Jeanne d'Arc Living

Ann introduced us to the gorgeous magazine, Jeanne d'Arc Living. Actually more of a book, than a magazine, it is beautifully produced in Denmark, yet published in several languages. A sumptuous delight with decoration ideas, recipes and stunning images to inspire.

Available in the UK with English text from http://www.bettyandviolet.com

Crowning glory

It was a busy week at Jolie last week. We ran two special Diamond Jubliee crochet workshops on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. 

4ply Siena

We adapted a pattern from a crochet table cloth, first published for the Coronation in 1952, and devised a Diamond Jubliee doily for 2012. It's a very pretty pattern, which can be done in anything. We chose Rowan 4ply Siena and Rowan Shimmer - you can even mix the two.

Shimmer

Teddy helped with the pattern.

We got out the Royal teatime cloth for the occasion.

And the carriage, of course.

Pam Williams made the most delicious Coronation chicken.

Lisa Webb, from The Bakehouse in Braughing supplied us with two spectacular Victoria sponge cakes. (Tel 07789 893021 for commissions.)

The pattern is now available at Jolie. Please ring if you would like us to send you one, with materials. There's just about time to knock out a few for the celebration on 5th June. It also looks great stitched to a T shirt............

PS Thank you for all the the 'Thank You' cards and messages we have received from those who attended the workshop. We're really glad you all enjoyed it and I'm sorry we were so busy I forgot to take pictures of you all crocheting.

Badge of honour

We're getting ready for the Diamond Jubilee here at Jolie. Get into the mood with one of Venice's great badges. Plenty to choose from, she has used some lovely images of Liz in an array of wonderful hats..... or you can have a corgi. We've also found some very stylish diamante crown brooches  - very Vivienne! 

Out and about in Stamford

Another wonderful weekend in Stamford for Linda and her daughter Libby.  They were treated to the ballet (Swan Lake) and overnight stop at the wonderful Crown Hotel by Linda's lovely stepmother Elaine.

 

 The three generations of girlies enjoyed some vintage shopping, fabulous coffee and a scrummy al fresco lunch in the sunny (yes, it was sunny!) courtyard of The King's Head.  

The sun shone all weekend and the crochet jumper was just the ticket.

After a full English breakfast on Sunday morning Elaine joined her two friends Pauline and Kay for The Race for Life at Burleigh House (for the 10th time). Well done to all who took part and for such a good cause.

 

The Crown is situated in the heart of historic Stamford. A friendly, stylish hotel with a buzzy atmosphere. Well worth a visit. http://thecrownhotelstamford.co.uk 

Summer crochet

The spring summer version of this incredibly versatile jumper. 

Linda and Caroline have both worked it again, this time using Rowan Panama for a silky, swishy, cool elegant garment. All the effort....and all those ends are well worth it. 

Rain dog

And it's STILL raining! 

Very sad, but very apt. This is Rod's (Dany's dad) last painting of Jack the dog. Jack lived to the great age of 16. He was a lovely dog and will be sadly missed. To see more paintings of Jack and Rod's other work, check out his blog http://www.rodshone.blogspot.com

Cardigan country

Brenda

Linda

Brrr! It may be May, but it is still cold enough for a cardi. Brenda came in looking lovely in her beautiful 'boyfriend' cardi on Wedsnesday afternoon. Knitted in softest Rowan baby alpaca the pattern is from Erika Knight's book Simple Knitting. 

Linda has fallen in love with Susan's 'land girl' cardi. Knitted in a fetching shade of wartime green Artesano alpaca dk, we think it has a very 40's feel - hence headscarf to complete the look. The pattern is by Kim Hargreaves in Cherished.

Knit and wine

A stitch in time needs wine......

Join us @ Jolie. Tuesday 24th April, 7.30 - 10pm.

Top of the class

Paula came to learn to knit only 4 weeks ago. She hasn't stopped knitting since her first lesson and has now achieved an amazing 48 squares using a multitude of stitches and techniques including lace, bobbles and cables. All knitted in handknit dk there are enough to make a truly gorgeous blanket. Paula came in to get some expert tips on sewing together. Looking forward to seeing the finished heirloom..........and then what next?

Bluebell bunny

Thanks Linda, for my very cute little woodland Easter bunny vase. Perfect for wild spring flowers. D x

Happy Easter

Found the papier mache Easter bunny and little Easter chicks.

Ready for the egg hunt tomorrow.

Have a lovely Easter everyone. Dany and Linda xxxx

Seeing double

Ahem. Linda came back from Hitchin today with a flea market purchase.

Mary with sacred heart.....

......oh, now it's Jesus.

A fabulous 'lenticular' double image picture in home made mosaic frame. Lordy, Lordy, Linda's divine bargain buy will have to remain at Jolie for the forseeable future.

Sew special

Kathleen, who follows our blog from Spain, sent us this picture of her beautiful prizewinning quilt exhibited at The Sitges Quilt Show in Spain. Pictured here with her daughter Helen, Kathleen only discovered she had won second prize in the traditional category when she visited the exhibition with her two daughters. The quilt took five years to make and is a stunning work of art. Well worthy of a prize we think.

Button in ear

Ooh, a fox terrier (aka Teddy) and a Jolie lamb, both Steiff 'Button in Ear' have come to live at Jolie.

Ann's cushion

Ann brought in her pretty crochet cushion all finished today. She is now working on an equally lovely crochet blanket.

Knit and wine

Tuesday 20th March, 7.30 - 10pm.

Hope you can join us.

Postcard from Hellie

Sent from Hellie over in Paris. Apparently 'Robbie has finally got the hang of it'. Wonderful.

Hopping mad

Aaaah, a new delivery of woodland rabbits. These bunny night lights are so cute and really effective in the dark, creating a cosy glow. A lovely Easter gift too (£6.95 each).

Oops, ended up in the haberdashery cupboard with the toadstool night light (£4.95).

Amazing lace

Rowan and Debbie Bliss have introduced new lace weight yarns in a wide range of beautiful colours. Perfect for spring and summer, this delicate little cardi was knitted by Mary in Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace (100% merino wool) from a pattern in the Rowan Lace book.

Both lovely yarns which knit to the same tension, the Rowan yarn being very soft 20% baby alpaca and 80% merino wool.

Spring is on it's way

Bring on the spring cheer. Faux wild flower wreath. A snip at £18.95.

The hyacinths are beginning to bloom on the windowsill.

Linda's tip - help keep them straight with old plastic knitting needles. Works a treat and looks pretty.

Crochet season

Linda has completed the spirograph crochet jumper too, using Artesano variegated silk wool dk. Ooh, but what a tricky pattern - published in Rowan Autumn Winter mag 2011, only part of the pattern is explained, then you have to work it out for yourself. Apparently it took up too much space to write it out - and we thought it was a pattern book. Linda has written the missing parts of the pattern - you will have to be very nice to her if you want it, or wait for Rowan to put it on their website as an erratum, which they have promised to do.

And from Dolce and Gabbana - a crochet handbag. Retailing at.....wait for it $2,900!!!!! Get those hooks out girls. The Granny Square is in.

Mini crochet

Bib for baby Genevieve Elizabeth, born 6th Feb 2012.

Pattern from Cute and Easy Crochet by Nicki Trench.

Knit and wine

First Knit and Wine of the year.

Hope you can join us. Tuesday 21st February, 7.30 - 10pm @ Jolie.

Lots of love

Better late than never.....

What a star

Mouse was called upon to give an impromptu interview over the phone on the Gaz Wesley show for BBC 3 Counties Radio on Saturday morning. They wanted to talk someone about young knitters and were delighted to find a 17 yr old who works in a knitting shop and LOVES knitting. Mouse did great, kept her composure and spoke really well. She just needed a couple of liqueur chocolates afterwards to calm the nerves.

And this is actually what she was knitting on Saturday morning. A toadstool which has become a key ring. From Lesley Stanfield's book 75 Birds, Butterflies and Beautiful Beasties to Knit and Crochet.

Brrr!

We've had white out in Walkern and down to -10 overnight.

Teddy's been wearing his fairisle.

The chucks are seriously unimpressed. They are still laying but the eggs we've collected have been frozen and split like burst pipes when they were brought into the house.

Billie loves it .....but I think she loves the fire even more.

Famous Names

Ooh what a tasty selection. There's nothing like a liqueur coffee - even if it is 11am on a Thursday morning. Xmas choccies in February warm the heart and more besides.