Pantone Colours

Driftwood PANTONE 18-1210

I make no apologies. I like sludge. You'll find me veering towards neutrals before I'll venture into vibrants. This week's colour is one that I'd wear, paint with, crochet with and it will always be a favourite. It's not brown, it's driftwood.

Pantone's description sums up why I like it,

'Natural, versatile neutrals add practicality to this season’s brights. Driftwood, an adaptable blend of beige and gray with a slightly weathered feel.'


The slightly weathered feel, that's what I like. It's not pristine or in your face. It's been around the block a bit. The colour of peeling bark and flotsam, the never knowing what it once was. Adaptability? Yes! I can't think of a colour that it doesn't look good with.

Driftwood is the colour of tweed jackets and brogues, old leather chairs and cigar smoke. Find out much more in this treasury of my Etsy favourites.

Easter goodies

Summer has come early again this year. We've gone straight from grey winter skies to blazing temperatures in a week. Everything in the garden had suddenly popped. Tulips unfolding in front of your eyes. The lawn is covered in selfseeded primroses and I've been dosing up on vitamin D and crocheting in the garden.

Pastels are the colour of spring and there's little surprise that candy colours are replacing the racks of drab winter clothes. It's a great excuse for me to get out my pretty pastel organic cotton and mix it up.

Ta da! I bring you a lovely, squashy, springy cushion that you can find in my Etsy shop.

Joy of joys, the first picture appeared in Flickr Explore  so I've had lots of lovely views and comments.

If you really want to do the whole decorating for Easter thing there's also a matching garland too.

Off to finish a pretty, candy pink and cream blanket and to soak up the rays before the summer months return with more rain.

Pantone Colours

Sweet Lilac PANTONE 14-2808

The weather has been glorious. I've been busy planting up new lavender and trimming those already sprouting this year's growth. For another year we've gone from winter straight to summer. Perfect weather for this week's choice.

I can't compose a better description so I'll give you Pantone's

'Reminiscent of a blossoming garden on an early spring morning, fragrant Sweet Lilac evokes the fresh scents of summer. This delicate pinkish lilac adds a touch of romance to any wardrobe.'

Not since teal have I had so many problems finding the right choices. Sweet lilac is not the traditional pale lavender but a richer, pinker version of the shade. This can only be a good thing and might help to change the perceptions of it as being an old fashioned colour.

It used to be associated with mourning. Black was the colour worn by recent mourners but after a respectable period of time it could be replaced by lilac for widows. Although this stopped in Victorian times I remember old ladies wearing lilac as 'widows weeds.'

So on the day we mess around with clocks  - spring forward- I bring you the new improved Sweet Lilac .....




Please forgive me if my posts have been short and few and far between. My laptop has been suffering from a high temperature and sudden fainting spells. But all's well now because the lovely postman has brought me a super duper, new external hard drive. Even if one of the fainting spells is fatal all my files are backed up.

Have a great weekend!

Happy Mothering Sunday

It's been a weekend to enjoy. Yesterday morning the postman arrived with two packages of organic cotton, one box of embroidery hoops and another parcel with a lovely surprise inside. A lovely tin of biscuits from Rolla.

A gorgeous tin of biscuits from Biscuiteers. Aren't these so cute? It's what every yarn loving, kitty mummy wants.

Later in the afternoon this happened.

Yes! Wales won the Grand Slam!! A nail biting end to a tournament and the nation is still celebrating.

Today I went out with Beth for pancakes and a lovely wonder round the shops. I fell in love with a pair of shoes that are so out of my price range that I've got to have them.

Here's to a good week ahead for all of you yummy mummies and nonmums!

Pantone Colours

Solar Power PANTONE 13-0759

This colour fulfils the statement made by Pantone's executive director, Leatrice Eiseman, who said “Consumers look to spring for renewed energy, optimism and the promise of a brighter day.”

Described as providing a jolt of energy, Solar Power, radiates warmth and cheer.

I'm not a great fan of yellow. Probably living where I do, yellow stands out way too much in the crowd. We don't get those blazing, summer days that can make yellow look good. I think it works well as an accent colour against blues or neutrals but can be overwhelming used on its own.

It's a bold choice for those who aren't as cowardly about their choice of colour. As you can see from this week's treasury there are lovely items for everyone's tastes. Bring some sunshine into your life with Solar Power as done by Etsy.



I shall be very busy tomorrow afternoon, glued to my TV screen as Wales face France for the Six Nations Grand Slam. Whatever you're doing have fun.

C'mon Wales!

Invite to an Art Party

This month I've decided to join in with the Etsian Artists Art Party. The members of this team work in various media so it's very exciting to see their work. To quote the leader, Lizzy Love, the idea is to interpret a given theme through your own medium. This month's theme is 'bazaar'.

For me it's an excuse to get away from the gentle colours of organic cotton and venture into the world of vibrant colour. My inspiration has come from the souks of Morocco.

and from a wonderfully supportive group on Flickr Buscando Comienzos Desafío Manta Hueco Zig Zag. I'm sure that the group members and Helen in particular will be there if I get stuck.

I've decided to make a crochet throw based on a design of a Moroccan rug.

The wool has been ordered and I'm itching to get started. I'll show you the colours when they arrive.

You can find out more about the Art Party on the Etsian Artists blog

Pantone Colours

Sodalite Blue PANTONE 19-3953

Every spring the nautical look emerges from the winter sales. This year's navy is known as Soladite Blue. Pantone describes is as;

'a classic maritime hue, brings order and calmness to mind. Like an anchor to a ship, this dependable shade works with every colour in the palette.'

You can wear it without doing the full on red, white and blue, brass buttoned, striped combo which always remind me of Hyacinth Bucket in the 'What to wear when yachting' episode of Keeping Up Appearances.

Here's how to do this spring's navy in good taste while shopping on Etsy.

Miniature Knitter

The days have gone when I knitted Fair Isle jumpers from 3 ply wool using 2mm needles. These days I favour nothing finer than a good old double knit.

Tonight, after a spot of blog hopping via Crochet With Raymond and from there to My Sister's Knitter, I found the most awesome video. The world of miniature knitting a la Althea Crome was revealed. Lots of questions jumped out at me, 'Why?' 'How?' 'Do you need to wear glasses?'

It's not something I intend to take up but you have to admire the skill and dedication shown here. Sit back and be amazed. 

Reasons to be cheerful part 3

Wales 24-3 Italy

Wales’ Alex Cuthbert and Italy’s Kristopher Burton. Credit: Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport

This time next week I could be even happier! Have a great weekend!

Pantone Colours

Cabaret  Pantone 18-2140

A gorgeous rich pink with a fitting description from Pantone.


'Scintillating and sexy, Cabaret is a sensual and intense rosy-red — an excellent choice for summer clothing and cosmetics.'


After last years block colours there's still plenty of clothing around showing the trend but with this years colours. You'll see plenty of Tangerine Tango mixed with Cockatoo and Cabaret. The more daring have added Bellflower to the mix. It looks as if it's going to be a vibrant summer. All we need is the sun to show the colours in the best light.


It's not been an easy colour to match but here's the best of Etsy as usual.





Have a great weekend!

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!

Happy St David's Day.

It's 1 March, the one day of the year that Welsh people everywhere get in touch with their inner nationalist. Children all over Wales have been taking part in eistddfodau, cultural competitions that involve singing, dancing, poetry readings and art. The younger ones will be dressed up in costume and wearing the daffodil or leek with pride. St David's Day is a not an uproarious drunken celebration but a day for the nation to take quiet note of its long history.

Today I'm going to give you a little taste of Wales. Traditionally cawl, a lamb stew is eaten, but I'm going to give you a recipe for something more yummy, Welsh cakes or picau ar y maen.

I'd like to say that this recipe was handed down from my mother. It's not. She did everything by sight and didn't possess a set of scales. On the numerous occasions I've asked her she's said that you just judge it.
Right!

This recipe is in Imperial. For metric I'll give you links to other recipes with better photos.

Picau ar y Maen
1lb self raising flour
4oz butter
4oz hard margarine
4oz currants
6oz caster sugar
1/2 teasp mixed spice (optional)
1 egg
pinch salt

Sift the flour and salt together. Rub in the fat until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add all the other dry ingredients.

Beat the egg lightly and bind the mixture to make a firm dough. You can add milk to make it more manageable.

Roll out on a floured board to a thickness of 1/4 inch and cut into rounds.

Cook on a lightly greased griddle or heavy frying pan for about three minutes each side until golden brown.

Sprinkle lightly with caster sugar and serve. Sometimes they are split and then sandwiched with jam.

After that you can sit back and enjoy!

For metric measures check BBC Food. For a Welsh site that sells the traditional bakestone try Welsh Griddles.

Do try them out. They're yummy!