Shorts

A couple of months ago my lovely 14 year-old, rather fashion conscious niece spotted a pair of crochet shorts in Top Shop.  However, being 14 years old she didn't have the money for the £35 price tag.  So she issued a challenge.

I searched for a suitable pattern - but the only things I could find were vintage '70's patterns.

I produced a sample - that was far too big!  So I ditched the DK cotton for 4 ply and used a smaller hook.

Here is the finished article - I just hope they fit - fingers crossed!

Gift Wrapped

I always struggle with my colour combinations, so for this I took inspiration from a piece of wrapping paper.

I'm rather pleased with the results and it will be even better when I've got the patience to weave in all the ends!

Strawberries, strawberries everywhere!

Everyone’s at it – they're everywhere. 

Strawberries – well it is summer time. 

We recently bought and enjoyed these whilst on holiday in Majorca.

The box even found its way into a suitcase and home!

Strawberries are here and here and here.  The now empty box is patiently waiting to be filled once again with strawberry goodness.

I’ve got issue 2 of Mollie Makes and a Heather Bailey pattern too.  Circular objects are calling out to me to draw round them on fruity fabrics – Scrapiana via Mollie Makes recommends drawing round a CD – I’m bidding on ebay for suitable fabric squares and I’m planning a trip on Friday to buy ric rac and ribbon. 

BUT, I want to do it properly which means I need some emery sand / powder – I’ve searched and surfed, eventually finding it available in the UK either in bulk or very small quantities with the postage costing more than the emery sand itself!

So now I’m considering crushed walnuts, again easier said than done, so my first stop is the pet shop! 

 

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Rhubarb, Rhubarb, Rhubarb

Ok, so I’d never tried it, even though I always said I didn’t like it!  But this year I was brave and now I know what I’ve been missing out on all this time – rhubarb!

My Mum used to grow it in the garden, but I just wouldn’t entertain trying it.  Joy and her dad love rhubarb crumble and for the last couple of years have taken great delight in baking it  together, but despite her enthusiasm I still wouldn’t try it – protesting all the while that I don’t like rhubarb!

Over the winter we visited a relative in Yorkshire who took a crown of rhubarb from MWBFH’s granddad and we took a crown and so now we have some family rhubarb growing in the garden.  We can’t eat it this year, but I’ve been planning ahead and searching out recipes.  I found this and just had to try it, using rhubarb and strawberries from the supermarket, and mint fresh from the garden.  I finally tasted rhubarb and I loved it!

I have it with greek yoghurt and it’s delicious – so delicious I’ve made it almost every week for the last 6 weeks!.

So earlier this week I decided to make some jam.  It was so quick and easy and made 8 jars!

And I love it.

Now I really want to make this jam

I love the recipes from Waitrose – it’s such a shame we don’t have a store nearby.  I know I use Ocado, afterall I love internet shopping, but it just doesn’t seem right when it comes to food – food shopping is about using all your senses.  Food after all is so sensual!

  

And so it begins...

So, I‘ve finally taken the plunge and started my own blog.   I’ve wanted my own blog for a while now.  I’ve lurked on other people’s – there are some great one’s out there and I do have my favourites, but it’s getting embarrassing how often I visit some and find myself inspired to do things.

There’ll be no new ideas here, just pointers to things I find inspiring and interested – hence the name of the blog – Amateur Castinator – I’m a real procrastinator, always putting off the boring things like house work but often find myself inspired to try a new craft project – that I very often leave unfinished!  I love knitting having been taught by my Gran at a young age – she often commented that my “tension was good”, however, I ruin things when it comes to sewing them up so I have umpteen pieces all nicely knitted waiting to be stitched together.  Then I rediscovered crochet – again my Gran had taught me to chain stitch and I could make a flower, but thanks to all the handy tutorials and videos on line I’m teaching myself more and more crochet stitches and completing more and more projects with the added bonus of being able to crochet them together rather than sewing them up.

I do wish I could sew – my other Gran was a tailoress and my Mum made and sold cuddly toys in the 70’s and 80’s so surely it must be in the genes?  That’s what I keep telling myself, so with blind faith I purchased a brand new sewing machine last year, but have still to use it properly – so now as well as starting the blog I’m going to start sewing, or so I’m telling myself.  I’m starting small with pin cushions.  Watch this space!