Mocha Sticks - THE OLD BLOG

Introducing....

2011-05-17T07:06:00.003+01:00

Daisy May

Rescue cat extraordinaire

She is just over a year old, but was abandoned when she became pregnant.

She has had five fluffballs (all of whom have been re-homed)

She is coming to live with us forever on Thursday!

The children screamed with excitement when we told them.

I didn't think they would sleep!

It's been a while since we have had a cat.

Am rather excited myself!

Easter Holidays

2011-04-26T23:14:00.003+01:00

Happy Easter

New cotton...oh the possibilities.

Work in progress...crocheted bunting and a new cushion cover - design yet to be completed!

Southwold...my favourite place in the world.

Crochet on the beach.

Linköping, Sweden

2011-04-11T21:35:00.004+01:00

Here are just two pics from my visit. I have loads more! The first was the view from my bedroom window on the Friday morning - everyone said it was going to snow, but I didn't think it was going to snow that much. My jaw hit the floor when I opened the blind. We had to walk to the church we were working in and it was soooo thick, so quiet and so beautiful.

We went for a long lunchtime walk the following day and I was amazed that all the pathways and roads had been cleared. Impressive! Naturally we walked past a gorgeous craft shop but in my haste I had left my purse back at the church....that was probably a blessing!

Hooked on Hooking

2011-04-02T20:56:00.006+01:00

For Christmas my lovely hubby bought me the greatest gift - a voucher to learn how to crochet at Loop in London! Hooray!

I had already done a bit of crochet, taught by well-meaning (right-handed) friends and Youtube..however I couldn't read a pattern and could not get to grips with US and UK crochet terms. Also as a left-hander, my brain couldn't handle watching right-handed friends anymore.

That has changed, hooray again! Loop was amazing - the tutor (Bee Clinch) was fab. She was very helpful, and even though she is right handed, somehow it all clicked. Three Saturdays later....

Now I am definitely hooked (scuse the pun).

I used to read Attic24 and WISH I could make something! I used to get all befuddled and confused. Then.....TADA!

Japanese Flower Scarf

Calorimetry

(Pattern on Ravelry)

I am currently making Granny Square Bunting which is very exciting and I am hooking furiously to try and finish it!

I have made a few hats, the Attic24 Wreath, have learned how to 'ripple' (again, thanks Attic24!) and my wool stash is growing faster than I can hook. Fortunately Hubby is very forgiving and the Study is now Officially...the Sewing Room. Poor chap has nowhere else to go but rest his feet on my wool stash (under the desk) when he's working from home. I have even covered the office chair with a crocheted blanket!!

xxxx

Watoto....

2011-01-29T07:55:00.004Z

I went to my local church to watch these amazing children. Click here to see their website!

The choir were fantastic and the stories were very humbling. These children have lost parents and siblings, yet the work of Watoto has transformed their lives. Their approach is Rescue, Raise, Rebuild. They also partner with Living Hope

Last night left the Cupcake family speechless (which is usually difficult). We are all working out in our own minds what we can do to respond to it.

Thank God for the people at Watoto!

Where does time go?

2010-10-15T12:01:00.003+01:00

Yet again I haven't posted for ages. It's not that I'm not doing anything creative, or haven't anything to say. However, I spend very little time on the computer so I spend that time reading everyone else's blogs and not adding to my own!

I will try and do better....

Spring Fever

2010-04-03T22:30:00.005+01:00

Not for cleaning!!

Sewing has been on my mind. Please excuse the very bad photographs but they are taken on my iPhone and it's 10:30pm and light is not good.

Felt covered hair clips with tiny suffolk puffs.

I discussed "itchy" sewing fingers with Miss Moss Stitch the other day, we agreed that it must be because spring is in the air that we feel we MUST sew (I think that is also due to the fact Miss List Writer has outshone us all in the stitching department of late!), although I have a new front garden (photographs to follow) and need to spend time designing and planting that so I have itchy gardening fingers as well! But today I have sewing on my mind. Instead of staring at my list of things to make I have actually started sewing again.

I have cast on 100 stitches for the Two Summer Sundress (look it up on Rav, it's gorgeous!), and in under an hour have made a pretty little hairband as an Easter gift for my little person who loves all things pink and pretty.

I have also started some small embroidered squares for a wall hanging for a friend. C has started learning how to stitch too.

Spring Fever has sprung!

The model, Easter morning!

Been away too long...

2010-03-06T20:55:00.003Z

Trevarno

Quilts stitched by Nana

Coverack

Am drawing a line and starting again.

______________________________________________________________

Too much has happened since I last blogged, I wouldn't know where to begin. From discovering a pain in the back of my knee was actually a blood clot which travelled to my lung (scary), and then having to live with being on anti-coagulants whilst hundreds of questions whirl through my head (a bit like The Night Before Christmas' descripton of "while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads") only mine were more sombre. It's something I have to live with now, but not something I want hanging over my every movement. I'm still on Warfarin but not sure for how long so I am leaning on the Beloved and rejoicing that I am still here!

Anyway...we have fallen in love with two new places. Southwold in Suffolk and Coverack in Cornwall. Both holiday destinations last year and we have already booked to go back. I could move to Southwold, and it's not just because they have a shop that sells Cath Kidston (but of course, that helps). There is just a feel to the place which speaks Home to me. Coverack is the same, but too far to have a holiday home (if we could afford one!). The view from our rented house was sublime - I just have to see it again!

I have been doing a fair bit of sewing, and have finally learnt to Crochet, thanks to Miss Moss Stitch who patiently reversed all her crochet so that I could learn (I'm left-handed). I just need to master the famous Granny Square. I have knitted a gorgeous baby hat for a friend, some fingerless gloves and sewn lots of little presents for friends. My next crochet is a few tops for me which I will share when I've actually cut the pattern out!

We have five more additions to the family - three more hens and two bunnies. Together with our three other hens and hamster, we now have a little menagerie. If only I could persuade Mr Cupcake to get a dog. Maybe one day!

Byezeeebye.....

2009-08-14T11:20:00.003+01:00

When I return I shall fill you in on all that's been going on but for now, I'm off to relax, restore and.......read.

Blogging and Sewing

2009-04-10T07:51:00.004+01:00

I hadn't (until a week ago) been doing much of either. Now I have a sewing room/study it was only time that was preventing me from getting down to writing a blog and sitting and sewing something. (Note it's a sewing room before it's a study! Well, to me it is).

This week I have:

Started to put my quilt together.

Made a strawberry cushion for a girl who loves strawberries.

Made a knitting bag using Cath Kidston's Strawberries fabric for a friend (forgot to take a picture before I gave it to her!)

Made a strawberry pin cushion to go with the bag...it looks nice and cosy with my other pin cushions so I think I'll be making another one for me!

Made a belated Mother's Day present for my lovely mum. (I finished at 1 O'c this morning...it was going so well I HAD to finish it).

Made some delicious bagels.

So I had to write a blog to complete my list of things to do in this room!

The next thing will be tidying the floor....pins, thread and scraps of fabric all over the place.....

HAPPY EASTER!

I've Started So I'll Finish

2009-02-20T08:18:00.008Z

The last few weeks have been very exciting for me in that I have finally "got" knitting. I've tried for years to do it - after H was born, after C was born only to give up halfway through a garter-stitched bag! But it's always been in the back of my mind of something I want to learn (that, and Crochet but I'm taking one step at a time here). Perhaps I was trying too hard the last time(s) but it's clicked and I'm not giving up! Perhaps it's that I am now a member of a new knitting group or that I have a new set of bamboo needles but The List Writer's house was the place I started to really enjoy knitting! She even had nibbles and wine and I kicked myself for filling up on roast chicken before I left home.

I started off simply - I made a facecloth. I love it. I love the fact that when I use it and rinse it out I look at all the stitches and think I made this myself and I'm using it. Last week I dug out my knitting books (I have quite a few for an inexperienced knitter!) and bought some wool.

This little sock is my first go at proper making-something-that-someone-can-wear kind of knitting. My mum is a very good knitter and I had to call her 3 times when I couldn't work out what the pattern meant. I have a baby in mind (there seems to be a bit of a baby boom in my circle of friends at the moment) so I can enjoy making little things for new babies and finally doing something I have wanted to crack for decades. I'm finally doing it! Now I just need to make the other one....

2009-01-28T15:59:00.003Z

I started this quilt at the end of last year, then promptly got so busy at work that it never came back out of the bag! After a few weeks off sick with Pleurisy, I didn't have the energy or inclination to do any sewing (or anything at all) so I took it along to Cornwall (where I seem to have the most creative energy) and started measuring, cutting and sewing.

I've just spent an hour half-watching BBC iPlayer (Tom Cruise on Jonathan Ross!) and started pinning it all together. I am really not sure whether I've made the right choice of fabric and I find all the pinning intensely boring. I was going to do a few small projects like The List Writer (I have some Moleskine cahiers which I planned to do before Christmas, and a few little bags for C's friends), but if I don't start putting this quilt together, the bedroom it's going in will be finished and it'll still be in bits!

I should've changed before I started because my lovely black trousers are now covered in thread!

New Year, New Me

2009-01-21T20:49:00.005Z

I was in a cab this morning and the driver said "Have a good Christmas?" and it took me a while to think about it. Christmas is a mere memory now we are back at school, work etc etc. We did have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I don't usually do Resolutions but the new year seems like a good time to turn over a new leaf, put stuff behind you and start afresh. So my NYR's are:

1. Drink more water
2. Say No more!
3. Do more exercise
4. Eat better
5. Keep a journal
6. Cut down on TV/Computer

I am doing quite well so far. I have lost 3lbs, sleeping better (although last few nights have been dodgy due to hubby being away on business) and today I bought a gorgeous leather journal from Paperchase in Tottenham Court Road. Thought I'd died and gone to Stationery heaven! Suffice to say that wasn't the only thing that went into my basket. Although I managed to leave without buying a heart shaped mixing bowl, measuring cups and baking tray because R would say "Haven't you got enough heart shaped stuff!"

I did quite a bit of walking today, more than I would have had I gone the right way in the first place. I walked to Oxford Street from Tottenham Court Road before realising that I should have turned left instead of right - d'oh! I was on my way to Heal's to have a look at a sideboard for our new dining room/family room. When I entered the shop I turned left again instead of right and ended up in Habitat. What a fool! I got there in the end, managing to avert my eyes at the rows upon rows of Molton Brown, Orla Kiely towels, bed linen and handbags. Have ordered the sideboard (it had 70% off) and am now awaiting it's arrival. I then walked back to Oxford Street thinking I'd pop into my favourite shop (John Lewis) but by that time I'd been accosted by various charities asking me for several donations/sponsoring a Granny so I headed down to the tube, jumping on whatever train came in and fell asleep. I did wake at Wanstead in a blind panic but thankfully it was a loop train so I got off and walked straight into JBF . After nosing around in there for 5 minutes, I headed home to listen to the radio and do a bit of knitting.

My Christmas Present from R....

and he asks me if I have enough heart shaped stuff! NO is the answer to that!

It's been a while (again)....

2008-11-17T17:25:00.002Z

Time flies when you're having fun. Or even if you're not having fun, time still flies! That's not to stay I'm not having fun.....I'll stop there I think!

It's been ages since I have updated my blog but I have been extremely busy working and making cakes, brioche, scones etc etc for the coffee shop (if I see one more lemon drizzle cake I may scream). Haven't had much chance to sew, started my jelly roll quilt and am currently trying to catch up with Miss Moss Stitch who is sewing like a madwoman for our Wonky Bunting stall at the school's Bring & Buy school on Wednesday. Nothing like a bit of pressure, I sat yesterday making little fabric wreaths and hearts. I also have a craft day on Saturday and need to make things for that too.

Why does time fly so quickly? I need a pause button! (or I need to learn to say No!)

What a Beautiful Day (hey hey)

2008-09-29T21:48:00.003+01:00

Nothing much to add...the pictures say it all really !

They're Here.....

2008-09-12T15:52:00.007+01:00

I know that title comes from a film (answers on a postcard as to what film, as the name escapes me at the mo!).

(From left to right) Frankie, Jamie and Tilly arrived yesterday.

They are settling in well and even put themselves to bed last night. I kept ringing my mum up and asking her all sorts of daft questions, and when they were all "in bed" I went to shut the door and they made a little sound. I found myself apologising for shutting the door and waking up early wondering if they were OK - it's like having babies all over again! This morning, H shot out of bed at 6:15am when I whispered "Who wants to help me....." and he said "ME ME ME!"

Frankie (who "belongs" to C) was the last one out of the Eglu this morning, so she is definitely like her owner as C is always the last one up in the house. H said that Tilly is like me, in that she's bossy! Well I said, "I'm the mummy, and I'm in charge!" To which C whispered "No you're not, I'm in charge actually" and then rolled over in bed, pushed her thumb back in and closed her eyes. I left her there for another half an hour! (I pick my battles carefully!).

The coffee shop has been open for 2 weeks and all I can say is....my feet are killing me and I sleep really well every night. I've had to make so many Brioche loaves that I now know the recipe off by heart. People love the variety of cakes on offer, and this week I added to the "collection" by making Nigella's Breakfast Bars. With a slight tweak (no peanuts and 25g less Oats), they went like hot cakes, even though they aren't technically a cake!

It seems the local Bobby is partial to The List Writer's Tea Loaf and a cup of builder's tea and we have had several repeat customers who all seem to love that we remember them, how they like their tea or coffee and sometimes if they have given us a recipe or suggested a certain cake, when they come in again - we have made it! (Not sure whether that was a good thing or not!!!!) Anyway Friday's are cream tea days and today was our busiest day yet, so I was rather pleased when a friend had to postpone a play date, because I can hardly type, let alone speak. The children are out playing with the chooks, so I'm going to make myself a nice cup of Assam tea and put my feet up for a while!

Bake City

2008-08-16T07:19:00.008+01:00

Strawberry & Polenta sponges (bottom),

Daddy, Mummy and Baby Pineapple & Raisin loaves

(recipe courtesy of Cake Makes the World go Round).

Lemon Drizzle and Cherry Bake (which H made).

Brioche in the breadmaker (recipe below)

Banana, Choc Chip and Raisin

I've been away for a while......but as you can see I have been busy.

News since I last blogged: THE BUILDERS HAVE FINISHED!!!!!! We are now in the 'decorating stage' which is so much better than the 'everything is covered in dust' stage. We have our beautiful new kitchen, showers are in, everywhere needs a good clean and our chickens arrive on 11 September!!! (thought I'd slip that in quietly!)

Our new coffee shop opened for two weeks, as part of the church's opening celebrations. We were mobbed! It seems a light and airy coffee shop with good coffee and home made cake is needed in the town. I will post pictures of that another time because I was so busy I didn't take any!! We decided on the name City Light which fits nicely with our ethos "You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden".

For the first two weeks of the school holidays we went to Whitstable for a week (glorious weather, right on the beach) and then to Cornwall (torrential rain all week but stayed in a forest which was very relaxing). R and I came home and the children stayed in Cornwall with Nana and Grandad.

So....I've been doing a lot of baking and a little bit of sewing too (that's another blog for another time!).

The aim of the coffee shop is to have home made cakes and I will be making the majority of them so I've been making tried and tested recipes that are suitable for freezing, trying out new ones (Strawberry & Polenta cake being one of them....delicious with ice cream!) and my breadmaker has probably been used more since the new kitchen has been installed than ever before for things other than a brown loaf.

This is a really easy peasy recipe. I don't really like shop bought because I find it too sweet. - it's a really nice treat and change from croissants for breakfast or today smothered with jam after tea!

4 medium eggs at room temperature

125g/4oz butter, melted and slightly cooled

6 tbsp warm (not hot) water

450g strong white bread flour

1.1/2tsp salt

2 tbsp caster sugar

7g sachet of instant or fast-acting yeast

Melted butter for glazing

Pour eggs, butter and water into the breadmaker bucket, then add half the flour. Sprinkle with salt and sugar, cover with remaining flour and mound the yeast in the centre. Set to dough programme. When ready remove dough from bucket and quickly knead on a floured surface. Drop into a large loaf tin and brush with a little melted butter. Bake for 10 minutes at 220 deg/Gas mark 7 and then reduce temp to 190/5 for 25-30 minutes until well risen and golden.

I have frozen a few test slices to make sure it tastes just as delicious as it did fresh. This will definitely be on the menu!

Thankfully we have 2 more weeks of school holidays which means loads more baking, a bit of sewing, a bit of decorating, spending time with friends and family, enjoying long lunches with a bottle of wine (OK that's just tomorrow because it's my birthday!!)...it also means that we're 2 weeks nearer to getting our chooks which have already been named as Frankie (a more girly version of the boy's name, named after C's favourite boy (after her brother of course!!), Serena and Tilly, although C has just come into the office (new office!) to tell me she wants to call one of them Nugget......

Tag....

2008-07-06T09:22:00.004+01:00

I have got so much to write about, but not a lot of time. So I am doing Ms Moss Stitch's Tag first.

What were you doing 10 years ago?

I was working at Kellyfield Consulting, a lovely small firm of legal recruitment consultants. Worked for 2 really great guys (one of them now an MP!) Had been married for almost 2 years. We were renovating our first home together and were probably up to our eyeballs in dust (10 years on we are at it again!). Weren't really thinking about children. We were planning a long touring trip to Italy (never made it, H arrived instead!)

5 Things on my to do list today -

Put old cooker in the skip
Dry my clothes so I have something to wear tomorrow
Hoover everywhere (futile because of dust, but imperative all the same)
Get refreshments ready for tonight (London Community Gospel Choir coming to sing at our church, 250+ people coming....I am going to be so tired later)
Iron my tea towels and apron for another busy week at City Light Coffee!! (more on that later)

Snacks I enjoy -

Jaffa Cakes
Toast
Starbucks Skinny Frappucinos
Apples
Water biscuits

Things I would do if I were a billionaire -

Give to charity and my friends/family.
Set up a wonderful secondary school in the area and not let anybody in who tutors their children. Give them a fantastic education and a good set of values too. Let them be children and enjoy having lots of fun whilst learning too (subject close to my heart? Noooooo ;-)
Buy a house by the sea and a house in the forest
Get a dog, cat and lots of chickens!

Places I have lived -
Essex, Essex, Essex and erm, Essex. I haven't moved more than 10 miles away from where I grew up.

People I want to know more about-Whoever hasn't done it! I'm a bit slow doing mine so am probably the last!If you haven't done it yet then I tag you - let me know though so I can have a nose!!

Happiness and Hearts

2008-05-26T20:59:00.008+01:00

This weekend has been one of those times when you are thoroughly exhausted but for all the right reasons.

We escaped from the builders who were putting in new windows at the back of the house, and told the children we were off on an adventure. After singing our way through both soundtracks from High School Musical and High School Musical 2, plus various other songs - we arrived from our arduous 2.1/2 hour journey that should've taken 45 minutes at Legoland! I thought H was going to faint in the car as he only twigged where we were when he saw the large piece of Lego outside the entrance. I wish I'd had my camera for the open mouths and squeals of delight.

Saturday was a glorious day.

Sunday was not-so-glorious weather wise, but we still managed to have fun. I'm so glad I packed my Cath Kidston Poncho! H still managed to go on the Bungee Trampoline....

C went on as well, but I couldn't catch her on film. She was up....she was down and all the photographs I took either have the top of her head or her toes!!

Of course we had to have a trip to the shop, and now we have a whole box of PINK lego.

After a relaxing swim at the hotel this morning, we headed home in the horrendous rain. I found two new hearts waiting for me to add to my collection.

This wooden heart is sumptuously smooth. It is bigger than the palm of my hand but I just love turning it over and over in my hands. It will go in our bedroom when it's finished.

The end of the weekend is near, but at least I have new windows to keep out the rain...and a lovely set of new french doors ('scuse the mess!!!)

Tea and Cake

2008-05-14T17:28:00.002+01:00

This morning, before taking C to school, and before going to work...I made a cake.

I woke at 5:30am because a small person had crept into our bed (H is away on a school trip and C is missing him!) I couldn't sleep after that so decided to bake! I found my 20cm tin in the cupboard (I thought I'd put them all into storage).

It went down very nicely with a cup of tea at work today!

Coffee shop STILL has no name!

No Title, No Inspiration!

2008-05-09T19:18:00.006+01:00

It's been a long time since I last "blogged". I have been sorely lacking in the inspiration department, I think the house extension/renovation has sapped it out of me. I'm bone dry I tell you!

I can't seem to concentrate when the builders are here, so I flit. I don't sit still long enough to do anything constructive. Well actually that's slightly untrue as I have been reading....a lot. I usually leave half an hour to an hour before I have to pick the children up and sit outside the school reading. It has also been particularly favourable that the ticket machine is out of order so I can be one of those annoying parents who park RIGHT NEXT to the school. It's been a joy!

H is going away for a week with the school next week. He's not even 8 yet....I think we will all be bereft without him (he's happy to go as he has £40 pocket money!!). C will be lonely at night (they have been sharing a room for 5/6 weeks) and love going to sleep listening to Matilda or Giraffe, The Pelly and Me. Mind you, she'll be happy not to have to sleep on the Sleepover Bed and she'll get to play with all his toys. She will get to watch the "Making of...." parts of High School Musical 1 & 2 (the script of which she knows verbatim, together with the soundtrack). I can't believe we are so late to the party - everyone I know now rolls their eyes at the mention of HSM. We are still in the honeymoon stage!

So back to H. The List Writer would be proud as we have several lists from the school. Lists of clothes, telephone numbers, itineraries and the list of Dos and Donts.

"No bad behaviour will be tolerated"
"No Chocolate or sweets"
"Don't forget suncream and a sticky address label" (just remembered I have to sort that one out!
"All clothing must be labelled" (more like, get a black marker pen and put "H" in everything. I just know he will come home minus pants and socks as they are usually slung off at the end of the day! At least if I find an imposter pair of pants in Henry's luggage, they will either be F's or T's!

Better disappear as H is due home from his Violin lesson (something else that has happened while I've been away from Blogsville). I will update you on that another time.

TTFN.

Quite frankly I know where I'd rather be.....

2008-03-25T20:42:00.005Z

...not here that's for sure!

Whilst I am dealing with this....

My two small people are living it up on holiday with "The Nana" and "Grand-dand" and have been very busy indeed. Introducing Daisy, Henri(etta), Charlotte, Ruby and P-Eggy

R has said that when all our building work has finished, we should get hens! My flabber is truly gasted as this comes from a man who reluctantly agreed we could get a rabbit, or a cat but draws the line at a dog, yet enthusiastically wants chickens. I'm not going to argue with him though. We might go for a pink Eglu...I'm getting very egg-cited (sorry, I couldn't resist that, it just came out).

Still haven't made anything, although I have cut out C's nightdress which I'm hoping to put together tonight. I also went to IKEA this morning and bought some funky fabric for 2 tablecloths.

I could have bought so much more but don't really have anywhere to store it! Plus my other fabric from Etsy arrived yesterday and R thinks we're being taken over!

I'm going to refill my hot water bottle in a minute. There's no point having the heating on as there's a giant hole in the wall and the front door is permanently open. It will be lovely when it's finished, it will be lovely when it's finished....(repeat to fade)...

Tag, you're it....

2008-03-21T18:52:00.004Z

The delightful G tagged me and complained I hadn't blogged in ages....well that is true so here are my answers, and I will hopefully blog some more later on during this glorious Easter Weekend.

Why I started my blog ....Gill told me about hers, and I thought it was a good idea! Found it very strange at first, but I'm addicted now..

How I came up with the name of my blog ....My daughter loves pink, and we call her cupcake sometimes. Plus I love cake...

Do my friends and family know about my blog? What do they think of it? My blog is on my Facebook account, so I would imagine my friends know about it, and that means my family do too. R knows I blog, but can't get his head round it at all!

How do I write my posts ...If I think of something, I write about it. Sometimes I'm formulating blogs in my head when I'm cooking, listening to my iPod (whilst cooking), or sewing and listening to my iPod!! Lately though I've been up to my eyes with builders and cups of tea and because I haven't had a chance to do any sewing, I am not inspired as much! Mind you, I have cut out a gorgeous nightdress for C!

Ever had a troll or had to delete unkind comments ...Had a troll who posted something this morning (which is why I am now moderating my comments). No unkind posts yet...why would someone do that!

Do I check my stats? No? How do I do that?!

Do I care who/how many read my blog? Yes!

Do I try to increase traffic? No idea how to do that!

What I like and dislike about blogging...I like reading about other peoples blogs...and looking at photographs, and getting inspiration! I hate uploading the photographs and sometimes get carried away looking at too many blogs while my ironing multiplies..

I was tagged by Gill and I'm going to tag...erm let me think....Shabby Shac !

Cupcakes and Aprons

2008-03-07T14:10:00.005Z

It's been a funny ole week. C was 4 on Tuesday but that seems like a week ago already. Still, building is progressing. I now have a door on my new utility room and the roof is going on next week. Am praying there won't be a gale over the weekend as, although we're not exposed to the elements, I don't want us to lift off (or our scaffolding to start shaking!).

As time draws nearer to the opening of the coffee shop, we (that's me and friends from work) started talking about names. I was actually supposed to be doing something else but came across a site which had quite a few suggestions for a coffee shop which will be inside a church. A few were good, and most of them made me chuckle....The Bean'ry, Let there be Latte (I nearly spilled my latte reading that one!), Jehovah Java, Son-light Cafe, Cup O'Joy, Beanier than thou, Holy Grounds, Higher Grounds, Blessed Beans and my favourite...Fire Escape!!! Gill came up with Cafe on the Hill, as our strapline is "A City on a Hill cannot be hidden". However, we aren't actually on a hill and I can already imagine the endless stream of people saying "But you aren't on a hill". Everyone liked it though and it might make the short list!. Another idea was "Divine" but Gill pointed out that's a name of a drag act, and also the very nice chocolate! So...we are still nameless.

So as I couldn't think of a name, I started looking at the more fun things, like fabric for aprons, coffee machines and cakes. I can't do any cooking at the moment as all my cake tins are in storage! However, I could look at, and buy some fabric for my Emmeline Apron. I was only supposed to be looking, as I can't even make them as my sewing machine is away at the moment! But...I fell in love with them, and suddenly Paypal were emailing me with a receipt. Funny how that happened.

The dark brown one with the dots reminds me of chocolate cupcakes with lots of sprinkles over them, and the other ones just coordinate so well!

I actually have a fat quarter of the paisley pink, and didn't even realise it was Amy Butler. Best keep that to myself and not tell R :-)

I have also been asked to make two bridesmaids dresses in pale pink silk with hot pink sashes. One is for C, and the other is for another little girl, E. My sister-in-law is getting married in September and I will be making a toile out of calico at some point, which I will show you. It's all very exciting. I am doing the flowers as well so I may as well just stop sleeping now!

Littlest Cupcake.....

2008-03-04T22:03:00.003Z

Happy Birthday!

And....Relax

2008-02-25T11:05:00.007Z

We had a wonderful weekend away, although it didn't get off to a good start. R had the day off on Friday but I still had a few hours at work to do so he drove me to work. We were less than a minute away from work when a woman lost concentration at a junction and smashed into the side of our car! Fortunately, nobody was hurt, and the poor woman admitted liability (I say poor, because I felt so sorry for her, she was in floods of tears). Anyway it's all going through now and thankfully we are fine. I was really sore on Friday and R is getting over a stiff neck etc but getting better.

Anyway we could still drive the car so made our way to Newmarket after work, and after a quick coffee with R's sister and an even quicker shifty at a funky kitchen design place on the way!

We were shown our room, which was gorgeous. We settled in, made a cuppa and decided to lounge around for a few hours and watch a DVD.....unfortunately (or fortunately for us!) the DVD didn't work, and there were no more Junior Suites available. So they upgraded us.....

As R stated "Blimey, it's bigger than our house!" (the room we stayed in is featured on the website, squashy yellow sofa and nice double-basined bathroom with plenty of Molton Brown which was replenished on the second day)

As the room was so gorgeous, we decided to opt for Room Service, and enjoyed The Bourne Ultimatum in luxury. I didn't fall asleep either!

Breakfast was in The Orangery.....poached eggs and bacon, followed by Croissants and Coffee. Well, we were going for a marathon shop!

Five hours later and we were all shopped out and ready for a swim. We then relaxed further by reading the paper and our books, while sipping Bollinger and dozing before going down for dinner (albeit a bit unsteadily after all the Champagne on an empty stomach).

The next morning we awoke at ten to nine....unheard of in our household! A sign of true relaxation!

When we were reunited with the children, and my parents went home, we decided to go for a walk. In true List Writer style, this is a picture of my new walking boots.

I can't wait until next February.

Been a While.....

2008-02-20T10:33:00.008Z

Wow, I can't believe it's been over a month since I last posted!

Life has been pretty hectic at Chez PinkieCupcake. The builders are here, scaffolding is up, neighbours are difficult, the kettle is in overdrive, the kids have had half-term and there is a fine layer of dust everywhere. Apart from that, life is gooooood.

I have been suffering from a severe sewing withdrawal. I haven't done anything crafty for a month. Have done a bit of cooking though (including 2 ginger cakes for work!) but not enough time has been spent at the sewing machine as far as I'm concerned!

C has become increasingly interested in baking, so we've done a fair bit over half term. H did get involved too, but didn't want to pose for the camera!

H was more intent on sitting on the sofa, covered in a blanket (takes after his mother) and reading. He read loads! Mr Gum books, Sir Gadabout and Captain Underpants......we also took a trip to the library where he leafed through a few Horrid Henry books to check them out.

R and I are really looking forward to a weekend away. We go every year for a couple of nights without the children. No real occasion, which makes it even better. We also go for a mammoth shopping expedition which is great because we hardly ever go shopping together, and it's great not to have any small people hanging off your arms saying "Can we go NOW....." I'm looking forward to going to John Lewis and drooling over some new Emma Bridgewater pottery....I'm easy to please!

Oh, and the opportunity to enjoy some uninterrupted reading.....bliss. Mind you, I say all this now, but I shall be sitting there saying "Shall we ring the kids....I wonder what they're up to!!"

Cakes and Tea Towels

2008-01-16T12:12:00.000Z

My eyes have been opened to a brand new world. The previous occupants of my middle drawer were from Tesco, Primark and a very dodgy looking one from Centerparcs! (no I didn't steal it, I bought it!!). Anna then posted on her blog about having too many tea towels. A new obsession was born. Cath Kidston...Emma Bridgewater...Heinz Ketchup?! Fortunately for me (or my purse), CK had a sale on, as did EB... When I took a good look at my collection I realised I had MORE Christmas tea towels than anything else! I got a nice Santa one from my parents this year too. Maybe they were trying to tell me something when they came to stay. I even checked Ebay for tea towels - well you can get anything on there!!

Then...came the Ginger Cake, with picture. Of course I HAD to make it but I didn't have ginger in syrup. Feeling a little under the weather, I ventured to Waitrose miserably on Monday. I wanted to curl up in front of the TV watching Dirty Dancing for the 100th time but also I wanted to make that cake!

I should have gone straight to the syrup, but no....I ambled from aisle to aisle browsing, thinking "ooooh that looks nice", "so does that" (plant, flowers, magazines x 3, early birthday presents, nice soap, chocolate, Lavazza Carte D'or - I was ill!). "Yes, and I definitely need a pink whisk". I shouldn't have got a trolley!

£125 later (I kid you not) I had everything I didn't need, but what did I forget?!! It's OK, I remembered as I got into my car! (People who know me well, will know that I do this a lot).

Our printer is in for repair so I hand-wrote the recipe down. Meticulously followed the instructions: omitting the dried fruit on the purpose, and the sugar by mistake. It ended up sloppy though (I beat the hell out of it), lined the tin and popped it into the oven with a baking parchment lid on it so it didn't burn (very wise A). The smell from the oven was delectable (I have regained my sense of smell thank goodness!).

So here it is....together with one of my new tea towels :-) I am now going to cut the BIGGEST peice of cake, make a Latte and watch Dirty Dancing.

This was a very expensive cake!!!!! But totally worth it. I think I'll have to add it to my regular cakes when the coffee shop opens!

Awarded for Rambling....

2008-01-15T14:37:00.000Z

Anna from All Things Lovely has awarded me an award (bad English!) for my mutterings. Am very chuffed!

So now I have to share 7 facts with you...

I used to have a fork-lift truck license. I think it has expired now but I once used to work as a sales administrator and as we were a small company, all employees had to learn to drive the fork-lift. It was great fun, and a great laugh watching a 1970s safety film called “The Colour of Danger”….

I have been with my husband since I was 14 years old. First kissed him at the tender age of 12……we got married at 23 and have been married for 11 years. He asked me out when I was 12 and I said no so he didn’t speak to me for 2 years. He asked me to marry him in 1988!!!!!!

I wanted to be an accountant when I was a little girl….then a nurse and then a florist. Got to be one of them!

I HATE wasps….they paralyse me with fear.

When pregnant with my daughter, I was sick so much I dislocated my jaw….

I love Alan Rickman, Russell Brand and Eddie Izzard!

I still suffer with homesickness and I REALLY don't like change! For example, it takes me a good 2/3 days to settle into a holiday and when I first started work, I was so nervous and anxious that I used to burst into tears at lunchtime. I'm much better now.....(as you all back away from the computer!!)

So do I have to nominate another blogger? Well I will anyway...to the person who got me into 'all this'. This woman is responsible!

That's all folks! (for now, anyway!)

Getting Fruity

2008-01-09T18:18:00.000Z

I always find it harder to get my two to eat fruit during the colder months. Whilst I pack their dinners with veg (some of it they can't see - although my daughter can spot a courgette a mile off!), fruit seems to lose it's appeal. I'm giggling as I remember getting my children to try new veg by candlelight - it's amazing if they can't see if properly they will try it!!! Doesn't work now though....

I'm not a fan of stewed fruit and so to be honest it doesn't occur to me to get them to try it (although I have an idea what would happen!!). My freezer is full of it though as I don't want to waste it. I think a few people might be getting apple pies over the weekend!!

C and I went fruit shopping today in Marks & Sparks. Perhaps because she chose it, she devoured quite a bit after dinner tonight, as did H - especially the Strawberries and Cherries.

I'm really pleased with the photo of the apples and plums. Having had my camera for 4 years, I discovered that if you press the 'food' button on the menu, you get a better picture (better late than never I guess!)

As part of a New Year Resolution and pre-building project sort-out, I had an amazing discovery. I'm amazed that they were unopened and hadn't been discovered by one of my children during a rummage through the cupboards to find something....anything to eat (other than fruit!!!!).

I had 4 with my tea and now feel sick! They were gorgeous. Now they are open, I can hear them calling me from the cupboard! I hope R comes home and hides them somewhere else before I end up eating them all!!!!! Uh-Oh...C has just found them!!!

Some pictures from the Weekend

2008-01-06T20:12:00.000Z

We went to The Millennium Dome, a.k.a The O2 (I prefer the former name as when we mentioned to friends and family we'd been to The O2, they looked confused and said 'huh?' and then we had to explain!

I wish I'd taken a picture of this prior to going in, as the sky was sooo clear and blue. But by the time we came out it was cloudy. Hey ho.

A clue to where we've been. Took the children to the Tutankhamun exhibition, which was fabulous and well worth it.

I just love this picture, I'd love a lampshade like this!!

Back to school tomorrow......(groan).

Post-Christmas and New Year

2008-01-02T18:41:00.000Z

Happy New Year!

Well it's been busy. Before Christmas I was ill, so I had a little rush on, finishing presents. This one for my friend Amanda, who I work with. (little felt ice skates were so wonderful to make, an idea from Montessouri by Hand). The heart was a little extra for her tree, and the X-stitch was from here and was particularly apt for her (I've since learned that it made her cry, with joy hopefully!!).

Running a Craft afternoon at my Church for the children while the parents helped making 400 Christingles. It was great fun. My two were guinea pigs....

UP at the crack of dawn? Get sewing young man....

C loves stuffing....

After Christmas we went to visit my brother and his family in Cardiff. Staying in a really gorgeous hotel with a roaring fire in each room to sit and sip Baileys next to and get nice rosy cheeks. The following morning while the children played,

We sat reading, and stared at the view.

On returning home, despite not having cooked on Christmas Day, I still seemed to have a plethora of leftovers. Well, we did cook a turkey, ham and acoutrements for the following few days after Christmas, as we did have quite a few visitors.

Poor hubby has been in bed since we returned from Cardiff on Saturday afternoon. He's not usually poorly so I know when he's feeling rough as he never sleeps during the day and doesn't like lying in bed. He's done both every day. (He is also catching up on Season 2 of 24 which means we can continue watching it together once he's caught up with me!!)

Anyway....we have lots of leftovers as he hasn't been hungry enough to eat, so I've been busy making in the kitchen.

Turkey Soup

Yes, yes - I know, a good ole Turkey recipe. However this one is really nice. (Turkey carcus, 1 parsnip, stick of celery, 2 carrots, 1 onion, 2 bay leaves and sprigs of rosemary, 2 litres of water, bung in cooking pot and bring to the boil, simmer slowly for 2 hours). They say that a good chicken soup is good for the soul, and the enzymes released while cooking it is a good cure for colds and flu. R has just eaten a bowl so if he miraculously springs from our bed tomorrow I will let you know.

Broccoli and Stilton Soup, Cheese Sauce

Why Oh Why did we buy a "cheese board". Well I know why, because before Christmas I had a tummy bug and when I finished doing my shopping online, I had no appetite for food so ordered something that would suit all tastes. The Somerset Brie was decimated by the mother-in-law and so there was some Stilton, French Brie and Edam left. I leafed through my Nigella Express Recipe Book and found Broccoli and Stilton Soup....I actually wouldn't touch Stilton with a barge pole if you handed it to me on a cracker, but in a soup, I likes it :-D

It's really, really simple and I'm having it for tea.

First of all fry 3 chopped salad onions in garlic oil.

Add 500g frozen broccoli, together with 1 tsp of dried thyme
Crumble in Stilton....add 800ml hot vegetable stock.

Cook for 5 minutes, liquidize and serve with a little red chilli crumbled on top.

Yum.

I also made batches of cheese sauce for the children, ready to throw on pasta with some of the leftover ham, chicken and some broccoli.

Split Pea and Ham Soup
I have made this before and it's gorgeous. It's also low fat which means it tastes better!!!!

Now that all our guests have gone, the tree is down and things are getting back to normal. I'm already planning what my next sewing project is going to be. I have a few birthdays coming up so better start thinking! (especially as one of them is a big one...you know who you are ;-) )

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-21T09:01:00.001Z

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be
on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counsellor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.

Wishing you a Joyous and Peaceful Christmas, and a very Happy New Year!

(and yes, I'm sure Shepherds wore trainers back then!!!!!!)

A Great Day...

2007-12-09T10:10:00.001Z

TODAY is a great day.

Today I finished swimming the channel and raised £260 for Aspire.

Today we decorated the tree.

Today I finished these hearts as a present for my friend.

Today we went to Starbucks!!

Today we posed in front of the tree.

Oh, and we have a "fake" tree this year!

oooOOOooo

Christmas Question and Answers...join in!

2007-12-07T17:41:00.001Z

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both. I enjoy spending time choosing my paper carefully, together with tags and ribbons. If someone has a particularly awkward present, they get a bag.

2. Real tree or artificial? Real. Growing up we had an artificial one. Hubby prefers real. I love the smell, but hate it when we have to take it outside after Christmas, and the perpetual hoovering up of needles.

3. When do you put up the tree? Second week in December usually. Children have their trees up already! This goes up on 1st December, naturally!

4. When do you take the tree down? As soon as possible after Christmas!! Usually New Year's Day, that means there are people around to help, otherwise I get lumbered doing it myself.

5. Do you like eggnog? Even the name makes we want to gag...so that's a No.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Handmade dolly in a basket, made by my Grandma. My daughter plays with it now.

7. Do you have a Nativity scene? We did have one which my Grandad made, but it fell apart after years of play. I've seen a gorgeous one which I'm hoping to buy with the children next week.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My father-in-law. There are only so many war books/bow ties/chocolates you can buy one person! Bless him!

9. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? An epilator. One word.....OWWWWWWWW!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I like both, as long as someone thinks of you, who cares where it comes from!

11. Favorite Christmas Movie? Home Alone or Elf. "Santaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Around September time. When Borders in Beckton closed down, I pretty much did the children's christmas presents in one go.

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes and they all went to very good homes.

14. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas? Full roast, then turkey sandwiches with stuffing and cranberries.

15. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear and no chasing, twinkling, fading etc etc. Just plain!

16. Favorite Christmas song/carol? O Holy Night - gives me goosebumps.

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? One year here, one year away.

18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? I will get my "Night Before Christmas" book out and I'll be able to tell you! But off the top of my head? No

19. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star. Haven't found the right Angel yet. Maybe I'll make one for next year.

20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve?!?!?!?! Noooo Christmas Morning thank you very much! We have table presents after lunch and then MORE presents in the afternoon when visiting relatives. Some smaller ones are kept for Boxing Day too.

21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? People panic buying food in the supermarket.

Wishing you a very joyous and peaceful Christmas, and a happy new year!

A little picture of my moody angel at her Nativity!!

Floristry....

2007-11-29T09:25:00.000Z

I love flowers....which is a good thing seeing as I trained as a Florist almost 5 years ago! I had worked in the City for 10 years, ending up in Legal Recruitment. But after having H, I just couldn't hack it anymore, I didn't want to be working the long hours, plus travelling and after a glitch with the nursery he was at (a blessing in disguise) I left.......

I wanted something that was going to fit in around children, and for those with children, you know how hard that is. Anyway, when I was 15 I had wanted to be a florist, but my mum persuaded me not to do it. Probably because junior florists are paid hideously low wages and if you learn 'on the job' you are going to get all the horrible jobs to do!

So at the age of 28, I went back to college for a 2 year stint to train to be a florist. I had an idea that playing with flowers was going to be a wonderfully enriching past-time and I would be happy spending all day being creative. Capel Manor College is THE place to go to learn floristry so off I trotted. H was settled at a new nursery and the course was less than 15 hours per week and so I had the best of both worlds.

Some things I learned in my first year.......

You are always going to be COLD.

You learn how to 'feather' carnation petals until the cows come home.

Wiring 100 ivy leaves is not funny and does not feel remotely creative with cold hands

You need lashings of handcream after every lesson

There are only so many things you can do with Leather Leaf to make it look attractive.

You have to learn many Latin names for plants and flowers, and learn how to pronounce Tsuga Heterophylla like you know what it looks like, and what to do with it (especially as everyone says it differently!).

Work experience as a 28 year old is no fun at all, especially when the Head Florist is younger than you!

Making arrangements and hand ties in class is totally different when you do it at work as the customer is always waiting.

Tool Boxes are best not left in the middle of the room, especially when you are carrying a bucket full of freezing water.

However, in my second year...

You learn to think creatively on every piece of the flower, like how to use stems of Gerberas in an arrangement. Something my floristry teacher had never seen before.

You learn to work as a team. Our team always went for large-scale designs. When we were asked to design and make a wire framed 'animal', we in fact, designed and made a swan. It was so large that the floristry department went over their budget for the year (the wings had individually glued on leaf skeletons that cost a fortune wholesale, let alone retail!). But our tutor said she had to let us make it as she wanted to see how it would turn out! We constructed the frame from bonsai wire, covered it in chicken wire, stuffed it with paper, and used moss all over (which you have to wire in place), and then we sprayed it. It was the centerpeice for Christmas.

You learn how to design and construct wedding bouquets - funnily enough I said I was never going to get involved doing weddings, but it turned out, I was very good at them and now that's what I do the most of!

I don't do as much floristry as I did, with two children, a job as a Fundraiser and all my other projects on the go, it has taken a back seat (for now). I still do the odd bouquet, funeral arrangement and wedding....my sister-in-law is getting married next September so I will have to dig out my scissors and stem stripper!

We are what we do...

2007-11-24T19:52:00.000Z

I got into a little debate the other day about the Cbeebies Song "How would you feel...." (Listen here). Anyway the person I debated with seemed to think that telling children about the effects of global warming was too scary for them, and something they should be sheilded from (but on the same note, it was OK for their 3.1/2 year old to watch Harry Potter(!)...but I digress...)

I think really it's vital that children learn from a very young age the importance of "we are what we do". That doesn't mean hammering it home every five minutes, but as children learn by example it's a wonderful thing for a 7 year old to have some idea about his surroundings, how important it is to recycle, not leave the TV on standby and definitely not leave the tap running when brushing teeth!

I bought Marie Clare last month. Not because it's my usual magazine (don't worry, I passed it onto a friend!) but because of the bag. I do love bags, but I particularly liked this one as it says "Plastic aint my bag". It fits into my handbag and I now make sure that I have it with me so I can decline plastic bags whenever I'm in a shop. I don't mean to sound virtuous but it does leave me feeling pretty good that I have less plastic to recycle this week.

Another environmental 'thing' I feel passionate about is nappies. I'm rather sad that my two don't wear them anymore as I absolutely adored seeing their little bottoms in cloth, especially when I had lots which were second and third hand. I then passed them onto a friend whose little boy wears them - isn't that amazing! (well, it is to me!).

C had to take in a "named plastic bag" on Monday for her plimsolls. As one of my actions on the "We are what we do" website is to decline plastic bags...I don't have many! So I made her a bag.......and she is very pleased with it.

Oh, and my knitting has grown this week! Instead of head bobbing on the sofa whilst watching re-runs of Friends or Ugly Betty, I've been knitting. Still a way to go but I feel rather pleased with myself! :-D

Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

2007-11-20T12:32:00.000Z

Gill and I have been making tree decorations for our school's Bring & Buy. After seeing hers, I thought I should post mine as they are both so different! Mine are made out of scraps of fabric left over from my bridesmaid dresses 11 years ago! They took such small scraps that I am going to sew all the other scraps together to make multicoloured silk trees (but on another day, I'm up to my eyes in B&B stuff at the mo!)

I've also finished quilting two wall hangings for Christmas. One for my mother-in-law and one for us. I machine quilted for ease, just around each picture (as I am short on time!) but I think they are lovely as they have great pictures with lots of detail. I'm waiting for my Star of Wonder buttons to arrive which compliment the wall hanging but while I'm posting pictures of Christmas trees I thought I would include this as well.

The Bring & Buy has been a bit of a nightmare. We have ended up doing far more than we expected (it's amazing how people disappear when they are asked to do something!) so I haven't done as many "Wonky Bunting" crafts as I'd like. Still, I have around 24 hours to complete everything else! Hey ho...I love what we've made though. See http://moss-stitch.blogspot.com/ for some other things from Wonky Bunting!!

After a hectic morning, just a few hours sewing has restored my inner calm. I do love sitting down at my table to sew, with an old film on in the background (My Fair Lady today) I can sit and create.

A Relaxing Day Off

2007-11-14T12:40:00.000Z

Our family has been busy these past few weeks. My husband went to South Africa for 10 days to work in Drakenstein and Pollsmoor Prisons, working with the (some very) young boys/men who have found themselves, for whatever reason, in prison. While he was away, I was looking after the smalls with the help of my parents. I didn't get as much done in the evening as I expected, because I was too busy making full use of the in-house babysitters (thanks Mum and Dad!). So my sewing slowed down somewhat, even though the flow of fabric coming in little jiffy bags from Ebay continued to come in.

After a hectic few days this week, I decided today, Wednesday, my full day without the children was going to be a sewing day (well, at least morning!). There is washing to do and a floor to mop but I was more drawn to a nice piece of IKEA fabric I won on Ebay. I did originally want to make the bag I made with Cath Kidston strawberry fabric but I didn't have enough. But I am very pleased with the result. Made from my Sew Pretty Homestyle book, I already had the 7" bamboo handles ready so I set to work. I didn't take any action shots, I just got on with it, and here is the result....

It will hold all my current projects (which are in little fabric envelopes themselves!) and also my knitting. So wherever I go, where I am waiting around for one or both of my children...I will be sewing, cross-stitching or knitting!

I am now suitably relaxed, have had some delicious Broccoli and Stilton Soup, home-made bread, a naughty slice of cheesecake...and now I'm off to swim 50 lengths at my local pool. Lovely.

Sew Inspiring

2007-10-26T21:45:00.000+01:00

The children and I had a fantastic half-term week in Cornwall, visiting my parents. It's always great to see them for obvious reasons, but also for some other ones too:

They live right by the sea.

H loves taking the dogs out for a walk over the cliffs in the morning.

We all get spoiled rotten, with cups of tea in bed and cooked breakfasts.

Proper Cornish pasties and proper Cornish cream teas (jam, then cream in Cornwall!)

A free ice cream in Boscastle Rock Shop!

I get to rifle through my mum's fabric stash (oh the joys of having a dad as a fabric agent!)

I get to go to all my mums sewing and knitting groups, learn new skills and watch everyone else make wonderful quilts and take home lots of inspiration for my own.

Each night, mum and I spent the evening planning what we were going to make. After my friend Gill bought Sew Pretty Homestyle, I rang my mum to tell her about this wonderful book, and that I was going to buy it. My mum sounded a bit strange on the phone, it was only later that I discovered she had already bought it for me for Christmas! I was very happy when she presented me with two early presents....the book, and a much longed for needle case. She made the needle case for her local WI competition and won, I'm sure you'll agree she is very talented. I hope it runs in the family! The middle heart is padded as it's a small pin cushion. In the picture of the front is my new matching pin cushion which is also from the SPH book (how excited can a girl get about a needle case and a pin cushion...pretty excited I can tell you!)

We took a trip to what is becoming one of my favourite shops, shame it is such a long way away. http://www.cowslipworkshops.co.uk/index.php and I bought a few fat quarters, much to my dad's amusement as my mum has a sewing room FULL of fabric. I will add a photograph another time, it really needs to be seen to be believed (and I'm sure she'll thank me for saying that!).

This is a project that is all cut out and ready to go...

So...to the strawberries. As soon as I saw the book I knew I had to make them (and the cushion too). I even bought some Strawberry Essence from Ebay, which smells just like Strawberry laces, I can't stop sniffing it!

I meant to make the strawberries out of my newly purchased fabric, but my mum suggested making a few trial ones. They went well, so I made some out of plain red fabric which I have yet to finish as I want to put beads on where the seeds of the strawberry should go.

I then started making hearts (because I love absolutely anything heart-shaped), and after buying some Merry Christmas tape from http://www.thesummerhouse.co.uk/ (another fabulous shop, where I bought my Driftwood heart from in the summer!) I decided to sew those onto the hearts to make little Christmas decorations. However, I've now decided these hearts are going to be my Christmas cards/decorations for close friends/family - so if you get one, I hope you like them!

I also made this for my newly engaged sister-in-law (I feel like I'm doing a show-and-tell here!). My mum made one for us a few years ago with four little stockings that we put over our fireplace. These are for Suzie and David. Obviously if they have children we will add stocking, or two!

When I went to my mum's patchwork and quilting group I was upset to have forgotten my camera. Not only do they have their own projects on the go, they all recently made little tiny quilts for premature babies for a hospital in Hampshire, they make little quilted bags with toiletries in for any family members staying in the local hospice AND they make quilts for that get raffled for charity! The week really did make me feel sew inspired.... My mum and dad are visiting us for a week this Friday, as R is off to South Africa (that will probably be another blog as this one is long enough!). Anyway I have lots of things planned while they are here, mostly sewing, and a trip to John Lewis in Bluewater to get more loot!

All Things Pinkie

2007-10-11T15:02:00.000+01:00

I used to hate pink....until my daughter was born.

Being a redhead, I was never a pinkie kind of girl as everyone used to tell me that it clashed with my hair! As a child, my hair was the kind that all adults would fawn over and tell you they'd love to have hair like mine. As a child and teenager, I was teased because of it - believe me, there isn't any insult I haven't heard! It was thick and curly and my mum, who wasn't really into ponytails and plaits, cut it short......big mistake, huge mistake. So I wasn't dressed in pink as a child and I had short hair so was often mistaken for a boy - Ugh!

When I was pregnant I was delighted to find out I was having a girl, although I said I would never do the "pink thing" with her as I still wasn't a fan. Her bedroom was going to be a buttery yellow with white curtains with hand-embroidered daisies over them...and not a pink toy, blanket or sleepsuit in sight. In fact, when I was pregnant with H, and was told at 20 weeks it was a girl, the baby's bedroom was apple green and white! (and of course it was a good thing we didn't do a pinkie makeover then, as H was confirmed as a boy at a random scan at 32 weeks!!

When C was born, the midwife dressed her in a pale pink tiny-baby sleepsuit I had borrowed from a friend, as it was the only one that fitted her. She was swamped in the yellow sleepsuits and the other borrowed Winnie-the-Pooh sleepsuits (I was secretly pleased as I'm not a fan of Pooh either!!) When we got home, friends and family visited, gifts started arriving and everything was PINK! A whole spectrum of pink, from hot pink from Auntie Suzie, and real dusky pink dresses with frilly knickers(!) from Great-Nannies. The colour that I had not really been fond of, was everywhere and when a huge pink box arrived with a huge pink bow, pink cuddly toy, blanket, sleepsuit, socks and hat, we knew this colour was here to stay!

C is mad on pink (and who can blame her).

She calls it Pinkie and so do we, even her nursery teachers adopted the name Pinkie, hence my Blogger name, as C also loves Cupcakes.
However, when we jokingly asked the other day what colour she'd like her new bedroom (once it's been built), she replied.................PURPLE!

Holidays, and back to earth with a bump

2007-09-05T17:07:00.001+01:00

Ugh, school has started. I keep thinking "this time last week we were....."

<-----Here.

We had a wonderful week in Kent, with the beach at the end of our shingle road, a row of beach huts, a tea room, paper shop and a pub. What more did we need! We swam in the sea every day and slept soundly each night. It seemed very very dark without streetlights, and so peaceful. It was fantastic to sit outside and look up at the full moon.

Still, the week had to end and suddenly I was doing last-minute label sewing, buying forgotten school equipment (and then finding it after I'd bought a second lot) and catching up on household chores. H&C went back to school with no problems (although C has cried a little!). I miss them, but I don't miss running after them constantly tidying and re-tidying!

C has moved up another class, but she told me last night that she preferred being in the nursery, but wanted to be able to wear her dress. Isn't it hard telling your children that although they don't like doing something, they kinda have to? I remember when H started at his new school, he HATED it, and me. But we made the right decision, he just wouldn't be persuaded at the time (he is stubborn like his mother!) Now he absolutely loves it, he couldn't wait to get back and see his friends.

I'm sure C will get to that stage eventually (I hope!). Until then, bribery of "Bravery Awards" (a pink Stephanie from Lazytown Wig and Dress) and chocolate fish from Waitrose seem to be keeping the tears at bay. I haven't forgotten H, he was awarded a Kindness award at school this week, for not only being kind to his friends, but for checking up on his sister every break time - a much longed-for Batman game for his Leapster is on its way. They will come down from earth with a bump next week when homework starts and it's carrot sticks and fruit on the way home!!

The Joy of School Holidays....

2007-08-09T20:32:00.000+01:00

I love having the kids around. OK, so they may bicker, make lots of mess and wear me out to the point of exhaustion, but I love having them around! On Monday we spent practically all day in the garden, laying under the tree, reading, playing football, making camps and generally lazing about.

On Tuesday we went to the cinema to see Evan Almighty (very good). Yesterday we went to a garden centre to buy plants for one of our borders and spent the afternoon planting. I'd forgotten how relaxing being in the garden can be. Now all I have to do is buy some slug pelletts so the buggers don't eat everything. I'm sure my neighbour slings them over the fence as we've had them in epidemic proportions this year!

Today we were at the park and the kids didn't stop running, cycling and playing for 5 solid hours. Needless to say they were in bed and asleep by 7 o'clock! Days are flying by and soon they will be back at school (groan). The school run isn't a favourite pastime, and we'll have to get used to getting dressed before midday and not making chocolate brownies in our jammies.

We still have lots of other activities planned - painting, more baking, a visit to Kew Gardens, a PYO farm, Thames Barrier Park (shame about the fountains though!) and then it'll be off to the coast for another week. Lovely.

Oh, and I'm swimming the channel! Not literally, but 1760 lengths of my local pool in order to raise money for ASPIRE. That should get me fit.

Happy Days.

A Driftwood Heart....

2007-08-01T15:53:00.001+01:00

This is my latest acquisition, a heart made entirely out of driftwood from the Cornish coast. Combining my two favourite items, I spied it in a shop and R rolled his eyes and laughed, knowing I had to have it! I said he could buy it for my birthday, but my parents bought it instead. R seemed to think I had enough driftwood to make one of my own, but it would take me another year to collect enough - and I can't wait that long.

I love it, and even though R and my Dad were silent when I asked "Isn't it beautiful" I think it is. They just have no taste!!

It's in the family room on the wall at the moment, but once THE extension is done, it will go in our room.

Not just driftwood floating on the water now.....

St Mawes

2007-07-31T19:39:00.000+01:00

This was the view from our cottage, and the two rainbows were a bonus.

We had a fantastic holiday in St Mawes and the weather wasn't actually too bad! When we arrived I thought we were in for bad weather as the sea leapt over the wall and soaked R as he got the cases in from the car...however we had two days of awful rain and the rest were nice and sunny with a few spots of rain, creating the most gorgeous rainbows.

There was so much to do. We went to The Eden Project, The National Maritime Museum, Goonhilly Satellite Station, St Mawes and Pendennis Castles, also a ferry trip to Falmouth on a gorgeous evening for fish and chips, long days on the beach and loads of cream teas and ice cream (mint-choc-chip mmmm). There is still plenty to do again so I'm sure this won't be our last visit.

St Mawes is actually quite a quiet village (well, it was when we were there!) and the views were breathtaking. I love the sea and we miss waking up to seeing the tide go in (or out) and the salty air as you walk down the road to get a paper and a fabulous Almond Croissant or Pain au Chocolate from Cafe Chandlers.

The children enjoyed their room with the sea view and spent most of the time pretending they lived on a boat.

I want to go away again......

Wool and Children

2007-06-30T18:41:00.000+01:00

I escaped to the living room with my knitting, only to be followed by one of my small people incessantly asking questions about a. what I was up to and b. was that a flapjack sticking out of my mouth. I didn't want to reply (well I couldn't at that precise moment because of the flapjack) that I was actually trying to escape and knit a few rows of my bag. I am learning to knit, so this bag is taking an awfully long time. As small person stood next to me, she peered into my Monsoon bag and gasped at all the lovely green balls. I fished out my knitting and got started and was so engrossed in trying to keep hold of both needles while trying to knit, when suddenly small person said 'uh-oh' and then ran off. I looked down at my lap and she had unravelled the ball of wool attached to my not-yet-a-bag and turned it into a messy green heap on my lap. I then spent the next 20 minutes making it back into a ball, muttering that I could have at least knited one row in the time it took me to sort that out. Smallest small was sorry, with a sly grin on her face. "That was funny" she said.