For the love of.... baking.

I know I boasted about my recent efforts on Twitter and the podcast but I couldn't leave it at that now could I? I HAD to share some photographs of my yummy baking session. 

First there was the wonderful Rye Soda Bread from the Super Natural Every Day Cookbook by Heidi Swanson. This recipe was perfectly written and I had great results as you can see:

Pre oven

Ready for buttering!

Then I made the most delicious snack bars I've made in ages. They are called 'Honey and Peanut Booster Bars' and can be found in 'River Cottage Every Day' by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. This is one of my absolute all time favs and I go to this book time and time again for failproof wholesome recipes. 

You may notice this picture shows the uncooked version.... I forgot to take the end result as I was too busy cutting myself some and stuffing it in my mouth but it was good- trust me.

Face Lift

Hello!

Just wanted to write a quick post to say things are looking a bit 'odd' on the blog. I removed Shabby Blogs due to continuous virus threats after much wrangling as the stupid thing embedded in my template. So now I have a weird template and a weird clashy colour scheme. I need to play some more but I don't have time today, so please just ignore the random colours and strange birds. It was the best I could do with 5 minutes and a coffee this morning!

More soon x

Now with added friends...

.... I am so thrilled to be able to announce a new blog sponsor! Our playful tribe has extended to include the talents of Rose Beck. Rose is a fabulous designer who I have always admired and invited on the podcast as soon as I could! I felt that Rose would be a great addition to the blog sponsors as her creative spirit and tenacity are just what this blog and the podcast are all about. I really hope you are able to show your support too. 

(c) Wovenhand

Rose designs shawls and accessories that make my heart sing and I know many of you are fans too. Her recent publication, the 'Archi- Textural Collection' is typical of Rose's work: clean, elegant and full of interest for knitters. Rose has a real fondness for lace shawls, especially simple, elegant shawls that make the most of today’s gorgeous hand-dyed luxury yarns and each new design always has my fingers itching to cast on. 

Some of you may remember the 'Sugared Violets' shawl that I worked up in Uncommon Thread some time ago as well as the lovely test knit that I was lucky enough to complete. I've chatted about her patterns on the podcast quite a bit as a result and have always enjoyed the intuitive way that they are presented. To find out more about Rose and her crafty life, drop by her charming blog Rose.is.a.rose or check out all of her designs on her Ravelry designer page.

String of Pearls

A Treat

I love second hand finds, especially if they're craft or cooking related. A little while back I attend Unravel but I neglected to share my prize find. While wandering around the different vendors we found a fabulous second hand stall with baskets, knitting accessories and all kinds of wonderful treasures. I lost a good half an hour looking lovingly at the items and decided something special had to come home and continue its craft life with me.

My purchase was a simple one: a repurposed box with knitting goodies inside. It wasn't purpose built but reclaimed for a crafty life by a knitter like myself. How do I know it was a knitter? Well, there were clues.....

Firstly I loved the box. Sadly, it had a sticker put on it some time ago so I need to get some fine steel wool and ease that off and give it a little beeswax to make it happy again. I googled the 'Punchenellos' label but couldn't find what this referred to. I'm intrigued, I'll admit!

Then there's the goodies inside: buttons, ribbons, trinkets and thread. I delved in further to find out more about this mystery crafter and found these little gems. 

Ah ha! A needle gauge and what else?

Tally marks inside the box. Love that

Episode 29: Back to Business

A Playful Day is kindly sponsored by Superknits, the home of super yarns for super knits. Please show your support for our playful friend by clicking on the link above- go on, spoil yourself!!!.

A Playful Day is also kindly sponsored by NorthboundKnitting, uniquely hand dyed yarn, spinning fibre and modern knitting designs. Please show your support for our playful friend by clicking on the link above.

A Playful Day is proudly sponsored by Candy Skein, hand dyed yarns sweet enough to eat! Please support our playful friend by supporting the banner above.

Show notes:

Readalong, the playful group on Ravelry
WWKIP day is coming! There's a thread in the group to help you find somewhere near you or tell people where you will be.
Ravelympics is also heading this way. Are you ready?
Fibre East is on 14th-15th July 2012. I'll be there on the 14th and hope to see you too.

Off The Needles

Afterthought Heel Socks by Laura Linneman in RosieRetro colourway 'Nightbird'
A repair using the afterthought heel after a bad experience with Cherry Tree Hill SuperSock yarn. 

On the Needles

Julissa by Vanessa Smith in Miss Bab's Yowza! Whatta Skein! in the colourway 'Catherine'.
The Eternity Scarf by Michelle Wang in Berry Colourful Yarns Worsted MCN in the colourway 'Cinna'.

Munch, Burp, Schlurp
I talk about the lovely Super Natural Every Day Cookbook by Heidi Swanson of the 101 Cookbooks blog. 

Practical Pursuits
I talk about 'Of Bees and Mist' by Erick Setiawan and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
I recommend Books On The Nightstand podcast and 2 Knitlit Chicks.

Songs:

Fly, Fly, Fly by Adrina Thorpe, available on Music Alley
Who You Gonna Run to by Blade of Grass , available on Music Alley

Contact me at: aplayfulday@gmail.com
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