Love is in the Air

Or should that read Pond?

On Sunday the sun was shining and the pond was full of frogs.  It was the most amazing sight!  I have never seen so many frogs together.

They were croaking so loudly that my husband commented that it sounded like a motocross event!

I didn't plan it, but this seems an appropriate post for today - Happy leap Year! Pj x

Unravel 2012

I wasn't going to go ... I didn't need anything ... but I couldn't resist! :)

Today I went to Unravel at Farnham Maltings.  Beautiful knitted balloons decorated each side of the bridge.

 This ewe and her lamb were enjoying the sunshine.

This year there were knitted lampshades in the foyer.

Hmmm, I'm looking for new lighting in my hallway! :)

 The Market Place was busy.

This farm was in the stairwell. 

 I like the detail.

 I'm glad I didn't have to judge the entries for Best in Show.  These are just a few of the exhibits made by some very talented people:-

A Picnic Basket.

 Floral arrangement of crochet and hand and machine knitted flowers.

 These two pictures entitled "The Ancestors" made me smile. :)

Back outside there seemed to be a slight mole problem!

I spotted this on the way back to my car.

For a while now I have thought about trying needle felting.  Watching Kristie Allsopp make a robin, on her latest TV series, helped convince me to give it a go; so today I bought this starter kit. 

 I also bought some yarn (no surprise there!)

I went around all of the stalls stroking the hanks!!

Finally I gave in to the inevitable and bought this oh-so-soft Precious Dk Silk from The Natural Dye Studio in a gorgeous shade of silver called "River Lily".

And this vibrantly coloured Nimu Silk in the aptly named shade "Mexico".

 I also seem to have a weakness for buttons!  I was quite good today and only bought a few for crafting purposes.

When I arrived back home I discovered that the postman had delivered these lovely squares from Emma of The Log Cabin.  These are the first ones that I have received as part of Laalaa's Blanket Square Swap.

Thank you Emma, they are perfect.  Such a lovely woolly day. :)

A Day Spent ...

... pottering around the house with my kitties.

Ella sitting pretty

 and Maurice refusing to look at the camera, because I had just caught him with his head in the kitchen bin! :)

 He was raiding the bin whilst I was baking these Red Velvet Cupcakes.

 And just to prove that they are Red Velvet!

 A quick spot of crafting - some cheap art for the wall above the computer.  I found these words on the internet recently and printed them.  Today I painted the frame grey and tomorrow, once the paint is completely dry, I will distress it.

 Also on my table, the newest issue of Mollie Makes, that I bought yesterday and the sweet rubber stamps that hopped into my basket at the same time. ;)

 And my knitting.  I am trying to design a tea cosy as part of my Mum's Mother's Day Gift.

My mind is abuzz with so many different projects at the moment!  I am having to restrain myself from starting too many new things! :)

Shrove Tuesday

This year I felt like a change from making the Traditional English Pancake and I made American Blueberry Pancakes instead.  I used this recipe from here.

200g SR flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 large egg

300ml milk (I used semi-skimmed)

A knob of butter, melted

75g blueberries, plus 75g for serving

butter for greasing pan

Simply whisk all of the ingredients together, except for the additional butter for cooking the pancakes.

Grease and heat the pan.  Place tablespoonfuls of the batter into the pan and cook on a medium heat for 2-3 minutes until bubbles start to rise through the mixture. Turn and cook for a further 2-3 minutes until golden.  Remove from pan and place on a warmed plate and cover whilst cooking the remainder of the batter.

Of course you have to have Maple Syrup with your pancakes!

They went down rather well!

 And as for those Traditional Pancakes ...

 :)

Good Morning ...

... from a very frosty Snail Garden.

 I can't believe how quickly the half term week went!  I had a major sort out in the living-room cupboards, including organising my husband and his paperwork, but I still haven't shortened those curtains!  I'm back to work this morning, so I guess the curtains will have to wait for a few days.

I did manage a quick card making session - in a couple of weeks time it is my parents' golden wedding anniversary and they have made arrangements for a celebration.  This the little acceptance card that I have made to send in the post today.

Today ...

... I have been organizing my new bureau - playing would probably be more accurate!  Yesterday I bought some divided trays and a mini drawer unit

and today I have had fun arranging my papercraft supplies.

I love that everything is now going to be within easy reach. 

Inspired by Lucy of Attic24, I have crocheted these two jar covers.

This one now holds my pens and pencils

and this one now holds various tools.

My finished workspace

I can't wait to get crafting! :)