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.

Yay, feeling very chuffed😊.  I have finally finished the peg loom rug to go in front of the log burner.  I'm really pleased with it. Rosie found it pretty quickly and made herself comfortable

I have updated the front door wreath for Spring.  I love doing this and we get loads of lovely comments.

I made a hand sewn table/sofa runner for Linda for Mother’s Day.  I couldn’t post any details as I wanted it to be a surprise for her.  I thought as she is always making things for everyone else, it would be nice to make something special for her.  I quilted hexagons together using EPP method and then appliquéd them to fabric.  The other side I appliquéd some wording. Then put the two sides together with wadding in the middle.  I then made my own binding with the leftover fabric. I always make my own as I like it to match.

The sky is full of dark clouds and heavy rain today, so its a day indoors doing some baking.  After much deliberation I settled on a Bakewell Tart. I’m pretty impressed with myself.

We haven’t had this for a while and were talking about school puddings.  So decided to make a Jam and Coconut Cake just like at school, although at school it was always a tray bake and served with custard. Lots of desiccated coconut both in the cake mixture and sprinkled on top of a layer of jam.  Tasted yummy and is nearly finished.

I have updated the front door wreath for Valentines.  All homemade, nothing bought, only using what we already have.

I thought I’d do a little Valentines project.  This one is inspired by the gorgeous Christmas gift from Martinez of a miniature artist easel.  I had so wanted to use it, so did an embroidery and put it in a small frame that I already had for displaying.   This will be displayed on a shelf in the kitchen. ❤️💕

Thank you Maritrez for the Quilting magazine.  I’m hoping we get a bit (just a smattering, not too much) of snow ❄️❄️ on Wednesday, so will sit with the log fire going, twinkle lights and candles on reading this. 😀 xxx