The cat's whiskers

How smart can a cat get? Figaro is wearing a crochet ruff, made by Dany's mum, Annie. Actually it's a collar to wear with a jumper, but fits him a treat. He does look smart and was happy to pose for the photograph.

The lacy crochet collar is from Debbie Bliss's book, Simply Crochet and is made using Rialto lace.

Oh, for a doilie

As promised, doilies made by Linda and Dany, from the lovely pattern in Nicki Trench's new book, Crochet Living. We used Rowan cotton glace, which gives good stitch definition and is nice and durable. We went a little 'off piste' with the colours, sort of boho meets gypsy caravan.  Planning a whole set of mix and match place mats now.

Crochet living

Another new book! Such a pretty book by Nicki Trench, for Debbie Bliss at Designer Yarns. 

The patterns are lovely and the styling simply gorgeous. 

I have made four of the doilies on the cover already! Pics to follow......

Etsy shop

Opened today! http://www.etsy.com/shop/JolieWalkern

Pom poms galore

Paper pom pom decorations for Easter, as seen in Selina's Pretty Pastel Style book and this month's Country Living magazine. Adding a little bit of cheer and colour til the spring flowers properly arrive. These were £3 for three in Sainsburys.

Spring books

Two lovely new books to drool over the Easter break. Selina Lake's latest book, Pretty Pastel Style is beautiful.

We love the pink 'knitting' dresser, which we believe belongs to Yvonne Eljkenduijn. Yve has a lovely blog...... http://www.yvestown.com

Also new in this week, Homespun Vintage by Jane Crowfoot. 

The green square cushion is crocheted.....like a crochet version of intarsia.....might have a go at this one.

Pom pom pom

Tah dah! Donna finished her pretty fairisle pom pom cardi for her seven yr old neice, Clemmie. 

Oh do grow up! Linda went back in time for a few moments and modelled the cardi and matching tam o shanter. Fitted a treat - hope it fits Clemmie.....

(Pattern from Debbie Bliss's book, 9-5)

Knit and wine

Tuesday, 26th March @ Jolie

7.30 - 10pm

Hope to see you there x

Walkern lace

We have been very kindly given some beautiful hand made lace and crochet, which has come from an old farmhouse in Walkern, shortly going up for sale. It is so pretty and delicate and there's lots of it! We think it was probably made by someone in the village many years ago, which makes in extra special. We shall use it wisely, as advised in this quote by John Ruskin.

'The real good of a piece of lace, then, you will find, is that it should show, first, that the designer of it had a pretty fancy; next, that the maker of it had fine fingers; lastly that the wearer of it has worthiness or dignity enough to obtain what is difficult to obtain, and common sense enough not to wear it on all occasions.' 

This piece fits perfectly across the hall stand.... with double sided tape, no harm done, to lace or furniture.

News from the heroes

Tina, who coordinates Hats4Heroes, sent a lovely thank you note to all those who contributed knitted hats for this campaign. The hats were very gratefully received and this picture shows the 2 Rifles, currently out in Afghanistan, wearing their hats with pride. We think they look rather good too!

PS We would also like to extend our thanks to Charlie Sterling for covering the cost of sending our hats to Tina in Wales, and to Julie Armond for organising this. Thank you!

Caspar

This beautiful portrait is by Augustus John of his son Caspar, painted in 1909. After a fairly unconventional childhood, Caspar went on to join the navy and eventually became Admiral of the Fleet in 1962. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspar_John

Phil, (Dany's husband) saw this painting in The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and was transfixed, as it strongly resembles our son Edward. 

I managed to order a print from a company called Magnolia Box who specialise in custom fine art prints, starting at £15. It arrived this morning and I am so delighted. They have hundreds of paintings to choose from and run a really fast efficient service. Highly reccommended. www.magnoliabox.com/

Knit and wine

Join us for Knit and Wine

Tuesday 26th February 7.30- 10pm

Jolie on line

As of today we have opened our online shop www.jolie-home.co.uk

We have started small, but will be gradually adding more items. 

We have decided not to sell yarn on line as this is quite tricky with dyelot issues etc and we wouldn't be able to store the amount needed for this. However, if you would like to purchase yarn from us and can't visit the shop we can mail out to you. Just give us a ring (01438 861717) and we will be happy to help. 

Get crafty

Time for 'show off and tell'. We are in the March issue of At Home with Lorraine Kelly magazine!

There is a double page spread on Jolie and an interview with Linda.

And a 'how to' make a knitted rabbit cushion - Linda's pattern inspired by Little Grey Rabbit. 

Out now. Read all about it!

Pop goes Emma

We sampled the delights of Emma's cake pops at Knit and Chat today. Not only are they delicious, they are skillfully made and very, very pretty. Emma does commissions for parties and weddings with all manner of designs (love the shark!) and can be found on Facebook. www.facebook.com/Pipingbag

Love is......

Happy Valentine's Day, wishing love to everyone. 

 So sorry Jolie's blog has been absent for a while. We had a computer glitch - very tiresome, but we're up and running again.

Knit and wine update

Unfortunately due to severe weather conditions, Knit and Wine has been postponed to next Tuesday,  29th January, 7.30 -10pm.

PS This is why wool is warm!

Winter weekend

Practically the whole country is covered with a blanket of snow. Walkern is a winter wonderland.

We've had about 4 inches over the last two days.

Scarlett and Ollie got a great fire going.

We sat here all day, crocheting, playing Scrabble and watching old movies. Felt like Christmas without the stress!

I baked some bread - cheated a bit, it"s Tesco's bread mix. Just add water, leave to rise then bake for 30 minutes. Brilliant.

We sat round the fire with bowls of soup.

Billie has been very spoilt.

The children have been sledging and snowballing. We went for a beautiful walk. This is Winter's Lane.

Church Lane, down by the ford.

The River Beane.

 

 Billie, such a happy dog.

Ciseaux

Merci to Jennifer for finding these fabulous Eiffel Tower scissors - in Stoke Newington. 

Pretty patches

I bought these in Oct 34 near Paris.

Iron on sleeve patches.......sort of Liberty style.

I put them on a plain grey V neck jumper, and blanket stitched around the edge for extra security.

Granny chic

A lovely book for the new year. From Tif Fussell (aka Dottie Angel, dottieangel.blogspot.com) and Rachelle Blondel (aka Ted and Agnes, talesoftedandagnes.blogspot.co.uk). Beautiful and inspiring pictures and crafty 'recipes' to help 'find your inner granny chic crafting soul'. There is one in all of us.

Christmas wishes and Happy New Year

I know it's already January, but it's been a busy one and I've been a bit waylaid. Just had to show you the wonderful handmade Christmas cards from Carolyn - who had to eat nearly a whole box of Quality Street to make those letters!

From Esme with love

Esme is an artist living in Copenhagen. She sent me these pretty traditional paper decorations.

The little cherubs are very cute,

and I love the 'straw' reindeer. 

View Esme's blog http://stuffilikeandstuffidid.blogspot.co.uk/

Who's on first base?

Mary has made two of these gorgeous baseball jackets for her great grandsons Julian and Rupert. The pattern is from Debbie Bliss's Baby Cashmerino Book 4  and knitted in Baby Cashmerino. We think they will look a couple of swells.