Thursday, February 06, 2014

Feast your eyes.....

There's a little bakery/cafe not too far from us so we have taken to driving there every Thursday on my day off. It is called Libby's and it has the most amazing atmosphere not to mention the fantastic food baked in the cellars of the premises. They specialise in cakes and breads but do all sorts of meals. It is in a place called Marple Bridge in Stockport, Cheshire so if you ever find yourselves ending up nearby then it is definitely worth checking out. The marble brownies are to die for and the best brownies I have ever tasted. 






Okay, well guess what? I think my stitching mojo has come back from its travels and is ready to rock! Finally, finally stitching has come back into my heart and I am really enjoying working on my Elizabeth Lillie reproduction piece. I think starting a cross stitch after school club has helped tremendously. I began to rummage through all my charts that I hadn't seen in years and started to remember all those charts I had bought but never stitched. What a waste! Well, it spurred me on and got me going and now I just want to stitch all day! I wish I could actually but those days of stitching all day long have truly gone but I still have a few evenings and the odd weekend. 



Sorry for the crumples but you can see I am making great progress on this piece. I have also joined an exchange! Yay! I haven't done one in years so I am quite excited at the prospect. Whilst rummaging through my stash I came across all the cards and exchanges I had received through the years and it was very moving actually. I really do cherish all those wonderful stitched pieces. 

Next up is a crochet shawl I made using King Cole Riot DK. The pattern is the South Bay Shawlette which is a free pattern on Ravely. It is only a two row repeat and once you get it into your head it is very simple. I love this shawl. It is so snuggly and warm and the colours just blend beautifully. I made it quite big and used two and a half balls on it. I made up the edging myself based on one I had seen and I am really pleased with the result. 





So that's all from me for now. Hopefully in the next post I will have finished my Willow Squares blanket. All the squares are made up now and just need to be joined. It is going to  look gorgeous - I hope! 

All else is well - except the British weather, yack yack!!!!! When will it stop raining??? Hope you are all doing well too lovely people. Catch up soon. xxxxx


19 comments:

Margaret said...

The colors in that shawl are gorgeous! Love it! Love that you are stitching again too -- nice WIP! The bakery looks so yummy! Oh my, I'd love to go there and eat something. lol!

Melanie said...

Wow, that food looks amazing! So glad you've got your stitching bug back. I've been in a bit of a slump myself and today some new stash came and I thought I can't wait it start it. The crochet throw is beautiful and warm! perfect for this dreary weather we've been having.

Vickie said...

Oh help!! Brownies are my most favorite food on this planet.
What a fabulous verse on that sampler. Wow!
You do such gorgeous work on your shawls.
Take care and don't stay away so long!! ;)

Giovanna said...

Lovely stitching on your sampler - and nice to read that the mojo is back :-) Enjoy it.

Melissa said...

Hazel, that shawl is looking gorgeous! I just want to wrap it around me and hunker down on the couch...with a piece of pastry and tea!

Love the verse in Elizabeth. I have this chart (I think) and must find it in my stash. It looks lovely!

It must feel so good to get your stitching mojo back!

Melody said...

Your shawl is beautiful! What pretty colors!!

Wow, the bakery treats look divine. Good thing I don't have one nearby.... :)

Julie said...

Yummy....what treats that shop holds, I would be spoilt for choice.
Great progress on the stitchy project.

Shebafudge said...

Oooh, Marple Bridge is only about 20 minutes up the road from us so perhaps I should pop up there!

Mylene said...

wow! such yummy brownies!
Great to hear mojoś back...Sampler is looking beautiful and the shawl is gorgeous.

Jackie's Stitches said...

So glad to hear that you're stitching again! Would love to know more about what you're doing with the after school stitching club. Sounds fun!

I have a huge sweet tooth and your bakery looks wonderful!

Chris said...

Ok, now I am hungry! What a lovely bakery.
Gorgeous stitching progress! This is such a pretty sampler.
That shawl is gorgeous too, gorgeous colors and such a pretty pattern.
Happy Friday!

Barb said...

Hello there Hazel, love the shawl as so many have already said, the colours are just gorgeous.Nice work on the stitching too. Oh dear I am so glad I am far away from that bakery it looks just tooooo good. I shall show my son who is a qualified baker and let you know what he says. Big tick from me.
Hugs from a soggy down south.

stitcherw said...

Wow, feast for the eyes was right, that food looked absolutely delicious, now I'm hungry :)
Nice progress on your stitching, and the shawl turned out lovely, very pretty colors.

Louise said...

wow, wow, WOW! What a lovely post Hazel! You work and yet, I still cannot keep up with all you do stitchy wise!! You amaze me. Your sampler is wonderful. I have just subscribed to Antique Sampler quarterly magazine. I don't know why I haven't been stitching samplers all these years? I just ADORE them!! I have so much catching up to do!!
Louise xx

Clare-Aimetu said...

Oh such lovely cakes :-) it's
Loverly to read your mojo is back :-) and great yo see you again at Needlecraft Haven

Brigitte said...

Oh Hazel, how great that your stitching mojo is back. Going through all the wonderful stash of charts, fabrics and threads is always a big help to get back into stitching. Looking at all the wonderful projects and discovering hidden treasures can be so inspiring. Elizabeth is a great piece to enjoy stitching again.

I love your new shawl, such wonderful colours, and it looks so cozy.

OH my, this café must really be heaven and a weekly visit is a real must, I think, lol.

Annette-California said...

Oh Hazel where do I begin? Your shawl is Gorgeous and I love the colors. Okay the bakery?? I would try every baked good there - everything looks amazing. YEA!!!! Your stitching again:)))))))
So happy and what a beautiful sampler your stitching. What't the name of the chart please?
love Annette

Miss LindaLee said...

Hello Hazel. I love, love, love your shawlette and would love to make one for myself. I couldn't find the pattern on Raveltry though. Could you direct me to the right page? Thank you so very much. You did a beautiful job on this one.

Anna van Schurman said...

Beautiful shawl! Love the colors. Glad I don't live near that bakery! It looks delicious and it would be my downfall. :)