in pursuit of organised-ness

Here is a tea cup birthday cake I made for my gran, Mams, who was 85 on the weekend. (The plate and jammy dodgers are real!) Went down well, just wish I could get my icing a bit straighter and neater. . . BUT to help with that I have enrolled on a cake decorating course at http://www.sweetartconfectionerysupplies.co.uk/ in Port Talbot. Can't wait! It starts 2 weeks tomorrow and my mum is coming along too. Will let you know how it goes. Next cake is a cupcake tower for my husband's nephew's 21st birthday. (I know technically that makes him my nephew too, but I'm 27, not old enough for a 21 year old nephew!!) Colour to be red.

As I have started posting more photos of my knitting and studying other blogs, I have decided that I should do my knitting some justice and take some good photos of it. Plus I am hoping to start selling patterns and knitted items, so photos will, hopefully, make all the difference. So, I will take some before and after shots of my knitting while I research and put my findings into practice. At the end of this post is a list of links that I came across in my research. Natural Light V Artificial Lighting There are a number of schools of thought on this. In many cases professional photographers will use staged lighting so that they have total control over light and shadow. I am not a professional photographer. Generally, in order to show items in their natural beauty, natural/daylight is best. Obviously this is hard to do an night, which is usually when I take photos. However, if you do have the inclination, WikiKnitting has a great post on making a lightbox: http://wikiknitting.com/wik...

Here it is! My progress so far on the Peepo Blanket from The Knitter magazine, issue 4. It's about 4" so far. But I did manage to work out how to make the stripes look nice in moss stitch. Will post photos tonight with a bit more detail. Am planning a post on how to photograph knitting - a learning thing for me as I have been reading a lot of blogs lately and noticed that the photos are much better than mine!! Anyone willing to share tips?

1. Because it's cool! Yup, knitting has become more popular over the last few years along with the resurgence in craftiness and home baking. It's no longer just something your nan does, but a bone fide hobby. 2. Because it's relaxing. I spend most of my day in front of the computer (and most evenings too, really) and watching TV doesn't always help you relax. Knitting is one way to get your mind totally off the crap that has gone on at work, and a lack of flickering images give your eyes a rest. 3. Because it's sociable. Knittng is one of those hobbies that can be done with a group of friends, hence the build up of Stitch N Bitch groups, as you can still talk and knit. 4. Because you'll always learn something new . There are so many things that can be done with some yarn and a pair of needles, so whether you find a new stitch pattern, a new way to cast on, using double pointed needles, felting, different yarn...you'll never stop learning. 5. Because you...

I have decided that while I will be continuing the blog challenge, I won't mention it every day as it will probably detract from what I am actually trying to do. It may also make this blog sound like an experiment, while I am really trying to make it more interesting and build on my blogging skills. (Also so I can souns like I know what I'm talking about in work! :) So, I would like to thank Darren for what is already turning out to be an interesting and informative course , and now on to my blogging....

Above is my latest birthday cake. A teacher's desk with an Inspector Gadget drawing - long story! Yesterday was the start of the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Challenge (31DBBB) by Problogger. The task was to write an Elevator Pitch for my blog, which got me windering why I started theis blog and what makes me carry on. Mainly it's a personal thing, somewhere I can keep photos and details on everything I am up to. However, I am looking to start selling online and I guess this blog will then become part of that. So, in an ideal world then....this blog is intended to inspire like minded crafters and bakers and push me to be more crafty and creative. How's that sound? Any thoughts?

It is Friday, I am finishing work in 5 hours and looking forward to a weekend of knitting, sorting and cooking. M (Hubby) is cooking tonight, I'm cooking tomorrow and we're out on Sunday for a friend's birthday so will be making a birthday cake with a teacher theme. Will also be ordering the yarn so that I can start the Felted Purse Swap I have joined on Ravelry. Have to get it done by May 1st!! But I have decided what I'm doing, and it shouldn't take too long. We have people starting work in the garden next week, which is VERY exciting, and we'll be heading off to garden centres this weekend too. Plus M wants to get chickens, so we'll be looking at chicken supplies. The photo above is of a desert we had at a wedding in a castle in Scotland. It's gorgeous and something I want to try tomorrow night. If it looks any good maybe I'll post a photo... Nex week starts the 30 days to a better blog challenge so prepare to have plenty of posts. Have a good Fri...