to son no.1 whose birthday it was, I can’t quite believe that twenty three years have gone so quickly, it does make you emotional no matter how hard you try and as you know I can leak at the drop of a hat.  He is starting a new chapter of his life very soon and one we all wish him well on, after all, I am hoping for my sewing room back by the time I am fifty.   It was all going so well… 

My boys, I love them so. 
(this all happened before I became ill,  I am still dealing with the bug, it looks like its going to last a few more days, however I am much improved compared to how I was last week.   Thank you to all who sent messages over the internet highways, they made me smile and were very much appreciated, a ray of sunshine in an otherwise gloomy day.  Thank you xxx) 

Florence Nightingale.

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Since I became quite poorly with a gastric bug last Monday I have become a moaning minnie ,  I mean to say Florence has taken to paying me a visit to check on me. 
 I am sure you can see this cat smile. 
I think all sick beds should have the addition of a warm purring cat at least for a few minutes a day. 
We are having to keep the Golden Retriever away, I couldn’t have him land on my poorly tummy at the moment, rest assured I get up for a little while to say hello to him and find him laying across the bottom of the stairs, lest it should escape his notice that I have escaped from my bedroom. 
I am doing all right on the knitting magazine stakes, The Knitter came on Thursday, Interweave Knits came today and is still unwrapped waiting for the most delightful of moments to unwrap it and a new wool shop has opened in Leamington and hubby went to it on a spying mission and bought me a couple of lovely Rowan magazines. (more on that another day)   Actually I don’t know what I would have done without hubby in the last week, he took the week off work and became Florence Nightingales understudy and has helped me in all manner of uncomfortable situations. 
I would like to say I am getting better, but I am clearly not, although I am holding my own on the hydration stakes, diorolite has become my best friend and today I woke up without the cracking hangover dehydration headache and without the right hand side kidney pain.  
Samples have been taken as we ended up in the out of hours doctors clinic looking for extra help last night.  
I am allright really, as I said, I have become a bit of a whinge bag. 

Marlborough Buns try 2.

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 So vibrant. 
and doughy 
 and glittery. 
 Ready for the oven
 Glossed to perfection,
with a sugary crust.  
Packed up for tea in the afternoon with my parents as chief tasters. 
And the verdict, was yum yum from my parents but I can taste where they need another tweak or too. 
This is an intriguing recipe, I didn’t expect to crack it first time,  but I know I am nearly there. 

Focaccia with rosemary.

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There are times that I even surprise myself.
As I was picking the rosemary yesterday I was already dreaming of making this bread, the rosemary tips were young and tender and smelt heavenly. 
When hubby tasted it this evening he proclaimed it was the best bread he has ever tasted.  My husband is not one for either bread or praise, most of my culinary adventures are met with ‘its tasty’. 
There have been times I’ve nearly lamped him with my rolling pin after spending hours on some culinary expedition when it has been met with a ‘its tasty’.
But today was different, today he was almost giddy about the bread. 
And when I tasted it I thought Wow. 
The recipe came from Flavoured Breads by Linda Collister called Focaccia with rosemary and sea salt. I added a little bit more water as my flour must have been very dry, I knead for ten full minutes, (I timed it) and then followed the rest of the recipe, the dough rises three times in this recipe. 
I’ve used six recipes out of this little book, they have all worked out beautifully and I intend to bake them all, eventually.