Some may remember, back last summer, we came home with some hens.  One of them was a beautiful Frizzle.  However, she's not so pretty now.  Apparently, they are quite prone to losing  a lot/most/all their feathers, some not regaining them until the autumn.  Not only is it not very pretty, it leaves them with bare skin, which can get cold, burnt or pecked.

As the summer is late in coming, it's cold here, and one of the other hens has decided to peck away at whatever stubble is left, so the Frizzle has a sore back.  She needs a saddle or apron.  I could buy one, but being the weekend, it wouldn't be here that quickly, so out comes some warm knitted fabric.

I've never made a saddle before, but the internet is a wonderful thing.  After doing a search I found a tutorial here- http://backtobasicliving.com/blog/make-a-chicken-saddle/ .

I had to adapt it a bit, as our Frizzle is only small, but this is the first one done.  I'll have to make another and make a few alterations.  The next one has to be shorter in the neck, and in body, with deeper armholes.

The elastic fits around the wings, and causes the hen no pain whatsoever.  She's not that keen in the process of being caught to have it put on, but doesn't seem to mind wearing it.

Adjustments have now been made to the template and a second one will soon be made.  Once I've perfected the pattern, I'll make her some pretty ones for the summer, lol.

Before I forget, Deanna has won the giveaway on Facebook, thanks for those who took part.

This is the first of the baby hampers to be made, and I am so pleased with how it's turned out.  The bag started life as a pair of child's swimming shorts, and a brushed cotton cot sheet.  The bag is washable, and perfect for gifting and storing some organic baby goodies.

Included in the pack is a muslin square and one bottle each of organic bubble bath, baby lotion and shampoo/body wash.  These will be available in the shop by the beginning of the week.

This one will be suitable for a boy or girl, although I have some more to make this week.  As with most things I make, if there is a specific colour that you are looking for, please ask.

After each project, a little pile of scraps appears behind the sewing machine.  It doesn't take long for them to begin to get in the way, so before I could start to so anything else, the scraps had to be used.  From this session, I got three more crumb blocks made.  The bag on the right is where they are all being kept safe.  As you can see, it is growing quite nicely.  Now that's done, the table is clear for cutting again.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, there has been some unusual baking going on.  After following on from a link on Facebook I came across this site-http://www.herbs-info.com/blog/40-amazing-things-to-do-with-dandelions/ and decide to try one of the recipes.

These are my Dandelion Cookies, and they went down really well with the boys.  Unfortunately, there's not been much sun around, so we've exhausted the supply of dandelion flowers in the garden.  Will definitely be trying these again.

Over the last year or so, I've gradually been sorting through all my old craft magazines and books.  Some have already gone but ones looking for new homes have found their way here.  I have gone through some of them to see if there were any projects that took my fancey.  I came across a magazine insert that had four designs, with pre-printed mounts that looked quite attractive.  They combine cross stitch and embroidery.

I needed to buy some new threads and the linen, but now it's all kitted up ready for some evening stitching. All being well, I should have these stitched and framed by the end of the year.

I also have a giveaway on Facebook.  It's open until 6am British Summer Time on Saturday and is open to all who have liked my page.  Please pop over and join in the fun.  A winner will be announced on Facebook during the day on Saturday.

It's been quiet on the blog over the last few days, but I've been busy running around here, there and everywhere.  Not feeling the best, by the time I've got back in, all I've been fit for, is curling up under a quilt.  Despite that, another project has been started.

I'm not going to tell you what it is yet, but being 'big wool', it's quick to knit.  Trouble is, I ran out before I got to the end.  Another ball is on it's way, so as soon as it arrives, I can finish the knitting and get it put together.

In the meantime, I'll have to find something else to keep me amused.

The way the day started yesterday, I didn't expect to get anything useful done.  I'd had a sore throat Friday, temperature by the evening, so was early to bed as the voice was going too.  Saturday loomed, after a not very good night, still croaky and all the other things that go with having a cold.  I had to go out in the morning, so by the time I got back in the afternoon, I was just ready to crash on the sofa.

After crashing on the Friday, I felt rather frustrated at doing the same on Saturday, so the knitting needles came out.  By the time evening came, I had a finished hat.

This size is to fit a girl, aprox 7-9 years old and is knitted in Sirdar Click Chunky with wool.  It's a wool mix yarn, 70% acrylic, 30% wool in a blueberry colour.  On the side, there is a lace pattern with bobbles, and with the garter stitch sections, has plenty of textural interest.  This should be in the shop tomorrow, when hopefully, my brain is functioning a bit better.

After a lovely relaxing start to the week, it seems to have gone downhill ever since.  It's been the general things of life that take time out of the day.  Tuesday, we were just about to go out to discover that we had a flat tyre.  I had been out earlier in the day to pick up Daniel from the train station, so I was grateful it hadn't blown whilst driving.  Daniel earned his keep by changing the wheel and putting on the spare.  Wednesday, Jonathan came with me to get tyre which was money well spent, if a little reluctantly.  Better to be safe than sorry!


Jonathan's eye test was due, so I've had to take him to the optician, and today we have to go and pick up his new glasses before he's off to London tomorrow.  He's off to the Grand Designs Live Show.   I won two tickets, so he's meeting up with his dad to go, and will be back home Sunday.

The saddest part of the week has been the death of a friend, so we will be spending a bit of time over the coming weeks helping and supporting his widow.

There have been some changes on the website with some more recipes added to the Smoothie section and of course, Pamper and Trial packs have been added to the shop.

I have some running around to do today, but hopefully, there will also be some time at the sewing machine.  Hope everyone gets a good day, and enjoy your weekend.

The next project on the needles was something that had it's start some time ago.  Jonathan had wanted a snood, but was happy with a neck warmer, but he said he wanted something with cables, so I thought of a pattern, and bought the wool.  It then sat in the work basket and I finally picked it up last week.

This time, he has an everlasting scarf, which is long enough to double over without strangling him, but not loose enough to fall away from his neck.  Now, I've seen the way the pattern works, I may try again and do the snood which is how it all started.


The scarf was knitting using Rowan Cocoon, 80% merino wool, 20% kid mohair.  It will be perfect for the winter, not a hot sunny day as pictured here.  I will be writing up the pattern soon, for anyone that is interested.

As you can see from the picture below, Tom Kitten now has his whiskers. He is now ready to wait for the next stage of the process.

This little bag was made from the short sleeves of the shirt, the cuffs forming part of the channel for the cord.  This time, it's only a small bag, measuring about 5" square.  It's big enough to hold a selection of dog treats, and some poo bags, perfect to pick up as you leave the house with the dog.

These will be available this week, but today is a Bank Holiday and, as it's one of the rare Bank Holidays with sun, we are going out for a picnic.  Hope you all have a good Monday.