Congratulations to Alicia

If you don't already see Alicia Paulson's blog - take a look. Alicia is very talented and inspiring; her embroidery is simply beautiful but she also knits, crochets, gardens and bakes. Those of us at Jolie who do follow her are overjoyed at her recent news. Finally after a lot of heartbreak and disappointment Alicia has adopted a baby girl. Even though they are miles a way in Oregan we have been touched by her story and are so happy for her. Check out her blog, Posie gets Cozy http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com

We love Tessa

New from Tessa Kiros. Limoncello and Linenwater is a book to drool over. Tessa is half Finnish, half Greek Cypriot and married to an Italian. She lives in Italy and this beautiful book is inspired by her mother in law, Wilma. Full of recipes, household tips, anecdotes, old photographs and words of wisdom passed down from mothers to daughters. Beautifully designed and photographed, a real treat.

Crochet love

Crochet is so quick. It's nice to punctuate knitting projects with something speedy, uncomplicated and rewarding. The bath mat was made using Rowan All Seasons cotton on a 5 mm hook - pattern from Granny Square Love.

This little coverlet has to take the biscuit for speed. Crocheted in DMC embroidery thread on a 1.75 mm hook for a doll's house bed. It measures 10cm square! Pattern inspired from Knitted Dolls by Arne and Carlos.

Stained glass 'Teddy'

Linda needs to live here........spotted in Lewes, East Sussex by Dany's dad, Rod.

Hats 4 heroes....update

The pile of Hats 4 Heroes is so high it's toppling over. 

Huge thanks to everyone who has contributed so far, especially Jolie's own Knit and Chat groups and WOW (Women of Wymondley), who also donated chocolate! Many thanks to Designer Yarns for donating some beautiful yarn. There is still some left, so please come in and choose some if you havn't already done so.

Keep going everyone, as we still have another couple of weeks before we send the parcel off. 

PS Thank you Hellie for the gorgeous postcard (above).

Knit and wine

Tuesday 23rd October @ Jolie

7.30 - 10pm

See you there

Autumn colour

I popped over to Susan's new house the other day and discovered the delights of her garden. A grapevine, quince and white raspberries. The raspberries made the most delicious, delicate fool....which did fool, as no one could work out why it tasted of raspberries yet wasn't pink.

Free pattern

Erika Knight has produced a great pattern for cosy boot toppers. It uses 1 skein each of Erika's 'fur' and maxi wool. The pattern is free with the yarn purchase. Perfect for autumn and not just for wellies! Please call if you would like yarn and pattern sending. Tel: 01438 861717

Yoghourt pot cake

This recipe was given to us by Pam. 

It's really quick and easy to adapt with what you have in the cupboard.

Yoghourt cake

1 yoghourt, any flavour

self raising flour

caster sugar

mixed fruit (I used fresh blueberries)

2 eggs

 sunflower oil

mixed spice

Preheat oven to 180 (gas mark 4)

Empty yoghourt into mixing bowl. Wash and dry empty pot and use as a measure.

Mix together with yoghourt;

3 x pots self raising flour

1 and a half pots sugar

1 and half pots fruit

2 eggs, beaten lightly

1 x pot oil

1 tsp mixed spice

Turn mixture into a greased 7" round tin and bake for about 1hr and 20 mins, or until firm to touch and cooked through. Alternatively use individual muffin cases, and allow for shorter baking time.

Sew clever

...and so kind. Hellie sent a parcel of birthday presents over from Paris for Linda, Dany and Karen. She has made these gorgeous linen book covers with personalised embroidery and vintage haberdashery labels. I absolutely love mine and am using it every day.

Frying tonight

Mmmm, we had a takeway on Friday night.....

For the best fish n chips in town, head for W J Rowe, 119 Bedwell Crescent, Stevenage SG1 1NA.

Run by William, pictured centre with his team, this local Fish n Chip shop has been trading since 1962 and are in the top 30 in the UK. It is the quintessential English chippie, beautifully clean with very friendly and efficient staff.

Open from Monday to Saturday til 10.30 pm, there is a queue out of the door, but it moves quickly. Delicious crispy fish n chips, well worth the wait.