Friday 5 June 2020

Friday Chat Day

Hello friends.

Welcome to another Friday Chat Day, they roll around 
pretty quickly don't they.
Hope you are all keeping well and still be vigilant. 
So in my little world a lot of the usual things going on.

Crochet:

I'm still loving all this extra time I have to crochet and delighted
at the progress of this Seaside Stashbusting Blanket which is for a friend.
It's folded in half here so much wider in real life.
I'm just over half way through and hoping I get this finished by next Friday.


I did not get around to making up all the flowers into a garland this week,
I think I'm procrastinating because I like seeing them all piled on this tray.
Bit of a dust trap though.


I've had a few people contact me to say how they would like
to crochet but have struggled to learn.
I definitely struggled, back in 2013 when I had my shop, I even enlisted a tutor 
to come and teach crochet classes but I couldn't grasp it.
My issue was holding the hook and yarn,
it felt clumsy and tension was all over the place.

Then last year I picked up a crochet hook and held it differently,
keeping both yarn and hook in my right hand, more like knitting and it worked.
My reason for sharing this is to ask you if any would-be
crocheters would benefit from some tutorials on a different way to crochet?
As mentioned, I'm still on furlough leave from my city job so 
I may have some time to dedicate to some tutorials.

I get time to think up this stuff when I'm in my 'crochet corner'
and this is it.  Nothing glamorous and yes, this is after a tidy up.
It is upstairs (away from my noisy neighbours!)
Out of photo shot is my full yarn stash - a little embarrassed to photo that!
Also out of shot, my TV, 
news of what I've been watching this week ...
please scroll down.



Recipe:

A great idea from Jean that I have a tab at the top of my 
Thank you Jean.

Chocolatey Chocolate Cake this week. 
It is lovely as an afternoon tea cake or as a dessert served 
with raspberries/strawberries.



175g/6oz self-raising flour, 
175g/6oz sugar, 
175g/6oz soft margarine or butter (room temperature), 
1½ teaspoons of baking powder,
3 tablespoons of cocoa powder,
3 eggs – beaten, 
1½ tablespoon of milk (optional)

Preheat oven to 180C, 350F or Gas Mark 4.
 Grease and line two 20cm sandwich tins.
Sift flour and baking powder together.  
Add cocoa powder, butter or margarine, sugar and eggs and
 beat with an electric hand whisk or food processor until well mixed.  
If the mixture is too thick add a little milk and mix again.  
Divide mixture evenly between sandwich tins.  
Bake for 25-30 minutes until risen. 
Remove from tin and cool on wire rack.

Buttercream: mix 50g/2oz of softened butter with 
100g/4oz sifted icing sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk.  
For the flavouring add 25g of melted chocolate (I tend to use more!) 
or as an alternative, 2 teaspoons of instant coffee 
mixed with 2 teaspoons of boiling water.  
Enjoy!

Click here for the Chocolate Cake printable.

Telly:

This week whilst camped in my Crochet Corner
I've been having a bit of a Netflix fest.
First one...
Hollywood.


Drama about a group of aspiring actors and filmmakers just after World War II,
all trying to make their dreams come true.
It's cliche, a little bit saucy(!) but very entertaining.
I also love seeing the hair and outfits, they have the reddest of 
lipsticks and nail varnish. 

Second one...
 The English Game


Developed by Julian Fellows it is a six part drama series.
Imagine Downton Abbey crossed with Catherine Cookson
with a dash of footie thrown in! 
I am no football fan but actually there isn't a huge amount of football
in it, it focuses more on the relationships of the characters.
And I am a sucker for period dramas.

Craft:

Charity Kit Day this Sunday and this month we are supporting
Adorable and curious creatures.


Here's a sneak peek of Sunday's kit.


If it takes your fancy, please stop by.

And that wraps up another week, oh I nearly forgot the pooch.
Photo purely to show that she has a nice trimmed tummy -
hair wise not weight! She too is tempted by the biscuit barrel. 

 

Take care friends, wishing you a lovely weekend
whatever you may be doing - keep safe.

7 comments:

hazel young said...

The blanket is gorgeous and I like the look of a collection of flowers too. Maybe you can make some more so you can keep the collection as well as having the garland. Love the quiet crochet corner. I too struggled with crochet years ago, i think its because I knitted first, but then I did a course with a left handed tutor and managed to pick it up. I have a lot of pains numbness, pins and needles in my hands so can't crochet very much at all. Love the recipes. Will give this one a try, thank you. Love the sneak peek for the charity kit, the yellow really sets it off. Nice to see Bella has had a trim. Have a great week stay safe xx Hazel

kittyedavies47@gmail.com said...

Morning Christine.
Another lovely chat thank you. I would be interested in a crochet tutorial,
I can do a granny square, but am confused at the end of a straight piece of work
Increase and decrease or just keeping straight.
Another lovely recipe thank you.
Bella looks so relaxed and cool.
I am not a great tv fan just all documentaries.I love to read.
Have a great weekend and stay safe Kitty.

CraftyCoffey said...

Great to catch up with all your news. The blanket is looking great. The chocolate cake looks delicious, will definitely be trying that recipe-thank you.

Looking forward to seeing this months kit & what a fantastic charity-one very special to me as I have Hedgehogs visiting my garden.

Michele

Carolyn said...

Love reading your blogs Christine, and your recipes , I have yet to do the date crumble one but have the recipe printed and ready . I love your blanket but think I am a bit old in the tooth to start to try and learn and I already have a pile of half started projects . Bella is looking good. Have a good week and stay safe xxx

Lesley Cann said...

I really look forward to your chats on a Friday I have always wanted to crochet but like you have great difficulty in holding the hook and yarn. Would it be possible for you to show a picture of how you hold the hook and yarn in your right hand. Many thanks lesley

karenlotty said...

Great chat
Like you I crochet as if I am knitting I taught myself in the late 60’s/70’s So no YouTube then I have converted a couple of friends that are knitters in the first place
That cake looks yummy too Bella looks absolutely adorable all stretched out
I don’t have Netflix but that tele sounds right up my street

Patricia Howarth said...

Hi Christine, Wow, you are getting on really well with your crochet blanket, I for one would love to be able to crochet, and would really appreciate a tutorial.
Your sneak peek of the charity kit looks lovely.
Bella is adorable, and I love your 'censored' strap haha.
That chocolate cake looks positively yummy, thank you for the recipe.
Stay safe, stay well, have a lovely weekend.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

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