Mum's Fruitcake -

Ingredients
1. 150g butter
2. 200g sultanas
3. 200g cup currants
4. 100g brown sugar
5. 2 tsp allspice
6. 250mls water or orange juice and brandy or pot-brewed tea

7. 1 tsp bicarb soda

8. 2 eggs
9. 2 cup self raising flour

Put ingredients 1-6 in a pot and bring to boil.
Turn off heat and add 7.
Cool.
Add 8, mix.
Add 9, mix with a light hand.
Pour into 20cm cake tin.
Bake for 15 mins in at 180º then 55 mins at 160º.

Afghan squares -

Guest project.















Many of the individual squares have names, like 'musk rat' and 'gangrene baby', but it is late, I am tired from a week of camp, and I can't make my brain work to remember.



















I love the contrast of the crochet border. I mentioned this is not my project of radness, but Nell's, right?



















Action shot.



















The important boots and all shot.

Wish me good sleeping.

Seahorses -











































































The camera doesn't "see" what I see.

Gifts -



















A tin for socks.

Cobblestone -

I cast it on Saturday night at Sockmonster's. It is a lovely grey blue. Already, I have slowed right down, but already I am planning the next one.















I got a chance to try one on in the flesh, and I loved it. I will make one for myself. I found enough of one colour that I like in Classic Elite Skye Tweed, but then I remembered a recent purchase that will work well for it. I want one exactly the same as the one I tried on, but feel like the stash needs attention.

Long time love -

The scarf I wear most often is the simplest. I found three skeins of rainbow-y handspun at the Handweavers and Spinners Guild. I loved the combinations of blues and greens and purples.















I knit it up in a plain stocking stitch on my Grandmother's broomstick needles.



















And chucked it through a cold wash to felt just the littlest of bits.

The colours make me happy when I wear it and it can be a scarf or an open wrap and it is often just enough to ward off the chill.

Spindleshanks -

I felt really shy about explaining why I wanted him to pose like this.


















Perhaps when I feel more confident about taking photos, I'll see if he'll go to the park and let me indulge in photo experiments.


















The finishing of this jumper fortuitously coincided with his 30th birthday. I have crossed fingers of hopefulness that I will be able to finish Cobblestone for Ashley in time for Christmas.

Explosion of postable things -

First thing, new stash. Very exciting, huggable stash. The green will be a shawl. The other, not so sure yet.














And a new jumper, yes, I have begun and I am two balls down of the Rowan all seasons cotton. I am totally going to get this puppy knit by Christmas (or so).















Today was the best sort of day full of sunshine and friends and gifts. More on the gifts soon (given and received).

Negative space -



















The best thing about this course has been other people's designs.















Maybe it is easier to appreciate the beauty in something when you can see what you imagine it should look like.















I should really bring my finished piece in from the car and have a look at it in decent light. I feel a bit reluctant. I loved the smooth finish of the 'arms' before I welded the cups on. My welding was a bit crap and I'd be disappointed if I'd spoiled them.

Hitting things with hammers -

As with every Thursday for the past five weeks, I have come home filthy and tired.















Unfortunately, I will miss the final class because I am going on camp.















Fortunately I chose a relatively simple design and managed to finish it tonight.















He is going to run the beginners course again in the next 'term', and he will run a follow on course from this one as well.



















I think I want another go at this. The finished candelabra is in the car. It got coated in a clear lacquer to finish it. Better to stink out the car than to stink out my little apartment.

Shower now, to wash all the soot off my face.