Trip to Cologne

Fab souvenir from Cologne - the home of 4711.

Yes! Managed to find a Madonna who has a missing hand and can sing 'Vogue' (waited all lunch time to get that bike in the background!).

Beautiful, inspiring raffia blooms.

Lots of haberdashery - a real treasure trove of delicious buttons.

The lovely Louisa Harding giving a sneak preview of her autumn yarns.....very gorgeous, but you'll have to wait.

Linda and Hellie outside the awesome 'Dom' of Cologne - don't ask why Linda is blowing her nose - after take 6, the 'photographer' gave up!

Weekend in Norfolk

I have wanted one of these for ages and found one in Wells-next-the-Sea antiques emporium - a cat string dispenser with handy store for scissors too (on the bow!).

Dany spent a lovely weekend on the north Norfolk coast with Phil, Edward and Oliver, quietly celebrating Phil's 5oth birthday.

Linda and Hellie went to Cologne to the Knitting and Stitching fair, courtesy of Designer Yarns, on Linda's winning raffle ticket. Watch this space for their pictures........

Noa Noa NOT for sale

Did a little shopping in Islington last night, pre the Country Living Spring Fair. Linda spied a Madonna and child in Noa Noa, but they wouldn't part with it. Damn, she was a bit 'mad' on her!! Had to stand on a chair to take a pic for future reference. Anyone know where to get one (The more bashed the better).

Jolie knitting bags

Two gorgeous new bags made from our latest batch of beautiful vintage linen embroidered tablecloths. Above, willow pattern inspired cross stitch embroidery. Below, fabulous hot vibrant bouquet of colour. £69.95 plus p&p £3.95.

Perfect washday

What a gorgeous day - just perfect for laundering a stash of embroidered linen tablecloths destined for the next batch of beautiful knitting bags.

Doorstep delight

Spring is definitely here at Jolie. African violets and French baskets (in three sizes) all new in this week.

Pretty pins

Not only do they look pretty in your pincushion, these pins are really easy to see and make the laborious task of sewing up just that little bit pleasanter. £2.25 a pack.

Vintage crochet blanket

Inspired by lovely Donna, I am backing a cute scrap of fabric to make a little nursery blanket. It's a piece I've had for a while and didn't know what to do with, until I saw Donna's great blankets which she's been making with crochet and vintage fabrics (pics please, Donna). I did have the material hanging over the telly(?), but now I think it's been put to better use.

Summer raffia

We're inspired by this new raffia. Thinking about crocheting a big floppy hat - or some placemats. or maybe a clutch bag with a big flower on it? storage baskets, a doormat? endless possiblities.......it's just what to do first..............

Lamb watch

'Jolie' the lamb is now available as a kit to knit - just in time for Easter. The kit includes; knitting pattern, Baby Alpaca and Cashsoft dk yarns, toy stuffing, ribbon and Jolie label, all for £17.95

Eco baby

Mary, our fabulous knitter, has made this lovely baby dress in Debbie Bliss's new Eco Baby -100% fairtrade cotton. Knitted rose by Linda.

Angora from Italy

Just arrived.... took the leeks out of the box and replaced them with these beautiful balls of pure angora in wonderful sweetie colours. This yarn is sooo soft, I just had to try it out straight away, hence the little bootees (see above) which are as light as a feather (knits as dk). We have taken on some new lines from Italy (Adriafil) and are also stocking Kid Mohair and Raffia which Linda is crocheting with right now. More of that later.....

Shop's cat

Help or hindrance? George decided that the shop was the place to be this afternoon.

Cakestand - folded

Had to let you see how it works........three tiers fold into one flat one........for handy storage.

New cakestand

Linda found this brilliant cakestand in Clare, Suffolk yesterday. What a fine centrepiece and best of all it folds up (will picture it folded later).

Beautiful and sunny at Knit and Chat today with Carolyn, Karen, Jo, Brenda, Betty, Debbie, Linda and Dany.