Still poking and hooking

The raggy rug is growing slowly, it would be slower still but I have a volunteer to cut the fabric into pieces for me.

I have put a candy stripe binding on the edges, not the best bit of stitching, I should have done this job first. Judging by the sheer volume of scrap fabric that is cut up I will be making a few more of these and will be binding first. It is soothing to gather a handful of colours and then poke the bodger through the hessian, snap up a strip and pull it into place. There is quite a bit of fraying and I think that it gives a soft, impressionist look to the project. Once finished I will run the vacuum over it and spray with a light coat of fray stop.

The scumble bag has been tucked away for a little while. I have  spent an inordinate amount of time drooling over crochet wreaths, Amy from Love made my home and Lucy from Attic24 to name but two  sources of envy have made some beauties. 

I bit the bullet, grabbed my scrappy wool bag and set to, this is the work so far.  

It is almost long enough to cover the ring form that I have and I have a good supply of crochet flowers to decorate it with. I will need to make some leaves and I do have a couple of little crochet birds to tuck in. This will be spring/summer, I plan on an autumn and a winter one as well but will need another form from Hobbycraft. 

The walking is coming on also, by tomorrow I will be bang on target.......Providing that storm does not blanket Wales with 2 feet of snow.

I spend a few lazy, indulgent hours over the weekend watching Simon Rimmer and James Martin make some glorious food. My hands were busy even though my backside was glued to the sofa.

 I do not copy their makes but cherry pick the bits that appeal.

For instance I planned a tray of roast root veg for yesterday but after seeing Simon cook potatoes I cut all the veg into 1/2" cubes and tossed them into hot oil with lots of flavouring and roasted for 30 minutes. With some spicy sausages it made for a fast and very tasty dinner. I had intended to throw in a good amount of sliced spinach to wilt down but forgot to pick it until it was too dark.

I will get some today and use, I have some cheesy garlic bread slices (RTC 15p a pack of 9) and with a few bits from the fridge will transform some of them into pizza.

I picked up the equivalent of a whole pineapple, prepared ready to eat, for 10p. That went into, or rather under, a  3 egg sponge mix yesterday and made a cake/pudding to give 8 decent portions. I only used half the fruit, the rest is in the freezer for another day. Half of the cake will be going to another home later today. I was given 3 lovely salmon steaks yesterday, and like to return the favour.

It is high time that I made a brew, I was awake very early this morning and have been busy. 

The sitting room has been tidied, clean throws and cushion covers are in place. The sewing room has had a good firtle and looks much better for it. I was speaking to Fran yesterday and told her that it looked like a scene from The cat in the Hat.

OOH, before I forget, Ilona the Mean Queen from Life after money, is in the Daily Mail. I went and had a look, signed up and left my little comment. There are, of course, lots of negative comments most of which focus on the fact that the reporter was told by Ilona that if she drank tea to bring a tea bag (as Ilona only drinks coffee) but, true to form, that bit was left out.

But, hey ho, the paper does have a reputation to live down to so I was expecting much worse.

Off now for a much needed brew. 

                  TTFN                                             Pam