catching up

It has been a while, so this could be a long post (or two);

so go and make a yourself a cuppa and bare with me 😊

More than a month ago I somehow I hurt my right shoulder (don't ask, I have no idea - too much housework perhaps 😉?) It was very painful for at least a couple of weeks and as a result I had very limited use of my arm. It has been slowly improving since, but of course the tragedy was that there was no crafting to speak of! It has also been very uncomfortable to use computer keyboard, hence no blogging, until now.

Luckily I finished my Frida's blanket just before, so I have something to show you. 

So, this is my version of "Frida's Primavera" blanket, design by Jane Crow.

Jane Crow designed this as CAL, and the free pattern is on Stylecraft website.

I was learning as I went along; I have never made anything like this before. I would not call this an easy project, so I would not recommended it to a beginner. But I must admit that I am very pleased with the result.

I used Stylecraft Special DK for this, which is 100 % acrylic. It is very soft and easy to use, and I chose it because of all those wonderful colours, but normally I prefer to use something with little wool in it.

Back in February we visited Stourhead; this year was a wonderful time for snowdrops, and although they have all gone now, I have to post some pictures from that visit.

I have never been very keen on the house itself, but it it always pleasure to see the grounds.

Halfway through February the weather went crazy and suddenly we had spring, the temperatures shooting to record levels here in UK. This lasted for a couple of weeks and the nature got truly fooled. 

Spring came to out garden too.

But of course it all happened far too early and could not last. 

We now have back weather "normal" for this time of year, 

which currently means high winds and rain 😒.

The biscuit jar looked rather empty, it was time to do something about it - the first baking since Christmas.

I used basic biscuit recipe (very quick and easy) from this book, using oats and spelt flour, and added dried cranberries and white chocolate.

It is time for a break, another post will follow shortly!

©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2010-2019

Frida's Flowers and - it's marmalade time again!

I have really got the crochet bug; 

as soon as I finished Mystical Lanterns blanket, I started making Frida's Flowers blanket, also designed by Janie Crow (and originally CAL),

but I am making the "Primavera" version, colours chosen by Lucia from Lucias Fig Tree , which I prefer to the original design.

I am using Stylecraft Special DK, because it is so well priced and they have such a great colour range.

I have started to join some blocks together, but I still need to finish few more.

This project is stretching my crochet abilities, but I am really enjoying it.

By the way, the CAL pattern is free on Stylecraft website, in the original (black background) colour.

I hope to start working on the borders soon.

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And it is that time of year, 

when for a short time we have marmalade oranges in our shops.

There are various methods of making orange marmalade; 

I boil whole oranges (and one lemon) first, changing the water after about 15 minutes, until they are soft, cool them and then go on from there - cut them in half, scoop out the pulp and get rid of pips, weigh it and to every 400g of pulp allow 600g sugar and 500ml of the liquid in which the oranges were boiled.
I mix the pulp with sugar and water first over low heat, and then I add the peel (which I chopped up in the food processor) and fast boil to the setting point.

Job done.....
The result, in my opinion, is slightly sharper and not so sweet marmalade, which we prefer.

Enjoy your weekend!

©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2010-2019