Happy 40th. Grettings Cake

I crocheted two pretty cupcakes - one is for sale in my etsy shop and I gave one as a gift for a work friend who was 40. I made a lovely tag which said "Happy Birthday 40". She absolutely loved it. It was passed around the office and there were lots of oohs and aarhs and requests for more. I'm not sure when I'll get round to making them as I've been quite busy lately both designing and knitting and crocheting gifts . I've designed a gorgeous little pair of baby bootees and matching hat which I'm just writing up the pattern for along with a few other designs that I can't wait to get posted.

I also need to start making some bits for a couple of craft fairs that are coming up. Cakes seem to be really popular, so I'd better get a batch of those ready. I've seen a gorgeous cake stand that I would love to buy to display my knitted cakes. I'll check my finances later this month and see if I can buy it. I'm also working on some amigurumi toys. I'm trying to make sure they're different to what's already out there, which isn't easy. There's so many different designs out there for toys, it's hard to come up with something different.

Also, it's a long process from idea to finished pattern. I tend to start designing something, making notes as I go along. Then I re-work on the design to make sure I'm completely happy with every aspect. Then the pattern needs writing up, which takes me ages, as I include photos of the different stages. Then I have to test the pattern and I usually find a few mistakes. So the pattern needs to be re-checked and re-tested. It's a long and vicious circle. By which time I'm usually completely fed up with the pattern and I put it to one side. Not a good idea as I end up with loads of unfinished patterns.

My current task is to finish the patterns that I've started. I'll let you know how I get on..........

Gluten Free Maderia Cake

I've been using my breadmaker quite a lot recently - not necessarily for gluten free bread, as I've not yet come across a recipe with ingredients that I can use (I have a sulphite allergy too). So I often make this yummy madeira cake, using the following recipe.

Wet ingredients:
butter (melted) - 3/4 cup (150g)
vanilla essence - 1/2 tsp
eggs (beaten) - 3 medium
lemon juice - 2 tsp
water - 1/4 cup (60ml)

Dry ingredients:
gluten free flour (I use doves plain gluten free flour) - 1 full cup plus 5/8 cup (250g approx)
gluten free baking powder - 2 tsp
caster sugar - 1/2 cup (110g)
chopped raisins (I use sulphite free dried apricots) - 1/4 cup (41g)

Mix wet ingredients together in a bowl, and dry ingredients together in a bowl. Combine both together and mix. Pour into breadmaker and choose cake setting. My breadmaker does a bit of mixing then bakes for 80 minutes. I presume oven baking will take about the same length of time, although I haven't tried it myself. The cake is nice and moist - you wouldn't think it was gluten free. I do not use vanilla essence and it tastes nice without it. I also use a fresh lemon, not concentrated lemon, as this has a high level of sulphites. The cake needs eating quickly as there are no preservatives, so I leave mine to cool completely, cut into slices and freeze half of it straight away - otherwise I end up eating the whole lot in a couple of days - not good for the diet or the figure!! It's great with or without butter.

Let me know if you give it a try.......

Folksy Swap

I received a nice surprise in the post on Saturday. A parcel popped through the letterbox and at first I was intrigued as I knew I hadn't been internet shopping recently. Then I remembered about the Folksy swap I had agreed with elgee fink and ash. She had contacted me and asked if I was interested in a swap - one of my patterns for a handcrafted item from her shop. How exciting. I agreed of course (who can resist a swap?). I sent her three of my patterns, and in return I received a beautiful cream and blue brooch and a pretty hanging heart, both sent in a lovely knitted pouch that will be really handy to hold things (I'm thinking sanitary items? - now they won't fall out of my bag at work!!). Lorraine has lots more gorgeous goodies in her Folksy shop all made from recycled and found objects (a girl after my own heart) - just click on this link to take a look - elgee fink and ash.

Ups and Downs

Or should I say downs and ups?

Why I am down - it's a long story, but a lady once asked me how I had knitted a cupcake tea cosy that I had listed on ebay for charity fund raising. I thought she was a fellow knitter, so I shared my pattern with her in an email. I explained that I was in the process of writing it up for publishing. How shocked was I to see then see my cupcake tea cosy in Let's Knit magazine (issue 2) along with a write up about the 'designer'!!! How cheeky. I wrote to the editor and explained that I was in fact the designer - she was very apologetic. The cupcake tea cosy is very popular on etsy and on the lady's own web shop.

Although I was extremely annoyed, I left it be, as I had lots of other designs to write up.

However, the same lady has now copied my distinctive butterfly cake pattern. I'm not sure what to do - should I contact her and question her about it? or just leave it be and get on with writing up my next batch of designs and just hope that her pattern isn't as popular as mine (it's twice as expensive too, which may put people off buying it). I'm still unsure, so haven't taken any action as yet.

On the Up side I have just found two sellers on Misi selling cakes knitted from two of my patterns that have been published in Let's Knit magazine and Lets Get Crafting Crochet. It pleases me that the end product looks great when knitted by others - something I often worry about when designing -(will people be able to follow my pattern and achieve the same results). The answer is clearly yes -

Plump Pudding has knitted some beautiful cupcakes from my Sprinkles pattern, published in Let's Knit (May 2008). I love the one in the pretty little box

Natty Needles Creations has crocheted some cute cupcakes from my crochet pattern that was featured in Let's Get Crafting Croc het (June 2009). These are fab and I love the colour combinations....

Needles Aside

I put down the needles and hooks for a week or so, as we had our family holiday to Menorca. Yarn and sun creams don't mix well, so I put the needles aside and concentrated on relaxing and enjoying my family. We had a fantastic holiday and the weather was sunny and hot. The hotel was brilliant (our fourth visit to the Barcelo Pueblo in Menorca). It was spotless as usual and the food was great. I didn't starve, despite my various food intolerances and allergies. On the contrary - I ate more than I do at home, yum.


I read two fab books - The Other Boleyn Girl, which is about Anne's sister Mary. Very interesting and captivating - I couldn't put it down and would recommend it to anyone who loves historical novels.

I then read 'The Island' by Victoria Hislop. A sad, but again captivating read. I would definitely recommend both books for a great holiday read.

We're back at home now, and the kids off school, so not much crafting or designing to be done. I'm knitting and crocheting some lovely preemie stuff - blankets, gowns and hats. I've been promising myself I would do some for a while, so I'm taking some time out to finish them off for preemies UK.

I finished another pattern too just before we went away. It's a cute pattern for baby bootees. I'm really pleased with the way they turned out and can't wait to give this pair to a friend's baby at the weekend. The pattern is for three styles of baby shoes and is available in my etsy, folksy and misi shops.

Knitting Naked

Would you?..........

Well these brave ladies from Bolton did just that for their 2010 Naked Knitting Calendar.

The ladies, also known as the Knitting Noras have been working on this calender from some time and the proceeds will go to Christies - mainly because two of their knitting noras were ill with cancer and received treatment there.

As well as raising money for charity, the calender will champion British wool, promoting British breeds and small local dyeing companies, to reduce knitting air miles. The knitting noras are definitely doing their bit for climate change. The portraits are being kept secret until the calender hits the shelves. Priced at a modest £10 (plus P&P), the calender will be available from the knitting noras website. Cleck here to order your copy.

Well done to all those involved. I'm sure you will all agree, this is a fantastic idea for a great and worthy cause.

Winning Streak

It seems as though we're on a winning streak in our house. This month my daughter is featured in Cheshire Life Magazine (page 43 if anyone has it). She is photographed in this beautiful red tutu hand made by Rossetti. Then my seven year old son received a certificate and letter in the post to say his poem had been accepted for printing in a children's book on poems. He was very nonchelant about it - whist I was very excited.

On to me - my crochet cupcakes pattern is being published in a new crochet mag which is out this month (although I haven't managed to get a copy yet). I think it's called lets get crafty crochet - if anyone sees it let me know where!! Then yesterday I received an email to say I had won £50 in vouchers for a competition that I entered on Earthwhile's website. They sell some really nice eco products, so I can't wait to spend the vouchers.

Now all I need is for something good to happen for my daughter who graduated last year with a first class degree in fine art. She has been trying to establish herself as an artist. She's doing well, but really needs a job just to earn some cash. She's had a few interviews recently so GOOD LUCK!! I hope things turn out well for her.

Hubby has also applied for a job, so hopefully the good luck streak will help him too...

So, I'm send you good luck vibes through this message - I hope something good happens for you too.