Flower power

Ooh, let's brighten up these winter days and bring some colour back into our lives. Even if they are faux.....beautiful blue delphiniums.

A bouquet of pink and purple wild flowers.

And some real daffodils, which look great with new season colours

in handknit dk cotton from Rowan.

Keeping cosy

Linda's latest creation. A bit random, but a great stash user upper! We all love this easy peasy 2 row scarflette pattern which gives a really impressive result.

Pattern exclusive to Jolie, available in store.

Mmmm

Wow, what budding chefs our children are becoming. Cookery at school has got very sophisticated - not only do they have to choose their own 3 course menu, but it has to be tasty and well presented. Libby made Milk Chocolate and Almond Mousse with Homemade Chocolate Macaroons - twas scrummy, Mummy!

Jolie's got talent

'Bring on the snow', says Susan, in her latest creation. A stripey moss stitch coat from Kim Hargreaves latest book Scarlett (£17.99) and knitted in Rowan's Cocoon.

We loved this one at Knit and Chat. Caroline has worked on this unique crocheted jumper in charcoal grey Alpaca Cotton (another Rowan yarn). The pattern is from the Autumn/Winter Rowan magazine, but we think it works really well in a single colour. Now, who remembers the spyrograph?!!

Queen of Intarsia

Linda has been a busy bee knitting the most beautiful fairisle jumper from Rowan magazine no 50, in Rowan Felted Tweed.

We have been watching the 'inarsia' progress. She went a little off piste (of course) and changed the colours, putting in a beautiful yellow rose.

Nearly there.....

Ta dah! Truly a work of art.

And a close up of the rose tattoo for full appreciation.

A little bit of Sandra in the sun!

The sun came out for Sandra's birthday on Thursday. Friends, chocolate cake, Muscari bulbs and a pearl charm bracelet. What could be sweeter on a cold day in January?

Anne the winners are....

Anne, for knitting her first ever garment.

And Anna, for finishing her stunning first ever fairisle cardi. Applause please!

Sew pretty

To compliment our handmade knitting bags, Karen our seamstress, has made some pretty embroidered needle cases with felt 'pages' and vintage buttons to close. £13.95

Sueper duper

Sue's birthday fell just after Christmas, but surprise surprise that fabulous lantern she had been coveting, miraculously reappeared in the New Year.....and some pretty Greengate goodies too.

Little Olivia also came along, wearing her gorgeous hat and cardi knitted by grandma Sandra.

To all our friends

Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2012. Love Dany and Linda xx

Chez Susan

Jolie has been closed for the week between Christmas and New Year. Susan kindly invited the Thursday group over for a Knit and Chat at her home and we had a delightfully relaxing afternoon.

Everyone contributed delicious goodies to eat and wow, what a feast we had.

Happy holiday

Dany and family had a day at the beach just after Christmas. We felt we needed some fresh air and exercise to walk off the pudding - and cake and mince pies and trifle and yule log and Quality Street.

Our nearest beach is Mersea Island. It was well worth it - the sun came out. Really it did.

Billie was in heaven and not at all tired of turkey sandwiches.

Caught the last rays on Monkey Beach.

We all came home renergised and looking forward to New Year.

Hipstamatic Xmas

Phil was taking pics on Xmas day - using the Hipstamatic app on his iphone - hence groovy retro pics.

My sister Venice personalised the wrapping on all her gifts. My mum had lovely pyjamas.

I had a pretty cardi on matching hand knitted coathanger.

My dad's wrapping! Guess what my mum got? Actually it was a really lovely bag.

Christmas eve

We had gifts and drinks at Jolie on Christmas Eve morning. Carolyn, Mary, Jo, Brenda and Linda enjoyed a Linda concoction of Prosecco with pomegranate and cranberry juice - delicious and now named Jolie juice.

Snow patrol

Winter's here - it's the last day of term, Christmas is coming and it's snowing.

Sort of settling.........doubtful if there will be snowballs, snowmen or sledging.

Rock around the clock

New in, Gustavian style longcase grandfather clock.

Congratulations

We celebrated Diane's birthday at Knit and Chat on Thursday with Madagascan vanilla crumble cake with blackcurrant and apple filling - there wasn't a crumb left!

We are still keeping Thomas Sabo in Cambridge in business.......Diane's winter birthday warranted some pretty winter wonderland charms.

Congratulations are also in order for Diane and Toby's new venture in Buntingford. The Cheese Plate opened their doors at the beginning of December to an enthusiastic response. They specialise in artisan cheese and also cater for parties and weddings. You can visit the shop and enjoy a glass of wine and guided by Toby's expertise, try some of the wonderful cheeses on offer. Thumbs up from us. The Cheese Plate, 26 High Street, Buntingford, Herts SG9 9AQ.

Tel: 01763 271533

Meet Mouse

Mouse (aka Madeleine) is a new member of the team and is now working at Jolie on Saturdays. She's a great little knitter too and currently working on socks and a Kim Hargreaves jumper in Rowan's Fine Lace.

A Paris

Linda and I took the Eurostar to Paris on Thursday night. We felt like we were already on holiday at St Pancras - the lego Christmas tree was fab and there was a great live band playing.

We went to visit Hellie in her new home in Suresnes, Paris.

Hellie hand embroidered personal guest towels. How gorgeous. Linda's was in red but she used it before I could take a pic!

We did some local shopping for breakfast. La Jolie Pause bar is on the corner of Hellie's street and popular it is too.

The appartment is lovely and we had breakfast by the French windows.

The view from the back.

Time for another petit dejeuner.

Paris is getting ready for Christmas - even the patisserie was festive.

We chose some gateaux to take home.

Lovely lunch with Robbie and Hellie in Versailles.

This shop was a real find. Can you believe we spent nearly two hours in here trying on some fab gear. Hellie bought a coat, Linda bought a beautiful blouse and I bought a sequin top. Chinemachine, 1oo Rue des Martyrs, 75018, Paris. Check out their blog http://www.chinemachinevintage.com/blog/

We climbed the steps to Sacre Coeur and looked over Paris by night.

Every hour, on the hour, after dark, the Eiffel tower is lit up with flashing fairy lights for 5 minutes.

It was so pretty and a magical moment.