Hot off the press

We have a new range of pretty little cards.

Beautifully hand printed by letterpress on heavy weight paper and with a very English theme.

We think they are delightful, and the range is huge. Lots more in store.

Oh Coral

My new favourite colour. Scarlett just happened to have chosen the same colour for her nails!

Leg latest

Only a week to go before my appointment at the hospital. I may not get the cast off yet, but the leg is feeling a whole lot better and I'm hoping that at least I will be able to start using it and put my foot down on solid ground again. I've had to sleep downstairs when Phil has been working away, but these two (Billie and George) have enjoyed it. And I enjoyed this amazing slab of hand made chocolate from Carolyn. Wow what a combination, the chocolate was delicious and went surprising well with liquorice allsorts.

Too cute

Sandra's daughter Vicky is expecting her first baby in October. Sandra is knitting her way through Erika Knight's book, Natural Nursery Knits and has knitted three of this adorable little cardis already. The little outfits look so sweet - are we sure it's not triplets?

Knit and Wine

Tuesday 24th May, 7.30-10pm.

Join us for a glass of wine or two or three! Nobby's Nuts de rigeur.

Now we are six

Cup cakes and candles to celebrate Jolie's sixth birthday and with Betty, our oldest and most glamourous customer, who came to our very first Knit and Chat and who has supported us from the very beginning.

More lovely long standing supporters from the Tuesday group; Julie,

(Dany), Betty, Karen and Anne Marie. Thanks girls and also to Jennifer, Naomi, Carolyn, Ria, Janice, Debbie and Beryl who were also there and to Pam who couldn't be with us this week.

Nearly there

Linda's beautiful Baby Alpaca throw is near completion. Lots of mattress stitch to go and then just the four mamouth borders to knit. It will be worth it, can't wait to see it finished.

Little Bo Peep

lost her sheep and didn't know where to find them!

Plum and Ivy went missing this morning - they trampled down a fence and went for a wander round the village. They were eventually spotted by Chrissie in a very beautiful garden in Totts Lane, standing on the patio looking at their reflection in the patio doors. Rod, Annie, Sydney and James all helped to catch them - eventually in the greenhouse. What a commotion. James had to sit on Ivy for about half an hour until the farmer came to fetch them. They are back in Wood End 'til we get the fences fixed....not easy this animal husbandry, particularly with a broken leg! Many thanks to Rod who found he was pretty good at sheep rustling - pictured above with Sydney (and Plum) and a well earned cup of tea.

Ta daah!

He's finally wearing it! I have been at Finishing School with my broken leg and have at last completed James' jumper. He was a reluctant model, but I snapped him unawares from my new home on the sofa.

Sheepish

Meet the new arrivals who have come to reside in the back garden over the summer. They are Plum and Ivy - names to reflect their gastronomic preferences. (Plum was originally called Parsley as in Cow Parsley, but seeing as she consumed a small plum tree in less than a day , we quickly changed it).

The ewe lambs (Poll Dorsets) are now installed in the garden at the rear of Jolie and are happily munching away (the remaining trees have now been protected). They have been loaned to us by Peter and Yvonne Gear from Highbury Farm, Wood End, which is about 2 miles from us. Peter and Yvonne have a flock of over 600 sheep and sell their lamb/sheep related products at local farmers' markets. Details are on their website http:www.highburyfarm.co.uk

Highbury Farm have had some fleece spun into wool on a 100yr old spinning machine at a mill up in Yorkshire. It is 100% pure wool and knits as a dk. We are hoping to stock some of this locally grown wool at Jolie when the next batch comes down from Yorkshire.

At the moment there is only the natural 'sheep' cream colour, although they are hoping to add a grey fleece too. I knitted my 'cake, tea or me' teacosy with it and found it very satisfying to use and especially as it was produced so close to home.

What a week

Aaah, I fell down the stairs last Tuesday evening and broke my leg. I have been stuck on the sofa for days, but a great excuse to watch the whole of THE wedding. And wasn't it lovely? Kate looked beautiful and the dress was just perfect.

We celebrated at Knit and Chat, of course.

A great chance to use the Royal tablecloth.

Karen finished her red white and blue bunting for the day.

Kathleen (a blog follower over in Spain), made this great Kate and Wills patriotic quilt to commemorate the occasion.

I have to say I have been spoilt with good wishes and gifts. Jennifer brought me a 'mussy tussy' from her garden.

Linda baked wedding day macaroons, which were delicious,

and brought me some beautiful tulips to brighten up the room.

I have some pretty cards too. I love the lamb (that'll be me soon) from Karen, and Libby hand made her pretty card.

I had a new bright pink cast put on today, but am looking at another 4- 6 weeks recovery. This one is a bit lighter, so I'm hoping to be a little more mobile. Oh but the frustration - I can't get up the steps into the shop, so Linda is doing all the work in there. At home, well, they are doing their best. Phil's cooking is actually really good, qiute a revelation, but the laundry has come off the line looking like it belongs to Quasimodo!