The bee tote bag is finished. It was from a cushion kit present from Linda. Instead of a cushion I thought it would look lovely as a bag and is something I would use a lot. I found a lovely yellow fabric for the lining. Instead of making fabric handles I used webbing. Thoroughly enjoyed it. 🐝

I wanted to make something to have as coffee and cake this afternoon.  Had a look though the baking cupboard and found some desiccated coconut.  So for a change instead of baking a cake, I made some macaroons.  I even added a chocolate base and piped a bit of chocolate decoration on top. Very pleased with the end result 😀.

I picked and made these very small flower arrangements this morning only using flowers and foliage that is growing in our garden. Very satisfying. The daffodils are the miniature tete-a-tete.

We have quite a few compost bins and last year we added to this by building a compost bay using wood that we already had.  The idea was that all the new compost from the bins would be stored in the bays.  This year we are benefiting from all the hard work and have our own lovely compost.  Its amazing how nature turns all the veg peelings, fruit waste, egg boxes, used teabags, plant prunings, scrunched paper, leaves, grass cuttings and much much more into compost that goes back into the garden for growing future plants, fruit and veg.

Just had a lovely few hours this afternoon making cards.  At Christmas I received a card making kit from Maritrez.  Today was the day to have a go.  So, armed with the kit, my card cutting trimmer and some sticky glue dots, music playing,  I had a relaxing, chilled out time and have ended up with all these cards.  There's still some left in the kit so more to come on another day. Thank you Maritrez. x😊 The card kit Finished cards

I have finally completed this bag. Thoroughly enjoyed it. The unfinished bag Sewed the knitted bag up. Then made two inner linings - one to be seen through the knitting (purple) and the other (flowers) to be in the inside of the bag, added a pocket to the inside flower lining. Sewed the two inner linings together and then put them in the knitted bag and sewed up. Sewed inner and outer lining to bag flap, added button and handles  The finished bag

Thank you so much for the lovely handmade Christmas card and card making gift.  Loving the spring/summer theme. I’m going to have loads of fun making these and using them.  🎄🎄🎄🎄xxxx

Thank you Liz for the lovely card and calendar.  Absolutely loving the size of it.  I’m going to hang it in the craft room. 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄xxxx

Wow an amazing birthday surprise just arrived from Sarah.  A box full of wool in the most gorgeous grey colour.  Thank you so much. xx

Wow what a wonderful surprise I’ve just had.  These gorgeous birthday flowers from Maritrez.  Thank you so much xx

Thank you Lisa and Liz for the gorgeous birthday presents.  From Liz there is a wonderful herb growing kit, as you know I love growing all things edible so shall have lots of fun with this.  I shall photograph them as they grow.  Next is a fab book of granny squares and yarn from Lisa.  After many years of trying I finally managed to learn to crochet granny squares this year which I really really enjoyed.  I shall keep you updated with my progress.  Thank you both so much for these lovely presents. I shall be having lots of fun xx

I was in a baking mood this morning.  Someone got to the cherry turnovers before I took the photos.  The chocolate muffins have chocolate chips in them and have been drizzled with some chocolate icing.

Our front door wreath has now been updated for Autumn. I’ve now had a wreath on the the front door for over a year and have been updating it each season.  I love doing this and get so many comments from people when they come to the door.  🍁🍂

Finished my first crochet blanket and I’m really pleased with it. As I’m a beginner it’s a small cat blanket for Rosie.  I absolutely loved making the granny circle squares.  I also loved making the frill.  Not so keen on joining it all up, mainly because I found it quite uncomfortable working with wool when the weather is hot even though it was on the table.  All the wool is from my stash, however I did have to make my first craft/sewing purchase of the year and spent £5 on some stitch markers to help with joining the squares. I don’t follow a pattern, I look on Pinterest for ideas and then as I’m a visual learner I went on YouTube to learn how to achieve it.

I so enjoyed my first bit of crochet I have decided to do another project.  This time I’m making a blanket for our snuggle muffin of a  cat, Rosie 😊.  Continuing with the them of granny squares - this will be granny “circle squares”.  Again using wool that I already have.

On the spur of the moment I decided I would turn my 12 crochet granny squares into a zipped lined case.  I’m really pleased with the end result. There are a few mistakes which I have left in. Its my first ever crochet project and it will show my learning history.  Nothing bought, everything used up from existing stash.   I really enjoyed making this. I think for me, at the moment, granny squares are the way to go.

I picked some homegrown rhubarb from the garden and decided rather than making a crumble I would make some cordial.  I love making cordials rather than buying them, simply because I know which ingredients are used.  Yes lots of sugar but absolutely no chemicals.

I thought I’d kick off the button challenge with something useful, easy and cute, button bookmarks. Made with a paperclip and a button and looks very effective.

These are my first ever proper granny squares ever!!! As most of my fellow forum members know, I am absolutely not into knitting or crocheting as its something I have tried many times and never got on with. However I love wool for peg loom weaving. Well yesterday was the day I wanted to have another go at the craft of crochet and try to finally conquer it.   I did it!!! My first squares and I'm so chuffed.  I think I might now be hooked (excuse the pun).  Not sure what I’m going to turn these into. For the moment I’m having a lot of fun just making squares in lovely bright colours.  I do have a question for the experts below .... How do you know what hook size to use when your ball of wool has previously been used and has no label?  I have a lovely stash of wool in gorgeous bright colours that I would like to use up, but none of them have labels.  One of the set of balls of wool that I used for these squares had a label that said "size 4" so that is what I have been using for these.