Eight by Six

Canterbury, veggie garden and granny stripe blanket

2013-06-17T04:13:00.003-07:00

On Saturday I took my Japanese friend Tsujii to Canterbury for the day. Always a pleasure and we are always guaranteed to have a fab time filled with laughter, food and shopping. I drove and then used the park & ride which is brilliant and only costs £3 for the car and up to 6 passengers, it was just the two us but still a good price. We walked along White Friars shopping center and saw a pony and rider advertising the local riding school and a drum band playing - very colourful. Lots to see and do in Canterbury and I love walking around the old part of the town. We found the Tower House along by the river Stour where you can take a boat ride or go punting. I think I'll try this later this summer with Ian.

So here are some of the photos I took on Saturday along with my granny stripe blanket progress (pattern from Attic 24) and veggie patch photos too. I'm loving the extra space my new raised beds have given me. Plenty big to potter around in! I managed to put tomato plants; courgette, my dwarf beans and Pak Choi for £1 in Homesbase yesterday morning plus some rows of radish, salad leaves amongst some of the seeds I found in the kitchen drawer!

street band

a lovely spoon bought in Canterbury

Ladies Mantle - self seeds in my gravel garden

granny stripe blanket in progress

Craft Market in Whitefriars Shopping Center Canterbury

The Sewing Shop Canterbury ( a bit of craft therapy)

Cath Kidston shop in Canterbury

newly planted veg patch

Canterbury Cathedral

veg patch finished :-)

River Stour

Tower House

what's been happening at Eight-by-Six

2013-06-13T08:49:00.002-07:00

A lot more gardening that's for sure. Now that the sun has decided to show itself it has made a huge difference to my garden! Mind you we have had some rain this week. By day I potter in the garden (weekends and evenings) and by night I crochet in front of the TV! I'm now working on a granny stripe blanket as shown on Attic 24. I just couldn't resist anymore and I had to crochet one for myself. I've almost given up on blanket no.1 and I'm now thinking about unpicking it and starting again. Maybe but not decided yet as its a lot of work to start it all over again!

The new veg patch is in - yeah! My hubby (Ian) and son (Jack) started it on Sunday with my help although I did cut my finger on a nail when they told me specifically not to attempt to remove the old raised beds whilst they went out to collect the screws from Wickes. Like any woman I ignored them and promptly made a lovely neat split in my thumb, ouch! I then spent half hour nursing my cut with various sizes of plasters, cup of tea and chocolate biscuits. Lesson no.1 listen to instructions and you won't get injured!

Last night (Wed) I came home and guess what .. raised bed number 2 has been completed - even bigger yeah! So chuffed, lot of money for tanalised wood, quite a lot of digging because we decided to remove 3 bushes or rather trees and now a lot of planting and sowing to do (the fun bit) and pottering around and maybe a few new bushes to close a gap in the fence. I even managed to finally empty the compost bin and re-site in nearer the house. Not that I have a huge garden but rambling through pyracantha is not my idea of fun to get to the old compost bin site. And it only took me about 8 years to realise there was a better place nearer the house.

Who said a garden is never finished... Alan Titchmarsh I think!

And here is my lovely birthday cake that Jack had made for me on the 25 May .....

new veg patch June 13 2013

I'll post some more photos of the new veg patch at the weekend. Two new raised beds 9 x 3 each!

my day at Chelsea Flower Show 2013

2013-05-22T08:39:00.001-07:00

You heard it from me first! Here is the link to my guest blog entry on the
Thompson + Morgan website!

with Toby Buckland (Gardeners World)

with Alex Politzi (The Fixer!)

free knitting pattern (children's hooded cardigan)

2013-05-18T08:16:00.002-07:00

When my son was little my mother in law used to knit something similar, here is the free pattern link

blog giveaway for May .....

2013-05-15T11:25:00.005-07:00

I'm so exited that Chelsea Flower Show is just a few days away ... my birthday too; 20 years at my current job this week and being asked to guest blog for Thompson and Morgan. I'm having a fab May so far but the highlight will be going to the press day at Chelsea on Monday.

A friend at work had a little post card on her desk on Monday advertising Nutleys Kitchen Gardens, well worth a look and they offer free postage in the UK too. I contacted Jo straight away after viewing their web site and she has kindly offered to support the blog giveaway for May. How fab is that? I will also collect what I can at Chelsea on Monday to make it an even better prize.

So to the boring bit ... rules are rules and all that ..... all you have to do is become a blogger friend by joing Eight by Six blog for one chance; share on your blog for another and become a friend of my Facebook page for yet another chance. Just leave me a message telling me your name and Blog and I'll add you into the draw. I'll keep it open until May 25. Good luck and I look forward to updating you next week with some Chelsea pics and maybe a celeb or two! And of course visit my sponsor for some fab gardening ideas, gifts and much more.

And the prize is .........

The spring collection includes a full-size Elho 36cm propagator and base tray, in either green, white or cherry pink, six packets of Unwins seeds and 20 8cm fibre pots.

The seeds included are: Onion White Lisbon, Carrot Early Nantes 2, Broccoli Calabrese, Tomato Moneymaker, Runner Bean Scarlet Emperor and Pea Kelvedon Wonder.

bluebells from Holland

2013-05-15T05:07:00.003-07:00

These lovely photos were sent to me by my friend Bianca who lives in The Netherlands. You can almost smell the scent. She took them on her iPhone!

in search of bluebells

2013-05-11T00:48:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday we took a small packed lunch in my backpack and off we went to the woods in search of bluebells. We park close to Cobham Woods (National Trust) and walk along the pathways following signs for Ranscombe Reserve (Plantlife).

Maybe we were a week early, but we found a small amount on our usual path, and plan to go back this Sunday on another route to Ashenbank Wood to find the larger area where the smell is amazing! So here are some photos taken on our walk and picnic sitting on a lovely hand carved wooden bench (I'll take a close up of the bench this weekend). The North Downs (Kent) are beautiful and as you know I love to visit whenever I can for a few hours walking with Ian + Moss (sometimes Jack too!)

bluebells

do you know what this is? if you do please let me know

picnic spot .... what a view!

me and Moss

view from our picnic spot

and in the other direction

Ranscombe farm in the distance (Oast House)

our picnic spot

wild flowers

wild flowers .... I don't know what these are called

cupcakes and crochet (granny squares, lots of them)

2013-05-04T06:50:00.002-07:00

An early start for me this morning, which is very unusual. I do like my sleep and never get up early on a Saturday, come to think of it on any day! But today I decided to get up, get out and visit my friend Lisa at her Farmer and Flea market in town in the sunshine (and it didn't last which is typical of bank holiday weather). I picked up a couple of bargains plus some local bread + cakes. I forgot what good fun they are looking around for bargains and chatting to people.

I haven't quite finished blanket number one and here is blanket number two! Really this one is blanket number one reworked after I'd practised for hours and hours on the large granny square one and realised it was actually easy to crochet this little squares of happiness. Excuses excuses! In fact I can now be found quite happily sitting on the sofa surrounded by oddments of wool, choosing colours and loosing myself in my crochet bliss. Mad? No I expect most people who are new to crochet are completely hooked by these little squares. And why wouldn't you be. After all they are so easy to do, don't take up much space ... but when sewn together create something beautiful and useful. So there you have it I've come out as a crochet addict! Can you see the lovely crochet hook in the bottom picture? I'll have more news on this over the weekend and where you can buy your own. I love mine that arrived on Friday!

I'm also quite found of cupcakes .... and baking your own is much more fun than buying them. You get to be creative and do quality control at the same time (honest you have to eat one or two before everyone tries them). So my weekend so far has started on the right note; crochet and cupcakes. Enjoy your weekend and hope some sunshine comes your way. Amanda x

2013-05-02T08:06:00.003-07:00

congratulations to my son Jack for passing his theory driving test today x

free crochet pattern Bobble Heart square by Leonie Morgan

2013-04-25T04:14:00.000-07:00

Isn't this pattern cute? You can crochet the Bobble Heart square by Leonie Morgan taken from the book 100 Bright and Colourful Granny Squares to Mix and Match with this free pattern link

Amanda x

cake and crochet

2013-04-13T07:41:00.001-07:00

Today I made my first Victoria sponge cake since school days. Not sure why it took so long to get around to baking one; after many hints from Ian I decided to bake one for when he finished work today. Trouble was he came home early and I hadn't assembled the cake! He was pleased all the same and waited patiently for it to cool down, finally having a huge slice at 3pm. Well that is tea time isn't it? I used Mary Berrys perfect Victoria sponge recipe because its easy and I hate mixing this then mixing that and adding it together. I'm quite impatient and like quick results. I was surprised how good it was for such an easy recipe and will make it again and again. Here is a picture of Moss giving his best puppy eyes, please let me have a little bit look. It didn't work!

I'm still working away with my large crochet blanket (first one) and can see why its becoming so fashionable again. I love mixing the colours and don't even mind sewing in the ends. I've been doing this as I go along to make it less of a task. So 14 rounds to go and it will fit our double bed and then I can start my next one ;-) Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Amanda x

plant lemon seeds, lift your spirits, smells great

2013-04-10T03:32:00.003-07:00

I recently added this to my Pinterest account and this morning I've had 18 pins!

I thought you'd like to give it a try, great for the kids, the kitchen and to lift your spirits.

You can also try this link that gives you a guide to growing citrus house plants.

knitted bunting (free pattern)

2013-04-09T05:38:00.000-07:00

I saw this and thought I'd share it with you, a free knitting pattern for bunting! I love bunting but I've never tried the knitted variety before. I'm currently busy with two projects on the go (only two?!) my granny blanket currently on round 34 and looking very lovely and bright, and an aran cable cardi that I started over the weekend using a free pattern from Simply Knitting issue 99. It will always come in handy with our British weather ;-) And I grabbed two bargains on eBay this weekend. Sirdar Relaxed Weekend Living + Arans for Living. Yes I am firmly back in love with knitting this month but no idea when I'll get the time to knit all the patterns! Amanda

Easter cupcakes

2013-03-31T04:48:00.001-07:00

I finally realised you need an electric hand blender for making cupcakes, especially the buttercream part! So I collected my Kenwood yesterday from Argos. This morning I made a small batch of 12 cupcakes following this recipe for the cupcakes and this one for the buttercream. I made a stupid mistake; I'd run out of cocoa powder and I hate to admit this but used Clipper organic drinking chocolate instead! I know, I know how silly but I did sift it so not much extra sugar got through. Oh well that will teach me!

I'm off to finish my roll neck jumper whilst its still cold enough to wear it. Enjoy the rest of your long weekend x

guess what? I'm off to Chelsea Flower Show 2013

2013-03-21T09:06:00.002-07:00

I just popped by quickly to tell you my press pass application for Chelsea Flower Show has been accredited! How cool is that? Very very cool. I'm so excited I can't put it into words. And celebrating 100 years of the show, I'll have to clear my camera card ready for all those fab photos I'll be taking. So the 20 May is firmly in my little pocket diary.

Happy Mother's Day

2013-03-10T01:40:00.003-08:00

I spent the afternoon on Saturday making vanilla cupcakes and my husband decorated some of them!
You can find the recipe here and it can be adjusted for chocolate or Bailey's cupcakes. I've also been trying to finish my granny blanket but progress has been slow now that each round is much bigger; I'll get there in the end.

Today we plan to head off to the woods to walk Moss, home for a roast dinner which I need to prepare and a bit of knitting or crochet.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you and I hope you have a fab day x

free knitting pattern : Debbie Bliss easy scarf (Debbie Bliss Luxury Silk dk)

2013-03-06T10:31:00.000-08:00

I found this pattern on the Black Sheep Wool Facebook page. It does suggest to use Debbie Bliss Luxury Silk dk but I've started mine in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK (Bluebell) as I had 3 balls in my yarn stash for my crochet blanket - but I won't miss three I hink it will only use 2 balls! Its knitting up lovely on 5mm pins and comes out at about 12cm wide. Perfect for chilly spring days and I love the colour. Happy Knitting. Amanda

free crochet kitty cat pattern

2013-02-28T07:29:00.001-08:00

For all you cat lovers and crochet lovers out there check out this cute kitty pattern over at Bethsco blog

So far this week I have failed to complete any of my crochet blanket but I have been knitting instead, a couple of the cable hug mug pattern and three almost ready for buttons. So I did manage to acheive something crafty this week.

it's all gravy [Jamie at Home]

2013-02-25T04:06:00.002-08:00

I'm quite a fan of Jamie at Home after being introduced to his products by my local rep Amanda Phillips. I was lucky enough to order one of these limited edition gravy jugs over the weekend; isn't it great?

Last month I bought a small mixing bowl and its so handy for eggs, yorkshire pudding mix (it comes with a recipe card) and so pretty that I leave it out on the worktop enticing me to use it more often! I hope you have a great week and that its not too cold where you are. Amanda x

crochet flower garland

2013-02-22T07:03:00.000-08:00

I just had to share this with you on such a dull, cold, wintry day. Although I am looking forward to the weekend; the snow, curling up under my granny blanket whilst I crochet and drinking hot chocolate in front of the TV!

If you get a spare 5 minutes and want to lift your spirits take a look at this link

And I also have a Facebook page!

mug hug

2013-02-17T09:29:00.000-08:00

I knitted my very first cabled mug hug this weekend; isn't it cute? You can find the pattern in Simply Knitting March issue 103. 14 rows to the pattern with a repeat 4 times, that's all there is to it. A friend has ordered one for her Red Nose Day bake off in the village we live in (with a small donation going to the charity). I don't normal sponsor this but as I have some red wool why not.

Did you get some sunshine where you are? After a frosty start we were lucky to have a sunny dry day, the first for a long time. Cars washed, washing on the line and a long walk with Moss.

Valentines loveheart millionaires' shortbreads

2013-02-13T05:54:00.000-08:00

With Valentines Day just under a day away, here is a lovely quick recipe that will make a lovely gift. I plan to try this at the weekend now that all the coconut ice has been eaten. When they say the recipe keeps for 3 weeks they were fibbing! Or you could try this one for Jammy Hearts.

pancake day, yeah

2013-02-12T06:44:00.001-08:00

I forgot it was Shrove Tuesday (or pancake day to most of us here in the uk). I got a nice reminder from Black Sheep Wools this morning with this cheerful crochet pancake and lemon. So I'll be a slave to the frying pan tonight for my two boys!

Valentines coconut ice

2013-02-09T04:19:00.004-08:00

Something for your sweetheart (or sweet tooth). I was going to try the boil the sugar, add the cream of tartar method then found this no cook recipe - so much easier! I'm going to cut mine into heart shapes with a cookie cutter.

a string of little birds : free knitting pattern

2013-02-07T05:15:00.002-08:00

Something to brighten your day, a free knitting pattern taken from 30 Minute Knits by Carol Meldrum. Click here for the free pattern. Happy knitting. Amanda x