Charity Kit Day - April 2021

 Hello friends

Happy Charity Kit Day and Happy Easter too.

Thank you for stopping by and taking a look at this month's kit. 

Each month a donation is made to a different charity and this month it is 

Tiggywinkles, the world's busiest wildlife hospital 

who rescue and rehabilitate all species of British Wildlife.

To keep track of charities there is a tab at the top of my blog here.  

It details the 2021 chosen charities, clickable links and 

there's general kit info over there too

And here is this month's kit:

It's white with layered die cuts and a touch of delicate pastel Spring colour.

If you've been following my blog for a while you may recall 

I had a similar kit card back in Spring 2017!

Included in your kit:

White card blank 5 x 5

White envelope

White card mat with printed sentiment 'Hello Spring'

Die cuts – Pierced Tag, Oval Tag, Birdhouse, Bird, Flowers x 3

Full instructions

(Items you will need: adhesives, foam pads, pearls/gemstone)

The kits are packed in recyclable paper bags and sent in a 'do not bend' 

envelope so they arrive in pristine condition. 

To make up the kits you just need a basic craft kit, all pieces are pre-cut.

The kit cost this month is £4.85

that's the total payment - inclusive of postage and packing.

Payment is via the PayPal link below.

£4.85 - now reduced to £2.75

If you wish to purchase but would prefer not to use PayPal, please email me:

hope-chances@live.co.uk

I'm happy to help with alternative payment arrangements.

It is possible to purchase multiple kits,

there's an option with PayPal for that too.

If you would like to support the kits but do not need one right now,

there is a 'Ko-fi' button', at the top of the blog, it's not really for coffee...

all donations enable me to purchase card blanks, envelopes, the paper bags,

sticky labels etc used each month.

It is truly a great help each month with Ko-fi donations,

so lots of thanks to those who donate.

There's just a couple of January kits still available at the reduced price. 

It's the kit with teabags inside (full details on the blog post here)

Price is now £3.50 should you wish to purchase -

the PayPal button there has been adjusted.

Thanks to all those who snapped up bargain kits last month.

Take care friends, as always - huge thanks for your support

and have a wonderful Easter Sunday.

Good Friday Chat Day

 Hello friends

Here in Kent we've had some glorious weather this week, only for a couple of days 

but it made such a difference.  

From seeing the sun rays through the curtains early in the morning 

to glancing at the clock at nearly 7pm and appreciating it was still daylight.
 I hope the sunshine visited you too.

Bella soaking up the rays.

She is happy I promise you even though she looks a bit miffed,

I think the sun was in her eyes.

I took a wander around the garden (about half a dozen paces covers it!)

and felt a squeal of delight at seeing all the Spring-ness.

Tree blossom - just a little (as our friendly squirrel ate most of it)

 but each little flower is just perfect.

The Honeysuckle that didn't do much last year looks a lot more promising.

The Clematis bench is sprouting new leaves everywhere.

I always have Elliott's words echo in my ears when I look at this bench...

"So no-one can actually sit on it then?"

I then had the mad idea of sorting out the shed.

Emptied it and then seeing how much stuff there was - regretted it quickly!

That horrible green wooden fencing was put up by the neighbours behind me

last Summer, it is already rotting.

If anyone has ideas as to how I can screen that please let me know.

Some time later...

I am pleased that I've done it now but goodness it was tiring,

I clearly haven't done much strenuous stuff recently.

Crochet:

 Last week I linked to the article about Tom Daley being a crochet influencer,

well - I thought I had! Sorry to those who got a Zoom link instead!

The link is now correct and in case you still fancy a read - it is here.

I've been working on my Hello Spring blanket.

I had planned to place the squares randomly and join with pale green,

I then decided to do a colour wash design and join with cream.

Perhaps a good idea to not always stick to plan.

I've got a couple more rows of joining to do and then I'll start the border.

I also heard that Stylecraft Special DK (my go-to yarn) is going up in price,

now if that isn't an excuse to stock up I don't know what is.

I've purchased enough to make an ocean themed blanket ...at some point.

I have found my happy place with crochet - long may it last,

or until I get to the end of my yarn stash! 

Telly:

It has been a Britbox binge this week.

Grantchester

Reverend Sidney Chambers joins forces with Inspector Geordie Keating 

and helps him investigate and solve crimes in the village of Grantchester.

Five seasons of this gem, a new case each episode with a 

continuous back story for each character.

The housekeeper is played brilliantly by Tessa Peake-Jones -

Raquel in Only Fools and Horses.

Recipe:

Yes a recipe!

I haven't done a lot of cooking recently, Mitchell has taken over cooking most meals

and I am so pleased - it does mean my taste buds are pushed to some new extremes

as sometimes a little too spicy but I'm not complaining.

But yes, back to a recipe...

Simple Fairy Cakes

These can be decorated, add buttercream, icing - whatever you fancy.

I occasionally like them plain, they are soft like Maderia cake.

100g self raising flour, 1 tsp baking powder,

100g butter (room temp), 100g sugar,

2 eggs (lightly beaten), 1tbsp milk.

 

Preheat oven to 180C. 

Pop cake cases into a 12 cup bun tin.

Sift flour and baking powder into bowl.

Add butter, sugar and eggs and beat with electric whisk

for approx 2 minutes. Add milk and whisk again until mixed.

Divide between cake cases.

Cook for 15-20 minutes until risen and springy to touch.

Cool on wire rack.

Decorate if desired – they store well in an airtight container.

You can find the printable recipe here.

Charity Kit:

 This Sunday is Charity Kit Day and this month we are supporting

Tiggywinkles - the world's busiest wildlife hospital.

Please stop by on Sunday, post goes live at 7am and I will post on 

social media too.

Until then - wishing you all a wonderful Easter,

I know it still cannot be how we would really like it but we are getting there.

Take care friends.

Friday Chat Day

 Hello friends

Happy Friday, hope you are all doing ok.

It's a tiny bit Easter-y at home this week, we have an Easter tree
and I received lovely chocolate eggs from a friend. 

I've had this metal tree since the boys were little and the eggs have 

been collected over the years.

I had to take the photo quickly before the beautiful eggs got eaten.

Not the best photo but the only one with all the eggs looking perfect 
and jewel-like in their box.

Now the boys are men I did question whether to put up the tree

but yes, we need the little things.

Crochet:

 In the news this week: Tom Daley - swimming fame,

took up crochet in lockdown and now designs his own patterns.

I was so thrilled to read this, for too long crochet has been associated with

grandmas and now apparently it is cool! 

You can read more about Tom Daley being a crochet influencer here.

And in my little world of crochet - more squares.

This the colour scheme for my 'Hello Spring' blanket and I admit

to loving it a lot.

Someone on Instagram likened it to Peter Rabbit colours.

As mentioned, the plan is to have a blanket for all four seasons 

and after a lot of faffing I've decided on all colours.

(To be truthful I really enjoyed the faffing but it did take a while).

Here's 'Hello Winter' - finished earlier this year.

And this is the colourway for 'Hello Autumn'.

Hello Summer - the yarn is on order so I will have a proper photo 

when it arrives.

And in between this I'm doing a large dark grey bed throw

as a commission which isn't at all colourful so I'll spare you that one! 

Other stuff:

I had my vaccination on Tuesday which coincided with a full year 

since the first lockdown.  Later that day scrolling through my phone,

I came across this...

A full year since the announcement of the first lockdown - a lot has happened

and yet little has happened.

I haven't been anywhere, I haven't seen hardly any friends but lots of change

with work and lifestyle. 

I admit to liking my work and lifestyle more, a lot less stress 

but you cannot help but wonder what the future holds.

As for the vaccination - I was a bit poorly afterwards but thankfully the

side effects only lasted a day and goodness that is very 

little to put up with on the scale of things. 

Telly:

Gardeners World - BBC1

They should dispense this programme as calming medication.

It's so lovely with the bird song, the snippets of Monty's dogs playing

among the pots and plants.

The only downside is that I want ALL the plants and my garden

is teeny tiny!  I'm managing to fit in quite a bit though.

And talking of my garden...

I shall leave you this week with a final photo - 

Squirrel Biggs as we call him is back and this time eating 

the blossom off my tree! 

I love him but...! 

Keep well friends, enjoy your weekend.

I shall be in my cabin working on April's Charity Kit.

Friday Chat Day

 Hello friends

Welcome - it's another Friday Chat Day and yes, 

don't they roll around quickly.

Little Lamb - so sorry to hear about your knee and surgery, 
hope you will be up and about and back to crafting soon.

Melonie - not nice that you had symptoms from the vaccination - 

hope you are feeling well now.

Anyone else had adverse reactions to the vaccination?

I haven't had mine yet but due hopefully later this month.

Mother's Day was fully celebrated last weekend.

I am pleased to report I indulged in my requested Chinese and Prosecco.

The boys spoiled me with lovely gifts and I prepared a little afternoon tea

for us all - this was the tray for Mum and Dad.

The cake top right is a family favourite - Lemon and Coconut,

the recipe can be found on the tab at the top of my blog 

or click here for the printable.

Crochet:

It has been a productive crochet week.

Actually finishing off projects - very pleased with the Meadow Blankets,

both in stripes and Harmony squares.

Bella chose to model this one!

And I finished another little Mini Squares Cushion Cover.

I crocheted a different reverse this time and I like the pattern.

Also I bought new little colourful pretty buttons.

This item is now in my Folksy shop if you would like to see more details -

please click here.

These cushion covers seem popular and I'm happy to make them.

I also took a commission this week for a dark grey bed throw,

that one will tax the eyes!

Home:

With lockdown and all of us spending so much more time at home are you 

noticing more?  I'm seeing things in my home that I just overlooked before.

My home is small and I have very little storage space - 

 I do not have a loft as it was converted into a room.

I do not have a garage, I do have a shed and it is packed full!

In fear of the walls closing in I have to declutter often and 

I always feel a whole lot better afterwards.  

I've been reading lots of articles/tips/advice and I liked this one

regarding storing DVDs.  We do not watch DVDs that often now since we 

stream and view online but I cannot quite part with them 

so with the help of plastic wallets, I went from this...

to this!

Alphabetically stored so they can be located easily.

Admittedly the wallets were not cheap - approx. £16 for 100

but the satisfaction afterwards was worth every penny! 

I also read that to help declutter throw something away every day,

(I don't think it includes everyday rubbish - cartons etc!)

Makes sense - by the end of the year you are guaranteed that your home

is 365 items lighter.  Let's not count the items we buy and bring into the home though!

Telly:

This week's viewing has included Shetland - Britbox 

Set in the Shetland Isles and adapted from Ann Cleeves' novels.

Douglas Henshall expertly plays Jimmy Perez, a Detective Inspector.

Storylines are clever but it is all rather bleak, scenery and weather.

I think you have to be made of stern stuff to live up there. 

Eye for an Eye - Amazon Prime 

A top notch cast in this thriller - John Travolta and Morgan Freeman.

Mr Travolta plays a Private Investigator returning to his home town in Texas

and has to deal with multiple cases.

This film also stars Brendan Fraser who is very changed from his 

heyday in The Mummy films.

    

So it is very Texan,  sleazy nightclub, shootouts - all the ingredients,

but once you're in you have to watch to the end.

This weekend, no real plans. I may make more yarn tags

(please see last week's post) and I imagine crochet will be high on the list.

Until the weather decides to be kind I could be back to 

decluttering, Mitchell is keeping a tight grip on all his belongings! 

Take care friends, 

keep safe and have a relaxing weekend.

 

Friday Chat Day

Hello friends

Happy Friday and I hope you are all doing ok.

Goodness this week has flown and I fear I have very little to show for it. 
I'm pretty certain I'll still find things to natter about!

Crochet:

I did some die cutting this week. For some time I've been looking at yarn pegs,

literally that - pegs with yarn wound around them.

They are ideal for colour coordinating and planning projects.

But I think they are quite chunky to store (my yarn is taking over the house!)

So I delved into the dark recesses of my creative mind and decided 

to make something different.

 I dug out a steel rule die featuring this tag.

It's from the Sapphire Plus days - remember that machine?

I cut multiples, gluing two together to strengthen them.

Using a template - I designed the labels, printing both the number and colour.

(I spent ages selecting a font - I'm very indecisive with fonts!)

For now I'm just sticking with Stylecraft Special DK as I use that the most.

I then started wrapping yarn. That took longer...

I'm ridiculously happy with the result!

Attaching them to file rings to hang on my crochet trolley,

I'm all set to colour design blanket #35336!! 

Telly:

Unforgotten - ITV Hub

Series 4 of this drama (all previous seasons available) that investigates historical crimes.

They start off with what feels like random people and their lives,

by episode two you learn the connection. 

I like this - I admire the writing because it must be tricky keeping tabs

on all the characters.  

Starring Nicola Walker and Sanjeev Bhaskar - both very familiar faces,

who play their roles perfectly.

Big Sky - Star

Star is the new channel offered by Disney+ 

I wouldn't normally subscribe to extra channels but we are living through

exceptional times and telly is a great escape! 

Set in Montana (beautiful scenery) it is the story of two sisters

who are kidnapped and those who are searching for them.

I got nearly to the end of the first episode and thought 'no thanks'

but then something happened and wow - it's now full of twists and turns.

Charity Kits:

A speedy sell out last Sunday - thank you everyone.

This card die has proved popular twice now.

As mentioned, it is one of the Spellbinders Die of the Month dies.

Also on Sunday, the sale of previous kits proved very popular,

there's just a few January kits remaining at £3.50 -

that's the kit with the tea bags.

Please visit the blog post here if you would like to purchase.

I've realised the next Charity Kit Day will be on Easter Sunday.

Considering we are mostly looking at four walls time is ticking by.

Working from home continues and I still love it,

I do not miss that coach commute at all.

I do miss my work mates terribly, the current staff members

are just not quite the same...

This weekend is Mother's Day Weekend - 

a lot of people are under the illusion that it is Mother's 'Day',

in my household it is a whole weekend! 

On Saturday I plan to have smoked salmon and scrambled egg on bagels 

and a Chinese takeaway.

On Sunday I'm preparing an afternoon tea for us and my lovely Mum.

I will drop it off and then we can Facetime whilst we devour scones.

Very different to what I would really like but still special.

Lots of thanks to those of you who ask after my parents,

they are managing - Mum still has hospital appointments which are extra 

worrying in these times.  Roll on Summer, even just to sit in their garden and

have a good chin wag.

Apologies no recipe this week - Mitchell attempted a sponge cake

in the air fryer and it was his first air fryer disaster.

He was placated by a bought chocolate brownie! 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend, I'm wishing for sunshine, a wool winder 

and a huge bottle of Prosecco! 

Take care friends.  Keep safe and well.