Felted Flowers

I haven't done any felting for months but having joined Pinterest and finding some wonderful felted items on there I was once more inspired to root out my stash of merino wools, order some more and get felting.

 I can't show some of the things I have made as they will be Christmas presents and the recipients may read this but here are two flower corsages I have made.

Of course I am still a relative beginner and aspire to be able to make such lovely things as these shown below.

Source: ley-art.livejournal.com via Ruth on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Ruth on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Ruth on Pinterest

The items below are what is called nuno felting where merino wool is laid on top of silk and the wool fuses into the fabric to give different textures.  I haven't tried this yet but am very excited about having a go at it.  I absolutely love this scarf.

Source: flickr.com via Ruth on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Ruth on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Ruth on Pinterest

Christmas Chutney

My kitchen smelt very Christmassy yesterday when I was making chutney as the recipe used ground cloves, cinnamon and ginger.  I've never made any before but thought I would try Nigellas's Christmas Chutney as my first attempt.  I halved the recipe in case it all went wrong but I was really pleased with both the look and, more importantly, the taste of the chutney.

These little jars from Ikea, at 99p for 3, are ideal for small quantities and I will definitely be making more to give as presents.

Christmas Cake

This year one of my friends has made her Christmas cake from one of those Waitrose Delia's packs where everything is included for you and even the dried fruit has been pre-soaked in booze.  I have always (and probably always will) made my cake from the recipe my mother used as her mother did and goodness knows how far back into the family it goes.

The rather tatty and cake mixture splattered recipe that I wrote out 34 years ago when we were first married is slavishly followed every year.  I have never ever iced a cake in my life as we always have a rich Dundee cake and it must be served with Wensleydale cheese!

The cake is in the oven now (minus quite a few spoonfuls of the mixture as I adore raw cake mixture) and it smells delicious!

Do you buy your cake or do you have a favourite family recipe?

My Haven

I recently hosted a give away for an enamel sign from Ramsign and someone told me they were disappointed they couldn't enter as their house didn't have a number, which was a shame. We have both here. Our house was built in the 1890s and has always been called 'The Haven' which I think is a lovely name for a home. It is certainly my haven as I love my home and whenever I am away from it I can't wait to return.

We recently bought some rusty letters and have mounted these above the inside of the front door.  We have also had a new wooden front door and window fitted as the previous owners had installed a upvc door which was totally out of keeping with this house.  I have painted the inside but still have the outside and the porch to paint.  Then the floor tiles outside the door are all wrong, especially the colour and we could do with a better number sign (though, of course I couldn't enter the competition).

I also bought the EAT letters which are in the kitchen

though I never need reminding to eat especially where these blueberry muffins, baked yesterday, are concerned.

We have also been adding some new things (new to us) on the wall in the hall.

Have a lovely weekend, everyone.

You Tube Dog Talking

You may have seen this already but it makes me laugh each time I watch it!

And the winner is....

And the winner is Jonathan.  Thankyou for all who entered the giveaway which was offered by Ramsign who manufacture quality enamel signs.  I am sure Jonathan will be delighted with the sign he chooses for his home.

Giveaway Ends Tonight

Don't forget my giveaway of an enamel sign from Ramsign ends at midnight tonight.