Berries and Sugar

M & O , Grannie Annie and myself went strawberry picking. The kids were really excited. My camera batteries ran out while we were there so no pics . This year the the strawberries were on raised frames and under poly tunnels so the rain didn't matter.

After the disappointment of the poor yeild from our own strawberry plants this year ( 6 strawberries !) I must read more about fruit growing and see if we can improve on the crop for next year.

We decide to go to the professionals at Oatlands Farm for some serious berry volumes.

This was the result :-

This basket gave us 6 jars of delicious jam.

I used 1lb of fruit to 1lb of jam sugar with added pectin. The jam set very well , I will definately use this recipe again. This is the first year we have paid for our jam fruit previously we have embraced freeganism for our jam making. Last year we gleened green plums from my aunts garden .

The year before we foraged for blackberries by the coast.

Daisy dishcloth

Over the weekend its has Rained alot ! Ive been in around the house a bit and have decided that it really is about time I used up some of my cotton yarn stash. I had ordered this Daisy pattern from Maggie's Crochet a while ago.

I'd been putting off giving it ago as I'm not the most experienced at crochet. I'm really glad I did now and I'm pleased with how it turned out. So pleased, that I crocheted 6 of them!
Although technically a dishcloth M is using one as a washcloth because they are so pretty. I think I might try the Sunflower one next.

The rain has also helped the garden alot and as a result my lettuce now look like this -

Lettuce with everything for the next few weeks I reckon.

This made me laugh Then and Now !!

Little birds

This little bird was made using a lovely wee pattern I found on Spool Sewing. I had so much fun sewing this that I cut a few extra to let my kids have a go.They are simple having only two pattern pieces and can be hand sewn, even by a child in an hour or two. The the little bird below is the first result.

M & O chose their own fabrics and only needed a little help with turning the sharp corners of the beak. I think M picked cute colours and fabrics and her tiny stitches are a wonder for any 10 year old. Spool Sewing used their birds to make an amazing mobile.

Knitting in progress

I've decided its time I did some more knitting. The arrival of my new niece has given me the excuse to try a pattern I've liked for ages but havent had anyone small enough to knit it for.

The pattern is Anouk by Kate Gilbert.

Found in the Archives of Knitty. The yarn is a mix of brands of double knit cotton from my stash. Ive been looking about on flickr this afternoon while the wee ones were at school and found this lovely colour combination of the same pattern by ikolett and this version by PetitBeurre. I hope to get it finished over the weekend and ready for posting to Baby Isla early next week. (I'm knitting it in age 6-12 months size just in case it takes me longer than I think !!!!)

In good company

An evening in Derry in the company of the wonderful Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably

Such a treat ! Kaffes energy and passion for colour is amazing. I left totally inspired and energised.

Kaffe showed a quilt designed by Kim McLean called

" Lollipop trees"

Her quilt was made using small pieces of Kaffes fabric and spectacular applique. Ideas for a future project I think.

Just to make a good week even better these arrived in the post Friday morning. New Birki's.

Purple & Green

The past 3 weeks have consisted of night shifts and sewing during my breaks. During my rota of night shift I tend to feel that all I do is work and sleep. Ive found the antidote.

Having a nice project to work on helps me to feel less sorry for myself. This flower pincushion from the brilliant Anna Maria Horner http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/ did the trick over the last week. It was small enough to hand sew and carry with me.

As purple and green are my favourite colours I thought Id try them together. The retro fabric used for the petals was thrifted, and works well with the green "roman glass" Kaffe Fassett fabric http://www.kaffefassett.com/patchwork.htm. I've another few projects in mind with this colour combo. By the way the pincushion pattern is from the Spring 2008 edition of Better Homes and Gardens "Quilts and more" mag.