Jamming

Well I finally did something today that I have been meaning to try for years. I made some jam. Cheryl put a recipe on her blog a few days ago which sounded very easy, so I thought I'd give it a go.

I got the jars ready.

Put the strawberries and sugar in the pan.


Added some lemon juice.


Stirred it all together, boiled it, sterilized the jars and then,

put the jam in the jars. The smell was amazing while it was cooking, I just hope it tastes all right.

There is only one small problem and that is that the strawberries have risen to the top of the pots even though I let it stand for 15 minutes as Cheryl recommends, it obviously needed a bit longer.

I'll let you know what the verdict of the family is.

Now I just need an easy bread recipe so that I can have a go at making the bread to go with it.


Sue xx

In the garden today..

Hope you are all having a good Sunday. We saw these two in the garden a couple of hours ago

they are Red-legged Partridge (I've just looked it up). Never seen anything like it in the garden before, they were very pretty close up. Please excuse the state of this part of the garden, it is a work in progress!

Just wanted to say thank-you to everyone that commented on my last post, it has been a help, thanks for listening.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend,

Sue xx

The First Squares.

The granny squares are coming along


just another 150 or so to go! I think there is a strong possibility that this figure will be revised downwards.

On a completely different note, I'm taking some advice from Rachel, I would like to ask your opinion. When is it acceptable to start putting yourself before your children? Mine have come first for the last 30 years, is it my turn now? I don't want to be selfish but do you think it's ok to think about me for a bit? Any comments gratefully received.

Sue xx

Aprons

I forgot, we are supposed to show the aprons we made and received for The Apron Swap.
I know I've shown them before but Sarah wanted us all to do it this weekend. So here goes,
this is the one I made for my partner Tracey

and this is the one she made for me.



It was great fun, thanks for organizing it Sarah.

Bye again

Sue xx

Granny Squares

As promised here are some of the squares for the blanket


as you can see I decided on a simple pattern. I did try out some others, a couple of which I couldn't make work so I decided to keep it simple. I've got lots of other colours to use so it shouldn't get boring and they are very easy and don't take long to do, which is just as well as I reckon I need about 160!

On a different note I received my parcel from Daisie for the Green Swap



she sent me some lovely things, a shopping bag, some handmade note cards,some buttons,an ice skate Christmas tree decoration and some amazing ribbon. One with vegetables on and one with lemons and flowers. Thanks Daisie. Thanks also to Rachel and Emma for organizing it.

Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Sue xx

Pot Update

Thought I'd show you how the pots are coming along



as you can see they are starting to fill out nicely. On Sunday I planted some salad leave seeds in a growbag, not very pretty I know. I checked them this morning and look

they are already coming through, they said they were quick on the packet but I didn't think they would be that quick.

I have also been doing some work on my crochet blanket, I'll post some pictures over the weekend hopefully.

Have a good one,

Sue xx

???

I found this while walking home today, can't decide what to make of it. I hope it's like this because someone no longer needs it. What do you think?

Sue xx

New Treasures....and Ice Cream

This morning I visited a small Antique and Collectors Fair, it's held every month and I usually go. Today there weren't as many sellers as usual but I did manage to find some good things.
I found this lovely hat box

just right for storing my growing collection of sewing things, I also found this collection

I don't think the picture does them justice as they really are very pretty, not sure what I'm going to do with them yet but I'm sure I'll think of something.

And the ice cream, well I actually made my own for the first time. I've had an ice cream maker for ages but never used it, then I read Cheryl's tutorial and thought I really should give it a go.
I am so glad I did, it was the nicest ice cream I've had(even if I do say so myself).Here it is, served up in my new Emma Bridgewater bowls.

Thanks Cheryl for the very clear tutorial I shall certainly be making it again.

Have a good week,


Sue xx

Birthday Treat

Today is youngest daughter's birthday, she is 24 (how did she get to be that old that quickly ).
As she had a couple of days holiday she decided that she would like to go to Brighton for the day.
So of we went yesterday morning.
She didn't plan on doing anything cultural, so we didn't go here

or here, we did go here

the Lanes, I did take some other pictures but they didn't come out very well. All that rushing trying to keep up with S. She spent a few hours wondering about, she bought some clothes and we bought her a bracelet.
We had a very nice lunch at Jamie's Italian and then had a walk along the sea front making our way towards the pier



S had doughnuts while we had a stroll along the pier, they didn't last long enough to take a photo of!
This is all that remains of the other pier

a very sad sight. Then we headed back towards the car, watching everyone on the beach toasting nicely, it was very hot.

On the way back to the car we passed this shop

I have never seen so many vintage sewing machines in one place, there was another big window
and also two upstairs ones as well.
We had a lovely day, it's not often that we get a chance to do something like that together, hope we manage again soon. This evening we are going out for a meal with one of her older sisters, I can't wait as it means I don't have to cook or do the washing up for a change.

Have a good weekend,

Sue xx

Apron Swap - The Photos

My swap partner Tracey received her apron a couple of days ago so I can now show you what I made her,

the colour is a bit bleached as I had to use the flash but it gives you an idea. It is reversible, the material on the other side is a very dark blue. The pattern worked quite well although as it was cut on the bias it was a bit fiddly pinning it together while making sure that it wasn't twisted at all.

I received my apron this morning, I love it


it fits perfectly and I love the fabric. Thanks Tracey.

I'm now working on some things for the little bit greener swap, then it's on with the granny squares.


Sue x

Granny Blanket

This year I have been trying to teach myself to crochet, it hasn't been going too badly but I have decided I need to tackle something a bit bigger than a cushion. I managed to buy some yarn from a local charity shop which was very reasonably priced at £1.40 for a huge ball.

I saw this picture in an old 70's craft book



I like the contrast of the bright colours against the black border.

So that's the plan, to have a go at making a whole blanket. I'll keep you posted, I've just got to decide what sort of squares to do, although I do like the ones Dawn is using in her blanket if I can only find the pattern.

Hope the weather is better with you than it is here,

Sue x