baskets and the vet

The rest of the baskets from the basketry weekend and one I made today from a rope I made of montbretia last night and a rather nicely shaped bit of driftwood.




We took the dogs out on a couple of beaches yesterday for some beachcombing and I have lots of interesting 'finds' I hope to try making into recycled baskets. Watch this space! lol!

Loki managed to split one of his nails at the weekend, trip to the vet tonight set me back a bit. I'm sure a human pedicure would have cost less than him getting one nail cut back and bandaged!

basketry weekend

First photos of my baskets from the coiled basket course, day one we were working with materials we collected last night. I've made one small basket from grasses and am making another from montbretia leaves and driftwood - the thread is horsehair!

cakes and baskets

Last night I finished the baking for the Comic Relief cake sale, orange muffins for a child who doesn't like bananas, chocolate, raspberries, cranberries, apple - but likes oranges. Today she said she doesn't like cake! I may force feed her! Also baked were chocolate cookies with red Skittles for 'noses' and summer fruit muffins to go with the fruit cake baked at the weekend.

Tonight I am putting stuff together for a workshop I am doing this weekend. I am attending a coiled basket making workshop, 9-5 on Saturday and Sunday. I have willow soaking thinking I may make basket bases with it, seagrass from school, larch with cones from a friend and part of the course is a garden raid tomorrow night from 5-6. No doubt photos will follow!

Busy days and cake recipe

Been a busy few days - work, won't go there but safe to say a bit hectic!

Wednesday night was Eid Craft Group and Elizabeth, who started it last month, came for a quick visit with her new baby boy Holden - born the night before! We had a record turn out with 12 folk there, mostly new faces! I started a pale blue crochet jacket for Holden using this pattern: Baby It's Cold Outside from here Crochet Pattern Central a website full of free crochet patterns.

Thursday night we went to see Craig perform in the annual drama festival. The drama group he goes to had 3 entries over the week; Juniors on Wednesday, Youth on Thursday and Young Adults on Saturday. Craig was in the youth play 'You can't trust them' about a girls campsite in the 70's that is invaded by boys trying to deliver a love letter for a friend. Of course the boys had to be in disguise - as girls complete with dresses, 'padding' and wigs! It was hilarious and very well done and well received by the audience. Prizes are awarded tonight so hopefully the group will be successful.

Friday was John's birthday so we went to the Mid Brae Inn for a steak night meal which was very good. Pity for them it was quiet (good for us!) but there were a few other things on too.

Today I have made a beef in wine casserole which is torturing me as I type, John's not home yet so it's waiting in the slow cooker. I have also got 4 boiled fruit cakes in the oven, John's favourite so a late birthday cake. One of them will go to work with him on Monday for their afternoon tea break and another will come to work with me on Friday for Comic Relief (it has cherries on top). I promised the children I would make cakes for them to sell and this one is for the staff room.

Boiled Fruit Cake Recipe (for 2lb loaf tin)

12oz dried fruit
4oz caster sugar
1/4 pt water
4oz margarine
1 tsp mixed spice

8oz SR Flour
2 beaten eggs

Put first 5 ingredients in a pan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 20 mins and then allow to cool. Add flour and eggs and mix well. Place in lined tin and bake for 1 1/2 hours at Gas Mark 3, 325 F.

I never make just one, and I use all kinds of fruit. The ones in the oven have cranberries, raisins, sultanas, apricots, nectarines and pineapple in them. Very easy recipe to do, let me know if you try it!

Scarf and hat

I've finished a scarf for Craig in Mistake Rib, a stitch a friend introduced me to recently. Then tonight I made myself a hat using the same stitch and Pampas yarn with 10mm needles - a nice quick project!