Home Spots

 I love when a spot of happiness emerges from the chaos that is home. Today it is the middle of our kitchen table. A vase filled with fragrant Wintersweet, a homemade candle and an enamel bowl of polyanthus. 

Yesterday's spot was the couch where I had a very special skype appointment. Putting a little bit of time into getting water in a nice carafe, a favourite glass and as many blankets as I might need made all the difference. 

I hope you find a nice sunny spot to bask in today!

Lots of love, Kate. xxooxx.

Put a Pompom on it.....

 Even though the colours I use may look as though I have blindly chosen them from a bag full of yarn, I am actually very fussy about my choices. And if I get a 'not quite right' combination, it can drive me up the wall. I found my self in this situation last night, feeling that the red was a bit too sharp for the blanket. After a while of humphing, I decided that rather than tear back all of the rounds until I reached the 'splinter', I would soften it by working over the 2 rounds with a pale green pompom trim (from here-although I slightly modified the pattern so that it would sit flat).

I am sooooo happy with it and now feel that I should do a few more pompom rounds. It kind of reminds me of a chenille bedspread. It makes me wonder what other mistakes in my life I can cover with pompoms....

Lots of love,

Kate. xxooxx

The Best Coconut Slice Ever!

 Archie had to do some cooking for his class last night so decided to make coconut ice. The recipe called for copha which is a hydrogenated vegetable fat... something I really didn't want to buy. So we thought we would try using coconut oil instead. Oh my giddy aunt - it was so much better that I thought we should share the recipe!

Archie's Coconut Slice (adapted from Stephanie Alexander's 'The Cook's Companion'

130 grams coconut oil

250 grams dessicated coconut

500 grams icing sugar

a few drops of vanilla extract

2 egg whites

a few drops of natural food colouring 

Melt the coconut oil and then mix with the dessicated coconut, icing sugar, vanilla extract and egg whites. Divide the mixture in half and mix the natural food colouring through one batch. Spread one half in a 20x20cm square cake tin then spread the other half on top. Refrigerate until cold and then cut into pieces. TRY NOT TO EAT TOO MUCH!!!

A New Dress

 With my snippets of time here and there I have managed to cobble together a new dress. I cut out the pattern one day, the fabric the next and so on until it was finished.

 I am becoming rapidly addicted to Japanese sewing books, particularly the ones translated into english. 

 This is one of my favourite views, looking down upon a new dress.

And I have started a new project to keep myself warm on these suddenly cold evenings. 

Lots and lots of love,
Kate. xxooxx

Life at the Kitchen Table

 The kitchen table is such a hub of life isn't it. I looked at this morning's still life and saw apples, mittens, clean washing, homework, books, paints, paper mache and crochet all finding a space.

This is my new and very precious mixing bowl that has come to me from Jonno's grandmother. I have promised her that I will make a Christmas pudding in it this year.

 Hugo's homework spot - spelling and times tables. 

My paper mache creatures waiting patiently for me to finish them and engaging in a good chat.

 And my scarf that I have been working on at night after all of my 'book' tasks have been finished for the day. I am going to put a bobble edge along the bottom.

Lots and lots of love,

Kate. xxooxx

Books for the Soul!

I am feeling so lucky to have this beautiful pile of books. Life is good.

Lots of love,
Kate. xxooxx.

Beginnings...

I love starting out on a new project or skill. It doesn't matter how wonky or rough it is, the fact that you have started something is such a rush.
Lots of love,
Kate.

Playing!

 The printer deadline for the book is looming so while I am keeping very busy with that for most of the time, there are still odd quiet moments when I can do very non-booky things. This little spotted guinea tailed squirrel is an example of a stolen few minutes here and there spent with Gypsona plaster bandages. So much fun.

And of course, who wouldn't want to spare another ten minutes experimenting with tulle and glitter. 

I hope you are managing to find the odd minute of creative freedom here and there. Sometimes it's good to remember that regular snippets of time add up!

Lots of love,

Kate. xxooxx

Around the House

Last night we had a shuffle around of furniture. This means that some parts of the living room are pristine with freshly hung paintings and other parts are teeming with piles of unbelongings. Unbelongings are very important things waiting to have a home allocated - clutter needs to be kicked out of cupboards to make way for them.

 I am still going through all of the patterns for the book, retesting again and again. Here is a mountain that is usually quite big but I made it from 4ply last night and now it is little.

 A corner of happiness. The photo on the right is my wedding day - I was greedy for colour even back then.... almost 14 years ago....

Lots of love,
Kate. xxooxx.

Caravan Progress...

 I am making very slow progress with this new caravan. I think it might be because the boys have only just gone back to school and and the week has been inundated with school excursions and 12 year old boys staying over, basketball, etc. This week is going to be the week of furiously happy crochet. It has been decided.

Have a happy Sunday!
Love Kate. xx