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!

Happy Easter

The Williams and the Taylor families exchanged Easter baskets on Easter Day over coffee. A certain theme going on here we thinks.........we both had little square baskets filled with goodies - predominantly chocolate bunnies.

Wow! This is the shop window of Down Memory Lane in Spring Road, Letchworth GC - just round the corner from Dany's sister Venice's house. An Aladdin's cave of all sorts throughout the year, but big time on Easter.

Ollie picked some wild flowers for our Easter breakfast table.

Knit and wine

Join us on Tuesday evening 26th April. 7.30 - 10pm.

Unfortunately Doris can't make it this time.

Liberty Belle

Libby has tidied her bedroom over the Easter holidays. Tres Jolie we think.

Fair Rosalind

Rosalind opened her presents at Knit and Chat on Thursday..... a pretty jug and glasses for outside drinks on Easter day perhaps? - Rosalind's actual birthday. Have a great day. xx

Sshh!

At last, Kim Hargreaves latest book Whisper has arrived just in time for Easter.

There are 21 beautiful feminine designs in summer yarns including 4ply Siena, Handknit cotton dk and Kidsilk Haze. We love this lovely reversible tunic with full sleeves (above).

The colour palette is classic and muted. Very pretty indeed. Another winner from Kim - worth the wait!

Doctor or vet?

Carolyn's animal production line has increased. We had a newborn Mustang at Knit and Chat today. By next week his saddle should be finished and his own crochet blanket.

Kusmi quick

Kusmi Sweet Love tea sent from Hellie in Paris is very delicious. We've been making Chai tea lattes with it at Knit and Chat and they're pretty good.

I made yet another tea cosy over the weekend from Debbie Stoller's book Stitch and Bitch Nation. The original pattern is for 'Coffee Tea or Me?', which I didn't quite understand on a teapot...

Lovely Sandra (ex air hostess) put me right. Coffee, Tea or Me? was a saucy novel published in 1969 and is the unihibited memoirs of two lusty young airline stewardessess.... so there you go. (He'll probably choose the cake anyway!)

'Modern' vintage

Linda and I have fallen in love with this 1950's kitchen cabinet. It was made by Stoneham of Deptford and was the height of sophistication at the time. I have done some research and discovered it is a 'Cambridge' kitchen cabinet. Stoneham still make kitchens and are now based in Sidcup, Kent and have a royal warrant as furniture makers to the Queen.

This one is in immaculate condition and has obviously been cherished over the years. It still has a little egg box, a 'fridge' compartment and a thermometer on the front, cutlery drawer, a pulldown worktop and this fabulous original orange Fablon inside. We've been playing 'house' all afternoon since it came into the shop.

It could be straight from the pages of Modern Vintage Style, a new book out by Emily Chalmers.

Softly, softly

Back to knitting again. Mary made these beautiful little bootees for her great grandson who is on the way. Knitted in Rowan's alpaca cotton and felted at 60 degrees in the washing machine, we think they are truly gorgeous. I think he will be having more than one pair.

Maddox

Ok, so what the hell does this have to do with knitting? It doesn't really, except that James (with white guitar) is Dany's son and still waiting for his jumper...... Maddox, his band, played a live session on 'BBC Introducing' on the radio last week. Check out this little clay animation video of one of their tunes; 'First time, One time, Last time' made by friend Alex http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFft7qn5l6Q

A knitter's home companion

This charming little book by Michelle Edwards is a collection of short stories, patterns and recipes. Beautiful photography and lovely illustrations by the author, it is " a sweet reminder of the power and compassion that we can express with two sticks and some string".

Pictured with Karen's fabulous fair isle jumper which has used quite a lot of 'string' and even more love.

Good eggs

These little x 4 egg boxes are great for giving out a few new laid eggs as gifts. http://omlet.co.uk

Hippy dippy crochet day

We held a special '70's crochet flower workshop for Michelle and Paula on Saturday. Linda showed them how to make some fab daisies, roses and leaves in all handknit cotton.

We had wagon wheels and party ring biscuits with morning coffee and prawn cocktails for lunch with cheese and pineapple on sticks. And of course - Black Forest gateau at teatime!

Thanks to Julie for lending us her extensive '70's music collection - we were kept in the mood all day long!

Springtime @ Jolie

The sun has made a bit more of an appearance over the last week and the shop is looking very pretty.

We have cheery cherry blossom and pussy willow stems and the new spring stock is beginning to arrive with lots of lovely ideas for Mother's Day gifts.

A twist on the Jolie knitting bag. Normally made from embroidered linen, this one has been made from pretty vintage fabric (found by Sandra in Southwold) and we think it is gorgeous.

Proud Mary

....actually Mary is incredibly modest and we are very proud of her. She has just finished this amazing coat for Pam knitted in Kidsilk Haze.

Had to show you the back too. Beautiful lace work and as soft as a cloud.

Knit and wine

Is rescheduled for next Tuesday 29th March. 7.30- 10pm. Hope you can make it.

Down Mexico way

It was a great evening over at Sue's for a Mexican theme dinner party. The cocktails were flowing - Japanese Slipper, anyone? Or how about another Singapore Sling?

The food was delicious, accompanied by a great singalong seventies soundtrack. Remember Manhatten Transfer, Baccara (Yes, Sir, I can Boogie) and Tina Charles? We did!

"Now Beryl, tell me how did you meet Jim?" Three hours later, some more cocktails and off on another tangent, we never did hear the end of the story. Oh what a night!

Star turn

Jen was a star at Knit and Chat this week. First we had a beautiful pink Camellia flower from the garden.

Then Jen produced two more embroidered cushions! A Norfolk beach hut for Karen and some lovely chucks for Dany.

Ollie's new friend

Carolyn knitted this great mole for her son Ollie.

Lucky Ted

Oh, what a totally pampered pooch! Jennifer designed and made this wonderful freehand quilted cushion at a workshop on Monday. She presented it to Linda at Knit and Chat on Tuesday where a few tears of joy were shed.

Finished!

Jeannette has finally completed the fair isle tank top... and she's also wearing her fabulous pink Debbie Bliss fair isle gilet. What a busy bee. Those fingers havn't stopped.

What a find

A welcome coffee and Portuguese pastries to be had at Brandon's Taste of Portugal deli en route to Norfolk..... a wonderful shop crammed with foodie delights, wine and preserves.

The shelves are so colourful. Delicias de Portugal have branches in Kensal Green, Vauxhall, Victoria and 56 High Street, Brandon, Suffolk!

And on to Stiffkey Stores in Stiffkey. This place is so pretty and well worth a visit.

Anyone for tea?

Finished Nicki Trench's BIG strawberry tea cosy for the GIANT Aga tea pot and then quickly knitted another littler one with self striping 'sock wool' - just to see how it turned out.

Hellie sent us these fanatastic sugar lump buttons from Paris. They are so pretty - too good to put in the tea.

Oh my! Another Nicki Trench pattern (from Cute and Easy Crochet), beautifully crocheted by Carolyn and Jennifer. What a lovely cheery start to the day, everyone needs a fun tea cosy.

Happy Birthday

To Sue, who celebrated with loads of cake and some early Easter bunnies. And Sue was very happy bunny too with her special 'surprise' black leather Fibi bag.