I’ve been working away at the socks - it’s definitely addictive. I decided to make socks for P (she has the smallest feet in the house), although these seem enormous and will probably fit me.

I had to cast on 6 times (yes 6 times!) before I managed to get it right, but now things are going well. I’m in the easy part - the band is done and I haven’t got to the heel flap.

I’m using 4mm needles and the pattern (and the label on the ball of wool) both suggested 3 or 3.5mm needles - could that be the reason my sock is enormous? I should have done a test swatch as recommended by the Yarn Harlot.

I’ve decided to knit some socks. From here I bought self-patterning sock wool, bamboo needles and from here I bought one of the Yarn Harlot’s books. My wool did come with a sample pattern as well, so we’ll see how we go.

I baked Yarnstorm’s Chewy Flapjacks. They’re certainly very lovely and chewy. I’m not sure I baked them long enough, but as the bottom of things tend to burn in my oven I like to err on the side of slightly early.

It was an easy recipe and as it all went together in the saucepan, there wasn’t much washing up either. I definitely recommend making it - particularly if you live in Australia and can find golden syrup easily.

As I’m a bit of a janeite, I buy every book I see about Austen. Even some rather dreadful sequels and continuations. I have even made a few cross words. So when I saw this book at Dymocks I just had to have it.

I’m still collecting my thoughts about this book - overall I liked it. Ms Collins focussed on Austen’s early years and the influence her father may have had on her. I say may have because there isn’t much evidence to support anyone’s theories on the relationship between George Austen and Jane. However, Ms Collins extrapolations strike me as plausible and the information about religion in the 18th century was enlightening (at least for me). I particularly enjoyed how Ms Collins highlighted events in Austen’s life that appeared in her published works. For example,

Jane’s visits to Godmersham undoubtedly gave her the knowledge of the daily routine of a great house, which she used effectively in Mansfield Park.

Irene Collins is probably the perfect person to write a book like this - she is the Vice President of the Jane Austen Society  plus she is the Reader Emeritus at Liverpool University.

It’s an easy read and quite short (only 238 pages - excluding notes). Definitely worth a read if you’re at all interested in Austen.

Some roses from my garden …

This is the only creative activity happening in my house at the moment…

Below is A’s version - we’re half way through waiting for the glue to dry so we can draw on the details.

The card is from 50 Rainy Day Activities. Even though it’s not raining, we’re housebound by the heat. We’re also watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (I must say I’m pleasantly surprised by this film).

We baked Almond Macaroons today - a couple of little friends were coming for a visit. It’s an extremely easy recipe and they taste great.

I’m happy to email the recipe to anyone interested.

I have accumulated a large amount of Nursery Rhyme/Childrens fabric. I purchased quite a bit thinking I would use it in my T-Shirt business, but I’ve learnt a few things along the way. First, I don’t like doing the same thing over and over again and secondly, the embroidery doesn’t show up very well on busy prints.

I’m thinking about using these fabrics in a simple square quilt.

My neighbours have a lovely white bouganvillea. I love the contrast between the green and the white. It just seems crisp and fresh. I’m contemplating a green and white quilt - although I think my design might be too grandiose for my cutting ability (lots of triangles and narrow bits and accuracy is vital).

There is time for more thought because I’m not starting any new quilts until I finish my Turning Twenty quilt.

I’ve sewn all of the blocks together - still have to add the borders.

Despite the simplicity of this pattern, I have still had to unpick rows and sew them back together again. I think it’s because I’ve been trying to quilt whilst doing other things - supervise small children.

I do like this pattern and it has come together quickly, but I now think I should have used a range of fabrics rather than all the same (Freshcut). It’s not that I don’t like the fabrics I just think it lacks a bit of creative zest.

At this stage I plan to just use straight line quilting - probably hanging diamonds or a simple diagonal grid.