Zoë's Knitting Bag

Summer Gardens

Every year or so, a nearby Broadland village opens some of its splendid private gardens to the public.  The village spans one of the Norfolk Broads and locals get together to arrange transport by ferrying people across the water.  The gardens and houses are a delight.  Some of the residents sell plants and others provide tea and cakes.  All funds go to supporting the local churches.  I have been many times before and always enjoy the lovely gardens so much.  Oh there was also an art exhibition and ice cream made with real cream.  What a great way to spend last Sunday morning after my early start on the beach.  I hope you enjoy some of the photos, too.

Please click to enlarge and the title of the photo will show.


Sophie now ............. and Sophie then ........... in the same garden.

What a greenhouse - it was as big as a barn.

Happy Birthday, Alfie. One today!

Happy Birthday, Alfie. One today!, originally uploaded by zoesknittingbag.

Enjoy your Birthday Alfie. Hope you like your new Union Jack collar, lead and name tag. He's very trendy, you know!!!!

Solstice Stroll

Come join me for a little stroll with Alfie upon this Solstice morn.

The view from the clifftop at about 4.45 am.  What a delight.

 Then down the steep, steep steps to the beach.  Alfie you're going the wrong way!

Alfie just loves it here.  Run free.  Run wild. Run with the breaking waves.  Run with the wind in your face and breathe in the fresh, fresh air.  Blow the cobwebs from your mind.  Embrace the day.

A dip in the sea is good for the soul on this Solstice morn.

He expects you to throw him a ball, too.

Even if it ends up in the sea.

Along the tide line we saw this little crab.

Then drove to the Harbour's Mouth and on the way stopped to take a shot of the row of beach huts at Yarmouth.

Enjoy today and remember the nights start drawing in after today!!!!

Happy Father's Day too.

Rose Swap and Vintage Lover Fair

What a great weekend I had.  On Saturday morning I collected a parcel from the sorting office which had been sent by very kind Ella of Home is where the yarn is.....

The patchwork bag (very Cath Kidston looking) which Ella made was part of the Rose Swap hosted by Melanie of A Country Dream
Thanks so much Ella for the gorgeous bag and other yummy items. We had to send four items as part of the swap.  Look how lovely the lining is too.

Thanks Melanie for organising the swap and putting me in touch with such a nice swap partner.

Yesterday was a great day too as not only did Roger win the French Open for the first time but I just got home in time to watch it.  Sublime Rogi! 

Sophie and I spent the morning at Blakeney and went to the Vintage Lover Fair.  There were lots of gorgeous vintage clothes and accessories and I spotted a fellow blogger there and met a new (to me) blogger too.  Kitschen Pink was there with her lovely stall from where Sophie bought this little green puppy. Also, Mrs Bobo Bun was the next stall along and I treated myself to one of her lovely embroidered brooches.  It was very nice to meet you both and to see your fabulous work.  I just wish I had taken my camera.  Oh and not forgetting there were real cupcakes too with sparkly toppings.  Lots of people were there and I hope they all enjoyed it as much as Sophie and I did.

Last Week

According to R4 this morning, it's the first day of the meteorological Summer.  I always think of Summer starting a little later than this but anyway what great weather today and so it was last weekend.  I've had a relaxing week off work and am back tomorrow.  The days have been spent relaxing in the garden, long dog walks, decorating (DH) and a little crocheting.  So here's a little update in images with few words of accompaniment.  More to follow later this week.

Homemade jam tarts.

Fit for a King ...........

.... and a Queen.

Perhaps even one for a Green Man!

A walk on the beach revealed some interesting creatures on the rocks:

Sophie thinks they look like Jelly Fish.  I just think about all those ends to sew in!  DH couldn't get over the fact that I took crochet to photograph on the beach and wondered if anyone saw me.  I must admit I did look around in all directions before I staged my photo!  But why should I feel guilty about something so innocent?  Fellow craft bloggers can hopefully appreciate how we suffer for our "Art"?!

Alfie's never bothered about what I'm doing on the beach as he's always having a great time.
 

He will be one in three weeks time - hasn't the time flown by? 

Going back to the crochet, well the Ripple in still progressing nicely but I felt a little change was needed. Hence, the Jelly Fish Blanket (as it will now be called), in yummy Rowan Wool Cotton.  So cool but soft.  This will be a little travel rug or picnic blanket for those hazy summer days on their way. Fingers crossed.  Here are the little wool cotton circles in their beginning stages before they went to the beach. LOL!

Thank you all for your comments of support on my "angry" post.  See you all soon.

Angry

I suppose it was inevitable in this day and age but it still makes me mad.  I'm up and about a little earlier today as the forecast is good and I have a picnic to make.  So I thought I would check email and found that one of my Flickr photos had been favourited.  Curiosity always gets the better of me and I have to check the profile of this new viewer of my photos.  It made me a little suspicious when I read that this "person" had no photos available to me!  I was, however, able to see their other favourites - weird.  I immediately blocked this person and removed the innocent photo of mine.  It made me feel sick to see my family member's picture added to this group.  I will think twice about posting photos of my family now and if I get any further trouble from Flickr "members" I will make my photos private or close my account.  Sorry to rant on but I feel so angry.  Please let me know if you kind readers have had similar experiences or can offer any advice.

Circles and Rounds

Do you like our like circle of brick cobbles around the old bramley apple tree?  I added the solar lamps this morning.  Not sure if DH will like them or not and if they detract from his handiwork?  I think they will look pretty at night. 

When I was in Morrisons today, I couldn't resist these pretty fairy light tea light holders.  So sweet that I bought six but a bargain as they were "buy one get one free" (BOGOF) - love that saying.  They are sort of a bit CK but a great deal cheaper!

So that's £1 for two. I couldn't decide on which colour I preferred so I had them all.  What a little treat for £3! I was almost skipping out of the shop.

Here's a closer look.  The beads are very sparkly and pretty, too.  Can you just picture them at dusk with a tiny tea light lit up?

The clematis was so lovely today also, that I had to take a couple of more photos.  This is a slightly large new one which we planted last year and it's climbing up a little archway.

Here's another shot:

So pretty - I wish I could draw or paint.  Those with these gifts are truly blessed.

From brick circles to embroidered rounds and my little November Moon brooch.  I found Cathy's work by chance you know when you go from one blog to another and spot a new name.  I was so taken by her work that I had to treat myself.  I love the flower in her hair and her oh so slightly snooty expression and vintage look and the colours and the workmanship - ohhhhh it's just so lovely and sort of Art Deco - well to me anyway.  Cathy also sent me some of her little cards and postcards.  I would love to learn to embroider.

Winner and Garden Update

Sorry I've not been around much this week.  I've been suffering with headaches and have felt quite tired but OK today.  I think the rain arriving helped clear the air.  Anyway, enough of that, I really want to let you know that the winner of the little anniversary draw is:  MRS PAO.  I bought the (below) little East of India, Union Jack heart from John Lewis last week.  It was a toss up between the CK pin tin or this and I don't know about you but I love all the trendy Union Jack items that are cropping up everywhere this Spring.  So hurry Mrs Pao and send me your address details so I can pack this up along with a few other haberdashery items and post it to you before I change my mind! LOL.  I hope you'll like it.

The veggie plot is looking good.  There are beans, potatoes, carrots, garlic, mustard lettuce leaves (lovely and peppery) and already tasted as have the yummy radishes.  DH is responsible for all of this and we've gained another greenhouse too (just seen in the corner).  It was his late Father's and I'm sure he would have been very pleased to know that it is being used again. 

 
On to have a peek in the original little greenhouse which is filled to the brim and has my two hanging baskets growing nicely on the right.  I never put the baskets out until Whit weekend and then only if it's dry and not windy.

Finally the clematis is a it's very best this year along the old garage wall.  These pretty pink small flowers still makes me think of those beautiful but very expensive Sophie Digard necklaces.

Did anyone see Kirstie last night?  Oh the spinning and the gorgeous house of Vanessa Arbuthnott.  The bird fabric cushion was my favourite.  What about last week and the lovely knitting?  I've just sent for a little house doorstop kit.

Have a great weekend everyone.  Hope it will be sunny and dry.

Homemade Home

Oh no I missed my blog anniversary yesterday and I really can't believe that THREE years ago I started this little blog, so in the tradition of blogging there will be a little CK craft related giveaway and few other bits and pieces of yarny delight too.  Please just leave a comment.

Hands up who loves Cath Kidston?  Did you see Kirstie Allsop's interview with her on Kirstie's new programme Homemade Home?  I love Kirstie from her Location days but don't you find that this programme is really nothing new to us in blogworld and something that we all do anyway? OK not the glass blowing maybe but we've all done a bit of pot throwing at evening classes and I had a front door made in stained glass from a 1930s glass pattern book.But what I really mean is the car booting (done this since '84), flea markets, jumble sales, charity shops (thrifting) and auction sales (my sister and I were brought up on auction room sales as children in the Sixties).  It was nice to see inside Burgh Island Hotel though and looking forward to seeing where Kirstie is taught to knit and where she gets her knitting supplies from.  I really think the programme is just a showcase of all her gorgeous coats and jackets!!!! LOL.

So onto the crochet progress and firstly the hippy chic bag is almost done.  I love this and am pleased with my first biggish crochet project attempt.  I've wanted to crochet for years and even tried an evening class back in my twenties but the teacher was so terribly old fashioned and I gave up after one lesson.  BUT LUCY'S INSTRUCTIONS AT ATTIC 24 ARE FABULOUSLY CLEAR AND THE PHOTOS REALLY HELP. 

There is just one further handle to crochet and the lining still to do.  I've changed my mind and have finally picked CK's "Small Boats" as it reminds me of the wardrobe curtains from 1960s Butlins holidays.  I hated them at the time as they seemed terribly old fashioned and very Fifties then (when we were wearing psychedelic print loons and bell bottoms) but now feel rather nostalgic about them.  The Sixties were a good time to grow up in England.

Do you like my little flowers which will go on the bag handles? Lucy's patterns are so easy to follow. The far right coral red colour (also used on the bag) is the yarn which I dyed last summer at The Natural Dye Studio.

The buttons will be used in the flower centres.  All from John Lewis (note to self the wear glasses when picking buttons as the little crystal heart cost a fortune)!

So it is with great pleasure and pride that I show you the early stages of my Ripple blanket and I LOVE it.  Crocheting is everything that you seasoned hookers say it is: relaxing, calming, soothing and if I do it for too long it really does make one feel sleepy.  Does this make me sound loopy?

To match the pantry, it was only fair that the Utility room had a lick of paint, too.  Not my handiwork but DH's.  I am banned as I make too much mess and put the paint on too thick.

In case anyone is wondering how Alfie is getting on, here he is posing handsomely in the garden today.

Comments will remain open until Midnight Sunday (BST) to be in with a chance of winning the little anniversary giveaway.  All welcome to join in.

Pantry

So how was your Easter weekend? Two days were fine but we have had an awful mist shrouding the East coast for the last few days.  It's nice in the Autumn but doesn't seem right in the Spring.  We could only see about 50 yards ahead of us on the beach yesterday. Going back to Easter though, we spent it quietly with a little bit of gardening, lots of Alfie walks and a bit of Spring cleaning.  The pantry got a new lick of paint (thanks DH) and a massive clear out and tidy up.  I thought you might like a little peak. (Oh by the way the tumbler is vented to an outside wall so the pantry remains cool at all times).

I think a little bunting might be required to hang from the shelves.

Perhaps a closer look?

 

The cookery books are very neat and tidy. 

This little book was purchased by me in 1978 - I used to read it in bed - yes honestly! 

I was taught to cook at school - it was called Domestic Science there and I was rather proud of my Grade B "O" level.  We had a lovely cookery teacher and I can remember that firstly we had to prepare a time plan so that all the courses would finish cooking to be served in the correct order.  We were taught to cook all the different types of pastry including choux and all methods of cake baking.  It's sort of stuck with me to this day and a great shame that it's not taught locally any longer.

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The greenhouse is looking good this Spring.

Also, the rhododendron too.  Note the new anti-Alfie picket fence!

The hippy chic bag is almost finished with just one handle and five leaves to crochet.  I have finally decided on the colour order for the Ripple but all of this is on hold as Sophie DESPERATELY needs a pair of grey fingerless mittens for her part in a college drama performance - luckily I have some grey Rowan Yorkshire Tweed in the stash!