Crafternoon Tea with Granny G - the Knitsch episode

After many attempts to both be free on one evening, Genny and I finally managed to have a bit of a chin-wag about all things knit graffiti, hand dyed and fibre arty.

I was determined that I would not listen to it, as I was certain i'd said the same thing over and over again.

Seeing as I had a lazy Sunday afternoon ahead of me, armed with laptop, knitting and a dash of apprehension, listened to my interview. It wasn't so bad as expected, and the interview itself was more like a chat with a new friend about shared passions.

Crafternoon Tea with Granny G can be downloaded (for free!) through iTunes or through her website. It really is worth tuning in each week, each interviewee is so fascinating and Genny is rather inspiring herself. There is something rather mesmerising about Genny's voice, so it's not hard to get lost in her podcast and suddenly realise several hours have disappeared.

 So grab a cuppa, your knitting and a quiet corner, and enjoy.

Brownies make the world go round

Last night a friend hosted a bit of a get together for dinner, and I was put in charge of pudding.

As a result of the dinner, and the following escapades, today has been a rather slow and lazy Sunday.

So, here is the recipe for the most fantastically rich brownies ever (and they can be gluten free - just switch for GF flour)

1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups sugar (I only used 1 3/4, but i've heard they're fine with only 1 cup too)
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
4 eggs
225g butter, softened

Sift together all the dry ingredients in one bowl, and mix together all the wet ingredients in another. Make a well in the centre of the dry, add the wet, and mix until combined.

Bake at 180 degrees celsius for about 25 minutes. Yum!

Monkey Business

I've blogged before about the continuing obsession with Cookie A's Monkey socks. So of course, here is, yet another, Monkey. 

Mystery Machine is right up there in my favourite Knitsch colours, and as this Monkey grew, the more I loved it. The purple seems to peek in to see what's going on, and then retreat again in the heel. 

I've seen photos of a pretty fantastic Jay Walker in Mystery Machine, too - and it looks different again. Seeing the yarn knitted up is so exciting - so please add TashB (that's me!) as a friend on Ravelry so I can see, or better yet, join the Knitsch Yarns group and share with everyone :D

Extra Curricular

How wonderful is it to receive exciting mail? You know, the kind that isn't a bill or bank statement or some such?

Today my copy of Extra Curricular volume 2 arrived. EXCITEMENT. I've seen it in a few shops now and managed to refrain doing anything than having a quick peek at the pictures.

I'm rather looking forward to sitting down with a cup of tea, the last Easter eggs and having a proper read.

Cinque Terre - the place behind the name

Seeing as i'm currently knitting with Cinque Terre, the colour, how about a few photos of the place that inspired the name?

See those houses? They were a vision of colour - warm oranges, yellows, pastel greens and blues, all perched on the side of massive hills.

         

Cosy CraftUp

Once upon a time, I lived in Wellington. I loved it - loved walking the streets, popping in to Midnight Espresso or Deluxe to loiter over a coffee and read, mooching around looking at beautiful things and spying great graffiti. I'm now resident in another great place, the one and only Petone, but I do so miss being close to central Wellington.

Last night I had the great pleasure of joining some crafty types for a CraftUp at Blondini's, upstairs at the Embassy. Driving in, the city showed me all the reasons why I love it - moody winter clouds, grey buildings and shining yellow lights. I adore being so close to the hills and the sea, and being able to walk from one end to the other.

(That's a sock in Cinque Terre on the table...almost done!)

It was a perfect evening for red wine, brownies, crafting and talking about crafty business and general gossip. The craft community really are so open and welcoming, and I always go away from catch ups with a big smile on my face. Last night in particular, a few plots were planned...so there is plenty to go on with in the background!

Mainland mission

I hope you're all enjoying a lovely relaxing Easter weekend. This year seems to be a perfect demonstration of why Easter trading should stay just how it is in New Zealand - all shops closed on Friday and Sunday. Having caught a bad cold there is nothing but to sit on the couch, watch movies and knit.

To continue the week of Grandma, here are a few photos of the weekend away to celebrate Margaret's birthday. Have a great weekend, and travel safe if you are heading away xx

The best chocolate cake EVER 

The cows were quite keen on having cake
       

Drive out from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass

      

View of the beautiful Rakaia River