First sock design

S6301368,
originally uploaded by curvyjax.

A bit of a change from shawls - I couldn't find a pattern for this yarn that I wanted to make and that would fit my hobbit-feet, so I made this one up. And I'm really pleased :)

Shawl No 4

This was supposed to be added to my gift pile. But now it's not. It's mine, all mine!

And on a slightly related note, while I was making jam at the weekend, P and B had a joint project on the go. B had seen me trying to spin with a drop spindle, and he liked the look of all that twirling. So, using an old CD, a piece of wooden dowel and some leftover bath sealant strip, they made a spindle all of his own. And here he is, making yarn, deep in concentration. Isn't he cute?

Rhubarb and strawberry jam

I knew what I was doing for dinner (Nigella's Express chilli) but I didn't know what to do for pudding - it is a weekend so I do try to actually do something pudding-y rather than providing yoghurt. I had bought a pack of Sainsbury's value strawberries yesterday and got them out of the fridge. Some were very overripe, some under... not very promising. And then I remembered the rhubarb I had liberated from the feral allotment a few days ago and frozen. So, on a whim...

..... I decided to make microwave jam. I've never made microwave jam before, but didn't let that bother me. So I cooked the rhubarb with a little ginger, added the strawberries, lemon and sugar, took out the ginger and microwaved again. At about the time the jam boiled over I decided it had reached setting point. In the meantime I had sterilised a few jars, but none of this really addressed pudding. Until I remembered the ready made sweet pastry flan case I bought, on a whim, a few weeks ago. Jam tart. Delicious!

And an extra 3 jars of jewel-coloured home made jam. Made in around 25 minutes.

Occasionally, I feel like a proper Mum!

Second shawl of 2010

Well, it's February, so it must be time for shawl no. 2. In fact I finished this a couple of weeks ago, and was waiting to get some great photos before posting about it. But since my skillz are lacking, here's what I have:

Pretty, no?

I also finished my Vine Yoke Sweater (another design by the utterly gorgeous Ysolda) and IT FITS OVER THE GIGANTA-RACK PEOPLE!!!!!! Looky... (again, poor pics, sorry!)

The reason that it looks as if it is gaping a little over the belly is that one of the 9 buttons I bought mysteriously disappeared, so I was missing one. The children swear they know nothing about it, but I have my suspicions...... Anyway, after this was taken, I moved the top button to the middle, so problem solved.

Especially unflattering picure of my bum - but it does show how nicely this cardigan goes in and out with me.

There have been other things on the needles this month, but these are definitely my highlights.

Half term trip to Cornwall

We made a last-minute decision to go down to Cornwall during half term. We stayed in a 'lodge' at Hengar Manor near Camelford. We went back to Tintagel and the Eden Project, both places that we went to last Easter when we were in Cornwall with our friends. Lots of rain, but glorious sunny spells in between.

Eden featured Shaun the Sheep and flowers appearing

And the boys relaxed

A good time was had by all.

Leotards in action...

B & J had their first competition today. Here they are in one of the set moves. They did really well until they forgot a bit of their routine! But they didn't let that upset them and they carried on. They came in 3rd in the boys under 11 pairs, so they have both come home with shiny bronze medals, and seem pretty pleased with themselves.

Of course there were only 3 pairs in their group, so a medal place was likely......

Domestic Goddess?

I've had an odd sewing urge. I have been doing difficult leotard sewing - B & J have their first competition in a weeks time - and thought that since all the sewing stuff was out I would do something for me. So, using stash fabric (from Ikea), I made Amy Butler's Domestic Goddess Apron (from Five Valleys Designs - thanks Kirsty). The main fabric was really a little heavy, but I love it so I used it anyway. It's bizarre - has goats on humpbacked bridges, and snow topped mountains. Anyway, I was really pleased with the finished product - it's a very detailed pattern, which took quite a lot longer to make than I had expected, but I will make it again.

Possibly not most flattering modelled over a heavy handknit sweater, but it is winter....

See, I do actually have a waist, honest! And several chins....

Do you like the mountaineer? And the fighting goats? Mental!

Will post pic's of the leotards when I have managed to make 2 pairs of matching shorts ( don't hold your breath!). Was in Ikea today, and saw another mental print, with a huge red fox, pink squirrel and a red-eyed rabbit. I plan to make a bag with that......