tales from the white coated and safety goggled world of tea cosy knitting...and some other stuff

as some of you may know my day job involves working in a male dominated industry in an office full of men...now one of these men values the restorative qualities of a nice cup of tea (as I do myself) and along with certain other redeeming features of his this shared passion for tea (well, for time away from our desks making sure the kettle has boiled, at least) has ensured that we have become good friends over the past 8 or so years since we met...Anyway, Nich turned 40 this year. When I enquired what he would like as a gift he asked for a tea cosy, as he'd been given a shiny new tea pot for Christmas...

...(exhibit A)...
(note the attractive fossil)

I jokingly told him he would need to furnish me with dimensions if he wanted a snug fit in his custom built cosy and he duly turned in these...

...(exhibit B)...
(note the attention to detail - though I did have to work out the circumference myself, can you believe that?!)

He is now convinced that the knitting practice is one so scientific that it involves not only the most precise measurements but also the wearing of safety goggles and a white coat (although I think he may be secretly hankering back to his previous existence as a research chemist). Which makes me laugh...very few things could possibly be less scientific than my bus knitting...

anyway, the cosy has been cast on and will be unveiled at the weekend...watch this space...

I am again overwhelmed by the number of comments to the last post...it was great to read about everyone's favourite seaside treats and I am now more determined than ever to get myself to Portugal to check out the wonderful clams, squid and other seafood mentioned, along with the chilled white wine...now that sounds like my kind of place (not until I've shaken the half stone or so I put on over my four days in France though...unbelievable! never knew one moule could have such an impact!!!). The British contingent do love their fish and chips and sandwiches it seems, while seafood also figures large for the North Americans. To be honest it ALL sounded delicious to me.

My new friend the random number generator tells me the winner is no 16, which appears to be Varenia (whose stitching looks a lot more professional than mine - oh dear...). So Varenia, drop me an email with your address and I will pop the lavender sachet in the post to you in sunny Southern California.

It was, as always, lovely to discover new blogs out there and I'll be popping by them all to say hello as soon as I can...

I'll leave you with a sneak peek of something I've been playing with recently...just to add a bit of colour...


ps time for a tea tasting update...I invested in some Russian Caravan tea today (the kids were intrigued by the name) as suggested by a number of people previously - mmm, I quite like it. The smokiness isn't as pronounced as in Lapsang Souchong (obviously as it is a mix) but adds a lot to the flavour...I could quite like this one...might try with just a dot of honey, if that isn't against the tea drinkers code of course

Le Crotoy...moules and tea...and a petite giveaway

just back from a magical short break in Picardy...Le Crotoy to be precise

the moules were fabulous, as anticipated...

the town was lovely in a quiet way...had that wonderful salted weathered air that I love so much

...ramshackle peeling buildings

...aged colours

...shutters and "shutter keepers" no idea what these are really called but they are beautiful in their detail
indispensable in a country that relies so heavily on its shutterage to keep that which must be denied access out

...wonderful light, which I was keen to let in

...and a hotel which served the most divine afternoon tea...

my new flavour of choice is thé de Chine à la rose, très délicieux...

while pondering the deliciousness of our beverages my companion in the act of "taking tea" and I did decide that these beautiful and delicate teas are probably best appreciated in a gorgeous French coastal salon with a decided lack of smallfry in attendance...

something that can be tricky to recreate at home...

the children had a ball too of course...

now, it has just come to my attention that this is my 50th post (how did that happen?) so to celebrate I am going to do a very petite giveaway...leave me a comment telling me your favourite thing to eat when by the seaside (moules for me) and I will enter you in the draw to receive a little handmade lavender sachet...


these are made from the very pretty Alexander Henry cho cho (butterfly) fabric and will be finished off as soon as I relocate my pinking shears, which seem to have taken a little holiday of their own...

sneaky peek...and some more swaps...

here is a sneaky peek at my applique quilt top WIP...


it's based on Ms Reva's "Firework Dog" masterpiece and features a bit of machine applique, some hand applique and my new (old) love, embroidery



I treated myself to this and this and am finding the doodle stitching one really useful so far. I'm not sure it would be much use if you were an accomplished stitcher but to a novice the clear and helpful instructions are invaluable...



watch this space...

meanwhile, there seem to be a lot of great swaps kicking off around the blog'o'craft'o'sphere at the moment...so far I've noticed

functional felting (still open for joining up)
doll making (ditto)
photography (closing date today)
mini quilts (too late I'm afraid)

I've signed up to them all apart from the doll one (having NO experience of doll making and being a tad overwhelmed by my to-do list right now)...I must get started on these swap projects, once I finish my vintage swap of course...

I am off again tomorrow, to France this time, to stay with some friends and hopefully teach one of them to knit...the knitting may all have to take place pre-lunch though, given the requirement to drink lots of delicious wine with every meal (it's the law there, as far as I know)...we wouldn't want any slipped stitches now would we? I will remember to pack my cable needle this time. I am also looking forward to some bracing walks on the beach and fine moules marinieres...mmmmmmmmmmm

...on being three...

my baby girl turns three this week...I am going to be away on the day so we designated yesterday her official birthday and did all the things you do on such a day...it was marvellous...

the day before - cake and jelly in preparation



the scene in our back garden upon rising on the big day, snow on your birthday - how exciting is that?


the badge of honour (which of course she wouldn't wear but which will join the others on her shelf of birthday cards with badges made by mum)




the gift opening by a very excited pair of sisters, Ms Bester from my friend imagingermonkey was a huge hit, thanks again Katy : you are a star


the party table (yes, in time honoured mean mom tradition I did force them to eat some "healthy stuff" first)


the finished cake (didn't get to photograph the jelly as the party guests got there first...the bunny didn't stand a chance...top tip for 3 year old parties - do jelly, they'll love it!)

she had requested a strawberry cake and this is what I came up with, mostly as a result of the current lack of oven situation...a party game for grown ups did emerge during the mayhem of the afternoon, with about 5 of them standing around umming and aahing and trying to fix my oven, convinced it is just a timer problem, unfortunately there was no winner but I think they had fun

a very tired but happy girl before bed (when she got there she insisted the cot bed be turned into a bed as she is now offially a big girl)


what a lovely day for a truly lovely girl, forgive me for being soppy but that child really does make my heart sing...she's hilarious

There was another birthday girl this week too, my darling friend Ms D with whom I celebrated in style on Saturday night in the company of Mr G, The Wolf and the King and Queen of home entertaining...unfortunately due to a prior engagement I had to forego her oyster eating extravaganza yesterday afternoon (too busy forcing jelly rabbits on unsuspecting 3 year olds) but I hope she had a wonderful time. Happy Birthday Ms D.

I am away from tonight...visiting Ireland to give my dad a big hug as he has been a bit poorly and to sing happy birthday to my sister (hopelessly out of tune) ...back at the weekend