Luscious Lemon Cheesecake

I've just finished crocheting this lovely cheesecake. I love creating these - each one ends up different. This would make a great pin cushion or a fab fun gift. It's for sale in my etsy shop and in my folksy shop too. I've recently joined folksy. I think it's a great site. I'm not sure how widely known it is, but there's definitely some gorgeous handiwork on there. Great for UK crafters.

I crocheted the cheesecake as I needed a break from writing up a crochet pattern - I've been working on it for ages - writing it, checking it, changing it, testing it, changing it......... I've been going round in circles with it (pardon the pun!!). BUT, I'm almost there with the pattern, I just need to check it one more time then transpose the English terminology to US, so that the pattern is available in both. I'll be posting a sneak preview soon, so keep looking.....

Short and curly - elegant ruffle scarf

I'm working through the lovely yarns in my stash. This ruffle scarf is crocheted in Rowan RYC - a mix of 64% Extra Fine Merino Wool, 10% Angora, 24% Nylon, 2% Metalic. It's really soft and non-itchy so makes a lovely soft and warm scarf.

It would make a great addition to and evening or daytime outfit, especially if you don't want a bulky scarf covering up your glamorous top.

This scarf is really easy to crochet - here's how:

Use a crochet hook slightly bigger than recommended for the yarn weight - I used a 6mm hook with aran weight yarn. For the short scarf I used 1 x 50g ball, but you will need 2 x 50g for the longer scarf.

Chain 101 for a short scarf or 151 for a longer scarf. Turn.

Working from 2nd. chain from the hook and double crochet (dc) into each chain (100 sts/150 sts). Chain 2, turn.

Two dc into each dc of previous round (200/300 sts). Chain 2, turn.

Two dc into each dc of previous round (400/600 sts). Chain 2, turn.

Two dc into each dc of previous round (800/1200 sts). Fasten off and weave in ends.

Et Voila! Your elegant ruffle scarf is ready to wear. If you need a last minute pressie for someone, you could whip this up in an evening. Good luck, I'd love to hear how you get on!! You can add a comment or email me (through 'My Profile').

P.S. This one's for sale in my etsy shop, for those who can't crochet - I love it, so I'm making myself one too as well as more in different colours.

Turkey Sandwiches with Cranberry jelly

Today I had a turkey sandwich, packed with turkey and cranberry jelly. It was soooo delicious. The reason I'm so happy is that I haven't had a sandwich in years. I have a wheat and gluten intolerance, so this means I can't eat ordinary bread, cakes, biscuits, and most food that comes in tins, jars and packets. I mainly eat meats, vegetables, rice, fruit and some gluten-free specialist products.

You can buy gluten free products, but most gluten free bread is really only edible if you toast it. Even then, many varieties simply crumble into nothing in the toaster, or are so dry that you can barely swallow it. My answer to this has been to not eat bread. I just eat crackers instead. They're slightly more palatable.

However, my very thoughtful hubby bought me a breadmaker for christmas so that I can make my own bread. Yippee.I've been testing various recipes, and bought a packet mix yesterday from Orgran. It turned out great, but not a good as the Orgran photo shows. I added skimmed milk powder, as suggested on the box, for a lighter loaf. I've even managed to sliced it very thinly - I had to be really patient whilst waiting for it to cool. I've eaten 4 slices and it was a dream. I've frozen half of it, so I'll let you know if it tastes as good when defrosted.

The only problem is that it's rather expensive, but definitely worth it. I paid £2.99 from Tesco, but I'm going to shop around and see where it's cheapest. There's a specialist shop in Congleton called 'Just for You', so I think I'll pop in and see the very helpful Val and see whether she can get it any cheaper.

Happy New Year!!

Hope it brings peace and happiness to you all.