Count down to the Ullock Scarecrow festival

And so it begins........

It's less than two weeks until the Ullock Scarecrow fetsival and I'm busy planning and making. This will be my first craft fair and therefore I am both nervous and very excited. So many things to think about - What do I want to include? Label designs? Will people like my crafty creations?!

Deep breath.......

Here's the plan so far:

As well as the many baby items I've made over the weeks and months I shall be showing off my knitted jewellery and accessories - using patterns I have made myself and those I have discovered thanks to my lovely fellow crafters.

I'll also be taking along some of my special baked goods. Special because they are all gluten and wheat free. I've been experimenting with flavours and ingredients in order to create some super tasty treats. At the moment one of my favourites is banana and chocolate chip muffins - Yum! (pics to follow soon).

Looking forward to meeting up with other local crafty folk and to showing off my collection of crafty items.

Hope to see some of you there! :)

KnittyNora xxxx

Where has the weekend gone?

I can't believe it's nearly 4pm on a Sunday afternoon! It's always the same. After a busy week I look forward to the weekend and then what happens......? It flies by!

I've decided not to set myself a list of things to do this weekend because I never get through it and you begin the next week feeling like you're chasing your tail (so to speak). This weekend I've made the most of some time to relax. My husband is busy playing on the hills and I'm enjoying being at home with my laptop and putting together ideas for crafty projects. At the moment I'm busy creating labels for my crafty creations ahead of a craft fair I shall be taking part in in a few weeks. I'm hugely excited and busy trying to get everything organised.

Thanks to a special offer from moo.com and etsy, I've just received a box of beautiful mini business cards. I can't wait to hand them out!

100 brand new mini business cards

Personalised cards- made especially for me

One of the many beautiful designs available

I'm off to make some scones now - yum! 

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, wherever you find yourself and whatever you may be doing,

KnittyNora xx

New items and some tasty homemade soup - yum!

Hi all!

Usually, when I begin a new project, I forage through my collection of craft books and search my favourite websites for ideas. Yesterday, however, I picked up my knitting needles and just started to knit. I've been thinking about creating some of my own 'patterns' for a while but something came over me yesterday and I just had to knit. And what did I create...? Have a look for yourself!

Grey rib wristband with brown button detail

Left to right: multi-colour diagonal rib with brown button detail,  black knit with rib edge and large blue/grey button and  grey rib with brown button detail

Three new designs from All you need is craft

The buttons used were found at a local vintage and antique sale I went to last weekend. I love finding cute things like this at vintage fairs. I'm planning a trip to another vintage fair this weekend.


As my post title suggests, I've also been busy making soup. I love nothing more than going to my fridge, looking for as many tasty ingredients as I can find and making whatever pops into my head. I call it guerilla cooking :) Yesterday, I made some delicious spicy carrot and lentil soup - thanks in part to a special offer on carrots at my local supermarket! :)

Soup simmering nicely

Yum!

All this talk of food is making me hungry! I'm off to enjoy a bowl of soup......

KnittyNora xxxx

Baking mad

This week I have been making the most of being on holiday from work. This has meant lots of time for indulging in my passion for cooking. If you didn't already know, I am a coeliac. This means that I am allergic to wheat and gluten and rules out a lot of food that you find in your local supermarket. Over the years I have got used to not being able to eat fresh bread from the bakers but sometimes I just cannot resist the urge to walk past the bakery to enjoy the smells coming from the bread ovens.

I like to think of myself as a half decent baker but after many attempts to create something vaguely resembling bread I had given up and focused on my attentions on cakes and crumbles. A few weeks ago, however, I received a delivery of Gluten free foods from a friend. Within this box of delights I came across some gluten free bread mixes. I was sceptical at first but this week I took a chance on the bread mix......and it paid off!

Pictures: top: my first focaccia, middle: traditional loaf and mini buns, bottom: my bread creations cooling down. 

I think they look pretty good and they certainly taste delicious....especially with some good raspberry jam! :)

I'll be back again soon with more pictures and baking stories.

Best,

KnittyNora xxx

Rain, rain go away....

What a miserable day?! After a week of glorious sunshine I have awoken to lots of rain this morning. Although this means no BBQ for me today, I'm sure my garden is very grateful for the drink.

My husband and I have been busy planting lots of lovely things in our garden. It has been a blank canvas for a year and a half as we settled into our new home and were busy out and about, exploring the beautiful countryside. This year we have decided to give our little patch of green some much deserved TLC and have started with some beautiful young trees and Rhododendrons. I've also purchased some fruit bushes to plant - blueberry and raspberry! Perfect for making jam and for decorating homemade cakes. Hidden under the compost are some herbs I planted a week or so ago and some sunflower seeds (left over from my Wedding a year and a half ago). I really hope they grow! I'll be sure to post some photos of our progress soon.

On a crafty note, I'm currently making some soft toys for my new nephew, George. He was born two and a half weeks ago and he is just beautiful. Both baby and mummy are doing well and this auntie is delighted to be able to shower little George with lots of homemade gifts. He has already received his first little knitted cardie and booties (see pics below - left: baby elephant teddy and right: George's first hand knitted Cardie and booties)

This half-term (once the planning and marking is done) I plan to spend lots of time outside enjoying the beautiful countryside and mountains that surround me. I've been out this weekend and feel so lucky to have such beauty on my doorstep. Climbing, walking and crafting.......what a way to spend a half-term :)

Lots of love and crafty hugs,

Knittynora xxx


P.s. All photos are my own. Please ask for permission before using these elsewhere. xx

(Outdoor pics - top left: climbing Red Pike, bottom left: some scrambling on Middle Fell - Iron Crag)

Thank goodness for the sunshine!

After a busy and stressful couple of weeks I am glad to see the sun shining. It manages to lift your mood and make you feel just that bit lighter.

I haven't 'blogged' in a week or so. I've had the flu, which still seems to be hanging around, and lots of things going on at work. With the Easter holidays approaching, I am looking forward to some well deserved me time and the opportunity to get out in the hills and enjoy some walking and rock climbing. 

With the sun shining I'm turning to lighter weight wools and beginning to think about the presents I can make for people with birthdays in the colder months and, yes,........ Christmas! It's a way off yet, thank goodness, but I like to be organised and hate to put down my knitting needles just because it's warm outside. The weather has got me thinking about knitting in the great outdoors. I do a lot of outdoor activities and can think of nothing better than sitting upon a hill, with magnificent views, indulging in my favourite hobbies - knitting and walking. I'd love to hear about your favourite places to knit/craft.....?! :)

Best wishes to you all. Enjoy the weather, whilst it lasts :)

Knittynora xxx

P.s. I am pleased to report that my sister gave birth to a beautiful baby boy just over a week and a half ago. His name is George, and he is just gorgeous! I'm so happy to be wrapping the little treats I knitted for him during my sister's pregnancy and cannot wait to see him wearing his funky little booties and hand knitted cardigan.

Ready, steady, lets get crafting!

Hello lovely followers!

This weekend I have the house to myself. My husband is busy climbing mountains in Scotland and I find myself at a loose end...... what is a girl to do?

I was up early this morning and full of good intentions. I looked out of the window and was greeted by a grey sky and the wind and rain. So, sporting activities aside, what can a lady do? Well, wandering around my home I am reminded of the beautiful marl grey wool I bought a few weeks ago and still haven't unwrapped, the baby hoodie I've almost finished and the beautiful bag making book my husband gave me for Christmas. This can only mean one thing........a weekend of non-stop crafting!

With a pot of fresh coffee brewing and a selection of crafty goods looking oh so pretty, I'm ready to turn up the music and get crafting :)

I hope that you're all having a lovely weekend and find some time to get crafty.

Lots of love,

Knittynora xx