Bright Lights and Strawberries!

 Front of bag

Hello and a very happy weekend to you all :) Hope your week has been bright and happy? I have been really busy and the days have flown by. Nutty Knitters met on Wednesday and as usual more chatting, sipping tea and this week spoiling ourselves with a fresh Strawberry Cheesecake! My crop has started early and we have picked 12lbs of delicious berries....My family are already beginning to tire of cakes, desserts and savoury home bakes using yet more strawberries. 

Yesterday our textile group met up in my studio to discuss an exhibition for next year, and of course more tea and the offering was strawberry cream cupcakes. The brief we are working to is 'Bright Lights', its so nice to get together and see our creations coming together. We all work in so many varied ways, and certainly inspire each other :)

After sketching a few ideas I gathered up a selection of fabric, ribbons, and thread 'ingredients' and created collaged surface, which was then stitched to create a firm fabric. Having cut my design out of this new fabric it was time for the fun stuff....embellishments.....lots of beads, machine embroidered cords and fabric beads were created then all the components were stitched together to create the finished bag. 

   

These pictures show the back of my bag and some detail of the stitching and embellishments. I love working with these colours, and return to them time and time again...Happy colours! 

So I am on a roll now and having spent a day last week designing I was eager to get started today on the next piece towards a new collection of work.

Most of my day today has been spent in the studio, preparing the base for another stitched creation. Hopefully I will get to embellish it tomorrow and then finish it off during the week. So watch this space :)

Oh and no doubt I will continue to gather strawberries and bake....If anyone has a favourite recipe for strawberries....oh and blackcurrants, as they are on their way too....please can you post them up for me to try...Thanks xx

Have a good rest of weekend, hugs 4 smiles M x

Detail of fabric beads

Yummmmmmmmmmmmm x

A nice cup of tea and a piece of cake

Hello and a happy weekend to you :) I have just sat down with a cuppa, no cake today though as I am trying to loose those extra kilos that I gained at the weekend. Last weekend saw us in Aberdeen, to celebrate  my daughters birthday, and a nice time was had by all. We will be taking the long trip twice more in the next few weeks, one to help move her from her apartment, then another to celebrate her graduation. And in typical Maxine fashion I will bake cakes for each event! My two favourite things....baking for friends and family and a trip to the seaside...Both these activities level me out. There is something inside of me that just loves seeing people enjoying a table of plenty, its the Jewish in me I think! The waistlines in this house are protesting, but still I continue to bake.

Once a year my passion for baking is really challenged. We invite friends to join us in a 'nice cup of tea and a piece of cake' afternoon. Well pieces of cake actually, lots of pieces, and more to take home. Its lovely to see people enjoying this simple enjoyable feast, chit chatting and making new friends.
I am always on the lookout for new recipes, so if you have a special favourite you would like to share with me that would be brilliant! Maybe start a recipe swap....that would be fun and a good way of meeting like minded friends :) and hopefully to make and bake favourite cakes and bakes from around the world!
So look out you Nutty Knitters I could be baking a scrummy new bake next week for you to enjoy over a cuppa and a chat. Oh for those of you who don't know, Nutty Knitters are a group of ladies,(but men are welcome to come along) who meet up every 2 weeks to knit, chat and sip tea................ oh and most importantly eat cake around my kitchen table!
Try this all in one recipe below....its my favourite right now, and as our crop of strawberries has already ripened it makes this a perfect summer cake!

All in one sponge cake.

I use this recipe all the time and it rarely fails. You can change the flavours by adding lemons, oranges, or cocoa  powder, coffee, chocolate chips whatever takes your fancy really.

If you want to make chocolate sponge cake replace an ounce of the flour with an ounce of cocoa 

8oz flour, 8oz caster sugar

4 eggs, 8oz butter, 1tsp baking powder

Pre heat oven to gas mark 4 or 180 degrees.  Grease and line two 7 inch, deep sponge tins.  If using a food mixer put all ingredients into processor bowl and mix until the mixture is smooth.  If mixing by hand ensure mixture is thoroughly beaten (better results will be achieved by creaming together the butter and sugar first).  Divide mixture between the tins and bake in the centre of the oven for approximately 20 - 25 mins or until sponge is risen in the centre and golden.  Allow the sponges to cool for a few minutes in the tins and then turn out onto wire cooling racks to finish off.  Put the sponges together with the filling of your choice, I favour the traditional fresh whipped cream and strawberry jam filling then topped with cream and fresh strawberries......Bake Eat and Enjoy ' You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me' C S Lewis 'Talk and tea is his speciality'' said Giles. 'Come along inside... We'll see if tea and buns can make the world a better place.' The Wind in the Willows

     

Rainbows secrets and dreams x

This is not the best picture of a rainbow, but nevertheless  one that appeared yesterday  afternoon, and was a beautiful. colourful, magical arch across the back of my garden, a rainbow to make a wish on, one to dream on.  


I have always been a dreamer, somewhat a solitary child who was happy in her own company. I spent most of my time drawing, making up and writng stories with the most extraordinary creatures from my imagination, and of course daydreaming. And these 3 pursuits still stay with me...and always will. My mind conjuring up many a mythical creature, but one I am still outlining is about a cat....no ordinary cat, a lesser known Norfolk cat with exceptionally long legs which makes him stand out from his friends. He lives in a place called 'Hidden Dips' with his friend Talking Spoon. He has many adventures and learns through his journeys, self confidence and inner strength....Anyway watch this space, I am still illustrating and scribbling notes right now. I have a family who encourage me to follow this dream and a special friend who inspired it :)

Six years ago we went to Australia to celebrate a set of milestones that each member of my family had reached. The last family holiday together as the gang were growing up fast and reaching for their own dreams. 
I encountered a bit of a personal knock, but a good time was had by all. There was one activity that I did not join in with and once we were back in the UK I regretted not taking part in the Sydney Bridge Climb. My family had all enjoyed the day on the bridge and I wished I had been more adventurous and joined them in this once in a lifetime experience. Lucky me though had another chance and June 2009 found me back in Sydney. 

This time I braved up and took the challenge, and wow how good did I feel when I completed the walk. My smile showed it all. I felt very spiritual at the top and now knew that anything is possible if you really want to do it.


I wear a little charm of this magnificent structure which in times of uncertainty I  I take in my hand and remember how I faced my fears. I still waver from time to time, all of us do, but its such a wonderful feeling to of chased a rainbow and lived a dream. 
I have an ongoing dream that has lived with me a very long time, maybe the next time I see a rainbow I will embrace it, and follow that dream. 


A very happy bright and colourful week to all of you ...oh and to a very special friend thank you from the very bottom of my heart :) :) x 

So a wish was made yesterday  afternoon....silly me, am I just chasing rainbows of shall I follow my dream and take another leap of faith?

"In my world everyone is a pony who eats butterfly's and poops out rainbows"-Dr Seuss

How the first rainbow was created ..........

Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel. All claimed that they were the best. The most important. The most useful. The favorite.

Green said:
“Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority.”

Blue interrupted:
“You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing.”

Yellow chuckled:
“You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun.”

Orange started next to blow her trumpet:
“I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and papayas. I don’t hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you.”

Red could stand it no longer he shouted out:
“I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life’s blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy.”

Purple rose up to his full height:
He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: “I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me! They listen and obey.”

Finally Indigo spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination:
“Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace.”

And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.

In the midst of the clamor, rain began to speak:
“You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don’t you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me.”

Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands. The rain continued:
“From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The Rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow.” And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a Rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.

Author Unknown

Each one of us have our special purpose, unique and different and when we embrace them we can create something so beautiful that will stretch across the sky.

I'll go chasing after rainbows 
Living in my dreams 
I wonder now if anything's for real 
I'll go chasing after rainbows 
Living in my dreams 
How can I explain the way I feel 

Setting the Fairy free :)

So Saturday starts with a smile, the black cloud that hangs over me has lifted :) its so nice to see the world with open eyes and lots of colour! After a cuppa and a read of the papers in the comfort of a warm duvet breakfast was decided on.....Lightly boiled eggs with soldiers, for any of you who don't know they are not real soldiers, just sliced and buttered slices of toast, that you dip in the egg! A childhood memory indeed for many of us.

Breakfast was treated like a feast, with flowers on the table, napkins and as you can see an unexpected guest! The bear in the background is called Oddment, I knitted him at Christmas as a pressie for a family member, after opening he was sat on the chair and there he has stayed, watching all the family comings and goings. 
Our kitchen is the most important room in our house. My children have grown up eating countless meals sitting around our large table. Its a place for laughter, sometimes tears, a table to chat around and discuss current affairs. So many happy memories of Christmas's, Birthday parties, celebrations, entertaining friends, and of course its where my Nutty Knitters group knit, chat, drink tea, and eat cake every other Wednesday.

So back to breakfast....dipping all my toasted soldiers into the soft egg, and washing it all down with hot tea, the time had come to turn the egg upside down in the egg cup, crack a hole in the shell to let the fairy out! My mother used to say by letting the fairy have her freedom she would bring good luck and grant a wish! My family think I am bonkers to still be  cracking the empty shell at my age. And like one of my sons says, if the fairy is silly enough to live inside an egg then she deserves to stay in there, besides he adds,if I had of thought about it logically I must of killed her anyway during the boiling.....he has a point but I still continue to let her out anyway..just in case :)

Seems one wish was granted this morning.....having lost the dark cloud for a while I have been able to function a little better and creativity overflows...I am off to my studio now to draw and stitch....watch this space for a new creation :)


I still have one wish that I would so love to have granted, one that is in my heart and soul and been there for a very long time. So while I wait I will continue to eat eggs and let the fairy out......one day someday, who knows that is the future when it comes. xxx

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.Henry David Thoreau

Legends and folklore about eggs.


When you have finished your boiled egg, crush the shell or push the spoon through the bottom to avoid bad luck. This stems from the belief that witches collect up the empty shells and use them to go to sea and work spells against hapless mariners. 


The giving of Easter eggs and the use of eggs in all sorts of other festivities, both 


Painting eggs red at Easter is seen as good luck, as it is the colour of blood and life.

German and Slav peasants rubbed a mixture of eggs, bread and flour on their plows hoping to improve the harvest. 

To ensure a big family, a 17th-century French bride would crack an egg on her new home's doorstep before entering.

In the 19th century, builders in Bombay, India, put an egg and milk into the foundations of new structures to protect them from harm. 

Even before Christian times people colored, blessed or exchanged eggs as part of the rites of spring to welcome the sun's awakening from its long winter sleep. Early Christians adopted the egg, which represented the renewal of life, as a symbol of Christ's resurrection from the grave.

Several folk tales explain the origin of dyeing Easter eggs. One legend from Poland recounts how the Virgin Mary herself painted boiled eggs in bright colors to please the infant Jesus.

Eastern Europeans may exchange eggs bearing the letters "XB" for :Christ is Risen". Russians exchange a decorated egg and three kisses.

Chips and friends and smiles!

Mary Janes....best fish and chip shop in Cromer North Norfolk.

Chips.....few people can resist the smell of hot chips sprinkled with salt and vinegar, a comfort food for me and always evokes a memory. Mary Janes fish and chip shop in Cromer holds many fond memories. Norfolk has become a second home for us over the past 25 years and many a lunch has been eaten by  my children, their friends, us as a family and of course some of my special friends have all enjoyed a slap up meal here. Of course no seaside holiday would be the same without chips, best way to eat them is straight out of the paper sitting on the prom or better still on the beach. mmmmmmmm

A few facts about fish and chips

During World War II, ministers bent over backwards to make sure fish and chips were one of the few foods that were never rationed.

The potato is thought to have been brought to England from the New World in the 17th century by Sir Walter Raleigh although it is believed that the French invented the fried potato chip.

Both Lancashire and London stake a claim to being the first to invent this famous meal - chips were a cheap, staple food of the industrial north whilst fried fish was introduced in London’s East End. In 1839 Charles Dickens referred to a “fried fish warehouse” in his novel, 'Oliver Twist'. The populace soon decided that putting fried fish and chips together was a very tasty combination and so was born our national dish of fish and chips!

Fish and chips became so essential to the diet of the ordinary man and woman that one shop in Bradford had to employ a doorman to control the queue at busy times during 1933.

You may wonder why I am nattering on about chips? Well last week was a bit of a flat one for me. My work seems to be going no where right now, which is very frustrating, and Thursday was the 3rd anniversary of our house fire. And even now the trauma and flashbacks disturb me on a daily basis. Thursday was no exception. I found myself feeling sorry for myself and lonely....But a surprise knock on the back door lifted my mood completely.

Two of my lovely friends....you know who you are....had dropped by to share a cuppa, and had brought with them bags of chips.....how nice it as to sip tea, chat and eat, yes out of the paper and with our fingers, lovely hot chips. It certainly made for smiles all round :)  

I found this quote and and it made me smile too....

“If the soup had been as warm as the wine, and the wine as old as the fish, and the fish as young as the maid, and the maid as willing as the hostess, it would have been a very good meal.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/deepfriedfishinbeerb_67776

http://www.farndales.co.uk/4.html

http://www.foodndrink.co.uk/british-food/history-of-fish-and-chips/

A goat, 2 estate agents and a silly woman!!!

Alby Newbian Goat

Once upon a time I acquired 2 goats, a white Toggenburg called Daisy and an Alby Newbian whose name was Biggles. I had not given enough thought to goat keeping and it was not long before they produced 2 kids, things then got very complicated , they could be very entertaining and very naughty, and we seemed to spend much of our time searching for runaway goats. Eventually they became such a handful I had to get rid of Daisy and her babies, but that's another story!       

Toggenburg goat

Biggles continued to live with us for many  more colourful, and being a billy goat, very smelly years.

We live in an old farmhouse that has needed lots of renovation, which is not easy when you have 3 children, 8 cats, 2 dogs, chickens, ducks, geese, an assortment of small furry creatures  and of course goats! I would get fed up with the slow progression of building work and quite often would want to sell up. So off to the estate agents I went, and made appointments with 2 companies to come and value our property. Needless to say nobody dare make a mess or move anything , and kept out of my way over the weekend, as I cleaned, hoovered, dusted and shoved things in cupboards so the house looked suitably tidy for the first estate agent to drop by on the Monday morning.


Monday arrived and a lovely man in a suit arrived, defiantly the wrong attire for an old farmhouse which was surrounded by animals,a  building site and lots of mud! Anyway I made the chap a nice cup of tea gave him a slice of cake, made small talk for a bit, then he went of to nosey around and measure up, all the while making suitable ohhhh  arrrrr sounds. I was not sure if they were complimentary ohhh arrrrrr sounds as he looked round our home, or coming into a little farmyard he took on the persona of a farmer. 


After collecting all the details he went into the gardens to measure and admire....his shoes were now very muddy as I met him outside our barns, and there was worse to come. Entering the barns and looking around he then wanted to know what was through a door at the back. 'well' I said 'that takes us into my goats living quarters, and you have seen them from the outside when you measured the paddock'. But he was adamant he wanted to go in!


'Ok, but he is a billy goat, and smells bad, hopefully he wont come rushing up to you and make you smell just like he does'. So I fetched a bucket, filled it with food , hoping when I opened the door, Biggles would be more interested in another unexpected breakfast, rather than the said agent.


I unlocked and pushed he door open slowly....so unusual no rush of goat. Stepping inside I looked around then saw Biggles laying on his back amongst the hay! 


'Oh.....I think Biggles is asleep' I said, panicking a little as he looked a little unwell!
'My dear, I think your goat is dead' the estate agent relied
'Well he was Ok this morning when I gave him his breakfast' 
The friendly estate agent went on his merry way.....


I had intended to cover Biggles over with hay, as we could not dispose of his body immediatly. The following  morning another chap came over to value our house...guess what? I forgotten to put the hay over the goat.


Well here comes the silly woman part...the estate agent had a cuppa, a piece of cake, went round my house measuring up and making ohhhhh arrrrrr sounds, measured and admired the gardens, then stood outside my barns with muddy shoes..... realisation dawned on me....Instead of telling him to look out and not tread on my dead goat, I told him Biggles was very smelly, would rush towards him, and I had to get a bucket of food....I opened the door looked around...and exclaimed 'My goat is asleep'.....he replied 'I think your goats dead'.awwwwwwwww how silly I felt. As you can imagine I did not hear from either agent for a while. Their premises were next door to each other, so no doubt they compare details the they can come up  with similar valuations....Imagine their conversation....'Oh when I visited Hillcote Farm the lady there had a goat in her barn  that had died that morning'....'Funny enough when I went the next day she had another goat that had died that morning too'


To top the lot, my father in law would drop by most days, visit Biggles and give him some scraps. He came indoors for his daily cuppa and said 'I don't think Biggles is very well today, as he is not interested in the food I have brought him'. Laughing I then told him he had been trying to feed a dead goat!!!!! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Happy Tuesday to you all...x
                                                                                                                                    

Living in a bucket

We of the craft are all crazy. - LORD BYRON (1788-1824)

Hiya everyone hope all is happy and bright?
My get up and go has got up and gone again, I feel like I am inside a bucket looking up and waving but no one sees me....its a case of "no one likes me, everyone hates me so I am off in to the garden to eat worms", not literately of course. I may serve up dandelions, but worms I think not!


I would so love to return to days 4 years ago when I had the freedom and confidence to go out and about, but I am trapped like a bird in a cage, scared of the world outside. Sometimes I wish I could run away from myself...lol. Each day I live in hope that this is the day I will see the colours more clearly and find "me" again.


Well enough of a moan, I know I am blessed with my family and of course my art, so on that note I am off to my studio to be creative. Have a good Saturday.....