Bee and Buzz

Knitting keeps me Sane!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:19:00 +0000

I apologise for not being around much last week.

The 'coughes and sneezes' season has started already as I picked up a cold and I feel that I haven't caught up with myself yet! However, I think I am on the mend now.

I also have been dealing with my neighbour's landlord as her shower has been leaking into my flat into my kitchen cupboards causing damp and mold to grow as I can't use my kitchen cupboards. It is not pleasant, and after many phone calls I have to get the work done myself and claim on my insurance. Nothing seems to go straight forward anymore.

Anyway, enough about boring stuff and annoyances, I have been knitting a lovely slip over top from a pattern by Debbie Bliss from her Fall/Winter 2008 Magazine.

as shown on the cover

I am using a chunky yarn, in a dark grey in a wool/acrylic mix.

I would love to be able to knit with pure wool and use the top designer yarns

but my purse doesn't allow.

So we will have to wait and see if it is a good substitute. I did do a tension swatch and adjusted needle size so all being well ........

Back

It consists of moss stitch which is one of my favourite stitches since I mastered the art of it and the front has a lovely big cable to do.

I don't knit many items for myself so this will be a treat and I think it will suit me.

I also whipped up a little tea cosy when I was away last week which is here

and added some crochet edging and a crochet flower.

I love knitting these, as they are very quick projects to do and I used up some of the yarn leftover from the 'cute little knitted dress'.

Have a lovely week

bee x

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Last week was sooo busy!

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 11:57:00 +0000

I didn't get a mo to myself last week for blogging as it was so busy,

so I'm glad to be back to normal speed again and in the blogging seat!

The Christening went really well and the party afterwards,
with all the family, so that was really nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

The next week was spent sorting out cars and hunting for
a new one for my other half.

We finally found one on Friday and he is collecting it today,

so I hope this one will be 'the one'!!

He has had a run of bad luck with cars, since his car was written off in April,

when a hit and run driver ran into it outside his home.

So fingers crossed this one will be good!!

I've managed to get in some crocheting and knitting which helps to keep me sane. I will post more later in the week to show you what I've been up to.

I can't believe it is September already!

So to celebrate the summer and the August Break 2011,

I thought I would share with you some of my favourite photographs

taken by some of the other participants.

Enjoy

Bee x

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Banana Loaf Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:40:00 +0000

I've been baking!!!!!

My repertoire of Cakes consist of two recipes:

a classic Victoria Sponge Cake and a Banana Loaf ... ....

I love this one as it is very easy to make and
I like using up bananas that have seen better days, as we are all trying to be less wasteful with everything especially food!

Here's the recipe for my

Banana Loaf

75g / 3oz Margarine or soft butter

110g / 4oz Caster Sugar

1 large egg

225g / 8oz Plain Flour

2 level teaspoons of Baking powder

4 medium bananas or 3 large ones

Preheat the oven to 180c (350F)

Grease a loaf tin (size 31/2 x 71/2 inches)

Place all the ingredients in a large bowl

and whisk all ingredients together

(I have an electric hand whisk which makes this job easier).

pour mixture into the greased tin and level the top

place on the middle shelve of oven and bake for 50 - 55 minutes,

until the cake is golden brown, risen.

leave to cool for a bit and then loosen from the tin and cool on a wire tray.

Nice on its own or spread with butter.

An easy to bake cake and easy to eat!!

bee x

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Woodland walk photography finds

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:48:00 +0000

The August Break days 22, 23, 24 and 25

Enjoy!

Hand knitted little girl's dress

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:38:00 +0000

You might remember me telling you I was hand knitting a cute little dress for my other's half's great niece for a present for her Christening ....

well I am pleased to say that I have finally finished it.

I decided to omit the pink velvet ribbon I bought to go around the waist as I couldn't tie a good enough bow and crocheted two little flowers for embellishments which work really well I think.

She is being Christened on Sunday so it's finished just in time.

Now I have to think of the wrapping paper and a card.

I enjoyed knitting again, just got to find something else that I want to knit now too!

bee x

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Swan Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 20:30:00 +0000

The August Break Day 19, 20, 21

A beautiful swan on the river

Riverwalk Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:56:00 +0000

The August Break day 17

in the rain!

Flowers & Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:50:00 +0000

The August Break day 16

flowers and cake for

afternoon tea with my mum

A good weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:09:00 +0000

I hope you all had a good weekend.

I had a quiet one with my other half,

with a bit more knitting on the cute little dress,

quite a lot more blackberry picking,

I think that's my lot for the season now after making .......

11 jars of jam,

3 jars of coulis,

and an apple and blackberry crumble!!!

mostly for my other half, as he loves blackberry jam and crumble!

Then some relaxing, watching DVDs (The Tourist and French Film), both films I enjoyed but I think the other half preferred the Tourist to the French Film.

As I have missed a few days of posting on the August Break 2011, here are my photos for the weekend and today. I have enjoyed playing around with the photo effects in Picnik and love the results.

There's Something about Cow Parsley

Branching Out

August Grasses

I am looking forward to my Mum coming to stay for a few days tomorrow, so I might be a bit more erratic with posting this week.

Have a lovely week!

Bee x

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Blackberry Jam Making

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:53:00 +0000

The August Break 2011 Day 11 photo

At the weekend, my other half and took Buzz for a walk in the forest and ended up picking a lot of blackberries.

It became a bit addictive. The more we saw, the more we wanted to pick!

So to add to the fun, I suggested a 'guess the weight' competition between ourselves so when we got home, out came the scales and the results were:

My other half guessed 3 1/2 pounds

My guess was 4 pounds

actual weight picked 5 1/2 pounds!!!!!

so neither of us won but I was the closest.

I thought, well I'm not sure how I am going to manage to do something with all of those. However, I didn't want them to go to waste, so I have been trying to make jam in my bread maker. It is quite easy to do, just add the fruit, sugar and lemon juice and put it on the jam program and away you go.

I had one batch that was a success and set really well, but the second batch didn't set so it has ended up a coulis. I had some with a yogurt and it is delicious, so all was not lost.

I think it is to do with the pectin content in the fruit.

And the rest we kindly donated to my other half's mum who is notoriously famous for her apple and blackberry crumbles, so I am told!

I had fun creating pretty little fabric jam pot covers with a compass and a pair of pinking sheers .............

I am sure I will be making more as the blackberry season is a good one this year and I am duly informed that my other half has found some more jam jars!

bee x

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The August Break Day 10

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 19:37:00 +0000

Here's today's August Break photo which I have manipulated using Picnik photo effects (thanks to Magie at Teacups & Bunting) who told me about Picnik.

You can see the difference from the photo used in the previous post to the one posted here

Knitting a cute little dress

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:38:00 +0000

I've been knitting again ....

I had forgotten how much I like to knit as I have been crocheting like mad recently.

picture of finished dress in Claire Montgomerie's book

I started this 'ittle dress'in April and

knitted away until my wrist started hurting and put is down until the weekend,

when I decided I really needed to get my needles clicking again.

It is a present for my other half's great niece

as she is being christened in a few weeks.

I think I work better under a bit of pressure as I need a deadline,

otherwise, I tend to take my time and I put things off.

I am using Sirdar Supersoft Aran in Apple Green and Raspberry as I thought these were a lovely fun combination, on size 5mm needles.

The pattern comes from Claire Montgomerie's Easy Baby Knits book which is full of easy, very beautiful knits for babies, suitable for beginner knitters (or those who like straight forward patterns like me and love baby knits).

so far I have finished the front ......

and have started the back so I am well on my way now!

I will keep you posted on the finished dress.

bee x

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Cow Parsley

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 18:41:00 +0000

I have had a few days off from taking photos for the August Break 2011. I have been feeling a bit iffy over the weekend. I managed to get out today, however, with Buzz and my camera. I took this lovely pic of the Cow Parsley on the side of the river bank on my walk today.

I hope you like it. I've found Photobucket and all its little effects which are brill and very easy to use so here is the result ....

Cow Parsley

bee x

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And the Winner is ...........................

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 13:32:00 +0000

Today's the day I picked the winners of the 'Great Tutorial Giveaway' .......

I had five entries which was not bad for my little blog and as I couldn't choose a winner as all the entries were equally lovely and great in their content, I decided to put the names in my little vintage Pyrex bowl and pick the winners this way.

so here goes

drum roll please .................

1st Prize goes to

Sam over at Knitting Adventures

who is the proud winner of the hand knitted tea cosy

For Sam's tutorial entry
http://aprettylifeinthesuburbs.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-wreath-obsession-continuesspring.html

And 2nd Prize goes to

Madeline over at Meeni

who is now the proud winner of a hand knitted pumpkin pin cushion

For Madeline's tutorial entries
http://www.meeni.co.uk/2011/04/making-rabbit-finger-puppets
http://www.purlbee.com/emilys-memory-game

My thanks goes to the other entrants for their lovely contributions to the great tutorial section which I will be adding to my blog soon.

bee x

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Happy Birthday Mum!

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 11:19:00 +0000

Happy Birthday to my Mum today

who is 68 today!

I thought I would share with you my favourite photo of her when she was about 15 years old on holiday in Eastbourne.

Her dad had written on the back of the photo:

THE SIGN SAYS ......

'NO PADDLING........EXCEPT FOR FAY!'

Naughty mummy! Typical of my mum and done with a cheeky grin on her face!

And for that reason, this is one of my favourite pictures of her.

I thought I would show the presents I have made for her:

a lovely felt brooch

she loves the colour purple

and

a practical, vintage floral fabric apron which she coveted when she saw what I had been up to in the crafty stakes.

I have to be careful when she is around when i'm crafting something new, as she usually buys up all I have and then I have nothing left for my little shop. Nice for my products to be admired though!

bee x

p.s. I will do a giveaway winner post on Monday for those who entered.

What a difference a day makes ....................

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:57:00 +0000

Where's the sun gone today? Just rain, rain, and more drizzly rain!

Here's today's photo for the August Break photo challenge:

Puddles!

You can guarantee that on the day I do the cleaning, he decides to find the most dirtiest, and muddiest puddle to play in!

And what does Buzz get when he gets home when he's been paddling?

A Bath!!!!

much to his disgust ...... the little monkey!

Bee x

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Wednesday Round Up

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:49:00 +0000

You may have noticed that I have been updating the blog and added some new features, like the link within widget, which I think is a brilliant little tool to show off your old blog posts to readers that they may find interesting. I have added some search features, and rss feed, but still working how to create a button for 'grab my button'! I think I've mastered it but not 100% sure so may be a work in progress! I am trying to keep up-to-date on the blogasphere!!

I've been enjoying taking photos wherever I go for 'The August Break 2011' photo challenge. Although I haven't managed to go very far as yet. So far, I've been to the forest and back, with Buzz for his daily walkies, as it is so lovely and cool!

my local forest

Today's pictures, however, come from my front garden, the lavender is out in full bloom and the bees are lovin' it!

August Break Day 3

Lavender in my Garden

Lavender Bees

Lavender Blue

I've been in the mood for nesting and sorting things out in my flat and clearing the decks so to speak, so not much crocheting or crafting has been done this week so far.
I have a beautifully ordered wardrobe now, not sure how long it will stay this way as it seems to get in a mess rather quickly.
I have bought a few new things for my flat, a rapid boil kettle which is fab,
so I can have a cuppa in double quick time,

a new shower curtain and an all important loo brush for my little shower room,
all in the sale, so I saved a few bob!!

and a little reminder ..........

DON'T FORGET

TO

enter my blog giveaway by sending me a link to your favourite tutorial,
you have until Friday 5th August 2011 to enter so hurry! (Click the link to find out more).

bee x

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Apples

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:20:00 +0000

photo number 2

Apples in the Forest

I found this gorgeous apple tree by the picnic area in the forest on my walk with Buzz today. I wonder how it got there as it seems a strange place for an apple tree! I suspect someone dropped an apple core due to its location.

bee x

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The August Break 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 22:01:00 +0000

I have decided to join in 'The August Break' 2011, the creation of Susannah Conway.

I think it is a lovely, fun idea to illustrate the summer holidays. All you have to do is to upload a photo on your own blog throughout August. There is no pressure, just join in the fun, so I thought I would give it a whirl. You can find out more on her blog here

Here's my photo for today's post

On my walk today ...... in the forest

bee x

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Friday Flickr Favs

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:43:00 +0000

I've been on a Internet hunt for lovely things created with wool and yarn

and have found these beauties on flickr this week ...............

Tea Cosy & Pin Cushion Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:11:00 +0000

A GREAT GIVEAWAY FOR A GREAT TUTORIAL

1st Prize Hand Knitted Tea Cosy

Have I put you all off entering my Great Giveaway posted on Friday?

I probably made it too demanding and boring.

As yet I haven't had any entries so I have decide to change the entry criteria as follows and add a second prize too:-

2nd Prize A pumpkin pin cushion

I had a thought that it might be nice to create a 'Great Tutorials' section on my blog

with links to other blogs and their fab favourite tutorials.

Have you got a favourite tutorial you have found on the Internet?

Or have you got a tutorial you created yourself you would like to share?

I think this is definitely more fun than the other entry requirements!!!

To enter:

send me a comment on this blog post, with a link to your favourite blog tutorial.

It can be for any type of craft, from any blog, your own blog or others.

I will pick the best two tutorials as the winners on Friday, 5th August, 2011,

and I will notify the winners shortly after this date.

This is open to all who wish to enter, those who comment regularly and those who don't! I would love to see your great tutorials and hear from you so get entering.

NB: don't forget to include your contact details, either email address or blog address, in your entry, so I can contact the winners.

Good luck!

Bee x

p.s if you have planned to enter on the other post with the other criteria, I hope that this hasn't messed up your plans.

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Crochet Coaster Pattern

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:13:00 +0000

I found this beautiful crochet pattern over at Yvestown blog for crochet coasters and thought they look really pretty and easy to do so I thought I would give the pattern ago.

After following the pattern, and making one coaster up to the instructions, I realised that the Yvestown pattern was in US crochet terminology and this was the result ......

although cute in itself, it wasn't what I was expecting,

it should have looked like this one .....

I realised that I needed to convert the pattern to UK crochet terminology so I did and changed the pattern a bit.

My UK Crochet Coaster Pattern as follows:

You will need:

DK Cotton, I used cotton yarn from both Rowan and Patons collection

4mm hook (Size 8) or a 3.50mm hook depending on your tension

tapestry needle

scissors

steam iron

Stitches used:

Slip Stitch - SS

Double Crochet - DC

Treble - Trb

Chain - C

To Start:

Make 8 ch, close as a ring with a ss.

Row 1:

Make 2 ch, 23 dc in ring, close with a ss in the 2nd ch of the beginning of this row.

Row 2:

Make 4 ch, 1 trb in the closing ss of the previous row; 1 ch *skip 2 st; in the next st: 1 trb, 2 ch, 1 trb; 1 ch* Repeat 7x from *to*. Close row with a ss in the 2nd ch (of 4) of the start.

Row 3:

Make 2 ch; 1 trb, 2 ch, 2 trb under the 2 ch of the previous row; 1 sc under the 1 ch *2 trb, 2 ch, 2 trb as before; 1 sc as before*. Repeat 7 x from *to*. Close row with a ss in 2nd ch (of 2 ) of the start.

Row 4:

No build up with ch as before; then make 3 trb, 1 ch, 3 trb under the 2 ch of the previous row; 1 sc to the left and right of the sc of the previous row. Repeat 8x and close with a ss in the first st of the row.

to finish:

Bind off with a ss.

Sew in ends with a tapestry needle and press lightly with a steam iron.

These are the ones I crocheted today:-

I think they are beautiful and will be crocheting some more no doubt.

Has anyone else had trouble with decoding UK and US crochet terminology in patterns?

How do you get around it?

Bee x

p.s. Many thanks to Yvestown for the original pattern idea

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A Great Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:35:00 +0000

Tea Cosy Giveaway

As promised last week in a previous post, I said I was going to do a blog giveaway to celebrate my birthday and share some 'Bee & Buzz' love!

So I've decided to giveaway one of my lovely tea cosies as the prize,

with all those summery afternoon teas

and garden parties in mind (dodging the rain of course)!

It is hand knitted by myself in pure wool from the Rowan collection,

so go easy on the washing as it will shrink if washed with too hot water.

I would wash it on a wool cycle on 30 degrees C,

or hand wash and leave to dry naturally, preferably flat to keep its shape.

It fits an average sized family tea pot so should fit most tea pots.

To enter

all you have to do to enter is one of the following:-

1.) share the 'Bee & Buzz' blog by linking it to your blog and letting me know where;

2.) or send a twitter message about this giveaway;

3.) Or mention it on your Facebook page;

4.) and then leave a comment on this blog post to let me know what you have done.

I will pick the winner at random on Friday, 5th August, 2011,

so you have two weeks to enter. I will notify the winner shortly after then.

GOOD LUCK!

bee x

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A Birthday Surprise

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:54:00 +0000

My 40th Birthday Surprise

My lovely man whisked me away to the Isle of Wight for 3 days. We stayed in a lovely hotel in a place called Shanklin which is a small quaint town on the beach. We were fairly lucky with the weather, although the forecast was terrible, the sun did shine in the afternoon on the Saturday and Sunday.

What a beautiful Island it is. I didn't realise how green it was over there.

There are no motorways, so travelling around is a pleasant meander on the A and B roads. I got to see the beautiful coast and beaches nestling along side the countryside.

Shanklin

alum bay

The Needles

One of the coastal bays

shanklin

On the Monday, 18th July, my actual birthday, the weather wasn't so good so we went to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. I love steam trains and think they are a very romantic way to travel as I love their motion, sound and era from where they originated.

The Steam Railway

Happy Birthday to Me

My other half had a word with the guards and told them it was my birthday so they put a plaque up on the front of the train as a surprise.

I got to go on the footplate and talk to the driver. I got a whistle stop tour around the engine and the controls. This particular steam train was 120 years old!

Inside the train on the footplate

I got to travel First Class in a compartment to ourselves for most of the way which was lovely as the rest of the train was rather busy.

If it wasn't for the pack-a-mac, I could have been in a period drama!

I had a lovely few days away in the Isle of Wight, and it was definitely worth a visit.

Bee x

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The big 40 is approaching

noreply@blogger.com (Bee) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:52:00 +0000

Well it's time to mention that I will be turning 40 on the 18th of July!!

I can't believe that I am nearly 40, where does the time go? I have had mixed feelings about it although I know that time doesn't stand still for any man.

However, any major birthday is a landmark in ones life

and it does make one look back to the past and look forward to the future.

My 30's weren't the best time of my life.

I split with my now ex-husband, went through a very acrimonious divorce,

lost my business, my home, friends, and my health,

as I had a nervous breakdown through it all.

However, nearly two years ago, I met my now fiance, a lovely man who is kind,

sensitive, loving and very supportive.

It took me a while to learn to trust myself and my feelings but I am there now.

We are looking to buy a house together soon so things are looking bright for my 40s.

These events certainly have made me who I am today.

I am alot more understanding and compassionate to others.

I love the creative side of me which I found again during my breakdown

that had been buried under work, work and more work

and I know what is important to me now,

so you can say, that my 30s were a time of clearing out the rubbish,

and making way for the new.

I am looking forward to my 40s because I know it has a lot of good things waiting for me just around the corner.

I am being whisked away on a weekend break for my birthday so won't be around for a few days but next week I am going to do a birthday giveaway!

bee x

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